(no subject)
My Political Science class has this digital textbook in CD-ROM form. It's called Open to Debate: An Introduction to United States Government and Politics. And it's pretty much the best textbook I've ever read. EVER.
Some fabulous quotes include (italics are emphasis mine, bold is emphasis theirs):
- "For example, what about the legislation of euphoria? This is a topic of some relevance to many of you reading this text. Why are martinis legally acceptable but marijauna not?" -- I'm pretty sure the writers of this text were definitely partaking in some of that illegal euphoria while writing. More proof to follow.
- "In the public realm, Americans are particularly obsessed about sex and impose a strict moral code of sexual practice on their political leaders. Some of you reading these words have already collected more "skeletons" in your "closet" than would be prudent for a career in national politics." -- I kind of have no words.
- "Finally, Americans are also quite fearful, but they are fearful of things over which they have little control and obsess about dangers which are actually the least likely to occur. Objects of such fears include homicidal strangers, killer bees, and plane hijackers. This is encouraged by a variety of groups who profit from fear mongering, from politicians seeking more votes to the media seeking more viewers to advocacy groups seeking more members." -- Killer bees. Killer fucking bees.
- "As a scholar pursuing higher knowledge, you, the reader, have embarked on a path recognizing the power of knowledge over ignorance, keep up the good work." -- Seriously, "keep up the good work" ???
- "The irony is that, under majority rule, a majority may democratically pass a law which undermines the democratic rights of a minority. For instance, tattoos are currently popular with many students on college campuses. Potentially, a majority of civic-minded citizens, or their representatives, could choose to rescind various political rights of the tattooed because, as everyone knows (especially those with tattoos), people with tattoos are of questionable moral character." -- Following this is a picture of some guy's tattooed back. ... I bet it was one of the writers.
- "But, the question still remains, how are we to have rule by the people if the people are largely ignorant, apathetic, and indecisive? The easy answer is "I don’t know and I don’t care one way or the other", but that would of course be a joke." -- Oh, I get it, you said "apathetic" there and then "I don't care" Funny?
- "On the other hand, perhaps the masses are too divided around issues like abortion, homosexual rights, pre-emptive military strikes, and tax cuts to rule collectively; or, do the elite recognize the potential power of an educated, informed, and active citizenry and purposefully keep the lower classes divided around issues like race and religion to keep them from uniting around issues relevant to their shared economic concerns?" -- I like that just because it's exactly what I believe. The latter bit, that is.
- "As made clear by the attacks on the World Trade Towers in 1991..." -- ... this textbook is quality.
P.S. I uploaded this CD for Lauren (do I love having my own computer back, or what?) and I figure, why waste it? It's Arcade Fire's Funeral. Give it a listen.
Some fabulous quotes include (italics are emphasis mine, bold is emphasis theirs):
- "For example, what about the legislation of euphoria? This is a topic of some relevance to many of you reading this text. Why are martinis legally acceptable but marijauna not?" -- I'm pretty sure the writers of this text were definitely partaking in some of that illegal euphoria while writing. More proof to follow.
- "In the public realm, Americans are particularly obsessed about sex and impose a strict moral code of sexual practice on their political leaders. Some of you reading these words have already collected more "skeletons" in your "closet" than would be prudent for a career in national politics." -- I kind of have no words.
- "Finally, Americans are also quite fearful, but they are fearful of things over which they have little control and obsess about dangers which are actually the least likely to occur. Objects of such fears include homicidal strangers, killer bees, and plane hijackers. This is encouraged by a variety of groups who profit from fear mongering, from politicians seeking more votes to the media seeking more viewers to advocacy groups seeking more members." -- Killer bees. Killer fucking bees.
- "As a scholar pursuing higher knowledge, you, the reader, have embarked on a path recognizing the power of knowledge over ignorance, keep up the good work." -- Seriously, "keep up the good work" ???
- "The irony is that, under majority rule, a majority may democratically pass a law which undermines the democratic rights of a minority. For instance, tattoos are currently popular with many students on college campuses. Potentially, a majority of civic-minded citizens, or their representatives, could choose to rescind various political rights of the tattooed because, as everyone knows (especially those with tattoos), people with tattoos are of questionable moral character." -- Following this is a picture of some guy's tattooed back. ... I bet it was one of the writers.
- "But, the question still remains, how are we to have rule by the people if the people are largely ignorant, apathetic, and indecisive? The easy answer is "I don’t know and I don’t care one way or the other", but that would of course be a joke." -- Oh, I get it, you said "apathetic" there and then "I don't care" Funny?
- "On the other hand, perhaps the masses are too divided around issues like abortion, homosexual rights, pre-emptive military strikes, and tax cuts to rule collectively; or, do the elite recognize the potential power of an educated, informed, and active citizenry and purposefully keep the lower classes divided around issues like race and religion to keep them from uniting around issues relevant to their shared economic concerns?" -- I like that just because it's exactly what I believe. The latter bit, that is.
- "As made clear by the attacks on the World Trade Towers in 1991..." -- ... this textbook is quality.
P.S. I uploaded this CD for Lauren (do I love having my own computer back, or what?) and I figure, why waste it? It's Arcade Fire's Funeral. Give it a listen.