You seem to be ignoring the two posts that pointed out the "Legacy" admissions that Ivy Leagues have - as much as 15% of their new admissions are for students who are only there because a family member graduated from the same school. But to drive it home, I'm gonna tell you a story from personal experience (for as little as that is worth): A person I knew in the past was proctoring a course in art history for an ivy league university. She was very smart, and worked very hard on designing this course. She had a legacy in her class, who will go unnamed other than to mention that her father is a very wealthy man with a magazine named after him. The daughter was, apparently, not only phenomenally stupid but also prone to excessive absences and tardiness - she missed more classes than she attended. She, justifiably, failed the course (according to the person I knew who had designed and was proctoring the course). When the final grades where handed in to administration at the end of the course, administration informed the person I knew that the daughter had some issues which prevented her from fully immersing herself in the material (or some similar euphemism) and that they (the administration) had decided to award the daughter a 'C' in the class. That is how legacy admissions work, and that is how a genuinely stupid (albeit rich and connected) human being can graduate from an Ivy League school. It's just like the dumb children of middle-class parents can graduate from a state school with a 'C' average as long as their parents can afford the tuition. (not an intentional derail: I agree with T_J that university admissions should be solely merit-based. Also, if you're too dumb to get in - then under no circumstances should you be allowed to attend that university - even if your parents can afford it. We have to stop letting idiots dress themselves up in university degrees because everytime that happens there's the serious risk that the idiots will end up occupying important positions that have real power and real responsibilities).
Bush is still a lot smarter than Palin even considering he was accepted into the top two schools on legacy status alone. Why are we overlooking that? T_J tried to drag Michelle Obama below the intelligence level of Sarah Palin, and he never defended such outrageous claims.
Okay back on topic, it really is an interesting read, don't think its a hit piece. she's ambitious and she knows her strengths and she knows who she appeals to. even at one point, the mccain staffers admit she still probably helped more than she hurt.
Batman, why are you obsessed with Palin? I understand why I am, she's smart, self-made, charismatic, and way-hot, and she's had kids, all traits that i guess you, and most liberals find threatening on some level. this is just a hit piece by a journal that has a record of similar hit pieces on republicans, a journal that by it's very name stands for everything that Palin stands against. you should both be ashamed, although i suspect you're secretly turned on, just too embarrassed to admit it.
I agree he is highly intelligent and a lazy student. however, most highly intelligent lazy students don't get in.
TJ, it's time for you to either start a Michelle Obama thread, or stay on topic. This thread is about the article on Sarah Palin. It is well researched, and has a lot information on it. Neither you nor basso has addressed any of that. The funny thing is that basso who recently claimed a typical liberal tactic was to attack the messenger rather than message set about attacking the messenger and not the message, and then extended his attacks to personal ones on liberals in general. TJ, I'm giving you a warning. Your continued chat of off topic material will be tolerated. Either stay on topic or start your own thread. You have been warned.
Would you care to address any of the many sources quoted and referenced in the article? Or, is there nothing you have to add in that regard. You claim the piece isn't worthwhile, but you offer no attempt to discredit it. Either you can do that, or once again you've failed.
When has batman mocked any of those traits? That's right he hasn't and this is just another unsubstantiated attack by you. As far as dignity, I have yet to see it from her. She certainly wasn't dignified when she was paigerizing, insulting community organizers, refusing to step up to supporters of hers who were racist and threatening during the campaign, falsely accused Obama of "Pallin' around with terrorists," etc. She certainly lacked grace under fire when she couldn't answer the simplest questions put to her by an unbiased media. She certainly lacked grace under fire when she admittedly opted to not follow the rules of the VP debate that she had agreed to. She certainly lacked grace under fire when she has taken zero responsibility for the failures of the campaign, and blamed others left and right.
well....I read it. Skimmed bits. More and more as I went along. About on par for Vanity Fair's political commentary. Didn't see anything beyond hit piece -- sorry. Weslinder (what happened to him?) had much more insight. And I don't mean that to slam Wes. Saw just about every stereotype and broad brush statement. Quotes from noted foes. Lots of unnamed officials and 'high ranking' (but unnamed) insiders with snide comments. Most of the sorid innuendos and stories of the last 10 months nicely grouped in one place. With no counter or explanation -- other then the implication that people who supported her were really really stupid. All fluffed out with loaded language. Didn't learn anything new about process, life on the campaign trail, her ideas (that would be tough!), or McCains -- or anyones really. I'll summarize for anyone not ready to read it: Palin's a diva. A lazy, backstabbing, vindictive, opportunistic, selfish, petty, narcissistc and mediocre person. But she's sort of hot. And it was all obvious before the selection. And Alaskan's are odd anyways. Not in a good way. And even her Alaskan record is mirred in scandal. Any success she's had has been due to incredibly good luck or it wasn't really a success. IMO this was nowhere near the Newsweek series. I think we had much better discussion in this forum. I'm poorer for having read that. (Even if I think Palin's been and continues to be an embarrassment on the national scene. Quit giving her the microphone!).
ye effing gods. this thread is a nice little microcosm of why certain posters have turned the D&D into a bad joke.
The picture of Palin and Cindy McCain is amazing. At least make a tiny effort to hide your contempt. Wow.
Dignity? Grace under fire? Smart? Stupid isn't a strong enough word to describe this post. You are a top-level grandmaster at posting "hit pieces" and have the nerve to ask someone else if they are "obsessed"? Are you playing clueless or is it sincere? Watching you snap over Palin is amazing. You are probably the one who is turned on. It's not a secret now. Hope you aren't ashamed or embarrassed.
Exactly. No way he gets in otherwise. Because the "system" was already in place, I don't begrudge him that, but to pretend that he was qualified on merit is absurd.
I used to be neutral when it came to political parties...thanks to people like TJ and basso, I dont want to have anything to do with the mindset of a republican.
