Free-For-All Friday 1/30/15

Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not yet discussed here over the past week.

139 thoughts on “Free-For-All Friday 1/30/15”


  2. Thanks to everyone who ate at Souper Jenny last night and supported Decatur City Dance! If you would like to see one of our performances, our Winter Dance Concert is coming up! These local teenagers will blow your mind! We also have some guest performers. It will be a beautiful performance, and you will be supporting your local dance company.

    Saturday, February 7, 2:00 & 7:30 performances
    St. Pius X Auditorium

    You can buy tickets at the door or online here: http://decaturcitydance.seatyourself.biz

    Hope to see you there!

  4. Hey y’all! I’m posting here because I don’t know who to contact. The lights don’t work at the College Ave pedestrian crossing that links Agnes Scott and Church Street. This is not a huge deal during the day, but I can see it becoming a problem at night. Anyone know who fixes this sort of thing?

    2. Call DeKalb Traffic Ops directly and they’ll check it out asap: (404) 297-3947

      (Same phone# for traffic light and pedestrian crossing signal issues.)

        1. Even if it is a county issue, from personal experience I have found that the city gets a quicker response from the county when they contact the county about a problem, then when a private citizen contacts them– so it still may be a good idea to go through the city.

        2. Steve was right– the two Rapid Beacons by Agnes Scott are the City’s responsibility. (And you lucked up– John Madajewski’s on it! :0)

          DeKalb Ops handles everything else. They’re excellent about responding once they’re notified. The key is someone has to let them know. DeKalb’s got 1000’s of signals to manage and no magic map to tell them when something’s malfunctioning.

          1. I’m surprised Agnes Scott didn’t make a big stink right away. Also, I’ve been out in Bellevue WA a bunch for work and noticed they have these great crosswalks that also flash lighting embedded in the street along the walk itself. We need those here!

            1. +1,000,000! Have been saying this for years. They have them in London, along with flashing posts at either end of the crosswalks. Makes it virtually impossible for motorists not to be on notice that a pedestrian is entering the sidewalk.

    1. Ha! Do you have a child who does or did practice sliding to a base ad nauseum? That’s what happened to our carpets.

    2. Try Carpet by David: he installed the carpeting in our home and we can recommend his work.
      Carpet By David Inc
      Address: 425 North Clarendon Avenue, Scottdale, GA 30079
      Phone:(404) 292-6942

    1. I noticed the For Lease sign was gone this morning and wondering if something was coming. Thanks for sharing the news (now off to google Smoothie King…).

      1. I can live with the Smoothie King, it’s the Ross that I don’t prefer or understand. There’s one less than a mile from Suburban, and it’s all junk and no-names based on what I have seen at N. Dekalb. Why???

        And yes, I know I can just very easily buy Suburban and put in anything I want, but all my funds are tied up on the new yacht and matching helicopter at the moment.

        1. I imagine the Ross at N. DeKalb Mall will close. And all the people who won’t shop at the Edgewood Retail Ross because they don’t want to die can come to Suburban Plaza.

          2. Ditto
            Plus, if it weren’t for junk and no-name merchandise, I’d go naked most of the time.

            1. My dear STG… Ebay, thrift, just not Ross, unless you particularly enjoy paying for more for no quality. Honestly, I did look in the home section over the holidays, but it only confirmed why I don’t really care for it.

              1. My dear Daydreamer, my drawer is full of long-sleeved cotton tees by Jones New York, and exercise wear by Jockey and Danskin, that I’ve purchased at Ross over the past few years for a fraction of what I would have paid for the same items at Macys. Along with quite a few no-name garments (by “no-name” I mean brands I’ve never heard of and can’t remember) bought there, at Marshalls and/or TJ Max. I find shopping in those places is typically hit-or-miss, an exercise in foraging–just like popping into the thrift store. Not trying to persuade you at all, just chiming in with my own perspective.

        2. The stock in Ross/TJMaxx/Marshals varies at each location- higher income areas have a lot better merchandise, so the contents of the Suburban store will be different than N DeKalb and Edgewood.
          Also, no one has mentioned yet, but I heard a Home Goods was confirmed – looking forward to having that close by!

            1. The Suburban Ross should have better merch. But if you are looking for even better product, go to those types of stores up in Milton or Alpharetta if you are ever up there.

  10. This has come up before but I think it’s been a few years. What are the ethics on this blog in terms of screen names? Is it still cool to change your screen name a lot? And under what circumstances? It seems uncool to change your name several times in one thread just to make it seem like a lot of people support something when actually it’s only you. But some people seem to change their screen name to fit the topic, although that seems less common lately. And if you change your screen name, is it ok to leave your avatar alone? I realize that the avatar links screen names together, but it’s too much trouble to change it frequently. Or maybe I don’t know the shortcuts.

    1. “It seems uncool to change your name several times in one thread just to make it seem like a lot of people support something when actually it’s only you.”

      The only time I recall this happening was by Greg Coleson supporters during his campaign. But DM was wise to it and quickly closed the thread.

    2. I only change my screen name and avatar when my cousin Warren says something really stupid and I’m embarrassed to be related to the schmuck!

      1. Because I know you are TRYING to be funny, I won’t take offense to you calling me a schmuck. I’m sure that you are glad that you don’t have to ever worry about changing your screen name and avatar.

        1. Wowza! I didn’t think you’d hear me all the way from Omaha! And I always knew you didn’t have much in the way of a sense of humor 😉

          1. But at least Mr. Buffett stuck it to the IRS this week when NetJets defeated the government’s claim for $500 million in back taxes. Way to go, Warren!

    3. I admit to using more than one screen name, with their own associated email addresses and gravatars. It depends upon the subject.

      But no matter which one I use, I’m still pretty all-around awesome.

  12. Two posters can have the same avatar if they choose one of the default symbols rather than taking the time to design their own or use a custom image. Just because two screen names have the same symbol as an avatar doesn’t mean they are the same person.

      1. I have not definitely seen in on here, but have seen it on other blogs where posters have not chosen their own avatar and it applies a default image. Sorry, perhaps you have it set up so that postings from same IP address have the same avatar.

        I have not been paying that close attention to the avatars on this blog, except for the custom ones like FM Fats, etc.

        But I still think the only way to reliably tell that someone is sock puppeting is to look at the IP address.

        1. And even then, various family members could be posting from the same IP address so you couldn’t be sure.

    2. I don’t recall ever seeing a duplicated default avatar on here, and I pay pretty close attention to who’s saying what. 3-4 times when I’ve thought someone might’ve changed names, I’ve checked an older thread to compare and found the teeniest variation in the pattern. The same default avatar/name switchers seem to be: commenters making a permanent name change; smarty pants regulars doing it for the laughs; and pop up trolls.

      (Most jarring recent change? brianc’s default avatar changing to a slightly different color and pattern. I swear I had a harder time adjusting to it than when AHID changed her name!)

      1. I am a big fan of people actually using their real name. Which is maybe 3 of us on here?

        I will freely admit that there are benefits in posting under a screen name (people less likely to pre-judge what you say based on who you are, desire to be anonymous on touchy subjects, maybe you worry your job knows you post online?, bumpersticker statement). But those benefits degrade in a small community forum like this, where real identities are known to some, inferred by others. Yes – DM keeps it civil with a knowledge of identities and clear policies that hold people accountable.

        I am not intending to start a sh*t storm here. I realize that there is a long long tradition of pseudonames and identities in online forums. And yes, if I ever run for public office I have it all hanging out here. That’s transparency 🙂

        I just wonder why more people do not use their real name.

        1. OK, fine then, Bobby. It’s James William Buffett. But my friends do call me Jimmy.

          Is it 5:00 somewhere yet?

        2. I don’t use my real name because you never know how some crazy person is going to react to something you post that pisses them off. And no, that doesn’t mean I post things that I wouldn’t say in front of people. In a non-online situation, I would know who I’m dealing with and could defend myself.

        3. Making up pen names amuses me. Seems like harmless fun. Clearly I’m not trying too hard to be anonymous as I use my actual photo as my avatar.

  14. Random request for recommendation: Can anyone recommend a welder to repair a broken weld on a piece of furniture? I think this will be a minor job as the broken weld is maybe an inch long.

    2. There are a couple places down Dekalb Avenye heading towards the capital, on the right. I’d try there. Past Fox Brothers, Inman Park , Krog Street.

      1. Fred Martin Welding Co. at 536 Edgewood Av., SE can fix it. Usually closed on Friday and weekends.

    3. I know a brilliant welder… but he happens to be my son’s friend — a DHS student. If you’re interested, I can find out. text me 404-309-1222

  16. From AJC online today:
    “Side cameras mounted on 10 Decatur school buses have caught 646 motorists illegally passing when the stop arm is extended. Those drivers have subsequently been issued citations.” Article continues.

    1. By my calculations that means at least $193,800 in citations (possibly more if there are repeat offenders). Wonder if that covers the cost of the cameras? If so then it seems like a win-win from a fiscal and safety standpoint.

      1. If the deal is like most other jurisdictions, the outfit that operates the camera splits the proceeds with whoever is using them, so not everything goes to the government coffers.

    2. Does anyone know what the rule is when it come to oncoming traffic stopping? For example, if there are two lanes in both directions, is everyone in all 4 lanes supposed to stop?

      1. Two lanes in each direction: Everyone stops. Two lanes in each direction separated by a median: Only bus side stops.

              1. Not trying to be a smart-a**, but isn’t this the kind of stuff a driver is supposed to know in order to get a license?

                1. Also not trying to be a smart a**: do you remember everything you learned when you were 16?

                  1. Fair point. But wouldn’t people who drive for a living be expected to be aware of a pretty widely discussed law (one that involves significant penalties for violation)? I used to employ a few drivers too, and they kept me aware of the finer points of the rules of the road.

                    1. As someone who pays attention to a lot of things – I wouldn’t necessarily count this particular topic as “widely discussed.” But that’s just me.

                    2. I say it’s widely discussed (compared to most traffic laws) because every new school year the news outlets run stories about people not stopping for school buses.

        2. Huh, well I suppose even the bus drivers need to be educated on this point (meaning a yellow school bus drove right past).

          And while we are at it, the Sheriff who escort the jail buses probably could use a refresher too.

      3. The simplest way of thinking about this is if there is a safe place for the kids to stand after they get off the bus – the side of the road(divided highway) or a concrete median then you don’t have to stop approaching the bus.

    3. I’m guessing that a fair percentage of those tickets came from the bus stop in front of the Avery Glen apartments on College. I often am walking in that area when the buses are dropping kids off, and I have observed on several occasions that drivers can easily miss the stopped bus with the flashing arms. There is an access lane into the apartments where eastbound bus drivers pull over to let kids off. So the bus is two full lanes away from westbound traffic. But the hard part is that the north side of College there has a guardrail separating the road from the CSX railroad, so it does not occur to drivers that any kid (or adult) would cross the road at that site. With the stopped bus pulled off the road, and the guardrail lining the other side of the road, drivers just miss what is happening. I wonder how much they pay for that oversight.

      1. Y,all, it,s not rocket science…if you see a big yellow bus with flashing lights and a red stop sign sticking out…stop!

  18. Hi all & please pardon, this is not a local question but can any of you intelligent folks recommend a person or resource to help me research this issue? With The Citizen’s United decision and non disclosure of political donors identity, what safeguards are there preventing foreign donors from influencing elections (which is illegal)? i.e. Isn’t this a potential national security issue?

  20. Every town, city, county, state, country, continent, planet, solar system, galaxy, universe, etc. jokes about its unique problem of people who don’t use their turning signals.

    One thing that I do believe is not so universal, and is a YUGE problem in Decatur, is drivers not stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks.

    I live in the Oakhursts, and I often witness and experience drivers proceeding through the intersection of E. Lake and Oakview when there are pedestrians already in the crosswalk. Three times in the last two months, I have had to stop or step back to avoid being hit–once was a city maintenance vehicle that came within two feet of running over my dog. At least six times in that same period, I have seen drivers come close to hitting parents with children.

    In every case, the pedestrians were already walking in the crosswalk while the cars were stopped. It appears as though the drivers may believe that the traffic rule of taking turns applies to pedestrians as it does to vehicles. If that is the case, these folks need to git them some learnin’, and get it into they heads that even if there is a line of 1,000 pedestrians crossing, all cars must wait for them.

    It’s The South, youze all–patience is the way here, right?

    1. drivers have no respect for traffic laws or the safety of others. they clog up our streets, think the rules don’t apply to them, endanger everyone, pollute the air… something should be done to keep them off the streets until they learn to behave.

    2. It seems to be part of the larger problem that there is a large subset of the population here that believes it their metro-Atlanta-given right to get in their personal vehicle at their home in the morning and drive an average 60 mph+ right until they get to their destination. Anything other than an electronic traffic light that causes them to slow down is treated as an affront to society.

      I live on N. Decatur. I have had drivers turn into the crosswalk right in front of me, one one occasion narrowly missing the front of my son’s stroller, and several other occasions had them slam on the brakes to avoid hitting me even because they wanted to make a right or left turn and never even glanced at the crosswalk.

      I have been honked at in crosswalks. I have had my child honked at because she and the neighbor children were taking too long (in driver’s estimation) to disembark from the school bus. (Started having her take the bus after too many close calls in crosswalk on busy streets.) I have been honked at while driving for daring to slow down to make a right turn. I have been honked at – and flipped off! – for having the gall to stop and make a left turn to get to my house.

      Don’t even get me started on how many times I’ve seen cars blow through the bus’s stop sign/fail to pull over for ambulances and fire trucks, etc.

      I have almost given up on any interventions that will balance things more in pedestrians’ favor, now. I try to keep in mind that more and more young people are preferring to use public transportation and/or walk to get to work, shopping, etc. and that maybe 20 years from now it will be different.

      1. 20 years you’ll be looking at mostly driverless cars in urban areas. Unfortunately, the remaining group of drivers on the road will probably have a higher percentage of idiots.

    3. Yep. I run around here a lot and nearly every time I have a run-in with right-turning cars whose drivers are not looking before they gun it at a red light. This happens mostly at intersections where “No Turn on Red” signs are prominently displayed.

    4. You won’t see a cop walkin’ on the beat
      Nobody’s walkin’ walkin’ walkin’ walkin’ walkin’

    5. Al – I agree with every point you made. However, I do think that particular intersection – Oakview/East Lake – is complicated by the fact that it is a 4-way stop with lots of cars, buses, fire trucks AND pedestrians. Is it not time to think about a light with No Turn on Red in all directions (with some enforcement for all the drivers who do it anyway)?

        1. How is a roundabout in that location going to help pedestrians? IMO it will make it infinitely worse for pedestrians (although cars will get through quicker)

        2. I agree with Walrus! No more lights! Especially at that intersection. #keepOAKwierd #toolate? #keepOAKtrafficlightfree

      3. Safety at that intersection (and radiating out from it) will be vastly increased by the Oakhurst streetscape improvements. Specific changes will have the effect of throttling traffic speeds and calming everybody down.. (At least, that was the plan. I don’t think it’s been modified significantly.

        1. Now that many (maybe a few, at least) places have caught up with us when it comes to walkability, I would LOVE to see Decatur be a trend setter again. We should lead the charge for shared streets. pps(dot)org/reference/shared-space/ #whatwouldmondermando?

    6. We have been nearly hit (including the kiddos) multiple times walking up W. Ponce by people making left turns onto the side streets (Adair, Drexel, Upland) – Cars heading from the square slow down, see no oncoming cars, then cut the left turns without ever stopping, despite the fact that there are people in the crosswalk. Right turners do it also. It’s not a stop sign issue – it’s people trying to make the turn at speed to beat oncoming traffic, without looking for walkers.

      And speaking of West Ponce – it does not seem to be widely known that you CANNOT pass cars by driving in the bike lane and/or parking lane. Meaning, if a car is stopped to make a left turn, you have to stop behind them, not squeeze by on the right side by driving in the bike lane. There are well posted signs indicating that, but very little compliance.

      1. I thought that was largely taken care of by the concrete islands they placed around the intersections to make that maneuver harder. All the black markings on them would seem to indicate that their point is being made to at least some people. Are people now trying to squeeze between the turning car and the curb/island? Jeeez.

        1. I believe the concrete “bump outs” are only where there are crosswalks across Ponce – and frankly are necessary to protect pedestrians in the crosswalk (a while back someone here was on a tirade about those things potentially damaging cars, but if they stop a car from going around a car yielding to a pedestrian and hitting the pedestrian, I’m cool with the property damage). West Ponce is a residential street where the bike lane is – so there are lots of people making left turns into driveways (nowhere near the crosswalks/bump outs) and people frequently squeeze around them on the right side, in the bike and park lanes. I’ve seen a few nearly hit parked cars, because they often don’t slow down to see what’s in that lane before veering into it.

    7. Absolutely agree. It’s not just cars either. I’ve had cyclists whiz past me in the crosswalk because apparently they feel stop signs don’t apply to them.

  22. This is all very disturbing and correlates with my experiences even here in our little slice of heaven, Winnona Park. Maybe I’m imagining it but it used to seem like people in Decatur were more considerate than in other areas. It seems like that has changed and that even Decaturites are becoming more aggressive and lawless. Maybe it’s time for some traffic infraction vigilantism. Can video of traffic violations in progress be used to issue citations? Even in school zones, at drop off and pick up times agressive drivers blow stop signs at cross walks where kids are crossing…it’s ridiculous…and there could never be enough police to stop it.

    1. You won’t see a kid walkin’ home from school
      Nobody’s walkin’ walkin’ walkin’ walkin’ walkin’

      Their mothers pick ’em up in a car pool
      Nobody’s walkin’ walkin’ walkin’ walkin’

    2. And another thing – cell phone usage while driving!

      I see this all the time. I would say in most of interactions I mentioned above, the driver was on the phone. I’m talking phone jammed against the face or perched up on the steering wheel balanced while the driver navigates and yammers away. No hands-free mic or anything.

      Isn’t this already illegal? I see it everywhere.

        1. Wow, you are right. I just looked it up and stand corrected. Only illegal if under 18 for talking and no one of any age can text. Heaven help us.

          1. Do you know that there have been several studies done showing that bans on cell usage/texting while driving produced no change in accident rates?

            1. Specifically:

              http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/desktopnews/texting-bans-dont-reduce-crashes-effects-are-slight-crash-increases

              1. Whether are not they reduce accident rates (lack of enforcement would play a role here too), the use of them has made driving a more miserable experience.

              2. Yep, it’s illegal in Georgia, yet close to every other car I pass the driver is obviously scrolling a phone or texting.

              3. Some people do. But surely the bans cause others to refrain. Even that (assumed) reduction in driving while texting did not improve accident rates. Moreover, if the law is ignored and can’t be enforced, what is its purpose?

                I’m not defending texting while driving — it is not something that I do, though I’ll give the phone a quick look while stopped at a light. It does seem, however, that it’s not nearly as dangerous a practice as some would assume. I’m not sure the case for making it illegal is all that strong.

                1. “Moreover, if the law is ignored and can’t be enforced, what is its purpose?”

                  Yeah, they haven’t invented a device that allows an officer to sit in one spot and clock people texting.

          2. And it’s actually talking on the phone that causes more accidents (and hands-free doesn’t really help).

            usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/03/28/cellphone-use-1-in-4-car-crashes/7018505/

      2. As a regular bike commuter, my two most frequent gripes about cars are not bike specific, and similar to when I drive a car ….

        1) hang up the phone! Don’t stare at the phone! That 5 second delay because you didn’t see the light turn green just screwed half the people in the left hand turn lane. Also, drivers coming out of parking lots while blabbing seem to be less observant of oncoming traffic (and my bike has blinking lights and a horn)

        2) Use your turn signal! Please. The most important thing in car/bike safety is that all parties can clearly communicate intentions. Not signaling a turn is the first step in what can be a multitude of erroneous assumptions leading to an accident. Yes, bikers need to signal too (and drivers need to know what they mean)

        1. “Use your turn signal! Please.”

          Hard to use a turn signal when you’re holding a phablet in one hand.

    1. Contact Little Tree Studios in Avondale Estates – In the Rail Arts District – the building with the train painted on the side wall – Owner is Bob Means.

      Little Tree Art Studios is home to several Atlanta based bands housed in the finest rehearsal studios in the Atlanta area. Perfect as an event space for your next party, complete with lighting, facilities, and a great stage for bands or your dj.

      http://littletreeartstudios.com

    2. did you get a band together? I seem to remember an earlier post of yours looking for musicians, but forgot to respond and find out more.

  26. I need a bit of legal advise. My 19 year old committed a very ignorant vandalism with two others, when he was 15 years old. The damage was around $1750, so each were given a felony. At the time we all were told that after a certain amount of time…which came December 2014, each could have their record purged. However, this process would require a lawyer. First, is a lawyer required? Second, if so, why, when the judge could easily see no police charges since the previous one? Lastly, if a lawyer is the only route, what type to get and how to find the most economical process?

    1. A felony is nothing to mess around with. Get a reputable criminal lawyer. JT aren’t you a criminal defense lawyer?

      1. Some around here might quibble with the “reputable” part but yeah, I handle I stuff like this 🙂

    2. And, even with a lawyer, be sure and stay on top of everything and be vigilant that all necessary actions are taken. I’ve seen where families relied on a lawyer, something slipped through the cracks, and then things got really bad. You don’t get far with a judge with “…well, the lawyer should have told us…” I assume you and your son have read J. Tom Morgan’s book “Ignorance is No Excuse” — it’s been a while since I’ve read it but what I got out of it is that nice kids can do dumb things that don’t hurt anyone and then really screw it up by how they handle it with the police and the courts.

    3. It’s hard to answer your questions without more info but I’d be happy to talk to you about it. You may or may not actually need a lawyer but I wouldn’t charge you for the time it took to look into it to figure that out. The bottom line is that will depend on how the case was resolved in the first place (what plea was actually entered, how the judge entered the disposition, etc…) and what court it was in. You can email me at jeffreylell(at)gmail.com with your contact info if you’d like.

    1. No. But are we talking My Parents’ Basement? If so, I think I have family members who will be regulars… They’d prefer the Chocolate Bar space, but that’s close enough, I think…..

  30. I have sort of an existential question, an enigma wrapped inside of a riddle.

    How do you throw out an old trash can?

    1. Either cut it up into an unrecognizable bunch of plastic pieces or…and this may not work…put a big sign on it saying, ” Recycle This Container” or something like that.

      1. Yep, that what you have to do. If it’s just an old can, they’ll think it’s just an old can.

  32. I am disappointed that it took some work to come across this eye-opening article; I think Maureen is a talented reporter and deserves better than the AJC as it stands now: http://getschooled.blog.ajc.com/2015/01/30/georgia-picks-fight-with-college-board-over-ap-history-guess-who-loses-again-our-children/

    From what I understand, her twins are taking APUSH at Decatur High along with my girl. It is a well thought out class. I really don’t think the GA legislature needs to step in to tell our administrators that APUSH should be “Georgia-owned and Georgia-grown.”’

    1. This is completely disheartening. In a day and age when I thought Georgia was finally starting to consider the long term benefits of improving the quality of education for all residents, this wreeks of racism and of the denial of the true history of our state and of our nation. While we’re at it, let’s sanitize WW2 and the holocaust. Why are these lawmakers afraid of teaching accurate history? Really makes you wonder…about a lot of things…least of which are these folks own personal histories and affiliations.

      1. Sounds like they want the Bill O’ Reilly version of history, the one that leaves out the fact that Patton was a virulent anti-Semite who regarded the Jews he helped liberate from the concentration camps as animals.

    2. The Georgia Legislature, as usual, has their priorities out of whack. If this passed it would be a dangerous precedent… AP and IB science classes could be future targets and then it’s not that big of a leap to passing legislation about what should and should not be taught in state colleges and universities.

  34. Let me guess: “Georgia-owned and Georgia-grown” means minimizing the historical horror of slavery(and making the “war between the states” all about “states rights”).

    1. If you actually read Ms. Dowd’s essay, you’ll see the text of the resolution which includes: “…and WHEREAS, the new APUSH framework reflects a radically revisionist view of American of American history that emphasizes negative aspects of our nation’s history while omitting or minimizing positive aspects; and WHEREAS, the framework minimizes discussion of America’s Founding Fathers, the principles of the Declaration of Independence, the religious influences on our nation’s history, and many other critical topics that have long been part of the APUSH course; and WHEREAS, the framework presents a biased and inaccurate view of many important themes and events in American history, including the motivations and actions of seventeenth to nineteenth century settlers, the nature of the American free enterprise system, the course and resolution of the Great Depression, and the development of and victory in the Cold War;…”

      So it’s about much more than how the Civil War is presented and discussed. It’s an approach which, whenever and wherever it’s embraced, turns the teaching of history into a mere propaganda exercise. It presumes that high school students, and by extension the adult citizens they soon become, are incapable of holding two contrasting ideas in their head at the same time. It’s consistent with a worldview that is deeply uncomfortable with ambiguity, uncertainty, and even regret.

      1. Ms. Downey’s essay, I meant to say. Two of my favorite commentators are both named Maureen. I don’t really get them mixed up, just their last names.

      2. I haven’t met the right-winger yet who doesn’t view the teaching of factually all-inclusive history as “political correctness gone amok”. These are almost always the same people who insist upon teaching creationism as a theory equivalent with evolution, and who truly believe that the Founding Fathers’ intent was for the United States to be a “Christian” nation.

        They know they need to keep their voter base obtuse & comfortable in its prejudices (racial, religious, and otherwise), or it’ll continue to erode. That this descent into ignorance will come at the expense of the vast majority of our future wage-earners/nation-builders is a mere trifle with which they don’t trouble themselves. This is what terrifies me the most for our future.

        1. It’s truly shocking to learn that history might be politicized at government schools. Who’d have thunk it?

          I don’t know many facts about what these new APUSH standards are all about, and I am frankly doubting that some of the posters here know all that much about them, either. Is it really a simple matter of whether US History should be taught warts and all, or whether the new standards quite intentionally over-emphasize the warts? My own experince oh-so-many-years ago was that some teachers are all too eager to teach the warts first and/or only. I had a professor tell us in a US history survey course that we would NOT dwell on any of the military history of WWII, but would instead focus on internment and the plight of women and minorities on the home front. It’s all part of the story, of course, and should be taught. But if you know all about internment and nothing of D-Day or the Battle of the Bulge, it would be quite a stretch to say you’ve been educated.

        2. Ironic that you seem to hate people for stereotyping others, but you do it more than any “right-winger” I know. You really should get out more. Your view of the other half isn’t remotely accurate.

          1. The problem with not stereotyping right wingers is they open their mouths and confirm the stereotypes almost daily.

            http://gawker.com/mike-huckabee-has-a-bunch-of-awful-analogies-about-homo-1683109072

    2. I don’t suppose it would work to ask legislators to first take AP History and then pass the test (I’d even accept a 2 or above) before proposing changes to it. Too bad.

  36. Yes, you’re right. I didn’t read the article. My comment was inappropriately glib. I The proposal described goes far beyond Southern revisionism.

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