Talking Points #1

110 People Who Are Screwing Up America

Bernard Goldberg

Author's Argument:

Goldberg states that Kozol has a very liberal attitude towards the education system.  Goldberg argues that Kozol's attitude in the education system is highly used and that people don't only use the liberal system but the children leaving these education systems are being turned out with blinders on, and that liberal is the way to be.

Quotes:

"They got there for lowering the level of civil discourse in this country- or for their shameless willingness to destroy decent people"

I really enjoy this quote, because it shows how angry Goldberg is about the situation in which peoples morals are being subjected to change, whether they like it or not.

"Once, it was understood by almost everyone that there is no free lunch and that you got yours, as the old commercial had it, "the old fashion way", you earned it!"

I can not say I fully agree with this quote, however I understand where Goldberg is coming from.  I know what its like to have to work hard so I can pay car insurance and small bills like that, so I think that shows that people have to take the initiative to work so they can pay for some of their own stuff.

Questions/Comments:

I found this article pretty interesting because it brought some basic things that you don't normally think about into perspective.

Amazing Grace

Jonathan Kozol

Author's Arguments:

Kozol argues that peoples lives get ripped away from them when tragedy strikes, and illness or misfortunate events happen.  He believes that no matter why a person is in the situation they are in, they deserve a better life, that the poor, sick, or others deserve to have the same life as those who earned it, whether they did or not.  He also argues that even though people live in poor quality homes and towns, they deserve to have a good life, without the threat of robbery, shootings, etc.

Quotes:

"The $150 million spent to build the dazzling new structure..., is almost exactly the same as what the city spent in the same year to purchase the massive prison barge that it has moored at Hunts Point in the South Bronx, where it accommodates the graduates and dropouts of much less attracting high schools on six floating floors of prison cells."

This quote really makes you think about how much money the cities and states waste on people who have messed up and are in prison, rather than spending it on the people who can barely make it day to day.

"I am in hell and you are not and so I hate you and I have to try to bring you down to where I am.  I feel pity for them and fear because they are lost."

It seems as though Kozol feels the pain of these people and is trying to see where they are coming from.  I agree with him, I feel everyone can change how they act but sometimes people get sucked into their lives of poverty because of they chances they have missed.  

Questions/Comments:

I enjoyed this article, because it made me think about how it is to live in such an unfair environment.  Kozol points out problems that really effect people and why they may be in the situations they are in.  He points out how some people have to change their whole lifestyle because of their living conditions.