Money and power

[Marvin the Martian]

So it appears some very wealthy people, including celebrities, have hired a "consultant" to bribe universities to let their kids in. Or to create fake athletic profiles to get their kids onto college teams. Not mentioned in this article, a former bball coach at Penn admitting to taking said bribes.

I know we have major disagreements on college admissions, but I will say for myself that with all the advantages a child of multi-millionaires has as far as educational and sports opportunities (tutors, camps, coaches, etc), if they can't get in they really don't deserve it.

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

I know we have major disagreements on college admissions, but I will say for myself that with all the advantages a child of multi-millionaires has as far as educational and sports opportunities (tutors, camps, coaches, etc), if they can't get in they really don't deserve it.

This is a point that I don't see anyone legitimately disagreeing with, though I'm sure someone will

 

[Lucy01]

This has to be Trump’s fault!

 

[Stuffshot]

So it appears some very wealthy people, including celebrities, have hired a "consultant" to bribe universities to let their kids in. Or to create fake athletic profiles to get their kids onto college teams. Not mentioned in this article, a former bball coach at Penn admitting to taking said bribes.

I know we have major disagreements on college admissions, but I will say for myself that with all the advantages a child of multi-millionaires has as far as educational and sports opportunities (tutors, camps, coaches, etc), if they can't get in they really don't deserve it.

The thing that jumped out at me was the involvement of coaches in a federal investigation (once again).

I'm watching for signs that this new series of arrests may have stemmed from or somehow relates in some other way to the shoe contract prosecutions, i.e. such as whether some coach involved in a shoe contract investigation may also have provided information about this new college admissions investigation. So, if any of you guys see news links that establish this connection, please post it.

Otherwise, isn't it a little surprising that the FBI and Dept of Justice have revealed two major, major, major prosecutions of college personnel, at a time when we think the FBI is totally busy fighting terrorism, fighting drug dealers, fighting financial crimes etc.? Who would have thunk that colleges are a hotbed of white collar crime?

 

[Hoopsdoc1978]

Wait, you mean rich white liberals preach equality to the rest of us but don’t actually believe in it themselves?

Shocking.

 

[Bulk VanderHuge]

Co-Star of Full (Big) House

 

[Marvin the Martian]

Wait, you mean rich white liberals preach equality to the rest of us but don’t actually believe in it themselves?

Shocking.

I haven't seen the list, are they all liberal (or white)?

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

Co-Star of Full (Big) House

 

[Ohio Guy]

Will it surprise anyone when these very wealthy and famous people use the same power and influence to laugh off these charges?

 

[Marvin the Martian]

Will it surprise anyone when these very wealthy and famous people use the same power and influence to laugh off these charges?

We do know that wealthy and famous are guaranteed a different judicial system than the rest of us. Oh, and if people saw the US Today article yesterday, they get cleaner air too.

 

[Ohio Guy]

We do know that wealthy and famous are guaranteed a different judicial system than the rest of us. Oh, and if people saw the US Today article yesterday, they get cleaner air too.

Exactly.

I haven't read the full article, so I don't know if these 'bribes' were in the form of donations, but if they weren't everyone involved are idiots.

Honestly, I think a much bigger story would be about someone donating a seven figure gift to a college or university and their kid NOT getting admitted.

 

[Marvin the Martian]

Exactly.

I haven't read the full article, so I don't know if these 'bribes' were in the form of donations, but if they weren't everyone involved are idiots.

Honestly, I think a much bigger story would be about someone donating a seven figure gift to a college or university and their kid NOT getting admitted.

They were not donations (which is legal). They bribed coaches, people at the College Board and ACT, and admissions. Actually, they didn't. They hired a consultant who did.

 

[Ohio Guy]

They were not donations (which is legal). They bribed coaches, people at the College Board and ACT, and admissions. Actually, they didn't. They hired a consultant who did.

Then they are idiots. Rich idiots who will barely notice these charges, but idiots nonetheless.

 

[hunkgolden]

Hollywood elites continuing to talk the talk and walk...oh wait

 

[anon_mlxxvlbug9dpa]

Hollywood elites continuing to talk the talk and walk...oh wait

Do you have any idea how instantly dismissible you are when you utter the phrase “Hollywood elites”?

 

[hunkgolden]

Do you have any idea how instantly dismissible you are when you utter the phrase “Hollywood elites”?

Sorry that offends you. Be sure to write Yahoo among others about how outraged you are over that term.
https://sports.yahoo.com/how-hollywood-elites-cheated-to-get-their-kids-into-college-185657946.html

 

[anon_mlxxvlbug9dpa]

Sorry that offends you. Be sure to write Yahoo among others about how outraged you are over that term.
https://sports.yahoo.com/how-hollywood-elites-cheated-to-get-their-kids-into-college-185657946.html

Oh I’m not offended. It’s just one of the telltale signs of a #NewGOP sycophant that is not to be taken seriously.

 

[Cortez88]

Oh I’m not offended. It’s just one of the telltale signs of a #NewGOP sycophant that is not to be taken seriously.

The best part is that he thinks “liberal” has anything to do with this. All the top schools are filled with rich kids who got in simply because of wealth. Don Jr was at Penn when I was. His dad donated a lot of money to Penn.

 

[Sope Creek]

Seems that this is as good of a place as any to inquire about the availability Trump's high school grades and SAT scores . . . then we'll be able to answer Lucy's inquiry about whether this is Trump's fault . . . .

 

[Marvin the Martian]

The best part is that he thinks “liberal” has anything to do with this. All the top schools are filled with rich kids who got in simply because of wealth. Don Jr was at Penn when I was. His dad donated a lot of money to Penn.

Did not Kushner's family donate $2.5 million to Harvard?

We discuss using race in admissions, and we know Asian students are suing Harvard. But isn't this as bad, or worse? Why should the elite get bumped to the head of the line?

 

[Bill4411]

Sorry that offends you. Be sure to write Yahoo among others about how outraged you are over that term.
https://sports.yahoo.com/how-hollywood-elites-cheated-to-get-their-kids-into-college-185657946.html

Apparently every dog has its day every once in awhile. Congratulations!

 

[hunkgolden]

Oh I’m not offended. It’s just one of the telltale signs of a #NewGOP sycophant that is not to be taken seriously.

Yup - yahoo news the long time voice of the right. Good call.

 

[hunkgolden]

Apparently every dog has its day every once in awhile. Congratulations!

Unfortunately for you Bill, those days are becoming more and more frequent each time the new leaders of the left open their mouths - Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib. Then we see the dem presidential candidates running to the socialist left to win the nomination. How about Nancy admitting there is no Russian collusion after 2.5 years of telling the world he was guilty. We also have the left's media arms being sued for their attacks of the 17 year old boy guilty of wearing a MAGA hat. Oh and Jussie Smullet. I'm sure others could add more...

 

[i'vegotwinners]

They were not donations (which is legal). They bribed coaches, people at the College Board and ACT, and admissions. Actually, they didn't. They hired a consultant who did.

why do socialists hate capitalism?

is this the USSR or what.

shouldn't all admissions be based on who is willing to pay the most.

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

I haven't seen the list, are they all liberal (or white)?

No, they aren't. They are all rich, but other than that, there is diversity.

But, of course, only the liberals are hypocrites, since only the liberals have the audacity to "preach" equality. I'm sure that's the point Hoopsdoc is trying to make. Conservatives are quite upfront and honest that poor people can go f*ck themselves.

(That's just the obvious point underlying Hoopsdoc's post; I'm not claiming that.)

 

[zeke4ahs]

Wait, you mean rich white liberals preach equality to the rest of us but don’t actually believe in it themselves?

Shocking.

Lol. What makes you think you know their politics?

 

[zeke4ahs]

Unfortunately for you Bill, those days are becoming more and more frequent each time the new leaders of the left open their mouths - Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib. Then we see the dem presidential candidates running to the socialist left to win the nomination. How about Nancy admitting there is no Russian collusion after 2.5 years of telling the world he was guilty. We also have the left's media arms being sued for their attacks of the 17 year old boy guilty of wearing a MAGA hat. Oh and Jussie Smullet. I'm sure others could add more...

I can easily top anything and everything you have to say. Donald Trump.

 

[Lucy01]

I haven't seen the list, are they all liberal (or white)?

That statement was racist and bigoted! Oh how the Cooler has changed.

 

[hunkgolden]

I can easily top anything and everything you have to say. Donald Trump.

Your head is going to pop off your shoulders when he wins re-election.

 

[37Hoosier]

So it appears some very wealthy people, including celebrities, have hired a "consultant" to bribe universities to let their kids in. Or to create fake athletic profiles to get their kids onto college teams. Not mentioned in this article, a former bball coach at Penn admitting to taking said bribes.

I know we have major disagreements on college admissions, but I will say for myself that with all the advantages a child of multi-millionaires has as far as educational and sports opportunities (tutors, camps, coaches, etc), if they can't get in they really don't deserve it.

"same as it ever was"....."same as it ever was".....Our corrupt president and his know nothing parasitic kids and son-in-law all know the game, very well.

I wonder why the orange one so jealously protects his school records? Does anyone think with his public performance and basic lack of understanding of any complex issues sheds some light on his intellectual void? He does understand very well how to appeal to those who have no secondary education...as he has said many times "I love the uneducated"....his self-love and his off-spring speak all to clearly to that statement.

 

[IUCrazy2]

Did not Kushner's family donate $2.5 million to Harvard?

We discuss using race in admissions, and we know Asian students are suing Harvard. But isn't this as bad, or worse? Why should the elite get bumped to the head of the line?

They should not. One thing to keep in mind though, these types of "elite" kids who graduate from elite schools, then turn around and use the fact that they have a degree from one of these elite places to impress upon the rest of us their ability to make decisions for us. The best and brightest are not always coming out of these schools, often it is the most well connected and financed.

When you wonder why there is a crumbling faith in the expertise of our experts, things like this are a root cause.

 

[Ohio Guy]

Seems that this is as good of a place as any to inquire about the availability Trump's high school grades and SAT scores . . . then we'll be able to answer Lucy's inquiry about whether this is Trump's fault . . . .

Ha...exactly. If it's proven that you can pay your kids' way through college and life and he/she can become president, that sort of sets the gold standard and something to strive for.

 

[anon_mlxxvlbug9dpa]

They should not. One thing to keep in mind though, these types of "elite" kids who graduate from elite schools, then turn around and use the fact that they have a degree from one of these elite places to impress upon the rest of us their ability to make decisions for us. The best and brightest are not always coming out of these schools, often it is the most well connected and financed.

When you wonder why there is a crumbling faith in the expertise of our experts, things like this are a root cause.

I’m with you until the last paragraph where you make a gargantuan leap. I don’t see why you’d conflate an Ivy League degree not always going to the most deserving with loss in trust in expertise. I certainly don’t think someone is an expert in anything just because they went to a great school. Expertise is derived by years of research and experience, regardless of the institution.

The real root cause in the lack of faith in experts is massive epidemic cognitive dissonance and social media. Experts on TV have to carefully craft their points to be brief and to the point. This leaves room for gray and interpretation and then nudniks on the internet sit back from their parents’ basement or their Russian troll farms and introduce doubt that fuels cognitive dissonance.

 

[hunkgolden]

Did not Kushner's family donate $2.5 million to Harvard?

We discuss using race in admissions, and we know Asian students are suing Harvard. But isn't this as bad, or worse? Why should the elite get bumped to the head of the line?

Just curious - are you going to be just as outraged that several high profile liberals got into Ivy League schools for reasons other than merit? Because you know all of that is going to come out now, right?

 

[Marvin the Martian]

I’m with you until the last paragraph where you make a gargantuan leap. I don’t see why you’d conflate an Ivy League degree not always going to the most deserving with loss in trust in expertise. I certainly don’t think someone is an expert in anything just because they went to a great school. Expertise is derived by years of research and experience, regardless of the institution.

The real root cause in the lack of faith in experts is massive epidemic cognitive dissonance and social media. Experts on TV have to carefully craft their points to be brief and to the point. This leaves room for gray and interpretation and then nudniks on the internet sit back from their parents’ basement or their Russian troll farms and introduce doubt that fuels cognitive dissonance.

I think there is a general misunderstanding of what an expert is. CNN feels the need to include some crackpot anti-vaxxer on their panel, thus raising them to the level of "expert". Simply put, not all ideas deserve a place at the table, putting them there reduces the overall value of the table.

 

[Marvin the Martian]

Just curious - are you going to be just as outraged that several high profile liberals got into Ivy League schools for reasons other than merit? Because you know all of that is going to come out now, right?

I do not know the politics of the ones involved in this scandal, and I don't care what it is I do not approve. I think that was the entire point of my post. Suddenly other people started caring if they were liberal or conservative. The people let in because they bribed have no sympathy from me, regardless of politics. Frankly that includes bribing the school with a building or the admissions officer with several thousand dollars.

 

[anon_mlxxvlbug9dpa]

I think there is a general misunderstanding of what an expert is. CNN feels the need to include some crackpot anti-vaxxer on their panel, thus raising them to the level of "expert". Simply put, not all ideas deserve a place at the table, putting them there reduces the overall value of the table.

Totally agree. In today’s world anybody with access to Wikipedia and the internet thinks they can become an expert. It’s up to us to discern, usually pretty easily, who the kooks are.

 

[IUCrazy2]

I’m with you until the last paragraph where you make a gargantuan leap. I don’t see why you’d conflate an Ivy League degree not always going to the most deserving with loss in trust in expertise. I certainly don’t think someone is an expert in anything just because they went to a great school. Expertise is derived by years of research and experience, regardless of the institution.

The real root cause in the lack of faith in experts is massive epidemic cognitive dissonance and social media. Experts on TV have to carefully craft their points to be brief and to the point. This leaves room for gray and interpretation and then nudniks on the internet sit back from their parents’ basement or their Russian troll farms and introduce doubt that fuels cognitive dissonance.

That is another leg of the chair. I do not think that people getting in on something less than merit is the whole story, but it is one of the legs of the story.

 

[hunkgolden]

I do not know the politics of the ones involved in this scandal, and I don't care what it is I do not approve. I think that was the entire point of my post. Suddenly other people started caring if they were liberal or conservative. The people let in because they bribed have no sympathy from me, regardless of politics. Frankly that includes bribing the school with a building or the admissions officer with several thousand dollars.

So since you don't care about the politics of those involved, it was merely just a coincidence that the first person you mentioned in the wake of this scandal was Jared Kushner?

 

[Marvin the Martian]

So since you don't care about the politics of those involved, it was merely just a coincidence that the first person you mentioned in the wake of this scandal was Jared Kushner?

Go back, Hoopsdoc brought up politics in the thread by mentioning liberals. I just supplied Kushner since he came in the more traditional way of cheating the system. It could be anyone. More importantly, since we know wealthy people tend to be white, it had to be someone white to contrast against Asian complaints that other minorities are often brought in above them with lower scores. It isn't just other minorities, whites have a way of sneaking in ahead of the Asians because whites tend to be the ones buying buildings. If you have a white liberal millionaire donating millions to let their child in, feel free to mention them. It's all wrong.