I think – and really everyone except ‘all would agree with this – is that you want to strike a balance. My extreme example shows that there is a line somewhere and we have to figure out where the cross should be. EVERYONE agrees with this. The question is where to draw the line and, obviously, the mileage varies on that one.

I wish I was more mindful. These comments are the only place in the world where someone would try to shame you for that.

I realize the temptation to attack the one person who is not singing the chorus with you is great. The urge to conflate appears overwhelming here.

“I think looking after your family but at the same time keeping a mindful balance of how it impacts the world is the better play than “I would shoot Richard in the back of the head if I could get my kid an inch and a half taller.” But I may be ambitious.”

I’ve twitted you before, Ron, on some of your choices of arguments which are not terribly pertinent to whatever is being discussed and which tend to weaken your overall argument. Here’s another example: you have equated sending your child to private rather than public school to shooting some one in the back of the head. I understand that you are trying to offer some extreme case of private vs. public good that no one would gainsay, but all you’ve done is sound hysterical.

I don’t have any children myself and I am rather too old and fat to be likely to have any. However, I will do what I can to help my niece get her daughter as good an education as possible under the theory that it will equip her to help the world more than would public education that would be available to her. However, if so equipped, she chooses to pursue her own private interests, I expect it will be with a greater understanding of her particular needs and abilities than some one thinking of six billion people can afford to accumulate.

As for the article which this thread is about, I have much to say about it. However, I am too busy preparing a roast of Irish baby for dinner.

Bob

What if I keep my kid in public school, but hire an afterschool private tutor? Is that less grave, just sort of like throwing acid in the faces of all those kids whose parents don’t get outside tutoring for their kids?

Really, Ron? You have said some fatuous things in the past, but you have outdone yourself this time. Are the choices really between saving the world and shooting someone in the head? Are you really so afraid that by showing that you care for your family first you are going to lose face with your leftist friends?

I think looking after your family but at the same time keeping a mindful balance of how it impacts the world is the better play than “I would shoot Richard in the back of the head if I could get my kid an inch and a half taller.” But I may be ambitious.

In America it is more about the money. At least that is the excuse that Herr Holder gave for suing Louisiana for allowing students to take the money and move to a non failing school.

Why is that Ron? Do you think that makes you into a conservative or, god forbid, a disciple of Ayn Rand? You brought them into the world. They are your flesh and blood. You should want to do everything in your power to see that then succeed in life. If you didn’t, you would be one sorry excuse for a human being. And to ease your conscience, Ron, the vast majority of the parents of students who go to expensive private schools are to the left of the political spectrum.

Personally I think it’s satire, but it’s hard to tell. Looking at her other articles, she generally seems to write with a dry sarcasm. But without a 😉 at the end of it, or a follow-up by the author, we may never know.

Eichmann… we are getting closer guys. Someone mention Stalin and we will be one step away.

I disagree with the author’s conclusion here for several reasons, including some that include the law of unintended consequences. But she’s making a point that I think is worthy of discussing without going bananas.

When it comes to my children’s education and what is best for them, I probably take a rather low level of regard for the larger social impact of my decisions.

But I’m not crazy proud of this fact.