Seems that Mr. Falwell's calling is the same as Al Capone's.
So let me get this straight, religious "schools" are taking my tax dollars to further their silly bronze age fairytales?
Perfect.
Hey at least my kids, who go real STEM schools, when squaring off against a Libertarian University STEM grads, will smoke them in STEM job interviews.
When my kids are asked how old the Earth is and answer 4.5 - 4.7 billion years old and the Liberty grad says 6,000 years old, I'm pretty sure my kid will get the job.
But the Liberty University STEM grad will still be able to land all those good paying STEM jobs at all the high tech christian corporations.
The Liberty University grads can get in on the ground floor of creating the new iJesus smartphone...which runs on faith not science.
Perfect.
Hey at least my kids, who go real STEM schools, when squaring off against a Libertarian University STEM grads, will smoke them in STEM job interviews.
When my kids are asked how old the Earth is and answer 4.5 - 4.7 billion years old and the Liberty grad says 6,000 years old, I'm pretty sure my kid will get the job.
But the Liberty University STEM grad will still be able to land all those good paying STEM jobs at all the high tech christian corporations.
The Liberty University grads can get in on the ground floor of creating the new iJesus smartphone...which runs on faith not science.
3
Religion...still the best get rich quick scheme ever invented.
6
Throughout his business career, Trump has preyed on the gullible and the unsophisticated. Small wonder, he supports predatory colleges, which charge regular tuition but award worthless degrees. In the end, Trump is just plutocrat lining the pockets of his cronies with the taxes paid by suckers, and to hell with those fools who voted for him. If Trump truly cared about creating good jobs, he would work hard to improve tertiary education, but he clearly doesn't care about people who can't send their kids to Wharton.
6
To help facilitate easier entry into the US, the refugees should just do as Trump and Falwell do - pretend they are Christian.
13
With the loss of Blue collar jobs, high school graduates who did not prepare academically for college or who shunned the idea of a college education have been forced to see the reality of a lifetime of minimum wage or low paying jobs. Unfortunately, because of their lack of preparation or their desire to find an easy way to a better paying job, these students are drawn to the fantasy of high paying jobs for minimal time and study (but maximum money invested) that many of these For-Profit schools portray on TV and in online advertising and of course through cold calls.
Of course this is a scam (payed for by Student loans both subsidized and non-subsidized). The fact that a true college education has become more expensive (due to budget reductions by conservative state legislatures across the US) has made these scams appear more affordable. And of course, since the major costs are covered by loans and out of pocket expenses, students think they can get by on the cheap -- until the bill eventually comes.
Regulations alone on these schools cannot stop people from making bad choices (whatever their reasons for those choices). But the systematic pricing of a college education at creditable institutions out of the reach of working people by Tax slashing Budget reducing conservatives have left many good students desperate for an alternative and into the hands of the money grubbing "For-Profits.
This fight over Regulation just hides the real problems.
Of course this is a scam (payed for by Student loans both subsidized and non-subsidized). The fact that a true college education has become more expensive (due to budget reductions by conservative state legislatures across the US) has made these scams appear more affordable. And of course, since the major costs are covered by loans and out of pocket expenses, students think they can get by on the cheap -- until the bill eventually comes.
Regulations alone on these schools cannot stop people from making bad choices (whatever their reasons for those choices). But the systematic pricing of a college education at creditable institutions out of the reach of working people by Tax slashing Budget reducing conservatives have left many good students desperate for an alternative and into the hands of the money grubbing "For-Profits.
This fight over Regulation just hides the real problems.
9
It's time - actually, long past time - for religious organizations to start paying taxes, especially if Trump follows through and guts the Johnson Amendment.
16
Falwell, a so-called "Christian", should be ashamed of himself, just as should the plethora of Fausts who populate Trump's circle. But then again, I guess they've all sold their souls already.
13
As I write this comment, 43 previous comments have been posted. I agree with each and everyone of them, and the opinions expressed about the Godless faker, Falwell, and the liar/thief-in-chief. I do have one question, did all of you who've posted thus far, vote for Hillary Clinton? I wish I could get an answer to that question. Nothing that's taken place sine January 20th should be a surprise to anyone in this country. We should be ashamed for what we allowed to happen.
20
I did! Good question, and is my sentiment. I wish that we had had a preview of Trump as president before Nov. 8
4
Yep, I voted for Clinton, and I suspect most NYT readers did so as well.
4
That IS the problem....for 1.5 years, media pundits waited for Trump's demeanor and presentation style to change (really?) -- when in reality, his distorted temperament, lack of character and integrity, and mental illness were so obvious.
PS---a young nephew of mine wore his Trump hat during the family Christmas gathering...also wearing such confidence---I could barely wait to get away from him and his crazy elitist Christian family (cult). THIS young profile is my concern for the future.
PS---a young nephew of mine wore his Trump hat during the family Christmas gathering...also wearing such confidence---I could barely wait to get away from him and his crazy elitist Christian family (cult). THIS young profile is my concern for the future.
5
Many thanks for this fair and complete summary. As with many of the Trump initiatives, this appears to be a pay off for past services made during the campaign. This is not at all surprising, given that Trump had run "Trump University", so he fully understands that Falwell is a fellow believer in "education" as a business.
17
Never trust a person who defends God as if He needs their help.
13
Pure corruption
Why is Falwell not paying taxes????
Back in the 80's, I was with the Secretary of State of Ohio, an organization could NOT get a tax exempt certificate as a NON profit if it was making a profit. Duh...
What has happened to our Republican Party that such blatant corruption could be allowed, driving budget deficits further?
And to make a 25% margin on the backs of poor students??!! And to get away with it by calling proper accountability "red tape"
Just how stupid do the Republicans think we are?
They are going to pay dearly at the next election for this kind of thing. Even indebted under-educated voters have their number now!
Why is Falwell not paying taxes????
Back in the 80's, I was with the Secretary of State of Ohio, an organization could NOT get a tax exempt certificate as a NON profit if it was making a profit. Duh...
What has happened to our Republican Party that such blatant corruption could be allowed, driving budget deficits further?
And to make a 25% margin on the backs of poor students??!! And to get away with it by calling proper accountability "red tape"
Just how stupid do the Republicans think we are?
They are going to pay dearly at the next election for this kind of thing. Even indebted under-educated voters have their number now!
23
Terri: Come back to Ohio if you want to see how much has changed. As for the Republicans paying dearly next election you have seriously underestimated the problem.
5
As long as people keep following people who contend they speak for God, or know what God wants, they are going to be taken advantage of it.
14
Ah, maybe Trump University could like-wise benefit.
9
Having Falwell lead this initiative a twisted spiritual move--to resurrect the deadbeat scams, ponzi schemes, and exploitation shakedowns that were revealed in the law suit against fraud-shops like Trump University. To quote Trump--some of these so-called educational outfits are truly "sad," "'whack jobs" "losers." The Falwell-Trump Educational chants and mottos are being readied: Here they are: "Who Needs Facts when We Know the Truth!" "Keep Dopes Alive." and ... "Fleecing as White as Snow!"
16
Once again I see the thoughtful input of the Obama administration, one that actually is fixing wrongs in the system, being gutted by the greedy and mean spirited. It is OK Republicans to recognize a good thing when you see it. This is crazy, again.
21
Absolutely smells to the high heaven. Another scheme by Don the Con. Paying off his friends versus being the President.
18
In today's edition there is also an article about the Baylor Athletic Department covering up crimes by the football team. The former Director of Athletics at Baylor is now the Director at Liberty. So much for Christian values and the protection of students.
17
As a Liberty alum and a "never-Trumper", I can speak with authority that many fellow alumni and current students are not pleased with the support of the chancellor's support of Trump or the AD hire. For good or ill, his father, although quite pragmatic, had core principles he lived by. I don't believe for a minute he would have supported Trump over other GOP candidates due to his rank narcissism and dishonesty. The younger seems to be a more of an opportunist.
2
I trust you've read the recent NYT article about Liberty U. Alums returning there diplomas to Liberty U. for Mr. Falwell's support of Trumps last speech on the Charlotteville tragedy...
Per Federal Student Aid: Liberty got $756 million in fiscal 2015.
12
Talk about pandering...
This administration is full of "pay-backs" whether they be rewards or punishments. What a shame that this is being allowed to happen just so the GOP can get their Supreme Court justice and destroy the ACA. Tunnel vision WILL come back to haunt you.
This administration is full of "pay-backs" whether they be rewards or punishments. What a shame that this is being allowed to happen just so the GOP can get their Supreme Court justice and destroy the ACA. Tunnel vision WILL come back to haunt you.
16
If handing the henhouse keys to the foxes on issue after issue is what Trump's supporters wanted when they chanted "drain the swamp", then they have no idea what those words mean.
17
"Liberty University" sure gets a lot of free stuff from the gubmint. $347 million in 2015. And they don't pay taxes.
Now that the Archangel Trump is in charge, they can have that government teat surgically attached to a convenient orifice.
Now that the Archangel Trump is in charge, they can have that government teat surgically attached to a convenient orifice.
17
A student should know the track record of a school—and his own, and the issuer (government or private), too, should know these, so that a bad loan isn’t made. Unfortunately, as with housing earlier in the century, the fact that money is available to be lent doesn’t mean it ought to be.
10
This is from your article:
Unfortunately, many Liberty students are struggling to repay their federal loans. Around 9 percent default within three years of graduating, ruining their credit ratings and creating financial burdens nearly impossible to discharge in bankruptcy. Among all private nonprofit four-year colleges, the average default rate is 6.5 percent.
Most Liberty students avoid default, but many are making no progress in reducing their loan balances. Only 38 percent of Liberty borrowers manage to pay down as little as one dollar on their student loan principal within three years of leaving school. This is probably because many struggle to land well-paying jobs. Forty-one percent of former Liberty students earn less than $25,000 per year — the typical salary for people with only a high school diploma at age 25 — six years after entering college.
This is from their website:
You Want a Christian University that Prepares You for Life. You Need Liberty.
Join us at the world’s largest Christian university where you’ll prepare for a successful career while we prepare you for life. With over 500 programs of study, state-of-the-art technology, and a gifted faculty, Liberty University will equip you to enter a competitive job market. Learn, develop, and grow at Liberty so you can impact your culture as a Champion for Christ.
Unfortunately, many Liberty students are struggling to repay their federal loans. Around 9 percent default within three years of graduating, ruining their credit ratings and creating financial burdens nearly impossible to discharge in bankruptcy. Among all private nonprofit four-year colleges, the average default rate is 6.5 percent.
Most Liberty students avoid default, but many are making no progress in reducing their loan balances. Only 38 percent of Liberty borrowers manage to pay down as little as one dollar on their student loan principal within three years of leaving school. This is probably because many struggle to land well-paying jobs. Forty-one percent of former Liberty students earn less than $25,000 per year — the typical salary for people with only a high school diploma at age 25 — six years after entering college.
This is from their website:
You Want a Christian University that Prepares You for Life. You Need Liberty.
Join us at the world’s largest Christian university where you’ll prepare for a successful career while we prepare you for life. With over 500 programs of study, state-of-the-art technology, and a gifted faculty, Liberty University will equip you to enter a competitive job market. Learn, develop, and grow at Liberty so you can impact your culture as a Champion for Christ.
6
I cannot defend Falwell Jr's support of Trump and any such appointment would certainly be a payback for his support. Sadly, this kind of payback happens in every administration...think Halliburton and Solyndra.
For many Liberty students, a choice to be a part of a religious environment is certainly a big piece of their decision to attend Liberty. Though certainly the exceptions, I know of more than one of my classmates that had opportunities to go to Ivy League schools but chose Liberty instead. Choices of vocation also play a big role. An inordinate amount of graduates compared to most other universities will choose vocations in faith-based organizations or NGO's that do not pay a lot. Also, the article does not distinguish "students" from "graduates". Many "students" who don't complete their education aka, "some college", don't do appreciably better than those with a high school diploma.
The law school has the highest percent of grads passing the bar the first time of any other university in VA.
For many Liberty students, a choice to be a part of a religious environment is certainly a big piece of their decision to attend Liberty. Though certainly the exceptions, I know of more than one of my classmates that had opportunities to go to Ivy League schools but chose Liberty instead. Choices of vocation also play a big role. An inordinate amount of graduates compared to most other universities will choose vocations in faith-based organizations or NGO's that do not pay a lot. Also, the article does not distinguish "students" from "graduates". Many "students" who don't complete their education aka, "some college", don't do appreciably better than those with a high school diploma.
The law school has the highest percent of grads passing the bar the first time of any other university in VA.
1
Forbes has ranked Liberty University at 651 out of 660 colleges and universities. About 96% of its students are on financial aid. According to US News and World Report the four-year graduation rate is 33%. LU students would be better off going to community college instead.
38
Your comment should be published as a flyer or leaflet, and dropped by air over the campus of (denied) Liberty University so the lambs (students) can learn about how they're getting shorn.
8
Presumably Trump University will now be revived. It could offer courses in "How [not to] Drain the Swamp". There's an old saying that "The more things change, the more they remain the same". Not any more. Now they just get worse. By the day.
20
Jesus, the man or the god, was focused on income disparity. An inconvenient truth for Christians fascinated with calves of gold. An expose of Christian leader's lifestyles seems appropriate as the net worth of Mr. Falwell is 10 million.
19
The dumbing down of america even more. No doubt this "more leeway in governing their affairs" is code for more freedom to defraud those who think the worthless diplomas he will churn out are worth something.
This is not a university- it's a fraud factory. Yet another con-man. Remove their tax free status and these " Men of God" would vanish.
Remember Trump University?
This is not a university- it's a fraud factory. Yet another con-man. Remove their tax free status and these " Men of God" would vanish.
Remember Trump University?
30
Super Cronyism mixed with Theocratic Machinations. Awesome! What's not to love!?!??
22
The Moscow Mule threatens to appoint Falwell to a panel to investigate rolling back anti-fraud measures in the Department of Education. Putting another fox in the hen house ensures that the fix is in and that chickens will be fewer and fewer. Fraud is the new paradigm. Liberty, a for profit enterprise, does not pay taxes. That in itself is fraud. Receiving federal grants and loans is another predatory fraud. The degree students receive from Liberty is further worthless fraud.
Falwell, et al., need to be investigated, not lead investigations.
Falwell, et al., need to be investigated, not lead investigations.
27
Can a cross over Mobil-Exxon be far off. They're kicking themselves for finding god on the oil fields sooner. A corporate church, brilliant.
8
Talk about putting a fox in charge of the hen house!
I was wondering when the fundamentalist evangelical Christians were going to muscle their way into the administration for their fair share of the quid pro quo for endorsing a most un-Christian candidate.
Only a scoundrel would move to weaken the regulations that protect students and the federal government from the abuses of predatory for-profit schools.
God help us all.
I was wondering when the fundamentalist evangelical Christians were going to muscle their way into the administration for their fair share of the quid pro quo for endorsing a most un-Christian candidate.
Only a scoundrel would move to weaken the regulations that protect students and the federal government from the abuses of predatory for-profit schools.
God help us all.
35
For-profit colleges are essentially a giant machine for turning our taxpayer dollars into private profits, with a thin veneer of putative "education" as a fig leaf. When you add the tax exemption afforded by religious affiliation, the obscenity of this fraud becomes even more obvious.
34
How is tax exemption for religions not against the first amendment? "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" Giving a church tax-exempt status is certainly "respecting" it.
8
I expect one of the early moves that Falwell, Jr will press with Trump and Devos is to get rid of the on-line College Scorecard created by the Dept of Education, which provides most of the statistics for this article.
Anyone pondering enrolling in any college program should research the outcomes on the Scorecard first.
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov
In addition to low odds of graduation and low salary expectations 10 years later for those who manage to graduate from Liberty, one should consider that "default" doesn't mean the debt goes away. The government collection process is lifelong and eventually comes out of your Social Security, with accumulated interest.
So here's the math on Liberty. Calculate the salary premium over a HS grad, ($33k less $25k times 35 years) and divide by 2 (50% grad rate).
Total: $140,000
Add up 4.5 years of tuition ($23k), room & board ($10k) and lost income as a full time student ($25k),
Total: $260,000
So the return on Liberty U is $140,000 less $260,000 or negative $120,000.
But you will gain a lifelong rabid obsession with right wing causes ranging from tax breaks for billionaires to morbid fear of gays and immigrants. Priceless!
Anyone pondering enrolling in any college program should research the outcomes on the Scorecard first.
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov
In addition to low odds of graduation and low salary expectations 10 years later for those who manage to graduate from Liberty, one should consider that "default" doesn't mean the debt goes away. The government collection process is lifelong and eventually comes out of your Social Security, with accumulated interest.
So here's the math on Liberty. Calculate the salary premium over a HS grad, ($33k less $25k times 35 years) and divide by 2 (50% grad rate).
Total: $140,000
Add up 4.5 years of tuition ($23k), room & board ($10k) and lost income as a full time student ($25k),
Total: $260,000
So the return on Liberty U is $140,000 less $260,000 or negative $120,000.
But you will gain a lifelong rabid obsession with right wing causes ranging from tax breaks for billionaires to morbid fear of gays and immigrants. Priceless!
50
Most Liberty University graduates will have difficulty following your math. Apparently Intelligent Design does not include mathematic skills
26
US higher education, with all its flaws, remains the gold standard. The Trump Administration and his cronies are intent on attacking higher education - from all available angles, including the promotion of failing for-profits (and non-profits in hiding). The only silver lining of this appointment is that perhaps funding for loans for students at legitimate institutions will not be drastically reduced as promoted by conservative groups.
7
Once the regulations are gone, we can have a New Trump University - who wouldn't go for materials 'personally developed' by the President of the United States.
Why is Liberty allowed to maintain its "non-profit" status if it has a for profit arm? Oh, I'm sure there's some perfectly legal fancy two step (e.g., separate incorporation), but still...
Why is Liberty allowed to maintain its "non-profit" status if it has a for profit arm? Oh, I'm sure there's some perfectly legal fancy two step (e.g., separate incorporation), but still...
29
The fraudulent practices and dubious value of course content at Trump University probably influences this decision.
13
Draining the swamp or filling the swamp. You decide.
16
"....Mr. Falwell is paid more than $900,000 a year - [it] was underwritten largely by the federal taxpayer."
Here's a few other facts about Liberty University:
It has less than a 50% graduation rate.
Forbes ranks it #651 out of 660 (2016 numbers).
It teaches "creationism".
Yes, its dinosaur bones are 3,000 years old.
And a quote by Falwell, the Junior on San Bernadino, Ca.:
"If more good people had concealed carry permits then we could end those Muslims before they walked in."
We, the American tax-payer, pay this incompetent's salary.
This place is comparable to Trump University in quality.
Time to end this black-hole scam-game of religious tax-exemption.
With Betsy DeVos herding the K-12 children of this land and then Falwell directing the higher education level, then the children of this country don't have a prayer of succeeding in this world.
Another great move by the Potemkin President.
Here's a few other facts about Liberty University:
It has less than a 50% graduation rate.
Forbes ranks it #651 out of 660 (2016 numbers).
It teaches "creationism".
Yes, its dinosaur bones are 3,000 years old.
And a quote by Falwell, the Junior on San Bernadino, Ca.:
"If more good people had concealed carry permits then we could end those Muslims before they walked in."
We, the American tax-payer, pay this incompetent's salary.
This place is comparable to Trump University in quality.
Time to end this black-hole scam-game of religious tax-exemption.
With Betsy DeVos herding the K-12 children of this land and then Falwell directing the higher education level, then the children of this country don't have a prayer of succeeding in this world.
Another great move by the Potemkin President.
74
The King of Crooks promoting Christian Crooks. It is such a joke!
27
Maybe there's hope for Trump U after all!!!
5
Fallwell is the new face of Waste,Fraud and Abuse. This tithing dish will be deeper than Daddy Fallwell could ever imagine. A fraudulent school 'studying fraud in fraudulent higher education practices while appointed by the King of Fraud. Lesson one: How to Avoid Getting Caught, Sued and Settling in Court. Makes the mind reel.
29
I knew Liberty was a scam, but I didn't realize just how lucrative it was for Fallwell. I grew up in a fundamentalist Church of Christ and I harbor little ill will toward people who believe, but Fallwell and his ilk (Graham, Oral Roberts, Benny Hinn, Pat Robertson, etc ...), I have nothing but contempt for. They get rich off of people who want a little comfort and they use that money and power to drive hateful and backward rhetoric that belongs in the dark ages. If there is a God, all of these men will be in for a rude, rude awakening.
48
Can't leave out the the big little boy Joel Osteen, with his huge everything except humility.
14
Liberty University is the one that, last I knew, had a dinosaur display that said "This species lived 5,000 years ago." A eminent Oxford biologist visited a nearby legitimate college and said if this Liberty U display really exists, it's an educational disgrace and students should transfer to a proper university. Small wonder that 41% of Liberty alumni only make $25K a year six years after entering college, the typical salary for h.s. graduates. Would you send your kids to that bible-thumping fraudulent school? And if all students and parents want is confirmation of their beliefs, I would suggest just re-reading the Old Testament.
49
Why would any young person want one of these diplomas?
What are they good for? You can't get work as a researcher in a medical lab, or as a editorial assistant for some publisher. It does not qualify you for some trade like carpenter, plumber or electrician, so whatd o you learn by going to one?
What are they good for? You can't get work as a researcher in a medical lab, or as a editorial assistant for some publisher. It does not qualify you for some trade like carpenter, plumber or electrician, so whatd o you learn by going to one?
40
You could become an evangelical preacher/pastor. The pay can be extraordinary, just ask the Falwell or Grahm clans.
6
You learn to swallow their propaganda, hook, line and sinker. Easy mark, forever.
1
I just don't understand how charlatans like Falwell, Jr. get away with their hypocrisy.
Why don't Christians ever call out the Pharisees among them?
Why do I have to live by their Bible, but they don't?
Why don't Christians ever call out the Pharisees among them?
Why do I have to live by their Bible, but they don't?
63
Having just finished reading about Hillsdale, let's follow their example. Mr. Falwell is welcome to ignore all federal regilations. In return, he (and his students) will get no taxpayer money for grants or loans.
As a taxpayer, I don't want my money going to finance snake oil salesmen, like Falwell. He can sell his bible thumping faux school to whomever he likes, but he can't get taxpayers to foot the bill.
As a taxpayer, I don't want my money going to finance snake oil salesmen, like Falwell. He can sell his bible thumping faux school to whomever he likes, but he can't get taxpayers to foot the bill.
72
So not only is Falwell a right-wing extremist who urged all Liberty University students to get concealed-carry permits and get guns, not only was Liberty University founded on the racist principle that young people of different races shouldn't date or marry, not only did Falwell, Jr. laugh off Trump's sexual assaults, though Liberty is supposed to be a "Christian" institution, Falwell is also making hundreds of millions of dollars by bilking his students and the American taxpayer.
Perfect fit for the Trump administration.
Perfect fit for the Trump administration.
98
~Marx