13 months & 1 day ago...

(being my first post in over 2 months, not much has gone on in D.C. other than wheel spinning on health care reform)

...I expressed my desire to have Obama be the next President.

Generally speaking, I have liked the results.

I think/thought he could have been much stronger in whipping some of those asshat Senate Dems to back a full public option; I think he took the wrong lesson from the Clinton fiasco. He took the lesson to be to not make a big public push against the drug companies, when the real lesson was, don't let your wife whom everyone hates run the operation.

However, he is completely failing a lesson from the JFK Presidential years; Or at least a pseudo-lesson.

JFK essentially learned the hard way not to trust the military industrial complex (*cough* Pentagon *cough*); The Bay of Pigs.

Obama is set to deliver an address where he will be sending troops to Afghanistan, but with some sort of strings attached, which includes a reportedly fairly vague endgame.

The problem is simple, once you given the Pentagon people the OK to go, they will create reasons to stay once there. As Keith Olbermann noted tonight in his Special Comment, these people are in the BUSINESS to keep war and/or occupations alive.

Make no mistake about it, WAR is big business. It's what they like to do, and they are like an excellent surgeon who thinks every medical solution to any medical problem is to operate. It's incredibly foolish.

Moreover, it puts troops in harms way for what? What will we really gain from this endeavor besides heartache and pain on many levels.

Finally, this may doom Obama in 2012. Unless something drastic happens, war (much like it wasn't in 2008) will NOT be the top concern of the body politic.

Election year, after election year, James Carville proves to be prophetic: "It's the economy stupid."

I don't know what this will do to any glimmer of an economic recovery, but I cannot imagine it would be good. And if this plans SOMEHOW manages to go on track as planned, it sounds like there is a soft date of 2011 to get out.

What generally happens after a war is over? The economy tanks. Ask Bush 41 what happened to his economy in 1992 after the Persian Gulf War.

No matter what happens tomorrow night at 8:00am, I will be disappointed with ANY troop increase/movement.

Obama & 2012

I steadfastly hate the Republicans and many of the social crap they spew. But, as I have consistently noted on this blog, they do what they do extremely well.

I remember watching my telly, post election day in the winter of 2008-2009 and laughing heartily at Matthews, Olbermann, Howard Fineman, Richard Wolfe (who has since whored himself out), et al. when they predicted the demise of the Republican Party.

I laughed at their baloney crap saying there were no serious potential Republican candidates left for President in 2012, and generally derided the future of the entire party.

What a bunch of fools. The Republicans know how to make a turn-around better than anyone. If I needed a firm to get me some attention, I'd hire the firm of the right-wing Republican party.

In 8? months they have successfully beaten down Obama's poll numbers, have put a serious national health care reform package on the ropes, and after recently holding their first straw poll for potential 2010 candidates, they have some serious people who could contend in 2012.

Simply put: Never underestimate the ability for the weasel Democrats to shoot themselves multiple times in multiple feet with not a handgun, but a freaking bazooka. This fantastic (*sarcasm*) ability to accomplish such a feat is exponentially compounded by the ability of the Republicans (particularly the far right) to throw any and all crap against the wall and make it stick and slime the opponent.

Hate them, but fear them. Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Beck, are all clowns in their own right and in their own ways. But, they get ratings for a reason.

One of the simple problems is the MSM's soft underbelly to the somewhat bogus implication that they lean to the left, so they overkill when given right-wing meat to sling. A right-winger speaks, the MSM is there to cover every facet, no matter how incredibly moronic that asshat appears (cue Rep. Wilson).

It doesn't help that just weeks after Sen. Kennedy dies from brain cancer, the Massachusetts legislature reverses itself from what they did in 2004, and passes a bill allowing the Governor (now Deval Patrick who is in serious trouble come November 2010) to appoint a temporary replacement to fill the vacant Senate seat, but requiring the Governor (whomever it may be) to appoint a Democrat.

This kind of foolishness makes Democrats around the country look bad, and any suggestion that folks in middle America don't hear and listen to this occurrence is moot. Right-wing radio was just given a giant bone with this one, and they know how to chew...

John Edwards busted, yet again

Former Senator, and Democrat nominee for Vice President is apparently about to admit again to more details of his affair with campaign videographer, Rielle Hunter.

Not only is the grand jury in Raleigh, North Carolina continuing to meet on charges that Edwards may have illegally used campaign funds to pay this woman silent concerning the affair, Edwards will finally admit that the child she gave birth to shortly after their affair began is, in fact, his.

I was a big Edwards supporter, but this is not exactly a surprise.

Obama and The Joker posters/campaign

WOW! There is a campaign that has been exploding across the country, as I first heard about it a few weeks ago:

President Obama depicted as "The Joker" from the last Batman installment, played by the late Heath Ledger.

In this story it notes the radio personality pushing people to hang these posters up isn't of any particular political party. But, seriously?...this is the work of some Republican/Conservative type people.

I have always given credit for these bastards at being able to get nasty in a fight, and this is just another example of how it's being proved.

These people are really sick. Truly.

"Gonzo" Skip Gates

First, Obama did himself and the nation NO favors by answering the question received on the Skip Gates & Cambridge P.D. (CPD) incident.

Onto the incident. Through all the reports I think some things are able to be stipulated and this is how I think this went down:

Gates tried breaking into his own home with some help from a driver. Woman saw two men trying to break in the back door of house, called the CPD.

Gates got in the house, the driver left. I'm sure at this point, with all this annoyance with getting into his own house without his keys, Gates was already frustrated and ready to pop.

CPD roll up to the house, and ring the doorbell. An already agitated Gates is quick to get snippy and not wanting to show some ID because it is his house. Reluctantly shows his ID to CPD, with either the tacit implied notification that the CPD would then go away, or the CPD told him they just needed to see his ID and they'd be on their way (you know the old cop trick of asking just to see one thing, then it's another one thing, then another...). I think it's entirely fair for them to ask for his ID and for them to run a background check on a car computer of via dispatch. Just because your address is a match on your ID, doesn't mean you're always allowed to be there. Think restraining orders.

When the CPD doesn't go away, Gates already agitated, tired, wanting to go to bed, loses his cool; He begins shouting at the CPD because he feels he's being persecuted and thus, starts to make a scene.

Thing is, he is inside his house; Where it seems you can legally yell and be completely obnoxious to a cop. At some point the CPD walks out of the house...hold on...this was either on their own accord, or they asked Gates to take the discussion outside according to some reports...my guess is the former. Therefore, I think Gates, still angry as piss, follows them out of his house to finish giving them a piece of his mind.

I think this was a case of racial profiling. However, NOT by the CPD, but by the woman who phoned into the CPD in the first place.

Gates, in my view, clearly overreacted to epic proportions. However, when the CPD found out who he was, they should have left him alone. Walk away.

Both sides have tremendous egos, but the CPD had an obligation to walk away. That was their only misstep.

Teaching & Discrimination

A N.J. substitute teacher who underwent sex-reassignment surgery is quitting her substituting efforts in the two districts that she was working.

I remember this story and being impressed with the districts but, extremely wary of the prospects Ms. McBeth would truly face once the bright lights were off the situation and the cold hand of discrimination took hold.

The two districts were: A. Eagleswood, B. Pinelands Regional. Before the operation McBeth received 15 to 18 assignments a year in Eagleswood, and 16 to 20 a year in Pinelands Regional.

Since she has had the reassignment completed, McBeth has only gotten 2 assignments from each district over the course of two years.

What do the Superintendents say? Deborah Snyder, the Eagleswood schools superintendent, said the district has hired a permanent substitute to report to work each day and fill in as needed. She also noted that the district turns to its list of certified teachers. Only after that is exhausted does it call subs from the local hiring list that included McBeth. The Pineswood Regional Superintendent declined a comment.

Okay 2 quick points of rebuttal:

1. Hiring one (Snyder said "a") substitute does not fill all your need across a district, even if it's a small district (enrollment in 2007-2008 is reported to be 142).

2. Knowing people who hire/call for substitutes, when you find a good substitute for your school that your employed teachers like, you put them at the top of your list and they become one of the first people you call.

As a teacher I can say the only thing worse than having to be out a day and prepare lesson plans for a substitute (yes, I write my plans out a week ahead, but it's often in short-hand, and when you have a sub you have to make everything clear), is to come back to your classroom the next day and hear reports of how awful the sub was.

Healthcare Heartache Healing

Fixing our health care system is a hot topic that has the potential to make massive positive changes in the lives of perhaps hundreds of millions of Americans, and make the health care system run more efficiently and effectively for all. For the Record: All the bitching about government bureaucrats running health care from Washington is bogus argument, when private bureaucrats in for-profit insurance companies are deciding whether you can get even the most simple treatments for a cold sore.

Many solutions are being put forth by many well-meaning, and some not-so-well meaning people (*cough* big pharma *cough*).

The buzz if out there that we will not be able to snag a single-payer type of health care system. While, I am not inclined enough to cleanly give an opinion that I would feel firm about (yes, I realize this fact hasn’t stopped me in the past, nor will it in future), I am posting here to attack one idea that has been floated out there, something that Obama and his administration seems to embrace. I believe I recall him touting this idea during the campaign, so I would bet this will be in any health care legislation passed.

This idea is reflective of a pattern seen in my field of choice: education. The prevalence of using test scores of students to “reward good teachers” is unfortunately become a reality in some districts, or is on track to become as such.

Now we have the following idea in health care from the USA Today: “Reward doctors and hospitals not just for how many procedures they perform but how well their patients fare.” This idea sounds fantastic! I admit I liked it initially at first, but upon further reflection and analysis, there are significant drawbacks in my opinion that do not necessarily address some problems within health care.

Two other quick hits from the article:

“One of every four heart failure patients and slightly less than one in five heart attack and pneumonia patients land back in the hospital within 30 days, data show.” – A clear hazard of running a health care system for profit & having literally no focus on prevention. As people who have these problems aren't sufficiently supervised post-op and are often sent home too early.

“…patients have higher death rates at hospitals in the nation's poorest and smallest counties, compared with those in larger, more affluent areas.” – Similar to the problem w/ testing in education. (Yes, there are those examples of poor, inner city schools who are shining and getting a great %age of their students to pass their standardized tests, but they are far from the norm. Moreover, those who say the teachers at the other school in the inner city who aren’t able to get good testing schools are “failing” really don’t get the pathology of the inner city student and inner city life (I don’t either, given I am a white boy from middle America)) But, the bigger, better hospitals that have more money to pay the best doctors are, of course, more likely to have better a lower death rate.

Not only are the doctors more likely better and more experienced, those areas with more affluent socioeconomic status are also more likely to have healthier patients to begin with. Even more so, they are more likely to follow doctor’s orders via prevention (eating/exercise habits), and they are more likely to be able to follow doctor’s orders.

By instituting this policy, it would cause these already struggling hospitals to struggle even more when they don’t get MORE government funding. The system in America continues to be ass backwards. Two examples:

1. The credit industry charges lower interest rates to the rich who can easily make their payments, while they screw low-income people with ridiculous rates and make it incredibly hard for them to gain equity and capital.

2. Some proposals in education "reform" include hitting those failing schools whose students don't pass those stupid standardized tests with lower government funding.

Finally, there was also a report out yesterday noting the rate of mistakes made every year in hospitals by doctors and other staff that cause injury or even death. We MUST insist on further funds to encourage young people to encourage them to go into doctoring and nursing (just like Obama has discussed doing for education). There is an incredible shortage of doctors and nurses, and we haven’t hit the big boom from those damn Baby Boomers yet. These people are often overworked because there is such a shortage, and any legislation should give allowances for these grants and also some mandatory working hour limitations. I would argue most hospital mistakes are made because the people are ridiculously tired and have too many patients to keep track of. They need relief and we should demand they get it.

Pathetic Palin Pontification

Ahhh, yes. The soon to be ex-Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, is making news because of her quit job.

Speculation as to the cause for this sudden leaving of thy office has ensued. From: She's going to run for Resident. To she's leaving politics altogether.

Clearly, she got her ass kicked and beat up pretty harshly by the media, during and after her VP run. However, she asked for it by getting into that spotlight. I think the woman is seriously misguided in her views, and she's a bit of a lightweight, but I refuse to believe she was so obtuse to not be aware of what she was subjecting her family to when she accepted the Old Geezer's invite to be on the ticket. That said, no one can prepare for the glow of national Presidential politic spotlight.

She could pull a John Edwards after his 2004 run: He studied his ass of an boned up on issues for a solid two years, before fucking a campaign staffer and nearly becoming the next Gary Hart.

She no doubt will make the lecture circuit rounds, and her book will be coming out. This will allow her to get some cash.

She may be making this move in anticipation of a 2012 run, since she's really the only star in the Republican party at this point. Romney, Pawlenty, Jindal, Newt, none of those are sexy to a wide national population in my view. There are other lesser knows as well.

If she is going to make a run, which I don't think she knows yet, she's continuing to make mistakes in her public appearances/statements and/or official actions. Her personal attorney apparently has fired off a letter warning the press on printing 'defamatory material' related to the investigation into whether she embezzled funds during the building of a sports arena in her home town. This action, will undoubtedly call for coverage, which has been largely silent in MSM papers thus far.

Not to mention her "press conference" to make her quitting announcement appeared to be hastily put together, like the dress of the Argentine woman S. Carolina Gov. Sanford was screwing.

Moreover, her quitting because she had some rough patches, should come up if she so chooses to make a run. She wanted to be the VP behind an old geezer who was doomed to die from the stress of the job, and then assume the Presidency. The President of the United States has to make some tough calls, tough decisions, and they can't quit everytime they get some coverage in the press that *in my best whiny and babyish voice* "isn't fair!" She clearly doesn't have the stones, the grit necessary for the job. Quitting an Alaskan governorship that, like Bush's Texas gig, is a fairly simple state to Govern, shows tremendous weakness and a lack of professionalism, and fortitude needed to be a President. She thinks the coverage was tough this time when she was the VP, just wait til she announces her run for President, and the press has MONTHS to dig up all the dirty shit she must have stashed under a stack of mattresses somewhere.

Paling seems desperate in her attempts to keep her name in the news, when she should be doing exactly the opposite. The more Americans hear from her these next two year, the less they will like her. She can go campaign for other Republicans, which I am also sure she will do, in order to build up some cache, and more importantly, favors. But, no more of this national news crap. She needs to lay low if she has any chance.

For she can only play the poor baby I'm a woman card so many times. Too often, she'll look like the lightweight she is, but worse, she'll look overly emotional. And as much as the middle-aged American conservative male may have wet dreams about having their way with her hot ass, they will not vote for her if she is perceived as an emotional train-wreck waiting to happen.

I think she will test the waters and will run, and may even stay in it towards the very end in the 2012 Republican race to lose to Obama. But, there's no way she gets through the Republican gauntlet without doing some serious homework.

Three Convenient Arguments/Issues

1. Life really does start the minute the sperm enters and fertilizes the egg.

- As a pro-choice advocate, people of my ilk tend to argue that life doesn't begin until the child breaths after coming out of the birth canal. This is clearly balderdash, and anyone with a brain knows that life begins at fertilization. The argument goes that even though the egg is fertilized, it cannot have sustainable life outside of the womb. This is true, but it's still a VERY young human being.The proverbial bubble boy from a Seinfeld episode is a human being, he doesn't cease to be a human being simply because he can't live outside his bubble (much like a womb).

2. Violence on TV really does do damage to youngin's.

- As a massive free speech advocate, being the one issue I would be willing to die a fiery death for, I have always argued the position that television has no effect on young children when they are watching it. However, I have always believed this is false. My problem, and why I support those who argue this falsehood, is censoring television is NOT the right answer. Proper parenting is.

3. Whether or not being a homosexual is a choice really doesn't matter.

- Liberals and activists for homosexuals generally argue that being gay is not a choice. I happen to think this argument is moot. However, I support those who make the argument that being gay isn't a choice, it's ingrained at birth. This is the only clear way to battle the religious whack jobs in this country.

Change & Hope Continue in Mississippi

James Young, the new mayor of Philadelphia, Mississippi, knows what it was like to be harassed by the KKK. Philadelphia is the home to one of the most notorious civil rights events in US history: The assassination of three civil rights workers who were registering black people to vote back in 1964.

For the first time, this town has a black mayor. Change is a slow mo-fo, but when it comes, it is very sweet.

North Korea delivers a laugher

Perhaps I shouldn't find this story to be hysterically funny, but I do: "North Korea threatened Wednesday to wipe the United States off the map" - Puhlease! *walks away laughing his ass off*

Kim Jong Il is a funny guy...baaaaaaaahahahahahahahahaha. Funny guy, indeed!!

The AMA & it's doctors are shameful

During an address at a meeting of the American Medical Association (AMA), Obama was booed for even suggesting the idea of reforming health care that may actually save money.

These people should be ashamed of themselves. Doctors, who have saved my life MANY a times in my short little life, should be ashamed to have the clowns at the AMA represent them in this manner.

These people swear an oath to care for all, no matter the cash the dump into their pocket. The doctors I have seen are the best of the best and they should be paid handsomely, but there's a line to be drawn where it gets so out of hand.

They know there needs to be reform, and they should have the cojones to do their part.

The majority of any cuts in compensation for services in this area should be hammered on the drug companies, but some of the elite of the elite doctors should also be willing to take a bit of a pay cut or retire.

You didn't get into medicine to make millions, and if you did...then you don't deserve to be a doctor anyways.

I am a teacher, and I don't do my craft for a giant load of cash. I love my job, and it can be a tough job. It would be nice to make more cash, but I am not looking for other employment because of it. Moreover, I am in support of a wage freeze that my school system has passed for the next school year to save money in our budget since we are so strapped.

Doctors of the AMA, I implore you to vocally support the changes Obama wants to make to the health industry. Yes, the health care industry as currently constructed works well for YOU, but what about those millions of Americans who are getting screwed by having no insurance or really crappy insurance?

We should be working together to kick the insurance companies' ass. Hello people!!

School Vouchers suck, and here's why...

Nate Silver over at 538.com discusses who is calling for school vouchers: Rich whites and poor black people. Who does this leave out...AGAIN...as always? The middle class. I would love to see some actuarial study showing a breakdown of how much the middle class gets for their money compared two the rich and the poor. The rich spend a ton, but they get a ton. The poor don't spend much, but there are gov't programs giving them something. I'm just sayin'...

Now, here's why they suck...and there's a simple reason why: Lets say school X sucks bad. Three miles away, school Y is one of the best in the city. So, a generous group of parents from school X, decide to take the school choice and move their children to school Y.

This causes class sizes in school Y to go up, and any teacher worth their salt will tell you that class size matters. Class chemistry can matter even more, but by adding more pupils, you make keeping the chemistry right that much more tenuous.

The effect will be that school Y plummets in it's performance on test scores, causing the parents to get miffed yet again. Meanwhile, the lost of cash to school X has been crippling. Leaving the students who are poorer to be stuck at a crappy school with less money than before, and no hope of really getting better for years to come.

This is why the families in the inner cities supporting school vouchers flummox me. There is NO WAY the cash they will get as their voucher will seriously cover the full cost of tuition at another school, leaving them stranded with no school to call their own.

Look, as an educator, I know some things need to be fixed. But, it costs money to teach students well. A LOT of money! There's an old saying in the financial investing world: "You have to spend money to make money."

Well, you have to spend money to teach students effectively. We should in no way be trying to do this on the cheap.

Obama is wrong again

A disappointing trend is showing up within the Obama Administration. For a man who ran on the campaign promise of being the most transparent in history, he is failing at this in one very simple area: The Obama Administration is continuing the Dubya policy of not releasing the visitor's logs.

Case law has struck down a Presidential privateer claim that these logs are protected, and are allowed to be kept hidden from the public. Obama has failed to follow the law like his predecessor, and that is a shame.

What is he hiding?

A Liberal's Affirmation

Since I started this humble blog, and ever since I've been talking politics smack...I have argued that as a bloke from the "Heartland," I knew the thinking behind right-wing wackos.

I have also argued that left wingers need to chill the fuck out when it comes to harassing Presidents we liberals are more similar to: Clinton & Obama.

Liberals are at a voting disadvantage of people who identify themselves as such. The data proves it via a new press release on some poll data.

Now, this could be a reflection of the word "liberal" being considered a dirty word by a large chunk of Americans due to the fantastic branding of the word by the Republican party and some people who actually hold a large portion of liberals views, but they can't bring themselves to face the reality that they are in fact liberals.

Tangent: I hate republicans, but they do know how to use language to brand something in such a way that liberals/democrats have never been able to match...we don't have quite the stomach for the cheap distortions the right is so willing to participate in...despite my pleas.

However, despite this effective branding, I think that this the poll shows a largely accurate picture of the political leanings and views of America's body politic. This country continues to lean right, although those days are numbered as the baby boomers go down the death trail of religious-wacko-tears.

White Men, Black people, Gays, & a movie

“Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner” – a great movie released in 1967 with the legendary Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn.

Also, a movie I think a majority of Americans still need to see today, as the attitudes addressed in this movie and the undercurrents addressed are still gnawing at the fabric of this great country.

Not, that I had any doubt about this, as I have always spoken out against the irrational, moronic people on the extreme right who think anyone not white and male MUST be taking SOMETHING from them…it has to be!

Moreover, I would love to see a studio re-make/re-format this movie and instead put two gay men or two lesbian women in this situation. Just to address the same type of prejudice and attitudes found in the original screenplay.

You Should Dump Your Health Insurance Immediately

Yes...seriously. Why?

According to a recent study by Harvard: Families who encounter medical problems with private insurance reported average out-of pocket medical bills of $17,749, while the uninsured's bills averaged $26,971. Of the families who started out with insurance but lost it during the course of their illness, medical bills averaged $22,658.

These people were forced to file for bankruptcy as a middle-to-lower class households. So, what's $9 grand more when filing for bankruptcy?

Sounds like an argument to save the cash from the monthly health insurance premium and spend it on jelly donuts.

Ohhh, the many reasons we need health insurance reform in a major way!

The 'Warrior' Gene and boy aggression

A fascinating article abut a study is a potentially eye-opener. Studies apparently have linked the level of aggression in a given boy to the activity/presence of a specific gene within their DNA that is passed of genetically.

I may be overstating or mistaking the specific of the studies, as the bulk of the studies are set to be released in an upcoming issue of Comprehensive Psychiatry.

A very interesting look at what causes such aggression in some boys and not so much in others. This development could begin to explain the lure and the likelihood of gagng violence as a systemic problem in this country.

However, I still think social policy would take of this and the lack of hope and a positive male role model in a young child's life is the real culprit of males joining gangs in such numbers. These studies could give some light into how we can maybe address and treat such conditions in the future if absolutely necessary.

6 and counting

Hmmmm....New Hampshire's Gov. Lynch signs bill making it the 6th state to allow gay marriage....the tide may FINALLY be turning.

Why Conservatives should like the Obama "dates"

I'm tired of the right wing busting Obama's ass about these "dates" he and the First Lady are taking.

I think this is sweet. Moreover, I think it shows good "family values."

It's clear the president and the First Lady have a fantastic marriage and they know how to keep the sparks going that will keep their love affair going for a long time.

Isn't this the picture-perfect image of marriage that the right wing so often wants to project? Here's a couple, clearly in love, raising their two young daughters the appropriate way.

The Obama's are providing a terrific role model for all of America on how to cherish your spouse, and have a healthy marriage.

These little scheduled "dates," are a common solution that marriage counselors prescribe for a marriage that is in trouble and for a couple that needs to re-discover their intimacy.

It is a heartwarming and sweet thing to see them going out on the town together and it's so obvious that they adore and love each other. It's a treat really.

A drive for data is killing schools

An article from yesterday's NYT detailing the plight of the new Principals within the NYC school system, and how well or not so well new Principals are doing.

As a teacher, I have argued that this drive for data and showing progress via data is counter-productive. A percentage from a standardized test means jack to me, I'm sorry.

Just today with the announcement of Sotomayor from the Obama Administration (boy was I wrong eh?!?! - DOH!) for the next Supreme Court Justice, we heard about this famous case ruling concerning firefighters. At issue was whether a government could take a standardized test that no African-American passed and use that to justify promotions.

Inherent bias has been known to happen in such "standardized" tests, and to judge a student's career on such tests is inherently unfair, unethical, unwise, and asinine.

As a Special Educator who does the initial testing to determine whether a student qualifies for Special Education services, I take my job extremely seriously and I take great pains to asses the child fairly, properly, and with the utmost care. This is because the minute I determine that X student needs Special Education services, that student is needing those services: a virtual label is slapped on their forehead for life. The fact that they were a Special Education student will be in their school record for life, and it will likely be in their medical records for life as most parents consult with their family pediatrician about such needs.

To say I take my responsibility serious, is an understatement of epic proportions. Some in my field, including some administrators do not get it, and they take the tests I do as gospel, and they rely far too easily and quickly on the numbers instead of looking INTO the data. And, quite honestly, I have been encouraged/told/forced to use the numbers to justify or make my case on some occasions.

A graft from the article: "Peter McNally, executive vice president of the principals’ union — which has generally supported the mayor’s reforms — said the biggest complaint from members was “that they spend more time looking at the data than in classrooms observing and supporting instruction.” Indeed, many had deep reservations about a system in which, as one principal put it, “my report card is my boss.”"

Principals here complaining about looking at data...well, yeah, that blows. Imagine being the poor bastard who had to subject his/her students to all that data gathering...it's not a lot of fun gathering the data and it's a ton of hard work for what tantamounts to what may be a marginally good, broad view of a student's ability in a given subject area or topic.

Transgendered law takes a hit

The Calif. State Supreme Court = douchebags.

The California voters said they didn't want gay marriage, so you went with it eh? If they voted to re-enslave all African Americans, would that be okay too? This ruling is sloppy, lazy, and bad law that will likely be used as precedent in some other ruling.

This totally lame ruling has set back transgendered rights in this country...

Mueller embraces the "sticky icky"

Within the past week FBI director Robert Mueller admitted in sworn testimony to the United States Congress that marijuana has never killed anyone.

Calling the SC Sweepstakes

If you're paying attention to political events as I do, you are probably aware of the impending Supreme Court vacancy, and thus, nominee from President Obama.

The six names/people being considered are well known to political junkies: U.S. Appeals Court judges Sonia Sotomayor and Diane Wood, Solicitor General Elena Kagan, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno.

The buzz in Washington is that Obama will announce his choice by Tuesday. Therefore, I feel it is my duty the blogosphere *chokes on his own self-importance* that I make my call for who I think Obama will take.

First, I hope it is NOT Napolitano. She hasn't much impressed me much, but even more so...Obama doesn't need the hassle of filling yet another Cabinet position. For that reason alone, I doubt she'll be picked.

My choice is simple: Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Why?

1. She's Canadian born, which means there is no chance for this terrific woman to be elected into the Presidency.

2. Her second term as Governor is almost up, and she is term-limited, as decided by Michigan voters in a 1992 referendum.

3. She's a consensus builder, and I think that is a trait important to have when deciding on a Supreme Court candidate. I firmly believe Chief Justice Roberts will do a ton of damage during his likely long tenure because he is known as a consensus builder who and an affable fellow. This is how you get your policy/worldview to be more accepted by others, not by being a Scalia/Thomas firebrand.

4. She's only 50. Chief Justice John Roberts is 54, and it behooves Obama to pick someone young who can hang in there year after year with Roberts and at least try to give some balance.

5. She's got the street cred: Harvard Law School (J.D.) & University of California, Berkeley (B.A.).

6. Finally, since her term is essentially over, she has nowhere to go. She's not going to run for the US House of Representatives, as that would be a step down from being Governor. She can't run for Senate. Both Democratic Michigan Senators are entrenched in their seats (even with old Carl Levin being re-elected just this past fall).

Gov. Granholm is a bright star in the Democratic party and it's going to be a damn shame to lose her when her term is up. Let's put her to good use and make her a star in a more subtle way.

Cheney can suck on it

There 33 international terrorists currently held in supermax prisons on US soil; no one's ever escaped from a supermax prison...

I hate to admit, however, that yesterday's speech duel between Obama and Darth Cheney...the heart attack waiting to happen won.

Only because he has the ease to speak his mind, and be was able to be very direct about his views while mixing in some dubious lies, false choices, and whopper beliefs/delusions.

Dick was also blunt about supposed CIA documents he can claim back up his position, while not having the ability to access them....err...wait, he does have people around who would gladly get them to him to leak or leak them for him...turns out he must be lying because if he wasn't those documents would be splattered all over FoxSnooze by now.

No terrorist attacks since 9/11 eh Dick? Well, thanks for not paying attention so there actually WAS a 9/11.

Moreover, as statistical analysts know, correlation does not mean causation.

Still, Obama better hope NOTHING squeaks through...

An Obama Disappointment?

I was wondering why the auto industry seemingly caved so quickly to the announced new fuel standards they must reach by the year 2016. I sort of assumed that the Administration was able to pin their collective arms behind their back and push them into it, but apparently...as things go in Washington...looks can be deceiving.

According to this car expert?...there are some devilish details in the bill just signed into law that makes me much less enthused about the passage of the law. It seemingly has no serious impact due to some loopholes...hate loopholes.

I admittedly do not understand the technical mumbo-jombo jargon, but it sounds like car manufacturers can simply improve the efficiency of air conditioning units in automobiles, and not have to improve the fuel-efficiency.

Although, as the MythBusters have shown, just running the AC in a car does impact how fast said car burns through a tank of fuel. So, I would take this finding as gospel, but it does make one think about things.

Were calling this "sexting?"...seriously???

This phenomenon is terrific...I'm sorry, but it is.

This week there has been the story about this girl from a high school who was happy, popular, and all that crap (I'd find the link to story, but it's 3am and I'm busy eating Cheetos with a damn fork!)...well...she texted a nude picture of herself to her high school boy-toy and what do you know...the whole entire school ended up seeing her nude self.

She's distraught and she ends up whacking herself. Call me callous, as I can be, but this chick should get a nomination for the end of year Darwin Award. This is because one has to be INCREDIBLY daft to think that a high school boy, upon getting a nude pic of a hot girl texted to him, wouldn't send it along to his best buds...who would proceed to forward that son-bitch to the entire freaking state.

Well, now state governments and the federal government is looking at laws surrounding the "sexting."

For the record: I do not think "sexting" should be illegal in any way whatsoever.

For the record: I do not think the original recipient of the text of the nude young lady from the same lady should be prosecuted for child porn charges. That is unless, he does forward the pic onward to his friends. Then I'd be okay with some type of arrest record created, so he now has a file, be booked, and then given a fixed amount of community service upon his first offense (this goes for anyone else who forwards the picture on).

For the record: I support and endorse all students from grade 6 (maybe even earlier) to have yearly sexual education classes...no I mean real sexual education classes. The sex-ed classes we went to were such a joke it was ridiculous. And we were given some sex-ed in health class in high school, but it really should be it's own separate class with separate professional (I do NOT mean porn stars) teachers, and taught in sex-segregated rooms, with perhaps some activities that bring the two sexes together.

This includes frank discussion about masturbation, condom use, oral sex, anal sex, other ways to be intimate, the potential drawbacks to having sex (infections, diseases, a unit on babies), and the dangers of having ANY picture/video of you running around with your birthday suit on taken and how that could be disseminated to people you don't want to see it.

I continue to be tired of these parents not doing their bleeping job. But, perhaps we as a country should help them:

For the record: I am also for the establishment of night/weekend classes for parental units so they know how teens are able to communicate in the newly-wired world. Give parents at least some clue as to how quickly teens can find themselves in trouble, and give parents real, pro-active, and practical tools to help them help their children.

On the news a few nights ago, some expert said parents should monitor their text messages. Okay, the only way to do that really is see the itemized bill you may or may not get from the cell phone company and see what numbers texts were sent to and maybe the size of the text. There's really NO way to monitor text messages, like there was with e-mail where you could simply disconnect the internet connection when you went to sleep, or set up some kind of filter that sent a copy of all e-mails to you or something.

Alright...look...it's a damn shame this young woman had to off herself because some jackass sent the picture only meant for him to a few of his buds and it ended up going through the entire school. But, this is exactly what stupid teens who don't tend to think rationally need to hear...and by getting the message out there TRUTHFULLY about sex and the choices therein...we can mostly curtail this type of thing from happening.

Education, honest education (not right-wing religious psycho-babble about how if you touch your genitalia you're going to burn in hell for eternity), is the key here...not child-porn laws and laws about "sexting."

I think our law enforcement professionals have enough shit to worry about at this juncture.

Proof positive Obama IS keeping us safe

SUCK IT REPUBLICANS...and especially you...DICK!

Per the Talking Points Memo blog from Mr. Marshall: "four African-American Muslims were arrested this evening in New York City and charged with a plot to bomb a series of sites in city, including several synagogues."

Here's link to updated NY Times story.

The Cheney confessions

It's annoying, and frankly, disappointing that this fat lard ass feels the need to blab his mouth all over the television.

However, the scary part is that I don't think he's doing this for kicks, for the hell of it, or just to throw dirt in the eyes of the Obama Administration, I think he is yapping his fat trap because he honestly and truly believes what he he has cooking in the pot of crap he is stirring.

This is the scariest aspect of this display by the former Vice President.

Finally, FoxSnooze made a big deal about taking on the criticism he's gotten by liberals and Gore specifically by highlighting how Gore came out against the Dubya's policies in late 2002.

Fine, Gore may have been overstating by a bit when he said he didn't criticize the new Dubya Administration publicly for two years...he was a few months off (Jan 2001 to late 2002 is damn near 2 years tho).

But, that is certainly much longer than 100 freaking days into the new administration.

My goodness this man is psychotic and perhaps clinically delusional!

Newt the nominee?

Quietly, ever so quietly, Newt Gringrich has positioned himself as perhaps the leader of the Republican party when that fat fuck Limberger shuts his hole and lets the party move on closer to the 2012 Presidential election cycle.

Don't look now, but 365 days from now, the 2012 Republican race for the nominee will have started.

Likely players at this juncture include: Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul (their version of Ralph Nader), and I'd even say...Haley Barbour.

The only one of those who has been keeping his name in the papers/news, but doing so quietly is Newt. Newt came to popularity in 1994 with his "Contract with America," sweeping the Democrats out of the Congress after they rammed the gay/lesbian issues down Clinton's throat (sound familiar lefty loonies?).

He fell out of favour when he couldn't control his party and he was exposed for being a tremendous schmuck of a husband.

But look out for him making his triumphant return tour. He is constantly on FoxSnooze (I know because I see him every time I fly by that shithole) making what is most likely a sound, rational, reasonable argument for policy X, Y, and/or Z. He is a clever guy, do not discount him or demean him. He's crafty.

I don't think he'd be crafty enough to make it to the nominee status because of his past history. That is probably remembered by most American voters who were around back in the late 90s, but when the glare of the Presidential Campaign hits his dirty, ugly spots...he will hopefully be pushed aside by the Christian people in middle America who found his behavior towards both of his first two wives to be unforgivable.

No matter, however, as he can still prove to be dangerous. He may not be the nominee, but he could be a solid VP pick, and if not that, he can shape the debate in a clever way that can catch people's attention and cause them to vote Republican come 2012.

I'm just sayin'...

The Pelosi-Panetta Problem

The Repos are seemingly thinking that they are smelling blood in the water. I think it's possible there may be blood shed in this little dust-up, but I still think the Repos better be careful for they may reap what they sow. A few thoughts on this development:

1. Pelosi had better be telling the truth. I initially thought she was caught lying like a sailor, but after former Sen. Bob Graham came out and backed up her assertion that they were not told about water-boarding during the first briefing from the CIA, I tend to give her more credibility. However, if she's lying, she's toast, and she'll deserve to be toast.

2. New CIA Chief Leon Panetta says that the CIA did not mislead Pelosi and others during that initial briefing back in 2002. Okay, what else would he say...really?! He just got into the job, he has to back up his men publicly even if he believes they screwed the pooch here. Moreover, this is the case because Cheney still has some people who he has influence with in the inner-workings of that agency, and Panetta needs to win them over. Bashing the former administration and stabbing your people in the back isn't a way for a new Director to win friends, and curry favor for things he may need later down the line. So, what Panetta says is no surprise to me.

3. According to the documents I've seen/heard about, the CIA put out the notes they had from the briefing. A couple easy points here to combat these notes which seem to damn Pelosi:

a. There is that possibility that the CIA has falsified these "notes." I find it particularly appalling and pathetic that Repos are going around saying the CIA would NEVER lie to them during a briefing, or even mislead them. Hello! They are the C-I-fucking-A...that's what they do! They are in the business of lies and deception. Goodness, how obtuse!

b. From what I recall, the documents say something fairly vague about the mention of enhanced interrogation techniques being used and the mention of that during the briefing. Okay, this could be anything, and the CIA briefers could have just not mentioned water-boarding as one of those "techniques." There was nothing in those documents that specifically stated that water-boarding was discussed, so to assume that it was discussed is patently unfair to Pelosi and those who were given the briefing.

I wonder if it's possible that a CIA puppet briefing controlled largely by the strings attached in the then Vice President's office could have been essentially a sham....hmmmmmm...tough call there. NOT!

We know the country was lied into a war against Saddam and Iraq, centering on WMD. If they would lie their way into an unjust, unfounded war for kicks, what would stop the Dubya administration from either lying/misleading during a CIA briefing and/or falsifying documents/notes from said briefing?

Pelosi is now calling for a clearing of the air, and I hope she gets the Repos to bite. If they bite, this will get ugly, but not for Dems...it will get ugly for the Repos and it will cause the Cheney story to dominate the political landscape for months, if not years. This would be helpful to an Obama re-election, but also to the President getting his agenda passed through without much fuss.

More on Cheney in a moment.

Here comes the Loony Left!

One could predict this occurrence like one could predict the rising sun in the morn: The loony left has finally begun to squawk.

As they did to Bill Clinton, the loony left is making a big stink about an issue that most of America is not ready for...Transgenders, especially those in the military.

Clinton made a foolish, foolish mistake early on in his Presidency by giving these loony lefties the time of day and throwing them a bone, which turned out to be a colossal failure and was supported by no one: Don't ask, don't tell.

Whatever these loony lefties want, Obama will do wise to ignore them and use intermediaries to tell them to shut the fuck up.

I am a left leaning liberal myself, as I have often noted on these digital pages, and I completely support the rights of transgenders to marry, adopt, have coitus on the White House lawn, and generally exist without being harassed by the lesser of our beings. However, Obama has a historic chance here to ram home some serious democrat policy that has the potential to shape America for decades to come.

Policy that will show why Democrats should be in charge, and policy that shows that regulation is not a dirty word and it can often be a great thing for the Average Joe American.

Once we get these basics passed through the Congress, and once the economy turns completely around and Obama appears for an easy landslide re-election, THEN we can attack the soft underbelly of the social conservatives by putting forth policy that would give sweeping rights and privileges to our Transgendered friends and enacting other liberal social policies (legalizing marijuana, etc).

So, please loony left...tone down your pressure on Obama. He is but one man. A man who has a ton of shit to clean up after, and you giving him crap is NOT going to help him be as successful as he can be as our President.

A government employee to be proud of!

The next time you find yourself in a hellish argument with some right-wing whacko who is droning on and on about how government employees are the laziest and worst kind of employees, feel free to trot out the example of one former FDA Commissioner David Kessler.

While Commissioner, this man dumpster dived to find the ugly truth behind the food industries products when they were unwilling to hand over the goods on how they made their products.

Yes, a government employee, a high-level one at that, dumpster dived...willingly...now THAT'S going beyond the call of duty folks!!!! Bravo David!

Once a weasel...

Arlen "Abraham" Specter has always been a weasel. Leave it to him to do something completely self-aggrandizing and something that will inevitably save his own arse.

However, this weasel didn't show such humility when Sen. Jim Jefford's switched from the Republican party to the Independent party in 2001.

The real story today should have been simply: Why has Al Franken NOT been seated yet?!?!?!?! This is fucking ridiculous.

In this case, Olbermann is dead wrong

In his Friday, March 27, 2009 edition of Countdown on MSNBC, Keith takes on frequent punching bag (as of late), Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minnesota).

She's a total whack job and nearly lost her seat in a primary challenge because of some incendiary comments she made...so that tells you how whacko this woman is.

However, Keith fell into stupidity this time.

Bachmann has recently made comments on FoxSnooze about revolution, citing the esteemed Thomas Jefferson and suggested people should take arms up against the government.

Keith seemed to be suggesting she should be prosecuted via the threat to the government laws in this nation that aren't really enforced because we have this thing called free speech.

Problem is Keith, we liberals said the same sort of things about Dubya and Darth Vader when they took over and started pushing us to an unjust, unnecessary war...not to mention their policies on prisoner abuses that are only getting more sick as the light continues to shine on history.

I was among those who called for the nation to show some revolution and upheaval to overthrow these two nitwits, as were you for years Keith. We cannot turn our back on our principles just because this twit, bat-shit crazy of a woman is suggesting there should be an overthrowing of the Obama Administration.

This is America. She is entitled to her views, and entitled to speak her views. I'd prefer it this way, actually. I'd rather face a deadly cobra out who is out in the open than one who lies in the weeds.

Your better than this Keith. I'm disappointed you went this way. Clearly, the Republicans should speak up and denounce her, but she shouldn't be prosecuted for trying to incite a revolution. Let this whacko continue to speak her mind and open her stupid, ignorant mouth....she'll manage to talk her way out of her seat.

Jefferson was correct; A little revolution is good now and then.

Damned If You Do...

...Damned If You Don't.

I smell a stink bomb. Something tells me that if President Obama let all these banks fail as the Repos suggest he SHOULD do, they'd then be bitching, whining, and complaining on how the little man got screwed out of his investment money.

President Obama is in a classic lose-lose proposition. This bites...hard.

Public Schools = unfair punching bag

This article from MSNBC highlights just one of many reasons that schools around the country are suffering to meet the needs of all students and are not hitting the "proper" test scores.

As this economy continues to tank, thanks to Dubya's stewardship (*cough*), this problem will become worse and other related issues will develop.

As a teacher in a public school, I have come accustomed to being a punching bag by all sorts of those in government. But, my tolerance is increasingly waning.

Spend a day in my shoes; dealing with kids who are half-dressed, come with no snack, hungry because they had no real breakfast, and sleepy because they're bodes with thin walls and their parental unit is up late watching the latest white-trash TV show.

Beware the Newt

After Gov. Jindal butchered his response to President Obama last Tuesday night, there smelled of an opening in the Republican party for someone to step up and take the spotlight.

Over the weekend, the Conservative Whackjob Conference straw poll yesterday, nominated one former Gov. Mitt Romney.

I think that's a hilarious joke on Romney, and he will flirt with that party, spends tons of his own money, to yet again, be a sideline watcher come August 2012.

However, the man who has a chance to make some noise, and who could be the kingmaker in none other than: Newt Gingrich.

While I think the country would have to seriously tank for him to be elected, considering his past behavior, he is the man who developed "The Contract with America."

Laugh, if you will. But, with a lost party, struggling for a message, he may be the politician who comes forth with a coherent, cogent, plan for taking on the Obama Administration.

Frank Rich - Sunday Times

Rich nails it again this week in his Op-Ed for the Sunday Times.

My core disappointment with my fellow Americans is described perfectly by Rich. He talks of a body politic who continues to be out-to-lunch...not seeming to give a damn about the shit-loads of problems we are in.

Obama has a tough road to hoe here. He needs to shake up the American body politic who, since his election in November 2008 (and perhaps inauguration day), has been completely out of the picture.

As Rich notes, Obama has the tricky task of shaking up the body politic, describing the shit-storm he is in, while still sounding optimistic.

Obama's barnstorming around the country and press conferences and addresses must continue for him to do this effectively, and I agree he needs to bring back some of the poetry to his prose. That's how he will win American's over again, and keep them firmly on his side of the argument.

Leave it to the fucking morons like Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-Louisiana) to turn-down the stimulus money, while his state has continued to deteriorate after Katrina, and despite a double-digit unemployment rate. Obama needs to call him and the Republican frauds like him, out by name and mock their stupidity.

Oh, Roland

Back in January, I believe it was, I was arguing that Roland Burris should be allowed to be seated in the Senate.

I stood by that then, and I still do today because, again, we live under a rule of law and Blago, at the time, had the legal right/authority to choose anyone he wished.

Now, however, the Senate needs to either do the dirty deed of expelling Mr. Burris, or convince the man to quit effective immediately. His admission of fund raising for Blago is, de facto, pay to play and that is highly unacceptable. Off with his head I say.

What the Heck?!?!?!

This stimulus bill was SO important, the economy needs it SO bad that after full passage in the House and the Senate, President Barack Obama is signing the bill on...errr...Tuesday?!?!?!

Pardon' my French...that's bullshit!

No Lookin' Back

Tonight, MSNBC is touting this USA Today/Gallup poll that says somewhere around 38% of Americans want the Dems to investigate the Dubya Admin's dealings as far as the torturing stuff at Abu Ghraib goes. Another 40% or so want an independent panel.

Therefore, MSNBC has their panties in a bunch and all hot n bothered suggesting Obaama should indeed investigate.

Simple problem: Obama needs some Repos to do what he wants with serious hassle, and either of those would shit-can that prospect.

Another problem: Americans, I contend, THINK they want an investigation, when they really don't. These things are often, long, messy, tangled, hard to grasp, and they tend to spend a boat load of cash or wasting valuable time.

They would quickly turn on the Obama Administration if this occurred. This could lead to a one-term President, which is not what we've fought so hard for these many dark years for.

I am a normal liberal would would love to turn the guns ablaze on Dubya, but by doing so we Dems would accomplish little.

Obama pulling a Dubya??

I am HIGHLY concerned about the direction this stimulus bill &/or bailout has taken. I don't wish Obama to cave into the Reps, because as noted in my earlier post...they have shown no serious willingness to play ball.

However, I am for doing some due diligence here on this buyout to ensure things are watched, and so 6 months from now we don't hear about companies we bailed out giving bonuses to leaving executives, hosting million dollar Superbowl Parties, etc, etc.

Without targeted and meaningful oversight, these people will fleece America again. Obama is trying to push through these bills SO fast, and I a fear he is avoiding answering some tough questions and avoid having to fully explain his plan.

That's been the Dubya Admin's game for 8 years, and frankly, Mr. President...I expected better out of you.

The House Reps show true colors - shocker, not!

Per a Nate Silver post on his fantastic website (www.fivethirtyeight.com): "Stimulus Passes House With NO Republican Support -- Zip, Zilch, Nada"

So, all that bullshit Boner...errr...Boehner was smoking about contraceptives...I think the Obama Administration needs to send a message next time that either play ball or don't because we can shove whatever we want down your throat.

The House Republicans got some concessions, and what did Obama get for his trouble...Jack Squat. Well...fuck them!

Oxycontin Rush should be beaming

Apparently, fat-fuck, Oxycontin-addicted, Limberger is whining like a little bitch about this stimulus plan. He's whining that a 40% of the tax cut is going to those who pay no taxes, usually referred to as "the poor."

But, Rush should actually be happy about this. I don't know a lot of poor people myself, but I am willing to venture a hearty bet that most of these people DON'T VOTE!

So, his whining about the Democrats trying to establish long-term power with this supposed "hand-out," is a bit dumb.

Moreover, the Republicans take revel in stopping poor people (those who typically don't have all their documents in order) at poll places across all parts of this country.

Finally, all those middle-class people who are losing their houses probably won't be eligible for this tax-cut this time around, and when poor people start a cashin' their checks...the middle-class will be upset, and they may send a message in 2010.

So, settle down there fat boy. You may come out ahead in this one in the end.

The SC at it again

The whacko-right-wing Supreme Court is at their old tricks again. They have peeled another layer of rights of US citizens.

The whole "unreasonable search and seizure" thing found in the Constitution?...apparently, it no longer applies. Even at a routine traffic stop.

"The Supreme Court ruled Monday that police officers have leeway to frisk a passenger in a car stopped for a traffic violation even if nothing indicates the passenger has committed a crime or is about to do so."

Another step down the wrong path by the Court. Whatever you do ya'll...don't look shifty when stopped by police at a traffic stop. This has racial-profiling written all over it.

Free - at last

Let the Obama Administration begin!

Nearing the 12th hour

As we slowly move towards 12 hour until Obama takes the oath of office and becomes the next President of the United State...all extremities are getting tingly.

Gonna be a tough night to go to sleep...

Dubya's last hurrah

It has taken me a while to lift my jaw from sheer disgust and awe at the man after his Thursday night address.

The only reaction I have, is that whatever drug he had before he delivered the first 7 minutes of that address...I WANT some of that!!! Because, that dude was smoking some SERIOUS hallucinogens to be able to deliver that speech with a straight face.

An Easy Call - The S. Court beat

The Court agreed yesterday to hear two cases against public schools. One I am focusing on here concerns the case of one Ms. Savana Redding.

At the time, Savana (an honor roll student) was a 13 year old attending a public middle school. Another student in the school was "busted" for having ibuprofen pills and said she had gotten them from Savana.

First of all, as a student who routinely kept Tylenol on his person at school...I think students of a certain age should be able to carry such pills. But, let's move onward...

The story in yesterdays NYT doesn't say if the school asked more than one student if Savana had such pills, they seemingly took it at the word of this one student who was "busted."

Ok, not a great policy in my view, but fine. However, this is where the school dun lost their mind and their decency.

Quoted from the article, "School officials searched Savana’s belongings, made her strip to her bra and underwear, and ordered her, in the words of an appeals court, “to pull her bra out to the side and shake it” and “pull out her underwear at the crotch and shake it.” No pills were found."

Game. Set. Match. - Case Closed. The school loses this case.

There's no mention of them searching her locker before, this either, but even if they had...and even if the Assistant Principal was a woman (I'm inclined to believe it was NOT), there is a line to be drawn...and this "search" goes WELL beyond that line.

Finally, an important note. The original courts' "trial judge dismissed the parent’s case against the school officials, ruling that they were immune from suit. After a divided panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed that decision..."

School officials are immune from suit eh? Really? I don't think so. If this official had not only made her strip, but then raped her, I think he'd/she'd be highly suit-able. As a public school worker and supporter, even I recognize/believe we are not immune from being suited. This is why some of us buy professional insurance, in case we do get suited for some reason.

As Seen...

...at a local store. I had to take a picture because it is just SO appallingly pathetic that companies are making money off this.

Not that I am surprised...hell, Dubya made a Residency out of pimping/whoring 9/11, and so did some companies...but...this is truly one ugly side of American capitalism.

A further attack on Gov. Richardson

One thing I will never understand is why people in such power give their power away so cheaply.

Consider the Gov. Richardson example. The people he allegedly was involved in pay-to-play with contributed at least $110,000 to three political committees formed by the Governor.

Quick math says somewhere around $330,000, but let's be generous to Richardson and assume he actually got $500,000.

So, he got a cool half-mill. Yet, New Mexico state documents show these people were paid a total of $1.48 million in 2004 and 2005 for its work on a transportation program.

Shouldn't Richardson have been wondering where the extra million is at? I can understand why Congresspeople only get a few hundred thousand for their vote, because Company X has to buy several votes. But, in this case, the Governor usually holds supreme power to award these lucrative state contracts (which I'd venture have a history of going over-budget to being with) to whomever he/she chooses.

If your gonna play the game, at least play it well Governor. Pathetic.

Facts are a killah - Rolland Burris, I support thee

Fact 1: Blago is still, as of this moment, the Governor of Illinois.

Fact 2: Obama, left his Illinois Senate seat vacant upon election to The Presidency of the United States of America.

Fact 3: According to current Illinois statute, the current, sitting Governor has full right to fill that vacant Senate seat with whomever he or she chooses (as his/her discretion).

Fact 4: Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev) is a colossal douche bag.

Strike that, that's not a fact, that's my opinion...my bad.

Fact 4: Gov. Blago has chosen Roland Burris to fill that vacated Senate seat.

Fact 5: Despite Constitutional Law experts haggling about, there is NO precedent for the Senate not seating an appointee who is living, breathing, and coherent. (Hell, Strom Thurmond was a Senator for goodness sakes!)

PesudoFact 1: Reid made some snarky comment today that, "the Senate chooses who is seated in the Senate." What a cocky, pompous, jackass. That is so wrong it's not even funny. The voters chose who gets seated you dumb-fuck. In place of said voters, was a legally appointed man in one Roland Burris.

I fully support Burris, and I encourage him to take his case ALL the way to the United States Supreme Court if necessary, and wipe Harry Reid's nose in the dog shit he eats for lunch daily.

Leon, Leon, Leon

When my ears, check that, eyes first saw the headline that Obama had tapped Leon Panetta to be the new head of the C-I-A, I shook my proverbial head because I wasn't particularly impressed by this development.

"He has no intelligence experience!", I thought to myself, fairly sure I was correct. I was.

However, after 3 hours of pondering this pick by Obama, I am willing to give this a shot.

At least, I realized, he has run a White House. So, there's some solid experience running something that could be considered a weighty organization (although, did he run it well, or was that doomed to be the way it was because of Pres. Clinton's working style?). I seem to remember the Oval Office being a bit of a mess early on in the Clinton era, although it never got better, which may say more about the occupant in reality.

Furthermore, the intelligencia doesn't like the choice, which may be a great reason to actually like it.

I do not know what other names Obama was considering for the post, but I am cautiously endorsing this choice. I hope Leon proves he is more than equal to the task.

Frank Rich - Sunday Times

In one small graft, Frank Rich nails what I essentially feel about the merciful ending of the Dubya dipticks..."You start to pity him (Bush) until you remember how vast the wreckage is. It stretches from the Middle East to Wall Street to Main Street and even into the heavens, which have been a safe haven for toxins under his passive stewardship. The discrepancy between the grandeur of the failure and the stature of the man is a puzzlement. We are still trying to compute it."

I have no sympathy for Dubya, I feel nothing but contempt for the man. Jimmy Carter was a dearth of a Presidency, but his looks crystal gold in comparison.

The lack of action, other than sheer partisanship, by this outgoing administration is epic. Epically bad.

The Senate Dems

The one time Sen. Harry Reid has a backbone and I wish he didn't...oy.

The Senate Dems need to go ahead and seat the Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich pick, as he has trumped them with his race card. It's dirty, nasty, cynical politics to do what Blago did...however, do the Senate Dems REALLY want to be the group standing in the way of a black man getting to the Senate?...really?

Harry needs to lose his backbone again and get out his thinking stick, because this is no doubt, a slam-dunk. Seat Burris, scrub your hands clean by saying you were bound by the laws of the land, and move on. We have bigger fish to fry.

Bill Richardson is a big, fat fuck

This is EXACTLY why you FULLY vet people when considering them for the VP nod. It appears Obama has dodged a few bullets here by staying away from Edwards and now Richardson.

It's likely Bill will be found guilty of nothing tremendously serious, but his withdrawal as Commerce Sec. is warranted.

ENOUGH with this crap. No more bad press is needed. Obama needs all the good news he can get right now considering he is inheriting a shitty economy, and a totally FUBAR foreign policy thanks to Dubya and his dorks.

Shame on you Bill for taking this post when you had to know you had stink on you.