Training kids for Homeland Security

[Muck]

Unfair and uncalled for. To question motives of such an institution is not paranoia.

And comparing what is in effect a vocational school to an organization that indoctrinated children in anti-semitism and asked them to spy on their parents is fair and reasonable?

Yes my wording was a bit over the top but so was the initial comparison.

I was also drunk when I posted it.

lol

 

[OCBuckWife]

And comparing what is in effect a vocational school to an organization that indoctrinated children in anti-semitism and asked them to spy on their parents is fair and reasonable?

Yes my wording was a bit over the top but so was the initial comparison.

I was also drunk when I posted it.

lol

Alright, fair enough, drunk posts don't count.

Sure, the initial comparison was over the top. I don't feel it invalidates the comparison. Homeland Security training will instill a certain amount of xenophobia, it has to for the eventual success of the "agent" should the child /teen continue in that vocation. How is that different from training teens in anti-semitism? Can you honestly say, with the the focus of Homeland Security today, that a certain amount of anti-islamic sentiment won't be a part of this school? Why is it such an "out there" concept that as part of the training the idea that "If you witness suspicious acts, even by your parents, you must say something for the safety of the country!"?

 

[Taosman]

Be nice, let the paranoid goof dicks think silly things.

Speaking up for a future employer? :tongue2:

 

[AKAK]

Alright, fair enough, drunk posts don't count.

Sure, the initial comparison was over the top. I don't feel it invalidates the comparison. Homeland Security training will instill a certain amount of xenophobia, it has to for the eventual success of the "agent" should the child /teen continue in that vocation. How is that different from training teens in anti-semitism? Can you honestly say, with the the focus of Homeland Security today, that a certain amount of anti-islamic sentiment won't be a part of this school? Why is it such an "out there" concept that as part of the training the idea that "If you witness suspicious acts, even by your parents, you must say something for the safety of the country!"?

Well, it doesn't invalidate the comparison if you make those assumptions. I'd tend to think that the traits you list above would make very BAD homeland security personnel...

In fact... and unfortunately this is the case with any security professional is that their job is to be suspicious and vigilant... regardless of race-- or even national origin...

Curriculum choices for students, who are to be called Cadets, range from SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) through prison guard, water rescue, paramedic, fireman, professional demolition and emergency response operator, according to a Board statement.

I don't see professional racial profiler in there, or covert parental surveillance.

"Homeland Security" is big business... and there are jobs to be had (at least for now)... why not teach kids how to get the jobs? Not to mention that it really looks mostly like a Cop/Firefighter schoool in reality... not like "emergency response operator" isn't useful, terrorist threat or not. (Though they are paid notoriously poorly... )

 

[Taosman]

 

[OCBuckWife]

Well, it doesn't invalidate the comparison if you make those assumptions. I'd tend to think that the traits you list above would make very BAD homeland security personnel...

In fact... and unfortunately this is the case with any security professional is that their job is to be suspicious and vigilant... regardless of race-- or even national origin...



I don't see professional racial profiler in there, or covert parental surveillance.

I fully admit I am making assumptions here. Hard not to, there isn't enough information about the school yet. My assumptions are also admittedly based on a cynical, "worst case scenario" as well.

"Homeland Security" is big business... and there are jobs to be had (at least for now)... why not teach kids how to get the jobs? Not to mention that it really looks mostly like a Cop/Firefighter schoool in reality... not like "emergency response operator" isn't useful, terrorist threat or not. (Though they are paid notoriously poorly... )

There are already plenty of vocational schools and regular college courses and training by each particular industry itself for all of those jobs. My objection is the tying it to the particular governmental department that is "Homeland Security" as in institution, not as an industry in which these jobs could be found.

My other objection is that it is being emphasized in high school, not being given as an option after graduation. Representatives of those careers should be at a job fair, not as courses of study in the school itself.

 

[AKAK]

There are already plenty of vocational schools and regular college courses and training by each particular industry itself for all of those jobs.

Oh, I think you might get some disagreement on that.

Your philosophical objections noted, and I think they are reasonable... but... my understanding is that there is a shortage of most of those types of jobs... police especially.

And any rate, take the "professional demolition" out... and... you've got a training school for entry level public services.

 

[OCBuckWife]

Oh, I think you might get some disagreement on that.

Your philosophical objections noted, and I think they are reasonable... but... my understanding is that there is a shortage of most of those types of jobs... police especially.

And any rate, take the "professional demolition" out... and... you've got a training school for entry level public services.

I actually wouldn't mind my kid being trained in some of these subjects, but I don't think demolitions and an emphasis on homeland security(prison guard, for example) is appropriate.

And as I mentioned in my first post, take out the SWAT and demolition and if I had a kid I wouldn't mind him/her training in some of the other stuff. As an option in high school, had it been available, I would have gladly enrolled. We had CPR classes back then, it's not much of a jump to get into first level paramedic. :)

 

[jwinslow]

What pants?

 

[BUCKYLE]

What pants?

Homo says what?

 

[Muck]

And as I mentioned in my first post, take out the SWAT and demolition and if I had a kid I wouldn't mind him/her training in some of the other stuff.[/quite]

Typical woman, take away all the GOOD stuff.

We had CPR classes back then, it's not much of a jump to get into first level paramedic. :)

Level based RPGs are so not realistic.


PS - Not drunk

 

[MaxBuck]

I think there is a huge difference between a Homeland Security curriculum at a Vo-Ed school like Tolles Tech, and a charter school built around HS as its focal point.

I'd be all in favor of Tolles opening up this curriculum, but given the right-wing orientation of most charter school types, starting a school up like this scares the bejeebers out of me.

Besides which, charter schools are basically just a money-sucking scam anyway.

 

[AKAK]

I think there is a huge difference between a Homeland Security curriculum at a Vo-Ed school like Tolles Tech, and a charter school built around HS as its focal point.

I'd be all in favor of Tolles opening up this curriculum, but given the right-wing orientation of most charter school types, starting a school up like this scares the bejeebers out of me.

Besides which, charter schools are basically just a money-sucking scam anyway.

Well, I think you jsut defeated the whole reason to be scared.

"Homeland Security" = Marketing ploy.

 

[MaxBuck]

Well, I think you jsut defeated the whole reason to be scared.

"Homeland Security" = Marketing ploy.

If you think marketing ploys cannot create all sorts of havoc, I suggest you visit the Papa Johns thread.:tongue2: