By the outrage expressed by Presidents(s), the Pope, General(s), Editorialist(s) at this proposed irrational act by a religious fanatic, are we saying that burning the Koran by such an idiot is a true insult to muslims? Are we provoking others to to indulge in such silly acts to get attention? The rational muslims (most them are) will understand that this single act is not an attack of the religion of Islam because this country allows its own flag to be burned. As for the irrational ones, no amount of appeal will influence them. They will always find something to foment violence. I would suggest silence is the best way to deal with such events. Let our Constitution speak for itself.
USA Today Article: Education Secretary and Hoops
Education Secretary Duncan: Ban NCAA teams with low grad rates
You want schools with less than 40% graduation rate be banned from NCAA post-season play. Very wimpy, Respected Mr. Secretary. What will that really do, for the athlete, if that is who you are worried about?
Why not 80, 90, or, can we get bold and say even a 100% rate? While you are at it, how about a decent quality of education, so that these athletes can get a decent job, when they graduate in a good economy. I have been in university academia long enough to know that, if you pass that rule, there will be a 40% graduation rate overnight in all NCAA schools- sort of the Lake Woebegone effect- where all children are above average. Or being in Washington, would you prefer the “smoke and mirror” analogy?
I looked at some graduation rate numbers- only your neighbor Maryland with an 8% (USA Today is my source for this and other numbers I provide) is well below your expectation; next is CA with 20%; others AR-Pine Bluff (29%), Baylor (36%), Clemson (37%), GA Tech (38%), KY (31%), Louisville (38%), Missouri (36%), Tennessee (30%), and Washington (29%) are close. So, a bump in graduation rate to 40% would be “statistically” insignificant.
Your turn.
By the way, that 40%, where did it come from? baseball – Ted Williams batting average?