cannabisnews.com: What Our Society Sorely Lacks – Critical Thinking 





What Our Society Sorely Lacks – Critical Thinking 
Posted by CN Staff on April 03, 2007 at 16:47:23 PT
By Lisa Pampuch 
Source: Gilroy Dispatch
California -- My son, a high school sophomore, recently took the California High School Exit Exam, which he must pass to graduate. It's a silly exercise because the CAHSEE tests only 8th-grade math and 10th-grade English. It requires scores of only 55 and 60 percent, respectively, to pass.I'm glad that more students in South County are passing the CAHSEE, but there's no sense in spending limited resources administering a test of 8th-grade and 10th-grade material as a high school graduation requirement.
The CAHSEE has another flaw: It doesn't test critical thinking skills. The ability to use reason and logic to evaluate facts ought to be a basic component of every high school education. Sadly, and clearly, it's not.We see the critical thinking deficit in politics, for example, with the success of misleading, baseless, shameful attack ads like the ones used against Vietnam war heroes Sen. Max Cleland and Sen. John Kerry.We see the critical thinking deficit in national policy, for example, in our marijuana laws. Despite the relative safety of marijuana compared to legal recreational drugs like tobacco and alcohol, the federal government classifies marijuana as a Schedule I substance, meaning doctors cannot even prescribe it.American Scientist just published an article comparing the toxicity of recreational drugs. Marijuana was the least toxic of all the drugs studied. Alcohol, codeine and - of all things - nutmeg were significantly more toxic than marijuana.Here's conservative author Andrew Sullivan's pithy summary of the American Scientist report from his blog, The Daily Dish: "The least toxic drug known to humans is now illegal. The most toxic is available at Safeway. None of this makes any sense at all. And yet we continue to imprison people for ingesting substances far less harmful than others freely available. One has to wonder what the prohibitionists are smoking. Maybe nutmeg."We see the critical thinking deficit on this opinion page, for example, in Allen Lillie's response to my recent column on medical marijuana.He does not refute my main points - that the federal government is hypocritical and inconsistent in its controlled substance regulations, and that Morgan Hill should hold medical marijuana dispensaries to the same standards as other businesses.Instead, Lillie asserts, without evidence of any kind, that "most of the marijuana club clients are twenty somethings with a prescription for 'stress ...' "Critical thinkers require sources for assertions, but Lillie provides none.Lillie asserts, again without evidence, that some doctors write medical marijuana prescriptions without physical examinations, and that some people buy marijuana from dispensaries to resell it.Healthy skeptic that I am (putting aside the unfair implication to the contrary in Lillie's letter), I give little credence to assertions without at least source information.Some of Lillie's allegations about medical marijuana abuses do happen with prescription drugs. In its consumer magazine, the FDA reports that "Prescription drugs commonly are diverted through fraudulent prescriptions, doctor-shopping, over-prescribing, and pharmacy theft."I wonder if Lillie would advocate closing all pharmacies in town and denying prescription medications to everyone because some people abuse the system.The news is filled with reports of adults who purchase alcohol on behalf of minors and people who drink and drive.Would Lillie advocate closing all bars, wineries and breweries in town and banning alcohol consumption? Prohibition failed when we tried it in the 1920s.I simply can't give any merit to the implication that because some people might abuse the medical marijuana dispensary system, medical marijuana should be unavailable to all.Lillie endorses medical marijuana for patients with terminal illnesses. Why that senseless limitation to terminal illness?Medical marijuana should be available for anyone whose doctor prescribes it, terminal or not. Nausea from chemotherapy, for example, deserves to be treated whatever the patient's long-term prognosis.Endorsing medical marijuana in theory while preventing patients from obtaining it is simply illogical. Limiting that medication arbitrarily to terminal patients is simply illogical.In the spirit of Jefferson, I'm happy to combat illogic and champion reason."Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. ... Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But, after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."~ Buddha"Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it." ~ Thomas JeffersonLisa Pampuch is a technical editor and a member of the newspaper’s editorial board. She lives in Morgan Hill with her husband and two children. Complete Title: What Our Society Sorely Lacks – Critical Thinking SkillsSource: Gilroy Dispatch, The (CA)Author: Lisa Pampuch Published: Tuesday, April 03, 2007Copyright: 2007 The Gilroy DispatchContact: editor gilroydispatch.comWebsite: http://www.gilroydispatch.com/CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #38 posted by afterburner on April 04, 2007 at 13:53:47 PT
The Debate Continues, Let It Roll
"I just can't stop. I care about people so much, too much almost, but I do care about people. And I can't stop now because what if someone dies? Then I am responsible, it's a catch-22," Krieger said. 
CN AB: Pot Crusader Gets Jail Time, Metro, (28 Mar 2007) 
http://www.mapinc.org/newstcl/v07/n421/a08.html?176CN ON: Ontario. Politician Guilty On 2000 Pot Charge, Montreal Gazette, (30 Mar 2007) 
http://www.mapinc.org/newstcl/v07/n420/a06.html?176CN BC: Editorial: Alcohol Deaths Highlight Risks Of Legalizing, The Province, (01 Apr 2007) 
http://www.mapinc.org/newstcl/v07/n420/a07.html?176CN BC: Column: A Fine Can Be Fine For The Crime, North Shore News, (28 Mar 2007) http://www.mapinc.org/newstcl/v07/n416/a07.html?176Canada: What's Worse: Drugs Or Booze? Canadians Don't Know, Study Says, Montreal Gazette, (29 Mar 2007) 
http://www.mapinc.org/newstcl/v07/n416/a01.html?176CN BC: Expert - Education Little Help To Addicts, Victoria Times-Colonist, (31 Mar 2007)
http://www.mapinc.org/newstcl/v07/n416/a04.html?176
 
CN AB: Pot Crusader Upset At Crown, Calgary Herald, (31 Mar 2007) 
http://www.mapinc.org/newstcl/v07/n415/a07.html?176CN BC: Column: Myths And Hysteria Bad Basis For Drug Laws, Vancouver Sun, (31 Mar 2007) 
http://www.mapinc.org/newstcl/v07/n414/a06.html?176CN SN: PUB LTE: What's The Big Deal, Prince Albert Daily Herald, (30 Mar 2007) 
http://www.mapinc.org/newstcl/v07/n414/a06.html?176CN AB: Editorial: The Numerology Of A Stoner, Pipestone Flyer, (29 Mar 2007) 
http://www.mapinc.org/newstcl/v07/n417/a07.html?176Critical thinking also requires a 'free' press or the Internet.
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Comment #37 posted by museman on April 04, 2007 at 11:09:23 PT
'critical' thinking
Teaching the Art of Thinking itself would be a good start...but no, priority #1 is keeping the machine supplied with sufficent wage slavery to allow the prosperous to continue to prosper, and the 'working class' to continue to remain unchanged and essentially powerless-that's 'education in America.' Unless of course you can afford to go to the rich man schools, which don't necessarilly teach 'critical thinking' but they do teach the arts of clever artifice, obfuscation, and the protocols of social arrogance.Lets continue to support our wonderful regime, go to work, pay taxes, drive cars, send our children to fascism preparatory schools (public 'education'), and by all means vote for the 'better class' who are -by their own edicts- more qualified to think for you than yourself.That's America.
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Comment #36 posted by FoM on April 04, 2007 at 09:03:17 PT
MBC
And we hope you will be around in the future too.
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Comment #35 posted by Hope on April 04, 2007 at 08:48:28 PT
Mai_bong_city
I've been worrying about you. Glad to see you.
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Comment #34 posted by ekim on April 04, 2007 at 08:47:20 PT
M-B-C-
did you ever get the chance to go to the Leap event in MO.thanks 
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Comment #33 posted by mai_bong_city on April 04, 2007 at 08:29:12 PT
thanks, FoM
it's good to see all y'all too....i Hope to be around in the future ;)mbc
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Comment #32 posted by FoM on April 04, 2007 at 06:10:11 PT
MBC
Sure it is fine. It's good to see you.
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Comment #31 posted by The GCW on April 04, 2007 at 05:09:21 PT
Critical Thinking Skills - GONE 
US CO: OPED: The Witch Hunt Continueshttp://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n431/a06.html?397
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Comment #30 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 22:28:26 PT
I'll stop here for now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3plr219fqI
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Comment #29 posted by mai_bong_city on April 03, 2007 at 22:26:07 PT
hey FoM
this is a digg thing, is it okay to give the link to the story? http://tinyurl.com/3yopt2i thought it might be of interest - 
let us all say a prayer for the patients and the caregivers out there, cannabrethren..
believe me, they sorely need it.
peace, all.
mbc
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Comment #28 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 22:23:28 PT
And then we take it higher.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtPk5IUbdH0
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Comment #27 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 22:17:47 PT
It's everything that's connected and beautiful...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YiUXl0TwR8
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Comment #26 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 22:13:26 PT
Speak, everyone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BbDyvumMdU
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Comment #25 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 22:08:38 PT
16 words
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7soN6HNU3Y
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Comment #24 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 22:05:53 PT
More tribute!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGGMQMfZzTw
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Comment #23 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 22:02:23 PT
A tribute, of sorts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IlE8yAmW3E
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Comment #22 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 21:54:40 PT
Let's impeach the president
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxjoBLCozqE
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Comment #21 posted by FoM on April 03, 2007 at 21:49:37 PT
Whig
I heard Leonard Cohen on the satellite radio singing Hallelujah and I bought his one double CD set and the songs are all excellent. There are 31 songs on that album. It's not expensive and worth having if anyone likes Leonard Cohen. I only discovered Leonard Cohen when I heard this song.  A great way to end the day. Thanks again.
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Comment #20 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 21:48:37 PT
Calling all angels
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rrd2XrOLdbQ
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Comment #19 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 21:42:25 PT
FoM
Glad you're enjoying the music!
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Comment #18 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 21:41:45 PT
How to become invisible
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiNmgeiK3VA
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on April 03, 2007 at 21:38:30 PT
Whig
I absolutely love Hallelujah. I have speakers in my house in my living room and the kitchen and I turn up the volume and feel like I am not a part of this earth and what a wonderful feeling. I play my Essential Leonard Cohen often.
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Comment #16 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 21:37:24 PT
People get ready
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKqtdNxOs00
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Comment #15 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 21:32:02 PT
Hallelujah!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf36v0epfmI
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Comment #14 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 21:27:28 PT
This is my message to you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnDrbagYm24
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Comment #13 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 21:21:41 PT
Don't panic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jarEowdxJXw
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Comment #12 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 21:17:19 PT
Listen to the wind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hwKpl0m4io
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Comment #11 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 21:14:05 PT
Synchronization
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yW97ydJo1zo
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Comment #10 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 20:39:18 PT
Don't panic
It's just a moment of hell.
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Comment #9 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 20:38:48 PT
OMG
He just claimed authority to override a decision of the supreme court. This is really the ultimate.
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Comment #8 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 20:36:33 PT
one second of hell
It's a good trick.
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Comment #7 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 20:35:45 PT
but
Not necessarily.Anyone who loves, or is loved, will be saved.And everyone is loved.
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Comment #6 posted by whig on April 03, 2007 at 20:34:46 PT
Hope #3
Yes, with freedom of speech and association we have the tools. We are here now.They will soon go dark to us, to live in a world of talent competitions and meaningless entertainment until the money runs out.
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on April 03, 2007 at 20:18:02 PT
OT: Bush Attaches Conditions on Court's EPA Ruling
By Joel Havemann, Times Staff Writer April 3, 2007 WASHINGTON -- President Bush, acknowledging that humans are at least partly responsible for global warming, said Tuesday that he took "very seriously" the Supreme Court's ruling that the Environmental Protection Agency must regulate greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles as pollution.But he attached two conditions that appeared likely to retard EPA regulation of carbon dioxide and other gases that trap heat at the Earth's surface: He said any regulatory program should not slow economic growth, nor should its benefits to the atmosphere be offset by mounting emissions from China, India and other growing economies.Bush's stance sets up a potential conflict with the Democratic Congress, which has been laying the groundwork for tougher regulation of greenhouse gases."The president still doesn't get it," Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said in a statement.She said his legislative proposal to encourage cleaner automobile fuels would actually result in greater emissions of greenhouse gases. This is because Bush has proposed a program of liquefying coal for use in automobiles -- a process that releases substantial amounts of carbon dioxide.Complete Article: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-warming4apr04,1,871864.story
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on April 03, 2007 at 19:48:55 PT
Reason
When we take the time to reason thru a difficult issue and take it to an end we understand why something might or might not work that's where wisdom comes from. As long as we can voice our opinion and be heard reason should win in time. Reasoning is such a good thing.
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Comment #3 posted by Hope on April 03, 2007 at 18:52:39 PT
Must memorize that.
"Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it." ~ Thomas JeffersonThat also means, I think, that we don't have to take retribution...right as it may seem. We just have to stop them...with reason, hopefully. It is amazingly slow though.I wonder what he, Jefferson, was speaking of when he said that? It is so very applicable to our present situation with this very harsh and unjust prohibition.
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Comment #2 posted by Hope on April 03, 2007 at 18:49:35 PT
I like that quote. 
"Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it." ~ Thomas Jefferson
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Comment #1 posted by mayan on April 03, 2007 at 18:11:18 PT
Lack Of Critical Thinking
It might just be the death of freedom. The most glaring example I can think of is the 9/11 inside job. Five and a half years later, why are most Americans still silent on that issue (THE MOTHER OF ALL ISSUES)??? Why do we still support RepubiCrats who are silent on the issue or complicit in the cover-up? The gov't is counting on our ignorance,cowardice and silence. If they carry out another attack then we get what we deserve because we were largely silent. The forces of fascism are NOW mobilizing against those who seek 9/11 Truth. It's stand up or lay down time. Which will it be?THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...The Unearthing: An Awakening Has Arrived: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article17475.htmEnemies Of Free Speech Launch 'Stop Rosie' Website, Petition:
http://prisonplanet.com/articles/april2007/030407stoprosie.htmO'Reilly's America: Who Is The Real "Hater"?
http://infowars.net/articles/april2007/030407OReilly.htmBill O'Reilly and Michelle Malkin Want To Destroy Rosie O'Donnell: 
http://tinyurl.com/24ze77Charlie vs. O'Reilly - support Charlie Sheen (Vote)!http://infowars.com/articles/sept11/sheen_vs_oreilly_vote_now.htm9/11 Action Alert!!! - Contact ABC And Tell Them You Want A Debate!!! 
http://infowars.com/articles/sept11/action_alert_call_abc_tell_them_want_debate.htmScholars file challenges to NIST reports on 9/11:
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2007/3/emw515165.htmStudent Scholars for 9|11 Truth Meet Barack Obama:
http://911blogger.com/node/75149/11 Justice:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-649993991751648213&q=9%2F11%20justice9/11 WAS AN INSIDE JOB - OUR NATION IS IN PERIL:
http://www.911sharethetruth.com/
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