A disgusting vat of filth that no self-respecting intelligent person would wade into.

[Cletus Miller]

Originally posted by Spanky
I just know that Pubic Housing (like Cabrini Green) just doesn't seem to work in the US.

Yeah, that's why they are tearing it all down, at least in Chicago. It's a very complex problem, but the large-scale, urban renewal era public housing projects have proven to be, largely, a failure.

The Section 8 housing program, while not perfect, does avoid a lot of the flaws of the Cabrini Greens, but alarms the suburbanites because then "those people" can move into their neighborhoods.

I do think that Japan is not a good comparison due to the homogeneity of the Japanese. And, as compared to other multi-ethnic public-housing situations (e.g. France), Cabrini Green doesn't look quite as bad.

[Adder]

Originally posted by Spanky
It is really hard to get rid of a teacher in the Palo Alto pubic school system, but it can be done. In Los Angeles and Oakland, the teacher pretty much has to molest a student before you can get rid of them. My friend was a principle in LA and he had teachers that were missing a third of the school year that he couldn't get rid of. Some didn't teach at all and just shot the shit with their students all day; couldn't get rid of them.

There are always differences between particular situations, but many of them can be explained by different levels of resolve of the decisions makers and the availability of replacement warm bodies (or perception of that availability).

But the relevant legal and union contract standards are likely identical between Palo Alto and Oakland.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by Spanky
But how do separate these people out? And who turns in the constant eater at McDonalds? And how does the person know who turns them in that it is not a genetic problem but their lifestyle? The only solution to this problem, I can see is to tax unhealthy stuff and throw that money towards the healthcare system. That way you are really increasing their insurance rates because of unhealthy eating and living.

I don't know. But in some instance, at least, I would allow a doctor, who sees that his patient weighs 300 pounds, smokes, and refuses to show up for dietary or exercise counseling, to recommend that this patient not be allowed government-financed treatment for the predictable (fill in the blank with your favorite disease).

Fuck 'em.

Ditto for someone who needs to be put on life support because he smashed up his brain by motorcycling without a helmet.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by Gattigap
Goddamit, people! We had primo FB membership bored with the dead Xmas tree sitting in the living room, wander over here to check out the digs, and this is the best we can do to retain their interest?

(OTOH, it's probably better that gwnc didn't see Penske & Hank's vaudville act of a day or two ago. Carry on.)

I think she liked the line "smoke like a fish." I did my part. I blame all of you.


And no one told me there was going to be a test today.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by greatwhitenorthchick
Well, this has been an entertaining foray into the politics board. I will stop with the non-substantive comments now and leave you to whatever it is you all do here.

Come back -- we need you like a chimney needs a bicycle.

[Spanky]

Originally posted by Cletus Miller
Yeah, that's why they are tearing it all down, at least in Chicago. It's a very complex problem, but the large-scale, urban renewal era public housing projects have proven to be, largely, a failure.

The Section 8 housing program, while not perfect, does avoid a lot of the flaws of the Cabrini Greens, but alarms the suburbanites because then "those people" can move into their neighborhoods.

I do think that Japan is not a good comparison due to the homogeneity of the Japanese. And, as compared to other multi-ethnic public-housing situations (e.g. France), Cabrini Green doesn't look quite as bad.

That is why I first brought up Singapore. They do have multiethnic public housing that works much better than ours. But as I said, you live in government housing you have no rights. That wouldn't work here.

[Spanky]

Originally posted by Sidd Finch
I don't know. But in some instance, at least, I would allow a doctor, who sees that his patient weighs 300 pounds, smokes, and refuses to show up for dietary or exercise counseling, to recommend that this patient not be allowed government-financed treatment for the predictable (fill in the blank with your favorite disease).

Fuck 'em.

Ditto for someone who needs to be put on life support because he smashed up his brain by motorcycling without a helmet.

Someone who weighs 300 pounds must have a pretty miserable life anyway. I guess I am willing to cough up the dough. I just don't see a system where you can exclude people.

(You are making feel like a bleeding heart liberal)

[Spanky]

Originally posted by Adder
There are always differences between particular situations, but many of them can be explained by different levels of resolve of the decisions makers and the availability of replacement warm bodies (or perception of that availability).

But the relevant legal and union contract standards are likely identical between Palo Alto and Oakland.

Actually I am pretty sure Oakland and LA are tougher than other school districts because the teacher's unions are always trying to bargain for contracts similar to the one the teachers get in Oakland and LA. Of course they deny that those contracts have anything to do with how bad the schools are.

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
Come back -- we need you like a chimney needs a bicycle.

If I were urban poor, I'd move to Canada.

[Spanky]

I am way to lazy to read all the old reports, but the news ones don't explain it. Does anyone know what Trump and Rosie are arguing about. Is it political? I can't figure it out?

[Penske_Account]

Originally posted by Spanky
I am way to lazy to read all the old reports, but the news ones don't explain it. Does anyone know what Trump and Rosie are arguing about. Is it political? I can't figure it out?

And now for something completely different.,,,,,,

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Spanky
I am way to lazy to read all the old reports, but the news ones don't explain it. Does anyone know what Trump and Rosie are arguing about. Is it political? I can't figure it out?

fuuny. your line "Someone who weighs 300 pounds must have a pretty miserable life anyway." came up in Donald's statements re. Rosie.

[Not Bob]

Originally posted by Spanky
I am way to lazy to read all the old reports, but the news ones don't explain it. Does anyone know what Trump and Rosie are arguing about. Is it political? I can't figure it out?

No politics, I am afraid.

It started with the Miss USA thingy (the issue of whether the underage boozing she engaged in should make her lose her crown -- Trump is an owner or co-owner of the pageant). Rosie mocked the idea that Donald Trump should be the arbiter of moral behavior, noting his divorces, and suggesting that he wasn't all that good of a businessman. Trump responded with his typical restraint, suggesting that he would sue her for falsely stating that he went bankrupt, and threatened to have one of his friends steal her girlfriend. Then he dragged Baba Wawa into it, stating that she told him that she didn't like Rosie, and that she wouldn't be back on The View next year.

Coincidentally, The Apprentice LA is about to air.

[Penske_Account]

Originally posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy
If I were urban poor, I'd move to Canada.

Im down for runnin up on dem crackas in dey city hall!

[Spanky]

Originally posted by Not Bob
No politics, I am afraid.

It started with the Miss USA thingy (the issue of whether the underage boozing she engaged in should make her lose her crown -- Trump is an owner or co-owner of the pageant). Rosie mocked the idea that Donald Trump should be the arbiter of moral behavior, noting his divorces, and suggesting that he wasn't all that good of a businessman. Trump responded with his typical restraint, suggesting that he would sue her for falsely stating that he went bankrupt, and threatened to have one of his friends steal her girlfriend. Then he dragged Baba Wawa into it, stating that she told him that she didn't like Rosie, and that she wouldn't be back on The View next year.

Coincidentally, The Apprentice LA is about to air.

For once I agree with Rosie.