That fact that you deny tenured academics are amongst the least accountable professions tells me a lot. They are and you know it...from kindergarten through college...and unions have a lot to do with it too. Try and deny that, please please please.

Define what tenured academic should be "accountable" for and we'll continue this discussion, otherwise your statement is meaningless.

I wouldn't try and deny it because I understand precisely why academics have "secure" positions subject only to removal "for cause" or contractual violations. I wouldn't want it any other way. As far as "unions in education" generally, I'm generally for it with some slight refinements. I have too many friends who are teachers doing honorable yeoman's work for low pay trying to make the world a better place to bad mouth what little relative security, pay, and benefits teachers enjoy to do thankless work. Just like nurses.

I'll tell you definitely who shouldn't want it any other way--conservative academics (want to hazard a guess as to why there aren't very many--I'm sure you'll say liberal bias in academia but in truth it's more about their crappy track record as scholars and why many end up at second rate RW think tanks dreaming up propoganda not rooted in reality). Given their shoddy scholarship and wacky worldviews on certain topics, economics being a prime example, your fellow travelers wouldn't want them to get bounced from academia for getting lots and lots of things catastrophically wrong. So you should be thankful not resentful.

As far as me being able to take a compliment (not that I've seen you pay me one other than of the backhanded variety), I admit either due to innate humility or an visceral appreciation that life isn't all about me and "but for the greace of god go I" (metaphorically speaking as an atheist), I'm generally loathe to be the recipient of compliments. So if you're inclined save yourself the effort on my behalf.

I give a rats a@@ about your opinion about the war. I volunteered to defend the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. Either unleash me to do that or let me go home.

I know you don't give a rats ass about another's opinion on the war, but mine is to bring everyone home you included.

Hate to break it to you but you weren't "unleashed" to "defend the Constitution". You were sent there for a whole host of other "reasons" none of which had to do with defending the Constitution.

I know my opinion doesn't matter to you but we tried as hard as humanly possible to peacefully prevent you from being sent there in the first place and continue to fight to bring you home. But nobody listened or listens to us. In fact they seem to enjoy calling us treasonous traitors and cowards.

I guess some American's opinions matter more than others otherwise you wouldn't be there.

Hope you make it home safe and thank you for your "service". Sadly it wasn't service rendered in either your or my benefit. I hope you come to understand that.

Oregon and NJ (last I heard) are the last two states where you can earn a paycheck pumping gas.

Contrary to Joe's stereotype of everyone here being a lazy whining grifter I've pumped more gas for pay than the average person in the other 48 states. And I've pounded nails, and washed dishes, and worked cement, and roofed homes, and dug holes in the dirt, and labored, . . .

I'm certainly as about as far from privileged as it comes. I'd gladly do those things again to make ends meet but oddly there's a bias against 43 year-old over educated guys when it comes to those jobs. Can't figure out for the life of me why. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the logic of capitalism.

you seem to have derived that my "success" ( which I think if you go back I have not actually made any claim of whatsoever) MUST be under false pretense.

Then c'mon coxcomb/fop. How is your self-made "success" from the age of 21 derived? No need to be shy.

And since we're getting into a nuanced language debate do you know the difference between COULD or MAY and MUST. (hint reread my comment)

And don't take credit for "pwning" me on the primes fiasco. Sysprog did your job for you although there was at one time apparently confusion as to the status of 1 as a prime.

I ate my crow filled humble pie like a man, you man enough to enlighten us "whining" over-educated ne're-do-well grifters" on the secret of your much ballyhooed success?

C'mon it won't hurt. I'm sure if it's in any way impressive you'll receive a much deserved polite yet enthusiastic golf clap from all of us.

I meant coxcomb/cockscomb in the following sense: a conceited dandy who is overly impressed by his own accomplishments.

You read JoeDon's self-made up by his bootstraps y'all are lazy unionized pretentious wannabee excuse making haters of capitalism and pampered academics, and I think my choice of barbs strikes the mark.

His "successful" business could be internet auctions of plushy animals and ceramic figurines, home hydroponics, or a porn site for all anybody knows.

Odd that most of the "self-made" trolls on Salon are rarely forthcoming about the nature of their business success.

Hoffman lost? Wow I thought he was at the vanguard of the new hard right grassroots Republican takeover of American politics. You know a prime example of what happens when Sarah Palin, Club For Growth, Tim Pawlenty and Marilyn Musgrave flex their true conservative tea fueled muscles.

Who knew?