An iPod For Every Kid In Michigan

mikesd81 writes "Over at C|Net there is an article about Michigan spending $38 million to distribute an iPod to every kid, for learning purposes. From the article: 'On Thursday, House Democrats delivered a spending bill that includes the idea of putting $38 million worth of public funds toward outfitting every student with a digital music player.' The plan included measures to tax soda and satellite TV services to pay for it, among other things, to raise funds. If you recall, Duke University tried something like this with mixed results. How financially strained will Michigan residents feel about paying higher taxes to buy someone else's kid an iPod?"

Whispered in their ear

[friend.ac]

Do you think the RIAA lobbied Michigan for the free ipods? I believe they need some more cash..

"Here you go young child, here's a free ipod, can't pay for music on it? Don't worry - HA HA HA"

Rubbing their hands in glee at the thought of suing all those kids..

Great

[adona1]

Now if only someone can write an adding & subtracting game for the PS3, I can start lobbying politicians here to subsidise those...for educational purposes =)

In fact, the Wii promotes physical fitness as well, so they'd better give us one of them too. [It might seem weird to give us a game of a sport rather than encouraging us to actually do said sport, but it's not. It's progress =)]

Re:This is a horrible idea.

[suv4x4]

This is a horrible idea. Seriously, how about spending the millions of dollars on teachers?

You could spend the money on teachers, but will this give your kids THE BEST MUSIC PLAYER in the world? I don't think so.
Everyone could come up with the idea of giving the teachers money. But we have to DARE to be DIFFERENT. This is what distinguishes a follower from a leader. Are you a follower or a leader?

So, I think it's an INCREDIBLE IDEA. It's the BEST. IDEA. IN THE WORLD. EVER.

And that's nothing, EVERY KID IN AMERICA should have an iPod. Hell, every kid in the world should have one. Why spend all this money on inventing and producing OLPC, when iPod is here. Does OLPC even have headphones? Does it have a clickwheel? NO, it has a keyboard. Keyboards ARE BORING.

I know it, you know it, and the children know it: THIS is what really iPod is: raising the IQ of the children!

- Steve J.

More Details...

[suv4x4]

"The iPods that will be given away are iPod Shuffle, a light music player that shuffles the songs and plays them randomly", explained a spokesman for the House of Representatives.

"We'll intermix the lectures with the latest pop and hip-hop singles, and the kids will have to put up with listening to lectures randomly so they can play they favorite music. We think it'll be a smashing success.".

Well okay then...

[Viceroy Potatohead]

House Democrats delivered a spending bill that includes the idea of putting $38 million worth of public funds toward outfitting every student with a digital music player.

So let me get this straight: Apple's next big product is called the iPorkBarrel?

Re:Sensationalist

[blagooly]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ [freep.com]
The bill includes the cost savings by releasing 2400 prisoners. They will Not be given iPods. Instead, each will get a confiscated weapon if they promise to move to Ohio.
Not yet made public is a clause that makes Detroit part of Canada. "We are hoping that the change does Detroit good, moving to a new place can have that effect, you know, and Canada is really very nice,really."

Re:This is a horrible idea.

[Nasarius]

It's sad that I managed to decipher IMNSHO without pausing to process it, even though I've never seen it before. The Internet has corrupted me =(

You think that's bad? In the past couple weeks, I instantly deciphered GMAFB and GAS (in the context of guitar/bass players). I think I need a break.

Re:This is a horrible idea.

[Anonymous Coward]

You could spend the money on teachers, but will this give your kids THE BEST MUSIC PLAYER in the world? I don't think so.
Everyone could come up with the idea of giving the teachers money. But we have to DARE to be DIFFERENT. This is what distinguishes a follower from a leader. Are you a follower or a leader?

So, I think it's an INCREDIBLE IDEA. It's the BEST. IDEA. IN THE WORLD. EVER.

And that's nothing, EVERY KID IN AMERICA should have an iPod. Hell, every kid in the world should have one. Why spend all this money on inventing and producing OLPC, when iPod is here. Does OLPC even have headphones? Does it have a clickwheel? NO, it has a keyboard. Keyboards ARE BORING.

I know it, you know it, and the children know it: THIS is what really iPod is: raising the IQ of the children!

- Steve J.

How much do you want to bet that this guy is a kid from Michigan?

Re:This is a horrible idea.

[Lumpy]

Hi Im senator lumpy and I am looking for support for the "give america grilles bill S158774-2". Children all over are forced to go out in public without a grille in their mouth causing ridicule and low self esteem. Giving every child in america a grille will help their education.

Wont you think of the children? Call your Senators and Represenatives and say you support S158774-2.

BTW: ignore the minor text at the back that says the bill also invokes martial law in the USA.

Thank you and God bless america!

Re:Umm..

[Achromatic1978]

Ever seen Mr Holland's Opus?

Some choice quotes:

• "I care about these kids just as much as you do. And if I'm forced to choose between Mozart and reading and writing and long division, I choose long division." "Well, I guess you can cut the arts as much as you want, Gene. Sooner or later, these kids aren't going to have anything to read or write about."
• [on the football coach lamenting to the just-sacked music teacher that he'd be the next to go] "The day they cut the football budget in this state, that will be the end of Western Civilization as we know it!"

Re:really?

[TapeCutter]

C'mon, even Newton used an apple. :)