News From Sun Herald?, WOW! - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jan 8, 2005

News From Sun Herald?, WOW!

Date: Jan 8, 2005

I want to note that this is at a time when the state is talking about closing down both the school of science and math and the school of the arts.

This state is great for starting things -- and then not committing to the projects it undertakes.

Date: Jan 8, 2005

Polymer science... in high school?

Aren't we getting specialized just a little too early here?

Robert Campbell

Date: Jan 8, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: stephen judd
"I want to note that this is at a time when the state is talking about closing down both the school of science and math and the school of the arts. This state is great for starting things -- and then not committing to the projects it undertakes. "

You are correct Stephen. It would be a terrible blemish on the image of this state if they close these schools. I visited the School for Math and Science several times and was very impressed with the students.

One problem I've heard is that most of the students from these schools are so smart that the go out of state for higher education. As a result I heard it said that the money put into the schools doesn't benefit the state of Mississippi, but rather our neighbors who get the well educated high school students. It is almost like saying "to keep the smart people here, don't educate them until grad school, otherwise they will leave". Someone posted on this board that many citizens here oppose fully funding education for these reasons.

Date: Jan 8, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
"Polymer science... in high school? Aren't we getting specialized just a little too early here? Robert Campbell"

Exactly Robert. The model is that of a Mall. All of the stores (departments) compete for the same customers. No store (discipline) is more fundamental than another. The stores (departments) that do well (bring in money) are expanded and the ones that don't are downsized or closed. Polymer Science brings in a lot of money (they say), but is not taught in H.S. This makes recruitment of H.S. students a little more difficult and requires more P.R. about P.S. However, if we can get P.S. taught in H.S. (even before the students learn chemistry, mind you) well, then we have customers waiting at our doors.

As slogan for the waste disposal company in New Orleans says, "Our business stinks, but it is picking up"

Date: Jan 8, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Reporter
" As slogan for the waste disposal company in New Orleans says, "Our business stinks, but it is picking up" "

Waste management may stink, but the money is good. Don't laugh at that!

Sometimes even the courts (can you believe it!) throw business our way to clean up things.

It is good business to give back to the community that gives so much to us (and sometimes it is the price of doing business).

Date: Jan 8, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Tony Soprano
" Waste management may stink, but the money is good. Don't laugh at that! Sometimes even the courts (can you believe it!) throw business our way to clean up things. It is good business to give back to the community that gives so much to us (and sometimes it is the price of doing business)."

Tony, I love that clever line the company uses. I agree in our culture waste management is an essential business. Do you take contracts in Hattiesburg? We have a huge waste problem on Hardy and Hwy 49.

Date: Jan 8, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
"Polymer science... in high school? Aren't we getting specialized just a little too early here? Robert Campbell"

if this new polymer science program is like the one at Petal High School, it will be mainly a vo-tech program with little academic meat. The students would be much better prepared for a science major like PSC if they would simply take as much chemistry, physics, math and biology as they can in high school.

Date: Jan 8, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Reporter
"
You are correct Stephen. It would be a terrible blemish on the image of this state if they close these schools. I visited the School for Math and Science several times and was very impressed with the students.
One problem I've heard is that most of the students from these schools are so smart that the go out of state for higher education. As a result I heard it said that the money put into the schools doesn't benefit the state of Mississippi, but rather our neighbors who get the well educated high school students. It is almost like saying "to keep the smart people here, don't educate them until grad school, otherwise they will leave". Someone posted on this board that many citizens here oppose fully funding education for these reasons. "

I've heard that argument, too, but smart people have been leaving Mississippi since 1866. Many states with high quality education lose a very high percentage of their college graduates who are looking for opportunity, but that doesn't deter them from having good schools. Bright, well-educated young people leave states like Iowa, Kansas, New York, and Pennsylvania in large numbers every year, but those that remain contribute to the economic success and quality of life in their state.

Date: Jan 8, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Flash Gordon
" I've heard that argument, too, but smart people have been leaving Mississippi since 1866. Many states with high quality education lose a very high percentage of their college graduates who are looking for opportunity, but that doesn't deter them from having good schools. Bright, well-educated young people leave states like Iowa, Kansas, New York, and Pennsylvania in large numbers every year, but those that remain contribute to the economic success and quality of life in their state."

And at least some that leave return. And others would like to return but know there isn't much for them to return to. It is lsightly depressing. When I came here in 98 it felt as thought the state was on the edge of finally getting up off the bottom rung. That was pretty exciting but it did not last long.

Date: Jan 8, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Reporter
"
It is almost like saying "to keep the smart people here, don't educate them until grad school, otherwise they will leave". Someone posted on this board that many citizens here oppose fully funding education for these reasons. "

I'd be surprised if many citizens here have ever given that much thought to this particular theory. More likely, many citizens here oppose fully funding education because it might mean an increase in taxes. A 6th grade eddycation was good enough for grandpa, so it's good enough for you, son.

Naught x Naught = Naught

Date: Jan 8, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: COST faculty
" if this new polymer science program is like the one at Petal High School, it will be mainly a vo-tech program with little academic meat. The students would be much better prepared for a science major like PSC if they would simply take as much chemistry, physics, math and biology as they can in high school. "

I imagine some external funding agencies look favorably upon such "partnerships," and if I'm not mistaken, the Moss Point School District is predominately African-American, which might be another feather in PSC's cap when competing for external funding. This is just a hunch; I may be totally off-base.

Date: Jan 8, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Googler
"I imagine some external funding agencies look favorably upon such "partnerships," and if I'm not mistaken, the Moss Point School District is predominately African-American, which might be another feather in PSC's cap when competing for external funding."

"We sell dreams"

Date: Jan 8, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: COST faculty
"
if this new polymer science program is like the one at Petal High School, it will be mainly a vo-tech program with little academic meat. The students would be much better prepared for a science major like PSC if they would simply take as much chemistry, physics, math and biology as they can in high school. "

Yes, but vo-tech in high school gets you ready for vo-tech in college.

Date: Jan 8, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Googler
"I imagine some external funding agencies look favorably upon such "partnerships," and if I'm not mistaken, the Moss Point School District is predominately African-American, which might be another feather in PSC's cap when competing for external funding. This is just a hunch; I may be totally off-base."

Phillip Morris funds "educational" "partnerships" too. Why do they do that? Where did that money come from?

In what community is the Moss Point School District located? Look deeper.

What do you know about plasticizers and hazardous waste?

Date: Jan 8, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Here Comes The Judge!
" Phillip Morris funds "educational" "partnerships" too. Why do they do that? Where did that money come from? In what community is the Moss Point School District located? Look deeper. What do you know about plasticizers and hazardous waste?"

Is this deep enough? http://eelink.net/EJ/moss.html

Date: Jan 8, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Here Comes The Judge!
" Phillip Morris funds "educational" "partnerships" too. Why do they do that?

1. Tax breaks?

2. Conscience money?

Date: Jan 8, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Googler
"Is this deep enough? http://eelink.net/EJ/moss.html"

What do you think?

Is this the best that you can do?

Date: Jan 8, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Here Comes The Judge!
" What do you think? Is this the best that you can do?"

Well, there's the former International Paper mill at Moss Point, which prior to its closure in 2001 was considered by the EPA to be one of this country's 167 most dangerous (cancer-causing) polluters. Jackson County, which purchased the facility in 2003, is currently redeveloping the site, and International Paper is responsible for removing all buildings and hazardous materials by June 2005.

Date: Jan 9, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Googler
"Well, there's the former International Paper mill at Moss Point, which prior to its closure in 2001 was considered by the EPA to be one of this country's 167 most dangerous (cancer-causing) polluters. Jackson County, which purchased the facility in 2003, is currently redeveloping the site, and International Paper is responsible for removing all buildings and hazardous materials by June 2005."

Is That All There Is?

Date: Jan 9, 2005

http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/mortondc.htm

Date: Jan 9, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: a connection??
"http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/mortondc.htm "

What is the connection?

Date: Jan 9, 2005

Have we ever read about Rohm and Haas chemical company before? My question is not rhetorical - just not sure that I am remembering properly. Maybe something to do with a product of one of the "Thames job searches" prior to Fall, 2003?

Date: Jan 9, 2005

A search on Rohm and Haas brought up a number of Atofina connections, maybe that's what I remembered.

Date: Jan 13, 2005

All this means is that the thugs in Moss Point will now be using American Pride Paint to deface buildings and public property in town.

Date: Jan 13, 2005

It also means Shelboo can now find solace with his new lady, Tressie Harper (Moss Point Superintendent) who by the way is an equally hated administrator. Many Moss Pointers have signed petitions to remove her. I can see how they would get along so well.

SFT: Hey sweetheart, you gonna hook me up with that Poly Sci dept at your high school?
Tressie: Oh yes dear, just let me answer some of my hate mail first.
SFT: Maybe we could get together, have a drink, and read our petitions.
Tressie:Then we can plot our next moves to quite our opposition.

Date: Jan 22, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: a connection??
"http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/mortondc.htm "

Where did this $16 Million go?

Did it all go to Moss Point?

Is the Moss Point $16 Million just chump change in a bigger picture?

Date: Jan 22, 2005

what the h*ll is your point about the $16 million?

Date: Jan 23, 2005

But, even I understand this. Connect the dots. The key words have been put out on this MB. There is a rest of the story.