Audio By Carbonatix
“Magnetic Subtraction,” by Jim Schutze, May 21
Bunch of Dupes
What I, too, find scary is how many people actually believe
[Superintendent Michael] Hinojosa and his “fairness” and “equity”
stance. It is unbelievable how easily deceived some people can be, how
the masses will simply follow and not really question what is going on,
or even bother to read articles like this one. They just take it at
face value and are quick to jump on any notion of fairness that
triggers a little alarm inside themselves that someone, somewhere is
getting something more/different/better. Adults who should know better
will behave like little children—that’s what Hinojosa is counting
on.
Scott from Dallas, via dallasobserver.com
You are on target! Thank you for doing the spreadsheet work. I have
one too—on the non-magnet high school enrollment by grade for 21
high schools going back to 1996. It supports your statement that things
are improving in Dallas ISD. Fewer students are dropping out, except in
the six North Dallas high schools, which have only improved 1.3 percent
in the percentage of ninth-graders making it to the 12th grade.
Meanwhile the nine Oak Cliff Schools have improved 10.1 percent and now
have 11.7 percent more of their ninth-graders making it to the 12th
grade than do the six North Dallas high schools!
But the best news is that all of DISD is getting better with
a total improvement of 8 percentage points in the past two years, with
two of those percentage points being in the last year alone! With
dropout rates going down 2 percent last year and TAKS scores going up
more than 2 percent at the same time, DISD is heading in the right
direction! Now we need to keep it happening!
Bill Betzen from Dallas, via dallasobserver.com
You hit the nail on the head. I’m uncommonly speechless right now.
Too bad the trustees don’t read the Dallas Observer. I’ll print
your article out and deliver it.
Ardent fan from Dallas, via dallasobserver.com
My son goes to the science and engineering magnet school. He’s the
lone white boy in his group of friends. They’ve already been to one
FCDallas game and are planning on going to another one. Where else can
a child make friends from all over the Dallas area? All students have
the opportunity to choose a magnet school over a neighborhood school,
but they do have to give up a lot in order to do it.
Sandy from Dallas, via dallasobserver.com
“Classic Schlock,” by Ben Westhoff, May 21
Vintage taste
So you basically mean that we shouldn’t listen to music that we
like, but just go with the flow and listen to everything of this
decade? I am 17 years old, and I grew up with Beatles, Byrds and
Rolling Stones always playing in the living room. I happen to find that
music more stimulating than most of today’s music. Is it our fault that
the ’60s and ’70s were the years the best rock music was made?
Mar, via dallasobserver.com
Interesting article. If all the young people in Dallas are listening
to classic rock, maybe I’ll move there. It’s called “classic” because
it is good, not old. Why don’t you listen to your choice of music and
I’ll listen to mine? That’s the American way.
Brenda, via dallasobserver.com
Maybe young musicians should try to make music that is as good as
the songs by the old guys. Americans nowadays are making prefab music,
even the so-called alternative acts. And the industry is selling it
like it’s the next big thing. It’s got nothing, and all the bands are
look-alikes of former successful acts. Therefore, I prefer old music
and the alternative Brits like I Am Kloot, Super Furry Animals, Bloc
Party and Bees. European music is by far more interesting than what
comes from the majors overseas. There’s only one new interesting
American act nowadays, Yeasayer. But I think no one has ever heard of
that band. And there’s one other thing. You “forgot” to mention the
whole new black rock/hip-hop scene. It’s quite interesting to follow
them. Just as interesting as listening to Pet Sounds or Willy
and the Poor Boys.
Last thing: Dylan, Springsteen and Diamond can top the charts
because they have fans who actually BUY stuff.
Dilanus from Amsterdam, via dallasobserver.com
