Backwoodsman,

I have to protest at the way you have lumnped Don and Bozo in together like that.

Don may not share my view on some issues, but he engages honestly and contributes in a meaningful and valuable way.

I would like to have the choice to engage with him on this subject if I so choose, but comments like yours above, made before the thread has even got off the ground, make this impossible as he is now unlikely to feel like continuing.

There is no comparison between the way Don and Bozo post and I think it could be useful and considerate if you could retract your comment.


On the subject of cuts - I note with sadness that 10,000 university places have been cut.

I also note that the financial sector, who we bailed out when they nearly destroyed our economy, are flying high at unprecedented levels of profit.


I cannot find even the most outlandish tenuous justification for this disparity.

Why aren't the banks paying us back?

Why aren't they helping?

Couldn't they be compelled to step in and assist where essential public srvices and rights like education are suffering?

It was their mistakes, their mismanagement and their credit crunch which led to this mess.


The cuts are not necessary.

All you need is to compel the financial sector to show its gratitude to us for helping them out of their mess, by contributing to save our universities.

At Middlesex University they are closing the philosophy department.

Vocational degrees are taking over from academic degrees.

Philosophy is the cornerstone of western academia.

It very sad.