Who is on "our" side?

[ham]

I did read the list that the Administrator gave and while I find these groups to be admirable, they do not seem to have much to say in defense of non-traditional education. I also tried contacting the Libertarian Party, a party which I have had some contact with in the past, but they really do not have a stand on this issue.

While I like this board immensely, and I respect all the people here, I want to do more than just whine. I want to have an active role in supporting the freedom of individuals whose academic careers may include study at institutions that do not conform to what others believe. I see this as a basic issue of freedom. Nothing more and nothing less.

Everybody, be it party, group or individual, must be VERY careful not to overstep any boundary. I see many libertarian columnists fight secondary battles such as the right to smoke in public places, 'trim my waist' ideologies or PC versus Mac but refrain from targeting the very core of issue that matter. Some even have convoluted socio-economic theories whose real application flies over the head of most. Why? Remember Mosley, Ward Churchill, Joel Hayward, David Irving? Do THEY want to end up in that position? Remember Haider, the Austrian right-wing leader (and leader of what was a few years back the second or third largest Austrian party)? Found dead in a mysterious deep night car crash with so much alcohol in his body that -say expert- would have incapacitated an ox, forget driving. The police report? Another car accident involving a drunk driver. I read articles detailing how a popular psychic who worked in a top-secret USA project to spy on the Soviets was mysteriously found dead, not without first complaining he was afraid someone had "put something" in his coffee.

The only safe way is that you make millions and then start buying politicians. Haim Saban, Jewish billionaire media mogul, publicly stated in an article how HE invited people to the White House and how he had Clinton sing and play instruments for the amusement of all. Media claim Saban donated around eight millions (?) to the Clinton cause. Saban alone. Remember when Bill Clinton wanted to pick a fight with Microsoft, but had to publicly recant and apologize after Bill Gates let know he hadn't taken it too well?

Make no mistake: while DE/DL is progressing for a number of factors, none of which derives from the unselfishness or morality of politicians, brick&mortar 'traditional' education IS a business worth BILLIONS. And someone is out to make that money even if it conflicts with some generic principles such as freedom. If they have money, they can buy politicians who write laws telling YOU what 'freedom' or 'free academia' mean today, subject to change.

If you've ever taken a CLEP or DANTES test you'd know that anyone fluent in English could rack up credits like nothing with verbal reasoning and logic tests. There really isn't a difference between buying your degree and "testing out". Both achieve the same bad result.

I strongly disagree here.
I took only a few "tests" to get credits for languages, but I can assure you they were not 'easy', but thoroughly tested whatever was to be covered. Of course I took those exams with a university and I have no idea about how other exam formats work.