# Trump's Cabinet of Curiosities **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 10, 2016, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367 "2016-11-10T16:28:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 54
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1061 "2017-02-07T18:31:54Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > If I want the Department of Education to be eliminated or severely curtailed, should I be happy about DeVos? Why is this something anyone would want? Seems to me that the student loan administration aspect alone is worth keeping. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1062 "2017-02-07T18:32:35Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Would you rank this as a bigger deal or smaller than the following events: > Taiwan tweet? > Immigration EO? > Gorsuch nomination? Why don’t you ask me about those subjects in threads about those subjects? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1063 "2017-02-07T18:34:12Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Why don’t you ask me about those subjects in threads about those subjects? I’m asking you about this subject. I’m just trying to determine where it ranks on your scale of outrage. Is this a 10? Is everything Trump does a 10? Or is this a 3 and Gorsuch a 9? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1064 "2017-02-07T18:35:33Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Why is this something anyone would want? Seems to me that the student loan administration aspect alone is worth keeping. It’s a not-uncommon conservative view that educational matters should be handled by the states, that the Constitution doesn’t give the federal government authority to govern educational matters, etc. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1065 "2017-02-07T18:37:17Z")
1 in 2 high school seniors are not projected to graduate. The system is already broken. This is Los Angeles, by the way. Where is the outrage? We know this isn’t about the kids. [http://laschoolreport.com/exclusive-its-all-hands-on-deck-as-lausd-says-nearly-1-in-2-seniors-not-on-track-to-graduate/](http://laschoolreport.com/exclusive-its-all-hands-on-deck-as-lausd-says-nearly-1-in-2-seniors-not-on-track-to-graduate/) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1066 "2017-02-07T18:37:42Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > She can’t do anything if the sort because she controls absolutely zero school boards. Lots of pointless rage here. The Feds have never been in control of the educational establishment. The reassurances of someone who is on board with her goals isn’t very reassuring at all. I don’t hear Republicans boasting to each other that she’s great because can get nothing done. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1067 "2017-02-07T18:37:44Z")
> [@SaharaTea](#): > > DeVos isn’t qualified to be a school lunch lady, much less Secretary of Education. This is so much more than simply disagreeing with her positions. And there are plenty of angry Republican voters too. I’ve never seen my Mormon friends in Utah so pissed off about anything before - they are practically taking over my Facebook feed in opposition to her. That is completely absurd. Of course she’s qualified for the lunch lady position. But I agree not for Secretary of Education. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1068 "2017-02-07T18:40:17Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I’m asking you about this subject. Ask away, in a thread _about_ that subject, and I may answer you. Maybe you can start a poll or something. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1069 "2017-02-07T18:40:20Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > The good news is that 99% of public education happens at the state and local level. So I agree with the “well, it’s only Education” consolation. She’s fantastically unqualified – or well-qualified to destroy her new bailiwick – but her impact on the average student may, hopefully, be slight. I certainly hope that you’re correct about this! ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1070 "2017-02-07T18:43:11Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > The reassurances of someone who is on board with her goals isn’t very reassuring at all. I don’t hear Republicans boasting to each other that she’s great because can get nothing done. I don’t support most of her controversial opinions but the Democrats didn’t do much of anything for education either. In California, the Dems are in the pocket of the Cali Teachers Union. The whole system is broken. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1071 "2017-02-07T18:45:16Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > 1 in 2 high school seniors are not projected to graduate. The system is already broken. This is Los Angeles, by the way. > > Where is the outrage? We know this isn’t about the kids. > > [http://laschoolreport.com/exclusive-its-all-hands-on-deck-as-lausd-says-nearly-1-in-2-seniors-not-on-track-to-graduate/](http://laschoolreport.com/exclusive-its-all-hands-on-deck-as-lausd-says-nearly-1-in-2-seniors-not-on-track-to-graduate/) And what can _she_ do about it if, as YOU say > [@](#): > > She can’t do anything if the sort because she controls absolutely zero school boards. Lots of pointless rage here. The Feds have never been in control of the educational establishment. Make up your mind. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1072 "2017-02-07T18:45:47Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > I don’t support most of her controversial opinions but the Democrats didn’t do much of anything for education either. In California, the Dems are in the pocket of the Cali Teachers Union. The whole system is broken. Well great! Hey, you guys control the _entire_ government! Why don’t _you guys_ hire someone whose qualifications extend beyond “is willing to throw lots of money at republicans”? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1073 "2017-02-07T18:48:55Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Ask away, in a thread _about_ that subject, and I may answer you. Maybe you can start a poll or something. Why would your response be any different there? If I dig up a thread about the Taiwan tweet and ask you if you think it’s more or less outrageous than the DeVos nomination, wouldn’t you just play coy there too? ‘This thread is about Taiwan, not DeVos, you need to ask this question in another thread.’ What sort of a thread would you consider it appropriate to share your opinion on the relative severity of Trump’s early actions and how they rate in comparison to the DeVos nomination? At this point, it looks like you’re playing games because you don’t want to say, which is fine. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1074 "2017-02-07T18:49:15Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > 1 in 2 high school seniors are not projected to graduate. The system is already broken. This is Los Angeles, by the way. > > Where is the outrage? We know this isn’t about the kids. > > [http://laschoolreport.com/exclusive-its-all-hands-on-deck-as-lausd-says-nearly-1-in-2-seniors-not-on-track-to-graduate/](http://laschoolreport.com/exclusive-its-all-hands-on-deck-as-lausd-says-nearly-1-in-2-seniors-not-on-track-to-graduate/) Lets leave out a critical point, shall we? > [@](#): > > While the estimate is a stark drop from last year’s all-time high of 74 percent, it has been known for years that the **district was facing a steep decline this year** , when stricter graduation requirements went into effect. [Nationwide rate is 83%](http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/10/17/498246451/the-high-school-graduation-reaches-a-record-high-again) > [@](#): > > The high school graduation rate in the U.S. reached an all-time high of 83 percent in the 2014-2015 school year, President Obama announced today, marking the fifth straight record-setting year. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1075 "2017-02-07T18:50:02Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > I don’t support most of her controversial opinions but the Democrats didn’t do much of anything for education either. In California, the Dems are in the pocket of the Cali Teachers Union. The whole system is broken. If you don’t support most of her controversial opinions, why the holy fuck are you supporting her? Don’t blather about what the Democrats would or wouldn’t do-Trump is the one who decides who gets nominated, not them. If she had been rejected then HE would have been forced to choose another person who would have been more suitable. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1076 "2017-02-07T18:50:32Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > And what can _she_ do about it if, as YOU say > Make up your mind. Did I say she could, as you seem to think? Or is it that you only care about this issue because Trump won? If Hillary had won it wouldn’t matter to you that half the kids in the LAUSD weren’t on track to graduate. Now that we have our new idiot President, you care. Please give me your thoughts on why we have been failing these kids? ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1077 "2017-02-07T18:51:40Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > Well great! Hey, you guys control the _entire_ government! Why don’t _you guys_ hire someone whose qualifications extend beyond “is willing to throw lots of money at republicans”? Actually, the Dems control all the government here. Especially the educational establishment. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1078 "2017-02-07T18:53:03Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Why would your response be any different there? If I dig up a thread about the Taiwan tweet and ask you if you think it’s more or less outrageous than the DeVos nomination, wouldn’t you just play coy there too? ‘This thread is about Taiwan, not DeVos, you need to ask this question in another thread.’ > > What sort of a thread would you consider it appropriate to share your opinion on the relative severity of Trump’s early actions and how they rate in comparison to the DeVos nomination? > > At this point, it looks like you’re playing games because you don’t want to say, which is fine. Last word on the subject: I am not going to play along with this because I think it is a diversion from the real topic. Do you agree with her positions about teaching religion and Creationism in schools? ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1079 "2017-02-07T18:54:14Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > If you don’t support most of her controversial opinions, why the holy fuck are you supporting her? Don’t blather about what the Democrats would or wouldn’t do-Trump is the one who decides who gets nominated, not them. If she had been rejected then HE would have been forced to choose another person who would have been more suitable. Did I say I supported her? I just shake my head at the hysteria in this thread while wondering why y’all didn’t care three months ago. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1080 "2017-02-07T18:54:18Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Did I say she could, as you seem to think? Or is it that you only care about this issue because Trump won? If Hillary had won it wouldn’t matter to you that half the kids in the LAUSD weren’t on track to graduate. Now that we have our new idiot President, you care. Please give me your thoughts on why we have been failing these kids? No, I think I’ll stick with the subject already at hand. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367.md?page=53) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367.md?page=55)