A piece in today’s JT and JS states that Milwaukee wants the choo-choo to go even further.

Caledonia Unplugged blogged it today and does a great job with it…I don’t think I need to add anymore at this point:

Caledonia Unplugged: Milwaukee Wants KRM Extended to County Line

I’m not referring to what the future holds for the Presidential hopefuls, I’m talking about ‘investing’ futures.

I found this article on Slate: Why Vote When You Can Bet?

This is both intreguing and disturbing at the same time. It would be cool to back up my presidential predictions with cold hard cash but what does this do to us as a society? Are we sullying the office and the election by doing this? I mean this really isn’t investing in a ‘future’ it is placing a bet with the ability to trade that same bet.

Here is how things are stacked at this point for an Individual Winner Contract:

Real Debate Wisconsin: Breaking News: Stick $200,000 to the taxpayers, they won't mind.

I don't even know where to begin.

I think our school board has to do what they can to ensure that Mr. Hicks NEVER does this to another school district.

Mr. Hicks will be getting walking papers real soon!

First I have to tip my hat to Fred at RealDebateWisconsin…he has done a great job investigating Hicks and this latest blow is enough to call for termination of his contract for misuse of his expense account:

From RDW:

One thing is certain, Tom Hicks does not skimp at the taxpayers expense in exercising his duties as Superintendent.

In no particular order:

Greystone San Diego - $130.14 ($75 for the Mrs)
Commander's Palace - $160.65 ($81.00 for the Mrs)
The Waves - $133.56.
Figs Cucina - San Diego - $100.25
Ray's in the City - Atlanta - $276.79
Mia Bella Bistro - Lake Geneva - $155.31
The Red Snapper - Atlanta - $196.45
Houlihan's - $62.44
Bentley's - $98.76

These are just a few of the example I have. One thing is certain, Dr. Tom Hicks eats very well on the taxpayer dime, and he clearly does not feel he needs to follow district policy.

What has become of our society?!?

We have come so far yet we allow social programs to hold us and an entire population back. Civil rights leaders are coveting their careers and not the goals their organizations are set up to achieve. Black “leaders” are nothing but the slave owners of old and are working to keep a new generation of blacks in shackles so that the “leaders” can get a few minutes of fame by forming coalitions or filing law suits while ignoring the true ills of those that they “lead.”

This article ran in today’s Washington Post On-line: Who Exiled New Orleans' Poor?

I do not know Ms. Judith Browne-Dianis but based on this article I would have to put her in the category of those that are willing to keep their jobs at all costs.

Why would any person want to return people to a welfare system that only encourages further welfare? Why would we call public housing someone’s home? Shouldn’t the purpose of public housing be to allow people to get on their feet and establish a life for themselves and not become their permanent home? Why would anyone equate public housing and being black as being one in the same? Is there some underpinning of society that says that blacks can do no better than public housing in New Orleans? Is Judith Browne-Dianis only trying to maintain her position at the Advancement Project by keeping people, primarily black people, in public housing and under the hand of government?

I believe that there is a time and place for welfare programs but we have gone too far. We have spent the better part of a generation showing them that government control of your housing, your money, and your healthcare are good things when in reality they are more damaging than anything this country has ever seen. We are indoctrinating many of our black citizens that government support is the best that they can expect in this country and this attitude is deplorable!

The aftermath of hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans but at the end of every dark day comes a new day. We have seen a remarkable recovery in an area that many, including myself, talked about completely abandoning. It proves that hard work pays for itself.

Look at the areas that have seen the largest comeback and you will see people that rely on themselves not the government as their primary means of support. Why would anyone be surprised that those that are dependant on the government would be the last to receive help? Those that do for themselves and others are the ones we want to reward. Dependence only breeds ignorance and does little to sustain our society.

We as Americans, black, white, red, yellow, green, and orange, can not stand by while people like Jesse Jackson, Louis Farrakhan, Al Sharpton, and Judith Browne-Dianis tell our children that the government knows best. We can not allow them to taint the minds of our children by telling them that this country only cares what color their skin is. We can not allow these people to destroy our children’s minds with continued hatred of this country and all that it has to offer. We can not allow them to brainwash our children into thinking that this country somehow owes them something.

We must make it clear that our country was founded on principles that include hard work, sacrifice, and the kindness of strangers. We must teach our children that this country is a melting pot of people all who yearn to be free from the control of any government. We must stress that there are always tough times. We will all need a hand once in while but government “hand-outs” are not the way to a better society. Look to your neighbor when they are in need and you will be rewarded when you are in need.

We must not cling to the socialistic mentality of the current generation. We must look to the future and see a society that does not rely on the government as our way out. We must show that we can hold on to our cultural identities while not wearing it on our sleeve. We must endeavor to do better than those that came before and prove to the world and ourselves that we are all Americans and that we have left no one behind.

A free society is built by those that are independent not those that are dependant.

The Assault on Reason by Al Gore

Now I’m not the biggest Al Gore fan in the world and even in this excerpt I found a few things a little out of whack but overall I’d have to say…I’ll probably read this one.

Excerpts:

In practice, what television's dominance has come to mean is that the inherent value of political propositions put forward by candidates is now largely irrelevant compared with the image-based ad campaigns they use to shape the perceptions of voters. The high cost of these commercials has radically increased the role of money in politics—and the influence of those who contribute it. That is why campaign finance reform, however well drafted, often misses the main point: so long as the dominant means of engaging in political dialogue is through purchasing expensive television advertising, money will continue in one way or another to dominate American politics. And as a result, ideas will continue to play a diminished role. That is also why the House and Senate campaign committees in both parties now search for candidates who are multimillionaires and can buy the ads with their own personal resources.

As a result, our democracy is in danger of being hollowed out. In order to reclaim our birthright, we Americans must resolve to repair the systemic decay of the public forum. We must create new ways to engage in a genuine and not manipulative conversation about our future. We must stop tolerating the rejection and distortion of science. We must insist on an end to the cynical use of pseudo-studies known to be false for the purpose of intentionally clouding the public's ability to discern the truth. Americans in both parties should insist on the re-establishment of respect for the rule of reason.

Under the law and as a common practice people who have been convicted of a crime and have paid for their wrongful action have a right to work with out being discriminated because of their criminal background.

However the level of discrimination is subject to what field the person wishes to work: for instance a convicted felon convicted of embezzling as a CFO or accountant for a company can be subject to discrimination if he/she applies for an accounting or CFO Job.

In the school districts we run into a problem…under the law if a convicted pedophile were to apply to be a janitor…well you can not discriminate based on his/her prior conviction since it may not be in the same background. What are we to do?

AB 30 addresses this issue and allows the “educational agency to refuse to employ or to terminate from employment an individual who has been convicted of a felony and who has not been pardoned for that felony, whether or not the circumstances of the felony substantially relate to the circumstances of the particular job.”

I think that Turner and Mason should have to explain why it would be okay for criminals to work closely with our children.

Representative Robert Turner
Rep.turner@legis.wisconsin.gov
(608) 266-0731 Capitol 212 North

Representative Cory Mason
Rep.Mason@legis.wisconsin.gov
(608) 266-0634 Capitol 8 North

This quote has been haunting me for the past week.

“I would spend $1.3 million any day to get $78 million and to right the financial ship of the district so we could be talking about real improvements. So I don’t regret it for one moment,” Hicks said.

If PBCG didn’t overcharge…then why would they waive 68% of their billable charges?


JT: Financial firm denies overcharging Unified

JT: Schools consultant answers questions, defends incentives in detail

I am proud to announce that for the second straight year the State Republicans in Convention passed the following resolution without a single dissenting vote:

2007-29 Light Rail and KRM

WHEREAS, various proposals for light and commuter (KRM) rail systems in the Milwaukee-Kenosha corridor have been made in recent years, almost invariably at frightful cost to the taxpayers; and
WHEREAS, Southeastern Wisconsin does not have the density of population necessary for the economical operation of such a system; and
WHEREAS, the voters have demonstrated their opposition to light rail in referendum after referendum; and
WHEREAS, the voters have not been able to vote on the proposed KRM line; and
WHEREAS, most supporters of light and commuter rail do not intend to ride the rails themselves but just want to get the other guys off the road, whether they like it or not:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Republican Party of Wisconsin, in convention
assembled, that no public funds be expended on light or commuter (KRM) rail in Wisconsin.

This weekend as many of you know was the Republican State Convention. While I had a splendid time I came away from the event with a simple regret.

During the discussion of Resolutions, of which I was on the committee, there came an argument from Perfecto Rivera related to Immigration. The resolution states in part that:

WHEREAS, current laws and their enforcement at the federal level have not succeeded in preventing the massive movement of illegal aliens across our borders; and
WHEREAS, this situation has resulted in unsecured borders, opportunities for terrorists, and a large underground economy that is reliant on the labor of illegal aliens; and
WHEREAS, the illegal alien population in the United States is estimated at over 12 million; and

This week, May 14-18, is National Bike-to-Work Week.

For all my “green” friends out there…did you bike to work this morning?

I did! I won’t be able to do it all week due to my schedule but I will get to do it at least 3 times.

I challenge all of you to try to replace your car for your bike once this week. It doesn’t have to be to get to work but why not take your bike to Timmy’s soccer game or to visit a friend. You will be sweaty and sore but if we try to do this regularly we will be better for it!

Now before my friends think that I’ve been brainwashed by Algore’s “documentary” let me say that this encouragement is meant to make us all a bit healthier not some feeble attempt to change the climate.

That is my PSA for the week I will return you now to your regular blogging!

I decided to head home for lunch today and saw a very unique sight:

I guess there are some people who will never be satisfied…I mean there are still those with whacked out theories about the moon landing, the Kennedy assassination, and Elvis’s death so I shouldn’t be surprised that there are still those that think that…shhh…“the government” is involved.

Here is my question then…who should investigate 9/11? The government? I thought they didn’t trust these people to tell us the truth?

Scientists have reviewed the data and found nothing out of the ordinary…watch the Discovery channel sometime guys!

Citizen Against Government Waste (CAGW) called for transparency on earmark (Link) requests and asked our US Representatives to provide their requests to the public (all requests were to be submitted to the House Appropriations Committee by April 27.) Here is the letter that was sent – Letter to House.

Additionally they asked our Senators to do the same thing – Senators have until May 15th to submit their requests.

Here is what our Wisconsin Delegation said to CAGW:

Baldwin, Tammy (D-WI, 2nd) NO

Kagen, Steven L. (R-WI, 8th) NO

Kind, Ron (D-WI, 3rd) NO

Moore, Gwendolynne S. (D-WI, 4th) NO

Obey, David (D-WI, 7th) NO

Petri, Thomas E. (R-WI, 6th) NO

Ryan, Paul (R-WI, 1st) YES

Sensenbrenner, Jim Jr. (R-WI, 5th) YES

Feingold, Russell D. (D-WI) Does not request earmarks

Kohl, Herb (D-WI) NO

The Green Bay Press Gazette did an article on April 30th on this issue (how I missed it I don’t know): House lawmakers reluctant to divulge funding requests

We as humans try to justify things in our lives.

We make excuses for eating that extra piece of cake…”it was just a sliver.”

Now the left has come up with a justification that goes beyond all others…we need to raise taxes because…wait for it…the “beer tax has remained static for 37 years.”

As if raising taxes weren’t enough they are going to raise the tax by 500%!!!! Rep. Berceau even calls this 500% increase in taxes “modest.” I wonder how Rep. Berceau will vote on Doyle’s tremendous “tax budget?”

Here is Representative Berceau’s proposal and fact sheet.

While Ann Coulter may not always be at the top of my hit parade she does make some great points.

Last nights op-ed was superb!

Here is a couple of excerpts from C'EST SI BON

"It looks like the Democrats are going to have to drop their talking point about Bush irritating the rest of the world. Evidently not as much as Muslim terrorists irritate the rest of the world. The politicians who hate Bush keep being dumped by their own voters. "

"Those foreign leaders so admired by Democrats for hating George and loving Saddam are being replaced by rulers who pledge their friendship to the United States. American celebrities who threaten to move out of the country every election rather than live under a conservative leader are running out of countries to move to."

Wow, what a week! I nearly forgot today is Thursday!

Last week’s country was hard but if you understood any of the comments by still unreal and me you could have guessed that the country was Serbia!

This week’s country is not as hard. I give it 7 out of 10.

Does this:

"As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyways, so don't worry about that”

Mean this:

"What I said was that we would defeat him, meaning as a Republican, A Mormon, by definition, believes in God. They don't believe in God the way I do, but by definition, they believe in God."

Theses words were uttered by the Reverend Al Sharpton in an attempt to belittle Romney and his faith.

Can you say bigotry?

Firm's billing of Racine Unified questioned


Only the RUSD would do something like this!

According to the article above Public Business Consulting Group is allowed to collect a percentage of any savings that they bring to the district. This alone I have no trouble with. Lets be honest if thy can save us a million dollars I’m willing to pay them 5-10% of the savings.

What chafes me is that they can collect on savings that have not been made!!!

There is the possibility for them to collect money on “savings” that the district will never act on!

There needs to be some accountability…I think there needs to be an audit.



Notice that the article comes from the Milwaukee JS? Good thing someone is paying attention to Racine…God forbid our own JT print such a story!!



***UPDATE From the Racine JT site: 05/08/2007: BREAKING NEWS: School Board to consider audit of consulting firm ***

I have spent too much time replying to friends and family members that send me stupid garbage like this May 15th “gas out” that I have had enough.

In today’s postcrescent.com editorial, Long-term conservation the real answer to gas prices, they put it all out there. For all of you that think this is “gas out” is a good idea, read this editorial carefully:

Avoiding gas stations next Tuesday is just a silly idea with no real common sense behind it.

American consumers have been buzzing about this so-called "gas out" on May 15, with rampant e-mails and Internet posts championing the cause.

The theory is that if everyone boycotts gasoline purchases that day, it will play havoc with the economic principle of supply and demand and make Big Oil rethink high gas prices.

We'll take some pleasure in bursting that bubble.

People buying gasoline is not nearly as important to oil companies — and the "demand" half of the equation — as people using gasoline. In other words, if you fill the tank the day before or the day after the "gas out," the oil companies have still sold you a tank of gas and earned a profit. Whether it happens on Tuesday or Wednesday is largely irrelevant to them.

Stunts like this are an impediment to progress on the energy debate. If you really want to perturb oil companies, try not driving at all on May 15. Or the day after.

As a matter of fact, start biking to work daily. And the next time you purchase a vehicle, buy a hybrid or a "flex fuel" car that burns ethanol.

We have to fundamentally change our dependence on oil to have a tangible, long-term effect on gas prices.

Anything else is driving in circles.

I’m not talking about the retail store here I’m talking about the Great Ape Project. An article on Drudge lead me to an unusual site www.greatapeproject.org. At first glance I was admittedly curious to help. I, for one, do not believe that it is okay to tear the wings off flies or kill animals just for the fun of killing them.

My attitude toward this organization changed when I read there Declaration on Great Apes:

We demand the extension of the community of equals to include all great apes: human beings, chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas and orang-utans.

The community of equals is the moral community within which we accept certain basic moral principles or rights as governing our relations with each other and enforceable at law. Among these principles or rights are the following:

1. The Right to Life
The lives of members of the community of equals are to be protected. Members of the community of equals may not be killed except in very strictly defined circumstances, for example, self-defense.

2. The Protection of Individual Liberty
Members of the community of equals are not to be arbitrarily deprived of their liberty; if they should be imprisoned without due legal process, they have the right to immediate release. The detention of those who havenot been convicted of any crime, or of those who are not criminally liable, should be allowed only where it can be shown to be for their own good, or necessary to protect the public from a member of the community who wouldclearly be a danger to others if at liberty. In such cases, members of the community of equals must have the right to appeal, either directly or, if they lack the relevant capacity, through an advocate, to a judicial tribunal.

3. The Prohibition of Torture
The deliberate infliction of severe pain on a member of the community of equals, either wantonly or for an alleged benefit to others, is regarded as torture, and is wrong.

I just love it when Republicans speak their mind because when we speak from the heart we always hit a homerun.

Letter from State Representative Steve Nass (R - 31st Assembly):

May 4, 2007

Speaker Mike Huebsch
Room 211 West
State
Capitol

Representative Kitty Rhoades
Co-Chair, Joint Finance
Committee
Room 309 East

Dear Speaker Huebsch and Co-Chair
Rhoades:

The Joint Finance Committee is nearly two weeks into acting on the Governor’s proposed 2007-2009 Biennial Budget. The net result to-date is horrible for taxpayers and fantastic for big spenders in the Capitol. The committee evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats has failed to remove any major tax and fee increases, but has reached some compromises on how to spend money.

The current process, negotiated between the Co-Chairs, clearly favors the Senate Democrats in preserving Governor Doyle’s $1.7 billion in tax and fee increases. It’s painfully obvious that Senate Democrats won’t agree to any changes in tax and fee increases, but will accept changes to promote spending and buy friends through expanded government programs.

The delusional rants in defense of higher taxes and fees from Senators Russ Decker (Senate Co-Chair), Bob Jauch and Lena Taylor offer proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the Joint Finance Committee process is hopelessly broken and a tremendous waste of resources. It’s certain that the end product in the Joint Finance Committee will dramatically raise taxes and fees.

It is unimaginable that any Republican on the Joint Finance Committee can vote in favor of the final package, thus guaranteeing an 8-8 vote. Why waste the time and limited resources of the Legislature so the Joint Finance Committee can do nothing more than rearrange the deck chairs just prior to hitting the iceberg?

I am requesting the Assembly Republican leadership cease our participation in the process of anointing the Governor’s $1.7 billion tax and fee increases in the Joint Finance Committee. The two houses can better use the month of May to prepare starkly differing versions of the 2007-2009 Biennial Budget and move more efficiently towards a Conference Committee showdown over the future of Wisconsin.

Sincerely,

Steve Nass
State Representative
31st Assembly District

My hats go off to those of you that have been calling around trying to get the whole McGee Sr. thing out in the public.

I saw this on the Drudge Report this morning!

For more on the issue see any one of these blogs:

Badger Blogger – Patrick

RDW – Fred

Stepping Right Up! – K Carpenter

Pete Republic – Pete Fanning

Senator Robert Bennett (R-Utah) uttered these word related to the current tax code.

See the full story and podcast here from our friends at the Tax Foundation.

Senator Bennett suggests a dual tax structure consisting of consumption tax and a flat tax.

Would a 30% reduction in CO2 levels help stem Global Warming? Algore would think so but history proves him wrong.

There really are no words that can express how deeply saddened we are for the Sykes family. Our only hope is that all of our thoughts and prayers will help to lift the family up during this tough time.

To the entire Sykes family, you have our sincerest condolences.


Deadly Fire in Mequon Hits Close to Home at WTMJ

This is my blog post from May 1, 2006: Profit Margins

Here is a press release from Senator Decker May 1, 2007



I’ll reply to this crap soon…still looking up the data.

An AP story today highlights some curious questions regarding space travel: On trip to Mars, NASA must rethink death

• Should NASA genetically test their astronauts?
• Would preventative surgery help limit sick astronauts?
• How much radiation should an astronaut be exposed to?
• Should astronauts be allowed to have sex on long missions?
• How long should a work week be?
• What are they to do on their “free time” since sex is out of the question? (Sorry, I just couldn’t resist!)

I find the whole concept of protesting for illegal immigration kind of odd.

The JT has an article today which states that there will be around 500 students and family members that will be attending the protests in Racine and Milwaukee. It goes on further to state that the students did need permission slips to attend but that it is “not an official school trip.”

Question: Did this organization, Students United for Immigrant Rights, pay for the use of the 10 buses? I truly hope that this is not being put on the taxpayer’s dime!!

Many of the protests we will see in the news today are organized by the National Immigrant Solidarity Network. This organization has this catchy little slogan on their website:

1) No to anti-immigrant legislation, and the criminalization of the immigrant communities.

2) No to militarization of the border.

3) No to the immigrant detention and deportation.

4) No to the guest worker program.

5) No to employer sanction and "no match" letters.

6) Yes to a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

7) Yes to speedy family reunification.

8) Yes to civil rights and humane immigration law.

9) Yes to labor rights and living wages for all workers.

10) Yes to the education and LGBT immigrant legislation.

I was unable to attend last nights Caledonia Board meeting but thankfully Caledonia Unplugged was there and had this to say about this year’s final decision on Tabor Woods:

Common Sense Prevails in Tabor Woods Land Proposal

More accurately, common sense prevailed by default! The final vote on a motion to apply for a DNR grant to fund ½ the purchase price of Tabor Woods died on a 3-3 tie this evening.

Voting for the motion: McCalvy, Stacey and Coutts; voting against the motion: Wanggaard, Bradley and Wishau

TOP TEN REASONS THIS LAND DEAL DOESN'T MAKE SENSE:

10) The grant would pay for ½ of the purchase of 34.25 acres, of which only 11.25 acres is usable land;

Countinued…

I’m glad to see that this was rather swift…I did note that there was only minimal mention to the US involvement in uncovering the plot.

In today’s Opinion Journal there is a piece on campaign finance titled: When Talk Isn’t Cheap.

“Campaign finance laws are increasingly becoming a tool to suppress political speech, and the courts are finally waking up to the danger.”

Well I thought that my lovely wife would be the first person to get this since this is country is half of her family heritage but alas she had to peek at still unreal’s answer to get it. Last week the country was Denmark, of course!

This week, with no clue, I’d give the country a 7 of 10.

Good luck!

This finding is amazing. We have always wondered if there was life outside of our lonely planet and now we have found a planet that may contain that answer. Too bad it is so far away…that makes it hard for us to study. But on the good side at least Algore can’t claim that we caused global warming on that planet!

Potentially habitable planet found

I found this recent JT poll rather disturbing.






I’m willing to bet that in a few days we will see the headline: Majority of people favor extending METRA to Racine!

Too bad that METRA isn’t coming! They turned this idea down nearly two years ago after doing a feasibility study to find out that the population density isn’t high enough to sustain the train. This fact has not stopped the JT from trying to push this agenda for the past two years.

You have to love the ability of these people to twist the idea so that it sounds like a good idea. Notice they are more concerned about the economic power of Chicago then the education levels of Racine? I’d take a hard look at these numbers before going off on trains: http://gopfolk.blogspot.com/2007/03/rusd.html

Here is the full study by Mark Z. Jacobson, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California: Effects of Ethanol (E85) Versus Gasoline Vehicles on Cancer and Mortality in the United States

Ethanol would raise ozone levels, particularly in certain regions of the country, including the Northeast and Los Angeles.

"It's not green in terms of air pollution," said study author Mark Jacobson, a Stanford University civil and environmental engineering professor. "If you want to use ethanol, fine, but don't do it based on health grounds. It's no better than gasoline, apparently slightly worse."

Also, the ethanol produces longer-lasting chemicals that eventually turn into hydrocarbons that can travel farther. "You are really spreading out pollution over a larger area," he said.

The Green Party of Wisconsin today put out the following press release that I found on The Wheeler Report: Wisconsin Green Party Endorses SB51.

Here is what I find striking, this same organization only a few short years ago submitted a press release and resolution condemning the USA Patriot act that said the following:

“The Wisconsin Greens oppose any attempt by the government to restrict individual freedom, unless a person's actions threaten the safety or welfare of others”

The USA Patriot Act “decreases the authority of the Privacy Act of 1974, thereby leaving the government free to search and seize private records without an explanation as to why they're being searched”

“The USA Patriot Act puts Wisconsin citizens at risk of having their records (school, medical, phone, library and Internet) seized by the government unnecessarily”

“a single publicly financed plan, it would eliminate waste, runaway costs, and red tape.”

Today your taxes are due!!!

If you did not know this then you are in deep trouble!!!

If you think that you are done paying taxes though you are sorely mistaken. In Wisconsin Tax Freedom Day has slipped yet another day. We are now paying taxes until May 2nd; the national average is April 30th.

The Tax Foundation has provided the data once again for us this year: Special Report 152.

Courtesy of The Tax Foundation are the following charts:

Days Spent Working to Pay Various Taxes, 2007



Days Americans Work to Pay Taxes Compared to Other Expenses, 2007

Don't you feel better now? I was told recently that this is all part of the "social contract" we have with society...excuse me while I go vomit now...

I run for the fun of it and enjoy running marathons regularly but my job sometimes interferes with my training and my chosen race. But being 210 miles above the race course didn’t stop Sunita Williams, an astronaut, from running her version of the Boston Marathon while aboard the international space station.

According to the AP story Sunita qualified for the Boston Marathon in January at the Houston Marathon…coincidently I ran the Houston Marathon and was only 2 hours behind her…but being is space complicated her ability to run the race today. So instead she strapped herself into the space station’s treadmill and ran the race from afar.

I have to say I admire that level of dedication…I only wish that I was that dedicated to running!

Today is Blame Someone Else Day which is held the first Friday the 13th of the year and I am travleing.

A bunch of airline personel and governmental officails (TSA) to deal with today might make for an interesting day.

As I said last week was hard but it is never too hard for my readers. Thanks to Still Unreal for the clue of Dr. Doom’s homeland I didn’t have to use this lame clue: George Costanza may have learned about this country during his confirmation class…but I doubt it.

The country was Latvia (George studied Latvian Orthodox to win a girl…it didn’t work.)

This week’s country is a bit easier so you should have to climb the wall. I’d give it 5 out of 10.

The Journal Times had this link on their website this afternoon and I thought it was worth talking about here.




I “played” the game and found it to be fraught with left wing BS…as if there were only three choices in all of these circumstances!! Then when you choose the Best choice in some circumstances they say it is the worst.

This mentality is now being spread as fact and not the fictional tripe that it really is.

Then there is the one glaring issue that they did not talk about and which RUSD has perfected:

You are a weaselly superintendent and want to hold yet another referendum because you can't add any better than most of the 1st graders in your school district, when do you hold the referendum?

Fall Elections are the worst choice since there will be the most voters at the polls and many will be out for purely political reasons. You would be hard pressed to find many supporters of your $1 Billion referendum to give yourself a raise.

Spring Election time is a bad choice for holding a referendum. While those that vote in the spring are at a minimum they are usually the people that are the most well informed and least likely to give you money that you will just waste.

Summer is the Best and Only time to hold a referendum. Think about it, summer is when people are not thinking about elections. You will be lucky to get 10% of the registered voters to the poll. Most who will vote in the summer will know that there is an election because they are either teachers that don’t work the summer or parents that you can scare by saying things like “sports will be cut!”

Congrats! You can now give yourself a raise, give the teachers nothing, screw the taxpayers, and continue to fail the children and NCLB!!!

I believe that we can always do better but for some reason this 2nd grade teacher, who professes to teach “minority and high-poverty” students believes that it is best to ignore the basics for these students. (Washington Post Commentary: Classroom Caste System)

Mr. Keyes is obviously an opponent of NCLB since he believes that it has created a “caste-like system in which students' future prospects are likely to be similar to those of their parents” his reasoning seems simple: “Students in largely wealthy and white schools are learning to ask larger questions; students in poor and minority schools are only being taught to answer smaller ones.”

But Mr. Keyes’s argument is flawed. The reasoning that the schools differ is related to the “small questions” and who has the ability to answer them. The administration and the teachers in his school have failed the students that have been placed in their care by not teaching them the fundamentals. There is an old saying that we must learn to walk before we can run and Mr. Keyes would like his students to run marathons before they have learned to crawl.

If the administration is pushing the test-prep books and the students are still failing then it is time to stop teaching to the test but to teach to the students. Now this can’t be a new concept to these people, after all they did get their teaching certificates didn’t they?

NCLB is not perfect but it is not creating a gap…it is exposing the hidden secret that many teachers and administrators have wholly ignored until now. With the secret out in the light of day teachers will have to go back to teaching the basics to ALL students. They will have to hold their ground and hold back students that do not succeed. We should expect that our children can read and do math at a basic level, after all that is why we are sending them to school.

I credit my wife for pointing out this story.

I was always a fan of the comic strip B.C. I felt that it put modern life into context. Six years ago an Easter comic caused the Journal Times to drop the comic from the line up. I was personally appalled at the paper's decision to drop the comic.

6 years after this controversy Mr. Hart has perished on Easter. Johnny Hart dies at age 76.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

I know Easter was yesterday but here is the comic that caused such trouble (I apologize for the quality…it was the only version I could find.)

We last week was fun just from the stand point that I had another chance at having 2 counties listed at once and I chose not to…which means in the future I’ll have the other half of the island. Last week’s was Papua New Guinea!

This week I have no hints and it is tough!! If no one has a guess in a day or so I’ll post a few clues. I’m giving this a 10 out of 10 simply because I can not remember what the country is myself!!

Good luck!

From the file labeled “if you not right the first time try, try again”:

AP: 'Very active' hurricane season predicted

Here is the good news:

Annette Ziegler was elected to the Supreme Court.
Bill McReynolds was re-elected County Executive.
Greg Helding held on to his Aldermanic seat.
Our friends Tyson Fettes and Taylor Wishau both won out in Burlington.
Kevin Wanggaard and Bob Bradley both held onto their trustee seats.

Here is the Bad News:

Our friend Fred Dooley did not win his first Alderman seat.
Brian Dey lost to Howard Stacey and Ron Coutts won over Ken Vetrovec…Meaning that Caledonia is firmly in the clutches of “Save Don’t Pave.”

Congrats to our friends who won!

To those who lost…we are sorry. We look forward to your next adventure in local politics.