No system is perfect, but either way you go with this one the issue will be the same (shorter terms just add layers of politics and strategy without eliminating any perceived problem - short term judge shopping and/or tying a case in tape until a friendly bench arrives). Whenever you think about changing something like that you have to sit back and say "If I were a high profile lawyer on a hot issue how would I game this proposed system?" and then see if the results are any better than whats currently in place.

(July 24, 2012 at 9:35 pm)aleialoura Wrote: My friends made fun of me all the time for reading in my free time.

Admittedly you got that in my school too.

"Hahaha look at you! Actually learning stuff, what the hell man, you're so stupid"

Ah the intelligence of 10 year olds.

I had a fairly decent education, but I actually paid attention in class (even if I wasn't very good about doing my homework). I will say I felt my English department was very lacking and math was hit-and-miss.

The religious in our country see education as an anathema, so conservative parents and politicians focus on making religion come first when it comes to what we teach ourselves. Being educated is being demonized by these conservatives as something wicked and evil, and the best way to keep the credulous from becoming non-credulous is to make them afraid of learning.

Also, I think it has somewhat to do with the state of denial we have here in the states. Most Americans think America is the greatest the country in every category and every endeavor it has undertaken. Try to tell them our education is terrible when ranked among industrialized countries, and they will cover their ears or say it is in an unimportant issue.

Another issue is the demonizing of what can be seen as "European thinking," such as socialized medicine. It seems that we this mentality that if Europe does something, it must be wrong. Likewise, everything America does is always right, even when it's not.

I wonder if the study of historical documents might help?
When was the time when the old men, didn't say the young aren't as good as they were in their youth?
When was the time when the old did not say the new learning, is not as good as the old way of learning? (Plato, on writing would be a good example)
When was the time when those on the edge did not say those at the centre had got it wrong, and those at the centre did not blame those at the edge for not being more like them.
This is not to say there are not problems, but that is more to do with economics, and the wealthy and powerful rigging the markets.

Anyway when the U.S.A. finally collapses, I'm sure the Queen would have you back if you all apologised, and we could rename you 'Lower Canada'.

(July 25, 2012 at 5:27 pm)jonb Wrote: Anyway when the U.S.A. finally collapses, I'm sure the Queen would have you back if you all apologised, and we could rename you 'Lower Canada'.

And you would richly deserve us if you were actually stupid enough to take us back.

(July 25, 2012 at 5:33 pm)Chuck Wrote: And you would richly deserve us if you were actually stupid enough to take us back.

We would have too, we so need this sort of wisdom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=end...Fp8QU&NR=1

I don't want to live in this country any more. Please, my friends in Canada, Australia and the UK - take pity on me and adopt me.

(July 25, 2012 at 11:08 pm)Cthulhu Dreaming Wrote: I don't want to live in this country any more. Please, my friends in Canada, Australia and the UK - take pity on me and adopt me.

That is what is called your 'British Heritage' we get to a paradise piss all over it, realise how stupid we are and move on.

But before you buy the tickets to come home have you thought about the food?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7G1nZzrA...ure=fvwrel

(July 25, 2012 at 11:08 pm)Cthulhu Dreaming Wrote: I don't want to live in this country any more. Please, my friends in Canada, Australia and the UK - take pity on me and adopt me.

Of course you can come here Cthulhu! Send the papers over