So, I’m back and I feel like I need to end this week on my soapbox, addressing some things that have been in the news of late. (It’s a bit long, so hang in with me here if you can.)
The, protestors also set the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square on fire. So, wrong. So very wrong.
I understand that this is a huge change for students in the U.K. (and for my blogger friends in the U.K., please don’t take offense to this). I get that. But, they’re complaining about the fact that tuition is going up to $14,000 next year after there has been a long-time cap on tuition rates (something we have not experienced here; increases are the norm). When NPR did a story about this topic the other day, a representative from the student group leading these protests said that with these increases, England will have the most expensive tuition costs in the world. Um, hello? Been to the United States lately?
Sorry, dude, but it’s the United States which has the highest tuition rates in the world. Not that this is anything to shout from the mountain tops, but at least get your facts straight. For instance, tuition at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. is $53,380; Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. is $53,660; Columbia University in New York City is $54,385; and Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, N.Y., is a whopping $57,556 per year.
Even at my alma mater, the University of Kentucky - a public university where tuition is well below that of a private school - tuition is much more than the proposal in the U.K.
I had student loans to pay back after I graduated. I got a job, I worked on paying my loans and finally, I paid them off, like many other college grads do in this country. That’s just how it is. I know this is difficult to do during tough economic times, when jobs may be hard to find.
There have been protests by U.S. students at their respective colleges over tuition increases. But, it's not the practice to set fires in the street, destroy property, and place others in harm's way. We save that behavior for an NCAA championship. :)
I'm probably going to take some heat over this, but I don’t have a lot of sympathy for this situation. It’s the norm here and we just suck it up and move on. Fight it all you want, but I doubt your efforts will restore a cap on costs. That's just the way it is.
Elizabeth Edwards (1949 to 2010)
As you know, Elizabeth Edwards died this week after a long battle with breast cancer. At times she was a controversial figure, in her ambition for her husband’s quest for the presidency and whether or not she knew about, and helped cover up, a scandal involving John Edwards. But, she also cherished her role as mother, was a successful lawyer and strategist. No one deserves to lose a child, have your husband cheat on you in a humiliatingly-public fashion, and then be stricken with cancer.
Now, it appears that the members of the crazy-town church, Westboro Baptist, which is known to protest military funerals, plans to show up at Elizabeth Edwards’ funeral on Saturday. Is there no shame? I just hope what happened to them at a recent military funeral in Oklahoma happens again. I bet the Devil can’t wait to get a hold of these people. Then again, it sounds like he already has.
Alright, thanks for putting up with my tirade this week. Let’s enjoy this holiday season and remember what it’s all about. My family and I have a full weekend of Christmas parties and activities. I’m looking forward to seeing friends old and new and enjoying time with my husband and kids. That’s what it’s all about.
Images and content courtesy of BBC News, New York Daily News, Tulsa World, CNN and Yahoo News
19 comments:
I have never been nor can I ever conceive of being a fan of violent protests. Protest but in a peaceful way...
Thank goodness the royals escaped unharmed...it could have been much worse.
Rant on when necessary but do take some time to enjoy your weekend :)
Very well said, my friend!
It seems everything is 'fair game' in the name of protest. Too bad people feel like they have to act like barbarians to get their point across~ and what was their point exactly? I lost my sympathetic ear when they started burning trees and attacking people who have nothing to do with the issue they are supposedly protesting about.
No ya got my blood boiling! I saw the news about the English protesters, but the nut jobs coming to disrespect Ms Edwards is simply too much. To get caught up in the mob mentality is just a public display of how weak minded you are. And to be clear this is not a trait limited to the English, it is species wide. As for the nut jobs,to protest at the funerals of men and women who died in the service of the country that affords you that right is beyond my scope of understanding. I used to try to debate with fanatics in my youth. Now I just hope that I am right and God is waiting to explain the error of their ways to them. It tempers my anger somewhat.
Sorry to use your blog to spew my rantings, I hope you understand.
Like you...I lack sympathy for the UK tuition hooligans. My daughter is applying early decision to my Alma Mater: Lehigh University. 52 K per year....so...what are these U.K. kids whining about over 14 K..sheesh.
Agree with you on so many points. Glad you put it out there! Enjoy your weekend.
That is a shame that protestors are going to show up at Elizabeth's funeral. I can't believe some of the things that people choose to gripe about!
Clearly my son needs to transfer next semester ~ I would be thrilled with 14thou!
Hmmm, I wonder how these people would feel if someone with the same mindset showed up at their loved ones funeral?
Enjoy your festive weekend~
Jo
Didn't know that about Elizabeth Edwards - so shameful. How confusing for her children.
And yeah, college is expensive 4 years of undergrad was covered by scholarship, but um law school was NOT!
Enjoy your blog - keep up the good work:)
I can not believe what happened in the UK! Tell me about tuition costs! We put 3 through college, and paid our own loans off back then. Why do they think people own them a free ride? Why do they feel the need for violence?
Elizabeth Edwards is not suffering anymore, she is with her son. That woman held her head up high with dignity and grace after her husband was such a ass. May God rest her sole and give her peace.
Seriously, try 14k a semester for a public school. As for the funeral protesters, well, that is unfathomable, and I hope they are overwhelmed with shame and sleeplessness.
Maybe I should move to England so I'll ONLY have to pay $14,000 a year for each son's college tuition!
Nothing enrages me more than those crazy pants protestors who think they are being Chrisitan. Let these families grieve in peace!
Well said. The worst image was the ones of the graffitied and defaced statue of WInston Churchill, a man who, not to put to fine a point on it, SAVED England's bacon.
In Australia we now have tuition fees not nearly as expensive as the US though, and you pay it back once you earn over a particular level. It is subsidised so it is not what it costs of course. There were lots of protests when this was brought in in the late 80s.
I do know that if you increase fees you have to increase scholarships commensurately.
I could say lots of rude things here about the English and what they take for granted but I won't. I just think the whole thing is a real shame xo
I can't believe they attacked the car like that. Wow that is scary
xoxo
SC
Totally agree with your ranting on both subjects. Shameful behaviour of students / protestors.
You won the domestic ease (pve design) giveaway!
Let me know where to send the winning certificate -
woo ha~ Now stop your ranting and start celebrating!
Oh what a riot we are having with twins graduation in 2011 and 2 college tuitions to look forward to! Education is the most important gift!!!
pve
As I watch the UK students "protest", I as myself what they are hoping to accomplish. Many of their acts seem terroistic. Why is it acceptable?
Unbelievable isn't it?
Agree! Agree! Agree!
I was never a fan of Elizabeth, but was sad to hear of her death. I was doubly sad for her small children. I'm glad the royals are OK, but oh well. : - ) They were mean to Princess Diana. As far as the protesting, they should hear what my poor children have to do! Live at home, work and go to college! My husband had to live on his on, work and pay his entire way through under grad and law school! Waah...
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