One of my students. Bless his heart

[Ishoutandscream2]

A really brilliant kid, but a wing nut if you ever saw one. Talked about the tea bag event which was a big event here, and said he supports Perry's talk of secession. Went on about socialism. I mentioned our roads, military, schools, fire fighters, police, etc were funded by taxes. He went on about "that's not what America is about." I told him if he supports secession, then he supports treason. What would happen if we did secede? Texas, he said, was one of the richest states in the union. I told him that we receive a lot of federal dollars, and we couldn't survive without them.

I love our youth. I have worked with them for 23 years. Unlike many here, I believe we are producing excellent students and workers for the future. However, this boy's attitude frightens the hell out of me. He's too smart to be spouting such garbage. He starts out at UTD with a full ride, studying computers. Luckily, it won't be political science or education. He wouldn't do well working with great numbers of people. But he will be very successful at his chosen field.

Oh, and please don't think most Texans think like this young man. Many here (even the more fascistic) had a good laugh at Perry's buffonery.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. You lost me at the contradiction.

[Ishoutandscream2]

3. Well, academically brilliant

Top 10 percent, state finalist in computer UIL competitions, a full ride to a university. Brilliant in that regard, but ridiculously stupid politically.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. How old is this lad? I'm guessing 10.

[Ishoutandscream2]

4. 18. Frightening

He would look good in a black shirt.

[noamnety]

5. He's going to a public university?

One supported by tax dollars?

Who is funding that full ride scholarship - not the tax payers, I hope! He must be a socialist. :)

[Ishoutandscream2]

6. Damn, why didn't I think of that?

I should have brought that up. I will have to the next time I see him.

[On the Road]

7. My Niece Just Got a 1580 on Her SATs

Nice girl. Homeschooled by evangelical sister-in-law. Rabid creationist. Don't even want to start a political discussion.

So I know the kind of person you're talking about.

Things can change over time. I was an evangelical in college, too. The secret is for the person to get out in the world and get wider experience. You and a few other people may have more of a long-term effect than you realize.

[Ishoutandscream2]

8. I hope you are right about my kid

It will probably take him being knocked down a peg or two, but it will be good for him in the long run. For some, it takes a lot of misfortune before they can actually start empathizing.

[EC]

9. What gets me is that out of one side of their mouths

they are spouting off about how much they "love America" then out of the other side off their mouths they say they want states rights or secession...complete states rights would make us like the EU with individual countries...we'd no longer be the USofA..