Comments on: Remainders: Case of the missing Harlem Children’s Zone clones

By: Juggleandhope

Juggleandhope — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 02:14:00 +0000

I liked Tough’s article (and your retitling of it) – would have also liked a little more explicit theory on capitalism and poverty. He seems to argue that sensitive and patient social programs addressing family dynamics and child development would impact those worst hit by poverty. But I’m not sure if he’s arguing that such a set of programs (and HCZ) would ameliorate the worst effects of poverty or that it would lead to a decent socioeconomic situation for the still poor.

I also admit wondering if his advocacy that Obama make a speech specifically promising major federal help for the poor urban mostly-black was suggested by Geoff Canada’s capitalist cronies as a way of trying to funnel “middle-class” voters to Romney. That would be the most likely consequence of the speech he demands of Obama and thus contribute to eliminating any chance of major federal help for the poor. Tough seems to have a good mind and willingness to investigate, so it’s puzzling that he would miss the 2+2=4 of his own analysis. Maybe there’s another explanation?

By: Diane

Diane — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 02:07:00 +0000

Thank GOD Obama didn’t replicate HCZ’s schools. They’re way too expensive and way too corrupt.

By: Michael Fiorillo

Michael Fiorillo — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 13:37:00 +0000

Well, candidate Obama promised to expand charter schools, and he’s followed through on that one. Guantanamo may still be open, whistleblowers are being arrested, and we still have thousands of “contractors” in Iraq, but we did get publicly-funded private academies for the Worthy Poor.

As for the Unworthy Poor, they get to face austerity with all those lazy, greedy, sexual predator public school teachers.

It’s also revealing that, confronted with the most acute financial crisis since 1933, he appointed as top economic advisors the people (Lawrence Summers, for example) who implemented policies that enabled the looting, and others (Timothy Geithner) who stood by while it took place.

And now, we see that Summers is on the Boards of both Teach for America and Michelle Rhee’s StudentsFirst.

Funny how consistently and predictably those kinds of things play out.

By: Pogue

Pogue — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 12:17:00 +0000

Answer to bullet point #1…

Because Obama never keeps promises he makes.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/rulings/promise-broken/

And I voted for the guy! Fool me once, I guess.