Tablet Computers Get Cautious Thumbs-Up In Early Test: Thai Education

[SICHONSTEVE]

Oh dear, seems it was a good idea after all................

Hope the TV naysayers aren't choking on their coffee.

Choking on my coffee!!!!

These toys are an expensive joke that is not funny. The content seems more applicable to the teaching of 3 year olds.

Whilst Thailand continues to educate (not sure this is the correct word) their children in such an unsatisfactoty manner, I'm afraid that future generations are going to be in for a torrid time when it comes to mapping out their futures. I think that they may, after all, have to work in the rice paddies as they will be unemployable!!!!

The teachers and anyone else trying to convince people that these are useful tools are kidding themselves, but not anyone else (unless you're name is Phil)!!!!

[borovik]

Sounds like a handout from the DoEd. Where are investigative questions with reference to failure rate, battery life, % of students who have not received their tablets, why only 2 subjects?

In computer section of Thai Visa you will find thread 17(seventeen!) pages,almost 500 posts:"which tablet?" - you will learn there about:

failure rate,battery life,power requirements,where to buy in Thailand,how much etc. and anything you want to know.

You do not need Nation for this sort of technical information.

Read Thai Visa!.

[borovik]

One more thing:

during my recent trip to Malaysia - I traveled by long distance bus few times.

They give you tablets in bus for your entertainment!Free!without deposit and..with wi-fi access.

Not every company,couple of them.

You can take 2 kilos of laxatives yourself but you will not stop this tide.

[rubl]

Both teachers said they had their pupils use tablets three times per week on average and one to two hours at a time.

"We won't let them use the gadgets every day. We want them to do other activities so they can develop other skills, particularly writing," Srisuda said.

This makes sense for P1 kids. Mind you whether those few hours are really worth the 2 - 3 billion spend on those tabletPcs and have subsidies on school uniforms and books dropped for ALL I doubt.

BTW the article suggests that 800,000 tabletPcs are delivered? That would be out of 890,000 ordered. Government figures on this 'completed policy' has been very limited since October, or November last year. Do the kids take the tabletPcs with them to P2? How's the feedback on quality, infrastructure, program and teacher's ability? Anything which might just need to be tuned up a bit for the coming year?

[Ian Curtis]

I'm sure that there must be inspection teams travelling to all schools to ensure that this program is being run correctly.

One would hope so. Theoretically, a software configuration controller is required in every district to randomly audit the tablets for illegal software. Obviously we all know that would never happen because a Configuration Controller would demand more pay than any teacher but . . . I can dream. But in any event, random checks ought to be the norm for who knows what big brother has downloaded?

[Ian Curtis]

Oh dear, seems it was a good idea after all................

Hope the TV naysayers aren't choking on their coffee.

It will be accepted as a good idea when the learning of students is seen to visibly improve, and remember that the entire content of this report is based on "During The Nation's observation" - the newspaper visiting a school to see the tablets in action as opposed to a specialist report evaluating the long term impact on learning.

I think personally that the tablets will be a positive, but would want something more solid than a newspaper jolly at a school as evidence of that ? Wouldn't you Phil?

"So, once they touch to answer, they know if the answer is correct or incorrect immediately"

I'm not sure that I agree with this teacher's comment. Let me explain; I am concerned that this teacher is content to promote that what the child is seeing on the screen is true. Somewhere, the point is being missed by this teacher. Here is a golden opportunity for the teacher to use the tablet (or whatever) to teach his/her pupils to 'think'. Here is what can be done (I've done it in the past); the teacher can write a simple program to give incorrect answers so that when a pupil is asked to perform 2 + 3 then the tablet will arrive at 1 (for example). The teacher must say nothing but only watch their reactions just to see who is querying it (hopefully most!). Obviously, the teacher will eventually put the record straight but only after a few stern words that you must not believe all you see. Teach them this in their formative years. If a teacher cannot write a simple program then I would, as head of maths and physics, ask them to report to me.

And some more quotes: "She wanted apps that suited her teaching. They wanted educational supervisors to guide them on how to use tablets with teaching in class more effectively".

My answer here is that surely this should have been seen beforehand. It most definitely appears that these teachers are floundering and that should not be the case. In my opinion too, I would not be happy with a teacher running a packaged piece of software - the local dustman could do that! I would expect my staff to be able to write simple software program as and when required in class.

I know it is a 'off topic' just a tad but I would have preferred money being spent on programmable calculators (2 000 baht each) AND some tablets but not for every pupil. The children will soon be able to pick-up writing simple computer programs. As a simple exercise a little later on in school, find how many DIFFERENT Pythagorean triples you can fins (everyone knows 3,4,5); a number crunching problem where the kids can come up with a simple program and so on . . . and on . . . and on . . . Think I've said enough.

[rubl]

Oh dear, seems it was a good idea after all................

Hope the TV naysayers aren't choking on their coffee.

It will be accepted as a good idea when the learning of students is seen to visibly improve, and remember that the entire content of this report is based on "During The Nation's observation" - the newspaper visiting a school to see the tablets in action as opposed to a specialist report evaluating the long term impact on learning.

I think personally that the tablets will be a positive, but would want something more solid than a newspaper jolly at a school as evidence of that ? Wouldn't you Phil?

"So, once they touch to answer, they know if the answer is correct or incorrect immediately"

I'm not sure that I agree with this teacher's comment. Let me explain; I am concerned that this teacher is content to promote that what the child is seeing on the screen is true. Somewhere, the point is being missed by this teacher. Here is a golden opportunity for the teacher to use the tablet (or whatever) to teach his/her pupils to 'think'. Here is what can be done (I've done it in the past); the teacher can write a simple program to give incorrect answers so that when a pupil is asked to perform 2 + 3 then the tablet will arrive at 1 (for example). The teacher must say nothing but only watch their reactions just to see who is querying it (hopefully most!). Obviously, the teacher will eventually put the record straight but only after a few stern words that you must not believe all you see. Teach them this in their formative years. If a teacher cannot write a simple program then I would, as head of maths and physics, ask them to report to me.

And some more quotes: "She wanted apps that suited her teaching. They wanted educational supervisors to guide them on how to use tablets with teaching in class more effectively".

My answer here is that surely this should have been seen beforehand. It most definitely appears that these teachers are floundering and that should not be the case. In my opinion too, I would not be happy with a teacher running a packaged piece of software - the local dustman could do that! I would expect my staff to be able to write simple software program as and when required in class.

I know it is a 'off topic' just a tad but I would have preferred money being spent on programmable calculators (2 000 baht each) AND some tablets but not for every pupil. The children will soon be able to pick-up writing simple computer programs. As a simple exercise a little later on in school, find how many DIFFERENT Pythagorean triples you can fins (everyone knows 3,4,5); a number crunching problem where the kids can come up with a simple program and so on . . . and on . . . and on . . . Think I've said enough.

I don't think that teachers here are even supposed to 'alter' the content of the tabletPC. The Ministry of Education in co-operation with the Mnistry of Information Technology (it seems) has defined a program, paid some companies to develop the programs to cover the program defined and that's it!. No changes allowed!

Well, at least that was the idea and as far as I know that's still the mandated use of those government provided tabletPCs.

PS I'm not saying I agree or disagree, I'm just stating what I think is the defined, mandated, mandatory use here in Thailand.

Edited February 4, 2013 by rubl

[Ian Curtis]

Oh dear, seems it was a good idea after all................

Hope the TV naysayers aren't choking on their coffee.

It will be accepted as a good idea when the learning of students is seen to visibly improve, and remember that the entire content of this report is based on "During The Nation's observation" - the newspaper visiting a school to see the tablets in action as opposed to a specialist report evaluating the long term impact on learning.

I think personally that the tablets will be a positive, but would want something more solid than a newspaper jolly at a school as evidence of that ? Wouldn't you Phil?

"So, once they touch to answer, they know if the answer is correct or incorrect immediately"

I'm not sure that I agree with this teacher's comment. Let me explain; I am concerned that this teacher is content to promote that what the child is seeing on the screen is true. Somewhere, the point is being missed by this teacher. Here is a golden opportunity for the teacher to use the tablet (or whatever) to teach his/her pupils to 'think'. Here is what can be done (I've done it in the past); the teacher can write a simple program to give incorrect answers so that when a pupil is asked to perform 2 + 3 then the tablet will arrive at 1 (for example). The teacher must say nothing but only watch their reactions just to see who is querying it (hopefully most!). Obviously, the teacher will eventually put the record straight but only after a few stern words that you must not believe all you see. Teach them this in their formative years. If a teacher cannot write a simple program then I would, as head of maths and physics, ask them to report to me.

And some more quotes: "She wanted apps that suited her teaching. They wanted educational supervisors to guide them on how to use tablets with teaching in class more effectively".

My answer here is that surely this should have been seen beforehand. It most definitely appears that these teachers are floundering and that should not be the case. In my opinion too, I would not be happy with a teacher running a packaged piece of software - the local dustman could do that! I would expect my staff to be able to write simple software program as and when required in class.

I know it is a 'off topic' just a tad but I would have preferred money being spent on programmable calculators (2 000 baht each) AND some tablets but not for every pupil. The children will soon be able to pick-up writing simple computer programs. As a simple exercise a little later on in school, find how many DIFFERENT Pythagorean triples you can fins (everyone knows 3,4,5); a number crunching problem where the kids can come up with a simple program and so on . . . and on . . . and on . . . Think I've said enough.

I don't think that teachers here are even supposed to 'alter' the content of the tabletPC. The Ministry of Education in co-operation with the Mnistry of Information Technology (it seems) has defined a program, paid some companies to develop the programs to cover the program defined and that's it!. No changes allowed!

Well, at least that was the idea and as far as I know that's still the mandated use of those government provided tabletPCs.

PS I'm not saying I agree or disagree, I'm just stating what I think is the defined, mandated, mandatory use here in Thailand.

No, I had no idea they were being dictated to! Can't see the point of having them if that is the case - to be used only in a very constrained way smacks of continuing with the rote learning techniques. Still, if that's what the Governments dictates, then so be it!

[theajarn]

Judging from the comments of the teachers the scheme is NOT working:

• teachers want a solution that will make improve their teaching = they want the tablets to do everything for them; they simply want more buttons to press

• students want the tablet for their other subjects = they want more buttons to press, INCLUDING PHYSICAL EDUCATION

• occupation and technology = FOR PRATHOM STUDENTS?!? what horseshit is this??

• they don't use it everyday = batteries suck

The thing is, if the teachers had been properly clued in to the technology, they CAN figure out how to use it to improve their teaching etc. etc. including with other subjects, starting with this weird thing called "the internet".

But Thais all know that the only thing the internet is good for is Fess Boook.

[theajarn]

Oh dear, seems it was a good idea after all................

Hope the TV naysayers aren't choking on their coffee.

It will be accepted as a good idea when the learning of students is seen to visibly improve, and remember that the entire content of this report is based on "During The Nation's observation" - the newspaper visiting a school to see the tablets in action as opposed to a specialist report evaluating the long term impact on learning.

I think personally that the tablets will be a positive, but would want something more solid than a newspaper jolly at a school as evidence of that ? Wouldn't you Phil?

"So, once they touch to answer, they know if the answer is correct or incorrect immediately"

I'm not sure that I agree with this teacher's comment. Let me explain; I am concerned that this teacher is content to promote that what the child is seeing on the screen is true. Somewhere, the point is being missed by this teacher. Here is a golden opportunity for the teacher to use the tablet (or whatever) to teach his/her pupils to 'think'. Here is what can be done (I've done it in the past); the teacher can write a simple program to give incorrect answers so that when a pupil is asked to perform 2 + 3 then the tablet will arrive at 1 (for example). The teacher must say nothing but only watch their reactions just to see who is querying it (hopefully most!). Obviously, the teacher will eventually put the record straight but only after a few stern words that you must not believe all you see. Teach them this in their formative years. If a teacher cannot write a simple program then I would, as head of maths and physics, ask them to report to me.

And some more quotes: "She wanted apps that suited her teaching. They wanted educational supervisors to guide them on how to use tablets with teaching in class more effectively".

My answer here is that surely this should have been seen beforehand. It most definitely appears that these teachers are floundering and that should not be the case. In my opinion too, I would not be happy with a teacher running a packaged piece of software - the local dustman could do that! I would expect my staff to be able to write simple software program as and when required in class.

I know it is a 'off topic' just a tad but I would have preferred money being spent on programmable calculators (2 000 baht each) AND some tablets but not for every pupil. The children will soon be able to pick-up writing simple computer programs. As a simple exercise a little later on in school, find how many DIFFERENT Pythagorean triples you can fins (everyone knows 3,4,5); a number crunching problem where the kids can come up with a simple program and so on . . . and on . . . and on . . . Think I've said enough.

Teachers ... write SOFTWARE? Seriously, with all due respect, most farang teachers are incapable of such, left to their own devices (pun intended)! You expect Thai teachers to be able to do the same when they regularly forget the password to their email!?!

This ain't the 80s you know. We don't punch in commands to run software on our MZ-80A's. No sir, most computer/technology users today are complacent idiots so to speak. You and I probably know how to write a cool app, but don't expect the general population to even have the slightest clue. The Thai government wouldn't need these gadgets otherwise.

These tablets are nothing more than devices used to fulfil 'education's' ultimate role: to make the voting population more distracted and stupid. The more confused they are, the easier it is to sell them just about anything they want.

[hellodolly]

I help a friend tutor P1 after school some times and I have seen the kids with their tablets. I was surprised that the games were actually both fun and interesting. Now, I only saw a few math games and spelling games, but they looked enjoyable. If the word games were programmable with the week's/unit's vocab, this could be effective for some.

I was originally against the who scheme, but now finding myself agreeing, a shaky thumbs up is how I feel about it. I saw kids using them and enjoying learning, but I know that some have already been lost, kids forget to charge them and I personally know the Thai teachers in charge of the kids I help tutor and their idea of a tablet involves slate or papyrus.

In the hands of a knowledgeable educator and one who has time and care to incorporate them correctly, I can see benefit. But I worry that these teachers will be few and far between.

I also want to see how long we go before critical parts failure becomes a problem, I assume with Chinese knock offs we will see this sooner than later. And also when the tech becomes too slow due to updates or new apps that take too much resources.

I was wondering what your thoughts would be (as you have hands on experience) about waiting until the third grade or it's equivalent would be. I feel that this is still a formative period in there brain development and a good time to teach them how to reason things out with out a machine. Some basic logic and then bring on the machine.

[OzMick]

Sounds like a handout from the DoEd. Where are investigative questions with reference to failure rate, battery life, % of students who have not received their tablets, why only 2 subjects?

In computer section of Thai Visa you will find thread 17(seventeen!) pages,almost 500 posts:"which tablet?" - you will learn there about:

failure rate,battery life,power requirements,where to buy in Thailand,how much etc. and anything you want to know.

You do not need Nation for this sort of technical information.

Read Thai Visa!.

I'm not interested in the claimed specs, but what is being achieved in actual use - rarely the same.

[rubl]

Google has a few interesting clips on using computers in the classroom. Of course they're commercially interested with their chromebook, but it shows what is possible. Go to youtube and search for 'eduatgoogle'. Or just start here

[smutcakes]

The Democrats must think its a productive initiative given their person running for Bangkok Governor also has the handing out of computers to Bangkok students as one of his election promises. Seems its only people on TVF that think its a complete failure, but no surprise there, everything in Thailand is a complete failure on here.

[hellodolly]

One more thing:

during my recent trip to Malaysia - I traveled by long distance bus few times.

They give you tablets in bus for your entertainment!Free!without deposit and..with wi-fi access.

Not every company,couple of them.

You can take 2 kilos of laxatives yourself but you will not stop this tide.

There in lies part of the problem. Using them for entertainment.

[hellodolly]

The Democrats must think its a productive initiative given their person running for Bangkok Governor also has the handing out of computers to Bangkok students as one of his election promises. Seems its only people on TVF that think its a complete failure, but no surprise there, everything in Thailand is a complete failure on here.

Wrong but I guess you are used to that condition.

Most every one here on the TVFs will tell you it was a complete success in getting a clone into the office of the PM of Thailand.

It may well be a big help in Bangkok to although I fail to see the need for it. After all did not Yingluck herself say she would give them one.

personally I like Krit He showed common sense

"Krit said he did not trust academics"

[OzMick]

The Democrats must think its a productive initiative given their person running for Bangkok Governor also has the handing out of computers to Bangkok students as one of his election promises. Seems its only people on TVF that think its a complete failure, but no surprise there, everything in Thailand is a complete failure on here.

IMHO it is not a total failure. Do you think it is a total success? Perhaps if the OP had more information instead reading like a reprint of a DoEd handout we might be able to judge better, and some reports of non-issue of tablets indicates there may be a tiny problem or two.

[muttley]

I'm sure that there must be inspection teams travelling to all schools to ensure that this program is being run correctly.

One would hope so. Theoretically, a software configuration controller is required in every district to randomly audit the tablets for illegal software. Obviously we all know that would never happen because a Configuration Controller would demand more pay than any teacher but . . . I can dream. But in any event, random checks ought to be the norm for who knows what big brother has downloaded?

You're right. My friends sisters nephews parents told me that their sons tablet contained subliminal messages from Arisman on it

[indyuk]

Oh dear, seems it was a good idea after all................

Hope the TV naysayers aren't choking on their coffee.

The good part is the kickbacks that went to those who received them. I would guess the next group placing orders for more computers would agree, 'its a good idea'.

Another half arsed promise (which orginally said 1 computer per student) which has not shown any real benifit to those that need it most, students. Internet avalbiaility, poorly trained teachers, who seem skeptial in its use, little actual student in hand use, software which is lacking for full potential, and how many of the 100's of thousands of the "gagets" are actually in the students possesion?

If this is considered good, bad will have a new relative meaning.

I think it will be good if you could refrain from such negative remark without evidence (which incidently is what Thai Law expects of you too. Usually when large sums of project cash goes missing knowledge of the fact exists although no one is prepared to name names. Recent examples are the signing of a new rail transport operation contract for Bangkok, most of us are aware of it but not the name(s) of the purbortrator(s). Also the millions of Baht that vanished foem the Bangkok flood defences project, again we know about but not who took the money. The are no vibes about missing money from the Tablets for schools project which probably means that none of the money was sequest by a corrupt official. The Thai bush telegraph is very good when latge sums of money go missing whether it is thought to have built new houses for poo Jai Baan or whether it was the 58 bIllion downpayment to Thai contractor expected to build the Lao Dam project.

[JetsetBkk]

Who paid The Nation to write this propaganda?

You mean one can get paid for writing such <deleted>?

Nah, it's a job probably reserved for Thais.

[JetsetBkk]

Google has a few interesting clips on using computers in the classroom. Of course they're commercially interested with their chromebook, but it shows what is possible. Go to youtube and search for 'eduatgoogle'. Or just start here

For some reason, that Google video reminded of of the Roo Su Flood videos of 2011. Episode 7 was a hoot:

[bkk_mike]

Oh dear, seems it was a good idea after all................

Hope the TV naysayers aren't choking on their coffee.

It will be accepted as a good idea when the learning of students is seen to visibly improve, and remember that the entire content of this report is based on "During The Nation's observation" - the newspaper visiting a school to see the tablets in action as opposed to a specialist report evaluating the long term impact on learning.

I think personally that the tablets will be a positive, but would want something more solid than a newspaper jolly at a school as evidence of that ? Wouldn't you Phil?

"So, once they touch to answer, they know if the answer is correct or incorrect immediately"

I'm not sure that I agree with this teacher's comment. Let me explain; I am concerned that this teacher is content to promote that what the child is seeing on the screen is true. Somewhere, the point is being missed by this teacher. Here is a golden opportunity for the teacher to use the tablet (or whatever) to teach his/her pupils to 'think'. Here is what can be done (I've done it in the past); the teacher can write a simple program to give incorrect answers so that when a pupil is asked to perform 2 + 3 then the tablet will arrive at 1 (for example). The teacher must say nothing but only watch their reactions just to see who is querying it (hopefully most!). Obviously, the teacher will eventually put the record straight but only after a few stern words that you must not believe all you see. Teach them this in their formative years. If a teacher cannot write a simple program then I would, as head of maths and physics, ask them to report to me.

And some more quotes: "She wanted apps that suited her teaching. They wanted educational supervisors to guide them on how to use tablets with teaching in class more effectively".

My answer here is that surely this should have been seen beforehand. It most definitely appears that these teachers are floundering and that should not be the case. In my opinion too, I would not be happy with a teacher running a packaged piece of software - the local dustman could do that! I would expect my staff to be able to write simple software program as and when required in class.

I know it is a 'off topic' just a tad but I would have preferred money being spent on programmable calculators (2 000 baht each) AND some tablets but not for every pupil. The children will soon be able to pick-up writing simple computer programs. As a simple exercise a little later on in school, find how many DIFFERENT Pythagorean triples you can fins (everyone knows 3,4,5); a number crunching problem where the kids can come up with a simple program and so on . . . and on . . . and on . . . Think I've said enough.

Actually - it's very easy to prove computers can't add, although it needs larger numbers.

i.e. put the following into Excel and then sum them...

1000000000000000000

2

-1000000000000000000

(18 zeroes on the big numbers).

Obviously - the answer should be 2, but Excel will sum it to zero. It's down to the way computers store most numbers (floating point) and the precision used.

I think that's a far better thing to prove that computers aren't infallible as it can be used as a starting point to discuss binary and how numbers are stored in the computer, etc.

Simply getting a computer to say 2 + 3 = 1 is telling them that their teacher can't program a computer properly.

Personally, I think tablets for kids replacing school books are a good idea - especially the school exercise books as over time, not having to produce paper books for new students should save money, so long as the tablets were cheap enough and robust enough. (tablets are, in my experience, more reliable than laptops as there are no moving parts. This is especially true with kids... ).

I've never been in a Thai classroom, but I've heard that there tends to be a quite high student to teacher ratio, so anything that lets the kids work by themselves at their own speed is probably a good thing (depending on how good the apps are...)

Edited February 6, 2013 by bkk_mike

[gerry1011]

Oh dear, seems it was a good idea after all................

Hope the TV naysayers aren't choking on their coffee.

Hope their coffee is not too hot.

[apetley]

Surprised to read that all Prathom1 students are using tablets because the local village school where I live certainly haven't received any yet.

[Pimay1]

Surprised to read that all Prathom1 students are using tablets because the local village school where I live certainly haven't received any yet.

A friend of mine here in Udon from Italy teaches at a rural school. No electricty and dirt floors. But of course the propaganda from PTP sounds good. Edited February 10, 2013 by Pimay1

[muttley]

Surprised to read that all Prathom1 students are using tablets because the local village school where I live certainly haven't received any yet.

A friend of mine here in Udon from Italy teaches at a rural school. No electricty and dirt floors. But of course the propaganda from PTP sounds good.

So why did the democrat party when it was in power waste money on subsidising school uniforms when the rural schools in Udon have only dirt floors and no electricity?

But I suppose it's essential to have a school uniform to be educated.

Edited February 10, 2013 by muttley

[Pimay1]

Surprised to read that all Prathom1 students are using tablets because the local village school where I live certainly haven't received any yet.

A friend of mine here in Udon from Italy teaches at a rural school. No electricty and dirt floors. But of course the propaganda from PTP sounds good.

So why did the democrat party when it was in power waste money on subsidising school uniforms when the rural schools in Udon have only dirt floors and no electricity?

But I suppose it's essential to have a school uniform to be educated.

But... but...but the democrats.

[Ricardo]

Surprised to read that all Prathom1 students are using tablets because the local village school where I live certainly haven't received any yet.

A friend of mine here in Udon from Italy teaches at a rural school. No electricty and dirt floors. But of course the propaganda from PTP sounds good.

Wonder where their allocation of tablets went to, then ? Surely not lost-in-transit ?

[muttley]

Surprised to read that all Prathom1 students are using tablets because the local village school where I live certainly haven't received any yet.

A friend of mine here in Udon from Italy teaches at a rural school. No electricty and dirt floors. But of course the propaganda from PTP sounds good.

So why did the democrat party when it was in power waste money on subsidising school uniforms when the rural schools in Udon have only dirt floors and no electricity?

But I suppose it's essential to have a school uniform to be educated.

But... but...but the democrats.

Seems like a valid response to me. If the democrats didn't see it as essential to replace the the dirt floors and non existent electricity of these hearsay schools why should supporters of that political party have the front to whine about the PTP allegedly not doing anything about it.

I said this before, the "but, but the democrats" rebuttal is not worthy of even schoolboy debating technique. Either come up with something unique or don't bother. You belittle yourself by employing it as such.

[Pimay1]

Seems like a valid response to me. If the democrats didn't see it as essential to replace the the dirt floors and non existent electricity of these hearsay schools why should supporters of that political party have the front to whine about the PTP allegedly not doing anything about it.

I said this before, the "but, but the democrats" rebuttal is not worthy of even schoolboy debating technique. Either come up with something unique or don't bother. You belittle yourself by employing it as such.

Belittling ones self is not being able to respond to a subject matter of the OP without going off on a tangent about another political party. Well anyhow I see you are back. Now can you answer my question on the other thread please? I had an APB out for you (smiley). IPad doesn't show emotions.