HOW TO ENGAGE CRITICALLY



D.S Brown, the man in the above picture is me, an American.  I am an African-American by ethnicity.  I am also an aspiring critical thinker.  I truly believe the road to wisdom is brightly illuminated by the light of perspective.  As I consider this, I find myself engaging people on a number of topics, both critical and asinine.  Still, as I so often readily tell people ... the point is to get engaged.  The point is to discuss issues.  The point is to have a dialogue, and move minds. Not all of us have the patience or desire to spend even a modicum of time talking with people that are almost rabidly opposed to our own thoughts and ideas.  However, it is in the confluence of ideas, the heated conflict, aspiring to positive intent, that truly workable solutions that span the ideological divide are crafted.  This does not always work.  However, when it does, it's wonderful.  It's what we all should aspire to.  I am passionate about this.

How do we engage?

We engage critically, with positive intent.  The objective?  The objective is to move minds.  When engaging with someone who is diametrically opposed to your point of view you must be clear, concise, and factual.  You must use critical thinking skills to prove your point.  You must by passionate in order to endure.  However, you cannot give in to your passion in the heat of the moment.  There will be time to give in to your emotions, to express joy, happiness, even anger, when appropriate.  You will know when.  In order to acknowledge this critical approach you must except that the objective is to not prove your superiority, that you're better then the person with whom you debate.  There are other games, contests where you can exercise both mind and body in order to prove who is the best.  However, when engaging across the heated line of idealogical intent the exercise is to achieve by degrees.  To open the window, or door is what we seek.  We aim to make them question, consider, think. 

Below I've attached the link to a vlog entry I made regarding engaging critically.  Please do watch it.  Once you've watched it, read the dialogue below.  Note my intent.  Remember, the objective is to engage, and move minds.  Starting someone down the path to wisdom always yeilds results, even if they are not the ones you seek. The result may still be ...satisfactory.

VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-Vve6YJ9uU

________
FACEBOOK - DIALOGUE:
Jennifer: the only thing necessary for the triumph of Evil is for good men to do nothing! 3:56pm - Comment - Unlike
 
You and 3 others like this.
 
Jennifer Colson at 5:23pm March 9
Very true, Anthony! And Richard, you have a sad point also! I don’t think they have successfully chased Palin away, though!
 
Jennifer Colson at 7:19pm March 9
Oh, and I'll never forget how the Liberal women, prime examples being, the Witches of the view, and Oprah tried to crush the Palin spirit by being small and petty! Some women, even while having their own accomplished/successful lives thrive on trying to make other women seem insignificant.
 
DS Brown at 8:07pm March 9
Hmm, the women on the view may have been a bit critical. But what did Oprah do? Just asking.
 
Oh, and though I don't subscribe to any one ideology, left or right, I am very much in support of organizations that walk deep into the countries you're discussing with micro-loan programs, diplomatic protests, fact based videos, and are basically endangering their very lives. Uhhh, did you think about those liberals?
 
As for Palin ... I've told many I think she's great. This, from a family that prides itself on hunting. But uhhh, no more C students and Intelligent Design advocates in leadership positions. I'm sorry. I know you're gonna throw fire. Just can't do it. I will fight it tooth and nail.
 
Jennifer Colson at 8:12pm March 9
Oprah snubbed Palin, when it was brought up that she should come on her show. The amazing Oprah was afraid of giving a fellow woman a chance to look good, just because they differ politically. Oprah said Palin is welcome to come on the show AFTER the election.  Oprah was so small-minded and didn’t want to give Palin ANY good publicity. I will never watch Oprah again, and my female Conservative friends feel the same way.
The Liberals that put their lives at risk for a great cause certainly have my respect, but it’s a given that I’m not talking about them here...haha!
 
Jennifer Colson at 8:18pm March 9
As for Palin, I believe you have your info on her from way left leaning sources, such as MSNBC, perhaps? Just saying...you are entitled to your opinion about her, but just make sure it’s not based on distorted facts, DS. Like that made up, non-existent "source" that they were all quoting during the election. The MSM (Main Stream Media) has done little fact checking before quoting, even FOX was guilty when it came to this...The Africa comment that she had supposedly made came from "him" and also all the dirty laundry from inside the McCain camp. Are you familiar with this case? If not, I wrote an article on this on www.ocamericans.org, and will share if you're interested ... The MSM did not report on this.
 
 
Ds Brown at 8:19pm March 9
Heheheh, okay. You're not talking about them. That’s fine.  Now, the Oprah thing. Everything you said is a fact, but I'm struggling now as I did then with the assertion that she should have broken her vow to not have any candidates on the show during the election. She remained true to her vow, which showed commitment given the incredibly historic nature of the election (woman pres., black man pres., woman vp, oldest pres.). What an incredibly diversified candidate field. So, am I wrong in thinking she simply remained true? Did she have Obama or Hilary on the show? Since she did not have them, I'm wondering ... why should she have made a concession for Palin? Am I missing something? I think you can tell, Jennifer, I'm open to education. The road to wisdom is illuminated by perspective. Please, give me your perspective.
 
 
Ds Brown at 8:27pm March 9
Please send me the article. And nope, I'm not judging her based on the supposition of others. Granted I had very little to go on, but what I did have formed an opinion. As I have said, I believe in reinforcing education so that we don't have uninformed or simply spoonish people voting (a long way to go). I voted by reading the platform, judging the candidates on the implementation of critical thinking, and how they approached each political crisis in the election. More than anything else, I originally chose Obama because he was giving me a bigger tax cut (let's you know a little about me). Everything else followed. I voted the platform, what I believed to be best for me, my family, community, and nation. I considered things critically before deciding. McCain was a valid choice for me, until he picked Palin, and things got a bit too serious. I sincerely value intelligence, which is expressed in levels.
 
 
Ds Brown at 8:30pm March 9
Sarah has not exhibited a high level of intelligence. This does not make her a bad person at all. She executed according to plan. She was aggressively tactical. She did a good job, and looked good doing it. I just think far too many people weren't buying it and were ready to move past it (radicalism and home-grown terror). It ended with strife and conflict in her own group, McCain's group. If she's going on the ballot in 2012, she really has to make a much better showing. That's all I'm saying. And uh, no book burnings, or Dinosaurs with Adam & Eve. Just saying.
 
Jennifer Colson at 8:40pm March 9
Based on critical thinking and on the candidate's intelligence...Hmmm? Obama left without a teleprompter..."uh, uh, uh, uh, uh"
Now give me one example of Sarah Palin being unintelligent..., just because she had a few bad moments when put on the spot, which All of the candidates have now and then...Obama,: " I have visited all of the 57 states, except for Hawaii"
Hmmm? Lets do a little bit more critical thinking...just saying.
 
Jennifer Colson at 8:42pm March 9
Oh, and isn't it strange how O'Reilly claims he's an independent, when all his views an opinions are screaming Republican?
Kind of similar to you claiming you're not biased to any political side!=)
 
 
Ds Brown at 8:50pm March 9
Fair enough. I'll freely admit that these days I'm coming off as one-sided. On any given issue we can approach it not biased, but we still have to decide. Even if we remain non-biased after the fact, we make a decision, and as people view the decision we've made, considering our actions through their personal filters, we may appear to be one thing as opposed to another. Fair enough. I'll freely admit that the confluence of those bad moments in my mind (and everyone has them) formed my opinion. Yes, that's true, right wrong or otherwise, that's where it came from. Please send me the article. I'm open. I don't claim to be an independent. I claim to be an aspiring critical thinker, which means I engage, question, and consider. Prove your case and you may have my vote. It's that simple.
 
 
Ds Brown at 8:54pm March 9
LOL. Okay, Jennifer, I'm gonna say something. Don't get mad. I think the height of unintelligence is the decision to dismiss as opposed to even a cursory examination. Engage that thing which might be of great concern, if only to learn if it is something to be avoided. If Harry Potter is evil, you should leave it in the library as an educational example, and let only those who are qualified and educated approach it and study it for its intrinsic intellectual value. Wasn't that sentence CRAZY!!! Unfortunately, it's how we must engage when people consider pulling books from the library without ever having even read them ... because they’re evil? This ... is not right.
 
 
Thugg Dizzle at 8:57pm March 9
Man Syn, you have know how to get folks talkin!!!
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:02pm March 9
Indeed Thugg Dizzle. And Jennifer, I'm posting a vlog on the teleprompter tomorrow. If I don't everrrrr hear another thing about a man's incredible ability to read readily and with passion off a piece of glass it will be too soon. As I said in my Rush video, get at me. I can go without a teleprompter all day. Still, how easy is it to read off of glass with passion and conviction, especially if it's your sentiment, your belief, if not your words. Uhhh, Bush couldn't do it. Can Rush? He's good off the cuff, but can he read from glass? Come on, let's dismiss this mess. Teleprompter ... good grief.
 
Tony Grimes at 9:03pm March 9
Half the stuff said about Sarah, like the Dinosaurs, were made up. She never did a book burning. Sheesh, listen to Matt Damon much! She was also criticized for being difficult by McCain Staff members which wasn't true LIES LIES LIES......as far as some of her interviews, she was told to hold back, and instead of letting her be her, it put her in a bad situation on being able to talk freely.
 
The right & left is trying to ruin her because she will get up to Washington take names and kick ass. She is all about getting rid of corruption, left or right side
 
Oprah isn't worth my commenting on........
 
Thugg Dizzle at 9:04pm March 9
I’m not a Limbaugh fan. I don’t like him, I don’t hate him, I don’t listen to him. I do think Palin is a good candidate. After all, she did sell her plane.
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:07pm March 9
Tony, did you see the interview with the librarian? Call it propaganda if you want to, but she did speak. Not book burning, but removing books my friend. No good! You don't believe it, that's fair. Neither you or I were there. However, I didn't hear Palin state that the librarian was lying. As for the dinosaurs. Not Matt, Tony. Check out her Church affiliations. I did. It's a lot more disheartening to me because of the anti-intellectual bias and the eventual war against the non-believers, than some Chicago clown-preacher on a power trip.
 
Tony Grimes at 9:07pm March 9
I also find it insulting that you say Sarah Palin is unintelligent. I guess one of the qualifications of being Governor of Alaska is to be "Stupid"...She has more Executive experience then our current President and it shows!
 
Samuel Whitewood at 9:08pm March 9
What appears as intelligence is usually one side trying to become a water-carrier for the other...Oh, I know, agree along the way, but carrying water none-the-less...
 
Jackie Jones at 9:10pm March 9
Ds Brown..... Your friend Obama....LOL and his ugly wife attended MANY flag burnings. You are barking up the wrong tree, here... we eat liberals and their stupid ideals for lunch.....
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:10pm March 9
Really Tony, you think? Explain it to me. President Obama has done a great deal in the last month with a greater then sixty percent approval rating. What he has gotten from the opposition for his effort, rhetoric and vitriol. Heh, that too is fair. It's even expected. No President goes through the term without the vitriol. So, you're still holding on to the Executive experience argument for an exec of a state with a smaller population than the Greater Atlanta area. I'm struggling here. Help me out Tony.
 
Samuel Whitewood at 9:11pm March 9
And the power trip and the mind-blowing disbelief system instituted by our non-prostrating leader...of course, Mr Obama never heard a sorry word come out of the good reverend's mouth...even though he only attended for twenty years...I guess I have to believe him...
 
Samuel Whitewood at 9:12pm March 9
He's done what? From 78-60...is a record drop in that short amount of time...
 
Thugg Dizzle at 9:12pm March 9
Oh Ds Brown, you dune f**ked up now! You have Tony AND Jackie after you. I tried to debate them a FEW times and had to soak in a tube for 3 hours and had to go get a massage. They'll beat you up man.
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:12pm March 9
Fine Jackie. Work me. You'll find my taste bitter. I'm not a liberal. You’re looking at me through a filter, and I'm not sure what it says, but your addition sums to liberal. Not me.
 
Shannon Finklestein  at 9:13pm March 9
I highly doubt he has a 60% approval rating today. He's spent more than the last five presidents combined and now we're farming babies and for who? People like Michael J. Fox who should be dead.
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:13pm March 9
My friends, let's get to work. As one aspiring, this is WHAT I DO!
 
Thugg Dizzle at 9:13pm March 9
Wise words from Kanye West " We eat pieces of s**t like you for breakfast! Huh?"
 
Samuel Whitewood at 9:14pm March 9
So ...you are here to cause controversy or instill hope? Or Change? You don't seem very transparent!
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:14pm March 9
Ouch, Shannon! Spread love why don't you. Do you have some personal hate for people who suffer from illness? This is not a good thing.
 
Shannon Finklestein  at 9:15pm March 9
I have personal hate for people who spend money doing evil things.
 
Samuel Whitewood at 9:15pm March 9
So ...you are here to cause controversy or instill hope? Or Change? You don't seem very transparent!
 
Shannon Finklestein  at 9:16pm March 9
Taxpayer money nonetheless. If stem cells were effective, companies would be investing left and right.
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:16pm March 9
I'm here to engage Sam. To talk. To listen. To debate. To dialogue. Nothing more. Nothing less. The engagement in positive conflict of opposed sides most often results in defining solutions both sides can agree with. This however, takes a great deal of work, effort, and belief. If you don't believe, you can't meet at the finish line. One side decides to either fall behind, or disengage.
 
Shannon Finklestein  at 9:17pm March 9
This coming after Daschle says senior citizens need to be more accepting of their conditions. So which is it? Are we saying we're saving lives, or that old people should just deal with it?
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:18pm March 9
Private firms have invested millions in creating stem cell lines that did not violate President Bush's legal mandate, Shannon. Those same interest will readily take advantage of US intellectual capital and the removal of intellectual restraint.
 
Shannon Finklestein  at 9:19pm March 9
Obama should resign. He has no idea what he's doing and he's running this country straight into the ground. He was quoted as saying he was "overwhelmed" today. Great!!!
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:19pm March 9
Even if President Obama wanted Daschle in his cabinet it has no bearing on the value that can be derived from scientific pursuit, balanced with ethical responsibility and accountability. Minds will return from the Singapore Science cities and Chinese enclaves. They will return to America to innovate, and dare I say it ... create change.
 
Jackie Jones at 9:20pm March 9
Here's a tidbit of info for you.... There are 57 states of Islam and Obama is a muslim...And he slipped when he spoke. He is a baby killer and a fraud. He is not a natural born citizen. He has a very shady past and the ugliest wife in America LOL I have had enough of him. There will be a special hot place for him in the end........VOMIT
 
Shannon Finklestein  at 9:20pm March 9
He's been nothing but reckless from day one and I am sick to death of Michelle's ugly mug.
 
Tony Grimes at 9:21pm March 9
Here is some help DS:
 
Bob Salsbury admitted to making up the stories about the Dinasaurs.
 
Look it up on Snopes.com, that book thing is a lie....there is no documentation that Palin ever had books removed.
 
Obama is a community organizer.......NO EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE and he is making friends with our enemies! He has declared war on Wall Street........
 
Why don't you look at all of the lies Obama has told since he was running for President. I guess that is the expertise of a COMMUNITY ORGANIZER~ OY VEY!
 
Shannon Finklestein  at 9:21pm March 9
You can sit there and defend him all you want. It just makes you look like an idiot.
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:22pm March 9
Who wouldn't be overwhelmed Shannon? Why should your emotional tirade dictate the behavior of the most powerful leader on planet Earth? He's showing he's human, yet resolute. Why is this so wrong? So he should resign? This is taking the argument of complaining with no solution to the max. Who should replace him? Of anyone you can name, (I'm hoping you'd name him), the only person I can get behind is Newt, and that’s a stretch.
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:24pm March 9
Vitriol and rhetoric, Shannon. Again, that's fair. This is America. We have a proud history of doing just what you're doing. I have no words of hate and rhetoric to toss back your way. Enjoy your tirade. My friend, it apparently suits you. I would really, really, ask you to step back from it. There is a better way.
 
Shannon Finklestein  at 9:24pm March 9
If George Bush ever said that the media would've eaten him alive. And if you want change so badly get the hell out of my country.
 
Shannon Finklestein  at 9:24pm March 9
You are too much. So self righteous. What's it like up there?
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:25pm March 9
Jackie .... Jackie .... Jackie. Wow! You should read my book. I believe that hot place is reserved for some folks. Like the Get Rich Quick schemers who profit off of sugar pills they peddle to cancer victims. Wow, you believe the President qualifies for the ninth circle? Wow. Okay. That's fair too.
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:28pm March 9
Shannon? What in the world are saying? THIS IS MY COUNTRY!!!! AND YOUR COUNTRY!!!!!! I have no claim on any one thing. I engage for edification. I do engage for change. As I've said, it's my sincere desire to understand, and define solutions that are acceptable to all (even though we know all will not agree). It's what we should aspire to. Again, I say, the road to wisdom is illuminated by perspective. You should walk it sometime.
 
Tony Grimes at 9:28pm March 9
He doesn't state facts....he repeats what he hears off of the MSM Liberal biased crap.......
 
Obama is overwhelmed because of his lack of experience......sheesh -and I thought Obama was the Messiah but he is human now! LMAO!
 
Jennifer Colson at 9:29pm March 9
Wow, I went to put the kids in bed, and what do I come back to? A firestorm..LOL! Gotta love my Conservative Friends!!!!=)
I still didn't hear a convincing argument that Palin is less intelligent, Ds, and I also think that being a Governor IS a good argument saying that she is...Agree w Tony in that!
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:31pm March 9
My good man, Tony. You thought Obama was the Messiah? Why? Who started that particular line of thought? Again, perspective my friends. PERSPECTIVE! When able, I watch FOX (Right), MSNBC (Left), CNN (Trying to be center). I don't know about you, but I always considered Obama to be human, a human that is truly sincere, and attempting ... he is attempting ... he is ... trying. Again, pick someone who can do better.
 
Jackie Jones at 9:33pm March 9
I would never read a free copy of your book.... Education never makes you smart it makes people talk in circles....What color is YOUR tail????LOL You are a left as they come.... Hey let go of that EGO.
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:33pm March 9
I hear you Jennifer. You missed the part I said about the library, but the point of view is still valid. We have to agree to disagree on this one. Still, if she is a valid candidate, I can promise you one thing. I will read her platform. I will consider her as a viable candidate. I WILL NO OUTRIGHT DISMISS her. That is not he hallmark of one attempting to grow in critical cognition. I will do this, and we can then engage in a credible debate on her merits to lead.
 
Samuel Whitewood at 9:33pm March 9
Tony is a woman...
 
Tony Grimes at 9:34pm March 9
I am a lady sir.........
 
I have seen interviews with people who have voted for Obama, and they have called him the Messiah....or something Godly........I am saying his voters call him the Messiah, and Chris Matthews had a tingle up his leg for goodness sake...........
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:34pm March 9
LMAOROLF. Okay, did everybody just see what Jackie said. Whew! Oh my goodness.
 
Jackie Jones at 9:35pm March 9
I could pick a stranger to politics and it would be better than Obama!!!
 
Samuel Whitewood at 9:36pm March 9
After all this, sir. You must be way past being edified? If not, I would question your motives...I implore you to not continue down the same path to justify your answer.
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:37pm March 9
Samg and Lady Tony. That is fine. Great. Wonderful. I have never, nor will I call a human being the Messiah. Obama is not the savior, and he will not save me. He can't fly, walk on water, or pull the economy out of the crapper. Only Americans together (or at least the majority of them together), can do this. Just like it takes a team to build a plane to fly, and a team to make a boat for a man to walk on a deck, and thereby walk on water. I'm not Chris Matthews. I've had not a tingle up my leg. I have not been interviewed. But ... perhaps I should have been, if only to offer a proper perspective.
 
Jackie Jones at 9:39pm March 9
You are proper in your perspectives.....ROTFLMAO
 
Samuel Whitewood at 9:39pm March 9
What book did you write?
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:40pm March 9
Down what path, Samg? I have reached an ... understanding. Still, how far do we want this to go? I've already stated we can agree to disagree. I've already said I will look at Sarah Palin if she decides to run (and I will be critical with positive intent ... despite my shallow commentary). I'm not here to pick a fight. I am indeed here for edification and understanding. As the issues arise, and we close on mid-term elections, I promise you my friend, I will indeed be engaged ... MOST AGGRESSIVELY. Participating in the political process at my minor level is the least I can do, in order to stress minds, and push potential. I believe we can come together. It just takes a hell of a lot of work.
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:43pm March 9
It's a little book by a common man aspiring to critical cognition. I'm not all that smart. I just read, get engaged, and try to be the best me I can be. This requires me to do ... some of this. That being said, you might find the book trivial. It's the first one I've published, but it's well meaning and passionate, Critical Success: The 2 Rules of 3. Fanpage by the same name.
 
http://www.2rulesof3.com
 
Feel free, my friend. Please.
 
Tony Grimes at 9:43pm March 9
When making statements and creating your opinions on Palin, please check your facts........All that you said about Palin is false.....that lights a fire under me....I checked into all of this while she was running, because I wanted to make sure of the facts before I voted......
 
Jennifer Colson at 9:44pm March 9
Oh, that last comment wasn’t so bad Ds...proud of you!
 
Samuel Whitewood at 9:44pm March 9
"we can come together" earlier you stated you were not liberal, so edify me, what would you say your political stance might be? Moderate right or perhaps a little further left?
 
Jennifer Colson at 9:45pm March 9
Ooops my comment was for an above one...you guys are writing too fast here..LOL
 
Jennifer Colson at 9:45pm March 9
He is a Liberal, Samg, but he's pulling an O'Reilly …
 
Samuel Whitewood at 9:46pm March 9
So, he's a Liar?!
 
Tony Grimes at 9:47pm March 9
I am missing 24 for this debate.....LOL
 
Jackie Jones at 9:51pm March 9
I just got an idea for a t-shirt for Shaun.... Yes stinking of liberalism Samg. I bet he is friends with Lisa....ROTFLMAO
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:53pm March 9
I'll be honest, Samg. These days, I'm leaning left. However, allow me a moment to explain why. I was the black-balled black kid in my family who had the temerity to actually vote Republican. Linder and Chambliss have had my vote. I'm a Fair Tax man. However, working with students and kids from different back rounds has jaded me somewhat. My book stresses individual success. I was always been about Personal Critical Success. However, I have grown over the years, and I've come to understand that I can still be a fiscal conservative (outside of this depression - It's a depression no matter what any democrat says, just ask some of the people I see), and a social liberal. I have to be a social liberal because I see SINCERE IGNORANCE. Samg, I don't know you, but I'm certain you have no idea. I believe in bootstraps. However, I've come to understand that many of these kids, and their parents, don't know what a bootstrap is, are where to even look ...
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:56pm March 9
It's this imperative that moves me these days. I have no desire to take the millions I will have and give it to those on the DOLE.  NO! How to fix this? Show them where to find bootstraps. Educate them on how to use the bootstrap. Watch and help them as they lace up, and then send them on their way, firmly off the dole. I believe it is a social imperative, the complete elimination of social entitlement and the creation of programs that promote and create that which we call the rugged individual. How do we do this? Each one teach one. Education. I apply F-PEC in my home, Samg. Fundamental Personal Economic Control. Still, I believe in leading, and helping ... people. That's me. Take it or leave it.
 
Tony Grimes at 9:56pm March 9
So, you have been brain washed to think that the Republicans don't help those less fortunate?
 
Jackie Jones at 9:57pm March 9
So you are letting the dummy knock you down to their level instead of the opposite....... ROTFLMAO
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:58pm March 9
I never said that, Tony.
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:58pm March 9
What dummy, Jackie?
 
 
Ds Brown at 9:58pm March 9
What level?
 
Jennifer Colson at 9:59pm March 9
Hey, Ellis Hennican is my FB friend, and you should add him, Ds..He can help you learn how to debate conservatives..=)
 
Jackie Jones at 9:59pm March 9
You are the double-minded man that God warns about ......
 
Tony Grimes at 10:00pm March 9
However, working with students and kids from different back rounds has jaded me somewhat......
 
Explain this sentence? So I understand....why did this jade you?
 
Jackie Jones at 10:02pm March 9
If you hide their food stamps under their work boots they will starve and you can find a better JOB......
 
Jennifer Colson at 10:03pm March 9
I respect that you said you'll look into Palin more, Ds! That makes you not a flaming Liberal..=)
 
 
Ds Brown at 10:03pm March 9
I'll do that Jennifer. Why not. Jackie, you scare me.
 
 
Ds Brown at 10:03pm March 9
I'll do that Jennifer, thanks.
 
 
Ds Brown at 10:03pm March 9
Jackie, you really scare me.
 
Jennifer Colson at 10:04pm March 9
Many men have admitted that Jackie scares them! =) Go Jackie!!!!
 
 
Ds Brown at 10:05pm March 9
Tony, I was so into myself, and achieving, and believing that everyone else should be able to do the same that I was limited in vision and perspective. Remember that thing I said about perspective? I really ... really underestimated sincere ignorance. I mean really. It widened my view and jaded my spirit just a bit, because I realized I had been aggressively dismissive of these people, without realizing ... they aren't going anywhere. There still going to be here. So, will I help or hinder. Will I educate or castigate. I chose the former, and have yet to regret my decision.
 
Jackie Jones at 10:06pm March 9
I am woman and I bite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
 
Ds Brown at 10:06pm March 9
Ouch ... my foot.
 
Jackie Jones at 10:11pm March 9
I would not touch those feet!!!!!
 
Tony Grimes at 10:12pm March 9
Ok, so with all the rights and grants available why is it not possible for people to get educated and become successful? I went to college on student loans I had to pay off. But I did it on my own....I didnt' sit around waiting for the government to do something for me!
 
 
Ds Brown at 10:12pm March 9
Jennifer, this has been great! Please do send me the article. Don't forget. Umm, I may be a little slow here but I just did a search for Ellis and got no hits? Can you refer, please? Thanks! Okay ladies and gentleman. My wife is standing on the stairs, and she ain't happy. Good night. We must do this again ... maybe tomorrow night?
 
Jennifer Colson at 10:16pm March 9
Goodnight, Ds! =) Welcome back!!
 
 
Ds Brown at 10:16pm March 9
Last word, Tony. That's exactly what I used to say. It's different when you see them in the face. It's ... stunning. They really, really don't know any better, and no one (education system) has taken the time to show them, or their parents. I'm not kidding. There are so many facets to the problem, so many permutations to the equation, the parents, the friends, the environment, the press of those they perceive looking down on them. It's really ... awful. And what have I found ... a few simple words, an afternoon, a sternly stated imperative can work ... miracles. You really would not believe. And I've just barely touched the surface with the kids and parents I've spoken to. It's what I must do, when I'm not earning my daily bread (which I most certainly like and appreciate).
 
Jennifer Colson at 10:18pm March 9
Oh, and the ignorance is on the left, Ds..
 
Tony Grimes at 10:23pm March 9
The left brain washes these people into thinking they can't do it without big government, and they scare them into voting for them off false hopes.........
 
Jennifer Colson at 10:24pm March 9
just responded to a comment above...too much to read and too little time..what people are you saying doesnt know any better? Who are you educating? Hope its not young impressionable minds, that doesnt need to be spoon fed the Liberal thinking you seem to be doing..
My article is on www.ocamericans.org or my blog on openzine. Links are under my profile picture..
 
Jennifer Colson at 10:26pm March 9
I'll send a friend suggestion your way..Ellis! =) He rocks on O'Reilly!
 
 
Ds Brown at 6:22am March 10
Good morning, Jennifer. Just read your entry. No, no liberal brainwashing. No conservative brainwashing either. Just self-respect and critical thinking skills, a love of knowledge, morality, discipline, and the pursuit of wisdom. Armed with the ability to think critically, I tell them they can choose. They should choose. It's a gift.
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