Vouchers here. Vouchers now.

Vouchers Baby Vouchers

O.K. bear with me on this short (somewhat related) rant...

I have been wondering what got us to the state where our electorate would choose a candidate because they looked good, sounded good and promised anything with little or no basis in reality.

Then saturday I was teaching a group of Cub Scouts about citizenship. This was a Church sponsored pack in a red state with parents who have by and large conservative views.

During a scavenger hunt where they were supposed to identify several state icons (flower, flag, song), and ID state and federal government officers and representatives several of the boys wrote in the president-elect as the current president. Only a few recognized our local Senator Saxby Chambliss who is in a highly contested runoff election.

No biggie - the election had just passed and they had a lot of press come their way. So it proved a great teaching moment to explain how the election, electoral college and inauguration worked.

Then we moved on the the part of the lesson where they identified ways they could be good citizens and the breakdown was something like this:
85% - Don't litter/pollute
10% - Report criminals to the authorities
5% - obey the law

We discussed how while not polluting was a very good thing... obeying the law, voting and taking part in our government were probably the best ways of being a good citizen.

Then when I asked who the boys thought were great citizens (past and present) I was greeted with stares. One youngster finally chimed in with "Kaser Chivitz" - I asked him to describe this person and he told about how Kaser helped people who didn't get paid enough for picking fruit and vegetables. I replied "do you mean Caesar Chavez?" and he nodded emphatically - yes, that's the guy!

One other boy finally volunteered George Washington as another choice.

Now... I figure I got a good look at the inside of one of the current school social studies textbooks through these boys eyes. 80% environmentalism and labor rights movement and 20% traditional American history and civics.

Don't get me wrong. We had a spirited discussion about everyone from Washington, to Lincoln to Martin Luther King, Jr. and the boys were really receptive to learning the history and symbolism of the American and our state flag. But wow! Their default settings were very telling about the new educational agenda and traditional positive American role models and civic values being dilluted with the new age values of environmentalism and multiculturalism.

Never make promises you can't keep.

With the aim of having all children proficient in reading and math by 2014

that thing that just whizzed by us is the rest of the world.

Is it just me, or does anyone else get the feeling that 0bama's just figuring out the meaning of the curse "getting what you want"?

BO's mouth has written too many checks that his *ss can't cash...

Ayers as Secretary of Education?

re: #2 DaddyG

I blame American Idol.

I'm sure Obama's pal Bill Ayers could give him some advice, after all Ayers is an esteemed professor of education.

Well he is probably gonna make at least a 40-50,000 $ donation to the Sidwell Friends School?

re: #9 jcm

Ayers as Secretary of Re-Education?

fixed that fer ya

re: #5 buzzsawmonkey

Early Gay Lib slogan: "An Army of Lovers Cannot Lose."

Applications are now being taken for the Army of Teachers slogan.

"Twenty Years to Retirement at Full Pay!"

It is kinda funny. The election is over and he is still making campaign promises.

re: #13 Shug

fixed that fer ya

Much better...

Fixing the education system? That will be easy. Obama just needs to issue one simple executive order: From now on, no student ever gets a grade lower than a B+. Badda bing, badda boom. Instant 50% improvement across the board.

Machine...my favorite Chicago term...

All this guy knows how to do is run for office and vote "present". Now he's got the pinnacle and he doesn't have a clue. I have a feeling that policy might be more congressionally motivated than WH motivated, because I doubt this guy could caucus sh*t.

Parents need to spend more time at their kids school working with the teachers. and less time on the couch watching American Idol.

re: #3 MrSilverDragon

Never make promises you can't keep.

Ha! If that's so, then I say: never enter politics. [I won't run, and if elected I won't...well, you know]

Well, Obama has already made a strong signal that he doesn't favor public education all that much. When given the option of sending his kids to public schools in DC or to Sidwell, he chose the private school.

Choice for me, but not for thee. /

Not that I can blame him for it. The DC public schools suck, and I'm sure that many DC residents would love to have the option of sending their kids to private schools if they could afford 'em.

re: #3 MrSilverDragon

Never make promises you can't keep.

He wrote checks reality cannot cash.

Students I hired in my business said they got so sick of taking evaluation tests all the time that they just filled in the dots and didn't even try to answer correctly. They all said there was too much evaluation testing because of "No Child Left Behind" and not enough time to learn what they needed to know.

re: #20 Racer X

Parents need to spend more time at their kids school working with the teachers. and less time on the couch watching American Idol.

It's not just the kids. It's a whole lot of adults watching those shows.

I shudder to think of what Obama might do to the educational system.

My husband and I've already had to discuss with our 8 year old that man made global warming is a myth and that we do have business being in Iraq ~ and we live in a conservative part of CA! Yes, I will be having a conversation with his teacher when Thanksgiving break is over.

An aim of increasing by ten percent the fraction of children proficient in reading and math, by 2016, would be more realistic. Proficiency is simply beyond the reach of some kids. There are math-lexics who, while generally bright, just don't have the knack of quantitative reasoning. For others, reading is just tough. And then there are the inevitable 10 or 20 percent who are in the bottom 10 or 20 percent of general thinking ability, and reading and math are going to be hard sledding. The least gifted normal people can get much further toward proficiency than today's schools get them, but outright proficiency may be too much to ask.

At the other end of the scale, we have another problem. Too few of our kids go beyond proficiency to mastery. It must be one of the aims of school to get the intellectual athletes in their charge to move their game up a notch or two. A kid in the top 10 or 20 percent can clear the lowest bar with ease. If that's the only bar there is, that kid will be bored to tears and rebellion.

re: #22 lawhawk

Well, Obama has already made a strong signal that he doesn't favor public education all that much. When given the option of sending his kids to public schools in DC or to Sidwell, he chose the private school.

Choice for me, but not for thee. /

Not that I can blame him for it. The DC public schools suck, and I'm sure that many DC residents would love to have the option of sending their kids to private schools if they could afford 'em.

It's probably also a matter of security. I was thinking this morning as I drove The Kid to school of how much protection those little girls will need to have.

re: #20 Racer X

Parents need to spend more time at their kids school working with the teachers. and less time on the couch watching American Idol.

That would certainly help. But this is America, Land of the Media-Created Mythical President. I think we're going to have to settle for parents spending more time on the couch, watching American Idol, with their kids. Quality time, 2009 style.

Vote for me and all of your wildest dreams will come true.

---Pedro

re: #1 Shug

Vouchers have worked with flying colors under a limited program here in Pittsburgh.
You have to research to find out about it though.

re: #23 MandyManners

He wrote checks reality cannot cash.

Yes, his reality check will bounce.

He also said he would make college more affordable.

Is he going to do that by lowering tuition (fat chance) or handing out money? There's a big difference.

Obama's education (and everything else) plan summarized in one sentence:
The have's must give something up so that the have-not's can have more.

AKA - Spread the wealth

/It won't work

"New Tests?"
Hey!
Make those tests simple enough and all our children can look like they're really smart.

re: #29 Last Mohican

That would certainly help. But this is America, Land of the Media-Created Mythical President. I think we're going to have to settle for parents spending more time on the couch, watching American Idol, with their kids. Quality time, 2009 style.

What. It's a WHOLE family activity, at least most of the families I know. And that is not quality time, not in any way.

re: #30 DeafDog

Vote for me and all of your wildest dreams will come true.

---Pedro

I never understood the popularity of "Napoleon Dynamite". I don't think I ever will.

re: #33 bosforus

Is he going to do that by lowering tuition (fat chance) or handing out money? There's a big difference.

They will do for the College system, what they did for the housing market.

/everybody needs to go to college just like everybody needs to own a home.

re: #37 MrSilverDragon

I never understood the popularity of "Napoleon Dynamite". I don't think I ever will.

That's from Ferris Buehlers' Day Off, I believe.

"Uh, ...present?"

Didn't Joy Behar just call homeschooled kids freaks or something?

I played hockey in high school and since were a club, not an official school team, we had homeschoolers in our district play for us. Two doctors and an engineer fifteen years later.

re: #39 Golem Akbar

That's from Ferris Buehlers' Day Off, I believe.

No, it's from "Napoleon Dynamite."

Gotta run. Doin lunch with the old man. BBL.

re: #36 Walter L. Newton

What. It's a WHOLE family activity, at least most of the families I know. And that is not quality time, not in any way.

I'd rather watch Disney Channel and ABC Family movies with my kids and discuss them. It may not be highbrow literature, but it at least engages their critical thinking abilities.

re: #39 Golem Akbar

That's from Ferris Buehlers' Day Off, I believe.

I thought it was from the "South of the Border" billboards on I-95

re: #41 Bumr50

Didn't Joy Behar just call homeschooled kids freaks or something?

I played hockey in high school and since were a club, not an official school team, we had homeschoolers in our district play for us. Two doctors and an engineer fifteen years later.

/See what bums gets produced by home schooling?

re: #28 MandyManners

I'm aware of the security concerns, but doesn't that also address the pitiful state of DC public schools? Why should people be locked into public schools that are dangerous and underperforming?

re: #25 Walter L. Newton

It's not just the kids. It's a whole lot of adults watching those shows.

Yes that was my point. The parents are watching American Idol (with their kids) instead of spending time helping their kids' teachers.

re: #41 Bumr50

Didn't Joy Behar just call homeschooled kids freaks or something?

I played hockey in high school and since were a club, not an official school team, we had homeschoolers in our district play for us. Two doctors and an engineer fifteen years later.

She's an imbecile. Studies have shown that home schooled kids do better in college than non-home schooled kids.

Mum-chuck skillz...computer hacking skillz...education reform skilz

#22 lawhawk

As a practical matter, I doubt that the Secret Service would let him send his children to public school. Even if he theoretically sent them to a public school, the Secret Service protection around his children would probably turn it into a private school inside the public school.

Besides, now that he is running for reelection in 2012, he will be spending all his time on that.

re: #37 MrSilverDragon

I never understood the popularity of "Napoleon Dynamite". I don't think I ever will.

Why not? It's a misfit coming of age movie. Classic formula, IMO, but done in a quirky way. I thought it was great.

re: #42 Walter L. Newton
You're right

American Civil Literacy

Here's a good test of your Civil Literacy skills. DaddyG's Dad just sent me the link.

My score: 87.88%

Most embarassingly I missed the topic of the Lincoln Douglass debates.

They've already passed the No Democrat Left Behind Act.

re: #27 lostlakehiker

At the other end of the scale, we have another problem. Too few of our kids go beyond proficiency to mastery.

We cannot forget that the same amount of money, time, and effort on the top 10% of our students would yield far, far greater results than the same effort on the bottom 10%. Because by definition, these are the ones that learn better, faster, etc.

re: #38 Shug

They will do for the College system, what they did for the housing market.

/everybody needs to go to college just like everybody needs to own a home.

Who would've guessed that allowing people to do what they shouldn't be allowed to do would cause economic failure. Go figure!

re: #53 DeafDog

Why not? It's a misfit coming of age movie. Classic formula, IMO, but done in a quirky way. I thought it was great.

How about Superbad? I love Mclovin.

re: #48 lawhawk

I'm aware of the security concerns, but doesn't that also address the pitiful state of DC public schools? Why should people be locked into public schools that are dangerous and underperforming?

Ah, so the NEA will keep supporting the politicians who will prevent them from escaping?

re: #55 DaddyG

American Civil Literacy

Here's a good test of your Civil Literacy skills. DaddyG's Dad just sent me the link.

My score: 87.88%

Most embarassingly I missed the topic of the Lincoln Douglass debates.

I aced all the history questions, missed some of the economics.

re: #53 DeafDog

Why not? It's a misfit coming of age movie. Classic formula, IMO, but done in a quirky way. I thought it was great.

I had to see it twice on cable before I finally got it. A lot more going on than you think in that movie.

re: #56 red satellite

They've already passed the No Democrat Left Behind Act.

lmao

re: #59 Glackinspeil

How about Superbad? I love Mclovin.

Superbad supersucked. A bunch of juveniles trying to score alcohol.

We have to stop being so judgmental. These poor children have low self-esteem, so we have to get rid of those darn pesky "grades". The students that do not earn an "A" or "B" feel left out and bad about themselves.

And, what's with this learning about dead old white guys? They aren't around here anymore, let's stop studying our "so-called" founding fathers. They were just slave owning hypocrites anyway.

Those old books written by old dead people have to go too. What do they know anyway, they are dead!

Math is too hard and so is most science. It is too much pressure for them to learn this hard stuff.

So, let's just have big group hugs everyday and make these poor children feel better about themselves.

/

No Child Left Behind was GWB's brain child. It has failed in Texas...kids learn how to take a test. That is it. Anything to make that score. It matters not that the kids can't read or write.

re: #53 DeafDog

Why not? It's a misfit coming of age movie. Classic formula, IMO, but done in a quirky way. I thought it was great.

It was touted to me as the greatest movie ever made, funnier than anything out there, and when I saw it, I laughed half-heartedly once or twice. But, to each their own, it wasn't for me. I don't speak for the world. :)

re: #59 Glackinspeil

How about Superbad? I love Mclovin.

Also a fine movie, as was Fast Times at Ridgemont High (but the book was better)

It will not be priority.
Obama's daughters go to private school.
Therefore the school system is great.

/

re: #47 buzzsawmonkey

I haven't run for school board, but I make it a point to be very involved with their school ~ room mom, PTA board member, helping in the classrooms, etc. I also have a very good rapport with their teachers and principal. I recommend that all parents know what's going on in their kids' schools.

I misread the title as "Obama's Education Camps". LOL

re: #32 Golem Akbar

Yes, his reality check will bounce.

Guess who will hafta' pick up the tab?

re: #65 Desert Dog

We have to stop being so judgmental. These poor children have low self-esteem, so we have to get rid of those darn pesky "grades". The students that do not earn an "A" or "B" feel left out and bad about themselves.

And, what's with this learning about dead old white guys? They aren't around here anymore, let's stop studying our "so-called" founding fathers. They were just slave owning hypocrites anyway.

Those old books written by old dead people have to go too. What do they know anyway, they are dead!

Math is too hard and so is most science. It is too much pressure for them to learn this hard stuff.

So, let's just have big group hugs everyday and make these poor children feel better about themselves.

/

They must learn tolerance, acceptance and celebration of gays and transgenders above all else! All that other stuff about reading, writing, math and science is just worthless if they are homophobic.
/

re: #67 MrSilverDragon

Would you like a delicious bass?

(I've had similar experiences, but not with Napoleon Dynamite. It's like the 'expectations game' in Presidential debates)

re: #37 MrSilverDragon

I never understood the popularity of "Napoleon Dynamite". I don't think I ever will.

Perhaps you weren't a social reject in high school. It's a far more relatable story if you were.

As for Obama and his education issues. . .more teachers would be good. Pour money into schools? I'm reminded of a conversation between two local teachers and myself, and how they were criticizing the approach of simply throwing money at California's public school system, stating that this has been the approach for years, and all the money ends up in the beauracracy at the top, none in the classrooms themselves. Money can help, but only if applied intelligently.

My grandkids are bored, it's dark and snowy here. I'm heading to Blockbuster, what are some good kid flicks I can get for them? (Toddlers)

re: #49 Racer X

Yes that was my point. The parents are watching American Idol (with their kids) instead of spending time helping their kids' teachers.

Yes. I agree. And I think AI has created a bigger problem than just mindless TV time, I think it has colored the way we look at achievement.

It's the hype, the gossip, the whole thing, it's the way we just picked a president. And a majority of the public fell for it.

We have created a MTV/American Idol/slanted news way of looking at everything, and it's has nothing to do with reality.

re: #33 bosforus

Is he going to do that by lowering tuition (fat chance) or handing out money? There's a big difference.

Very, very good point. Unless there are federal universities (other than the military academies), he's going to have a hard time forcing lower tuitions - although I suppose he could try with any college or university that gets federal funds or grants. Easier to go the route of handing out money to anyone who wants to go to college.

Hmmm...more money available, number of slots remains the same - sounds like a recipe for higher tuition rates. It's been happening recently; no reason to expect a change.

Oh, but then the feds can hand out even more money, to cover the increase in tuition, which will then cause tuition...

Crap. I give up.

re: #72 winston06

I misread the title as "Obama's Education Camps". LOL

Thats waiting till his 2d term

Basics, basics, basics.

Have to learn to read...phonics is good. Have to learn to add and subtract. Have to learn to multiply by memorizing it. No way around it.

Leave out the social studies for the most part until 4th grade. No one needs to learn anything but the basics at the beginning. It is not leaving no child behind...it is leaving all the children behind because the basics are assumed learned prior to entering kindergarten and then never taught. They introduce math in second grade with word problems. If you can't read, then you can't add because we push the level of understanding without pushing everyone to know the basics.

A "C" must become acceptable and more common. An A and a B more rare. D's and F's were required. You learn more by failure then most would recognize. Get rid of all the trophies for everyone. Let competition be a good thing. Stop wasting the early education years on extraneous things. Get the basics down.

And get rid of the teachers union...sick of having mediocre people passing for great teachers.

re: #77 Alouette

My grandkids are bored, it's dark and snowy here. I'm heading to Blockbuster, what are some good kid flicks I can get for them? (Toddlers)

Pixar movies. 'Finding Nemo' and 'Cars' would be good.

Can't accomplish a thing unless parents are involved in their kids' education. We already outspend the world and it doesn't matter.

re: #48 lawhawk

I'm aware of the security concerns, but doesn't that also address the pitiful state of DC public schools? Why should people be locked into public schools that are dangerous and underperforming?

I was thinking more along the lines that a private school would have dealt with security details before since they have more of a chance to have children of greater means attending.

re: #77 Alouette

My grandkids are bored, it's dark and snowy here. I'm heading to Blockbuster, what are some good kid flicks I can get for them? (Toddlers)

Thomas the Tank Engine and VeggieTales are safe bets. Nothing scary and they won't make you crazy.

re: #64 Alouette

Superbad supersucked. A bunch of juveniles trying to score alcohol.

Trying to get laid. The alcohol was just the method to be the mistake the girls would regret for the rest of their lives.

re: #76 Yashmak

Perhaps you weren't a social reject in high school. It's a far more relatable story if you were.

As for Obama and his education issues. . .more teachers would be good. Pour money into schools? I'm reminded of a conversation between two local teachers and myself, and how they were criticizing the approach of simply throwing money at California's public school system, stating that this has been the approach for years, and all the money ends up in the beauracracy at the top, none in the classrooms themselves. Money can help, but only if applied intelligently.

Say what? Hasn't spending money on education in Detroit and Washington DC produced the world's greatest students?

re: #78 Walter L. Newton

Well said, Walter.

re: #77 Alouette

My grandkids are bored, it's dark and snowy here. I'm heading to Blockbuster, what are some good kid flicks I can get for them? (Toddlers)

Slap Shot.

/Hey, it was the first movie I ever saw, and I was only a few onths old at that point.

re: #55 DaddyG

American Civil Literacy

Here's a good test of your Civil Literacy skills. DaddyG's Dad just sent me the link.

My score: 87.88%

Most embarassingly I missed the topic of the Lincoln Douglass debates.

How you do on #30? That seems to trip up most Lizards, the answer is Keynesian but I'm in the Adam Smith camp.

re: #80 Kragar (proud to be kafir)

Thats waiting till his 2d term

Too bad, 'cause there won't be a second term.

re: #90 Honorary Yooper

PIMF, onths = months. I need to hit every key as I type.

NLFCLB

No Lo Functioning Child Left Behind...

one thing the ed schools and unions got through in the first NCLB...every year, schools have to provide a report that states if all the teachers are "highly qualified"

what is the requirement for a teacher to be "highly qualified?" ed school certification, or participation in alternative certification (run by ed schools)

have a master's in the discipline you want to teach, but not an ed degree? Sorry, you are not highly qualified according to NCLB.

Great job, Bushie! Yet another jewel in that legacy.

re: #92 Dark_Falcon

Too bad, 'cause there won't be a second term.

Amen to that, brother.

re: #77 Alouette

Trust me- go with Pixar movies- they, and you, will love them!

More money for a losing proposition and require a greater reach for those required to go to public schools (younger and "encouraging" the older ones to perform community service). Thus we pay more to the government to get poor education and they then "require" our under-educated students to "volunteer" during their later years. Are they mixing up education camps and work camps?

/

re: #28 MandyManners

It's probably also a matter of security. I was thinking this morning as I drove The Kid to school of how much protection those little girls will need to have.

I am continuously reminded of the SNL skits about amy carter at public school.

re: #91 jcm

How you do on #30? That seems to trip up most Lizards, the answer is Keynesian but I'm in the Adam Smith camp.

Got that one - but missed the other taxation question.

Remember in the early days of NCLB because of Teddy Kennedy. The dem's love this law. What happened. LOL

There is a plan in Brooklyn/Queens to consolidate catholic parochial schools because parents cannot afford to send their kids to them. They want to... The test scores are WAY higher than NYC public schools and high school acceptance rates are very high...

So sad...

Another issue is that schools need to drop the PC teach bullcrap and stick to reading, writing and arithmetic... School should be a no-spin zone...

One word to sum up the problem in the schools...Discipline,
I keep hearing about smaller class sizes, that is bull, there were thirty + kids in every class I was in, and you could hear a pin drop.

Put the Jesuits in charge of our kids educations. Instead of learning how to pass tests (or not), learn how to think - critically.

re: #85 poopeedoo

Thomas the Tank Engine and VeggieTales are safe bets. Nothing scary and they won't make you crazy.

Hear, hear.

And may I add Jay, Jay The Jet Plane.

re: #94 funky chicken

NLFCLB

No Lo Functioning Child Left Behind...

one thing the ed schools and unions got through in the first NCLB...every year, schools have to provide a report that states if all the teachers are "highly qualified"

what is the requirement for a teacher to be "highly qualified?" ed school certification, or participation in alternative certification (run by ed schools)

have a master's in the discipline you want to teach, but not an ed degree? Sorry, you are not highly qualified according to NCLB.
Great job, Bushie! Yet another jewel in that legacy.

Wasn't that a compromise with the NEA?

re: #48 lawhawk

I'm aware of the security concerns, but doesn't that also address the pitiful state of DC public schools? Why should people be locked into public schools that are dangerous and underperforming?

Especially at the cost of about 11 grand per kid. I know the east coast is more expensive, but you cannot tell me that Catholic and Lutheran schools back there cost more than 11 grand per kid. Sidwell Friends? Oh yeah, it's twice that.

When Obama can't keep all his promises, i can't want to see the moonbats whine.

re: #98 Eowyn2

I am continuously reminded of the SNL skits about amy carter at public school.

I don't remember those. My parents wouldn't let me watch SNL.

re: #83 Wm T Sherman

Can't accomplish a thing unless parents are involved in their kids' education. We already outspend the world and it doesn't matter.

That's it in a niutshell. If the home is dysfunctioal & does not value education, the schools are running up hill.
Add to that many of the teachers are semi-literate if Chicago is representative.
The teachers union opposes merit promotions & competency exams.
I do not think that Barry is going to take on the NEA.
They will just do some cosmetic crap.

re: #77 Alouette

My grandkids are bored, it's dark and snowy here. I'm heading to Blockbuster, what are some good kid flicks I can get for them? (Toddlers)

Kung Fu Panda
Toy Story
Toy Story Two
The Incredibles

re: #104 Silhouette

Hear, hear.

And may I add Jay, Jay The Jet Plane.

My kids loved Jay Jay and The Big Comfy Couch.

"The world needs ditch diggers too"

Judge Smails (Caddyshack)

re: #2 DaddyG

unbeLIEvable

The democrat party and the corrupt Teachers Union are not just bedfellows -- they are entwined lovers. In order to break the monopoly of the corrupt teachers union - that bond must be broken. Don't hold your breath.

The democrats detest choice and vouchers. Just ask left-winger (and yet another lefty democrat who paid for his seat) Jared Polis. He hates hates hates choice and vouchers. and he is indicative of all of the lefty socialist idiots we just elected to make it all better.

Do look for more curriculum governed by political correctness, social justice (pro-socialist/anti-individual propaganda), diversity training and other touchy feely self-esteem building crapola.

re: #76 Yashmak

Some years ago, while Rudy Giuliani was mayor of New York, I was riding in a New York taxi, and the driver had an AM news station on. Guiliani had just ordered the firing of some public school employees -- administrators who got paid to do nothing. I mean absolutely nothing. I don't think they even had to show up at the job more than a few hours a week. Rudy wanted to spend the money on new textbooks or something, instead of their salaries. There was an outcry from some union, maybe the teacher's union, who wanted them reinstated. Rudy's response, which became a sound bite on the radio, was "our children's education is more important than whether some people have jobs."

It was a gutsy, politically incorrect statement, one that most politicians wouldn't make, and one that I'll never forget. Obama would never, ever say or even think something like that. But it will take that kind of thinking to solve any major political problem.

(a dive-bomb post)

Bipartisan? No problem.
The One is a first-rate bip-artisan.
...bip...bip...bip...bip...bip...
/the sound of a firefly twisting and turning through the campaign night

/stay tuned for the sound of one flying into a brick wall

(now roaring off into the clouds, gotta get things done -- BBL)

re: #109 opnion

They will just do some cosmetic crap.

You can put lipstick on a pig.

but it's still illiterate.

re: #101 tfc3rid

There is a plan in Brooklyn/Queens to consolidate catholic parochial schools because parents cannot afford to send their kids to them. They want to... The test scores are WAY higher than NYC public schools and high school acceptance rates are very high...

So sad...

Another issue is that schools need to drop the PC teach bullcrap and stick to reading, writing and arithmetic... School should be a no-spin zone...

Don't forget civics and history!

As a member of the local School Board, the single biggest issue facing public education in the US is local funding. In most states the courts have stepped in and declared that the tradional funding that comes from local property taxes is illegal. The reason being that districts with a wealthier tax base can spend more on educations. There are many models states are trying but most have gone to some variation of local property taxes are sent into the state and then reapportioned out usually by head count. This has the net effect of penalizing areas where parents and the community have been willing to have higher taxes in order to have better schools. One of the responses to this has been that the only thing the local tax payers can agree on and invoke is capital spending. So wealthier districts are having a spending boom right now in building new schools and facilities.

When the federal government steps into public education, in my experience, it is almost always with "programs" that give you money to hire more people and more special staff requirements.

re: #110 Eowyn2

Kung Fu Panda
Toy Story
Toy Story Two
The Incredibles

Ratatouille.

re: #102 Tarkus289

One word to sum up the problem in the schools...Discipline,
I keep hearing about smaller class sizes, that is bull, there were thirty + kids in every class I was in, and you could hear a pin drop.

or the whistle of the wiffle bat.

re: #111 poopeedoo

My kids loved Jay Jay and The Big Comfy Couch.

Mona and Molly! Major Bed Head!

re: #120 MandyManners

Anything Pixar.

re: #109 opnion

That's it in a niutshell. If the home is dysfunctioal & does not value education, the schools are running up hill.
Add to that many of the teachers are semi-literate if Chicago is representative.
The teachers union opposes merit promotions & competency exams.
I do not think that Barry is going to take on the NEA.
They will just do some cosmetic crap.

That's the crux of the "black argument"...there isn't an equal chance or even approximately equal chance for an entire section of our population because the system we have destroys black families and values education and work. The street is more attractive than work and therefore blacks are kept down. And there is merit to this argument.

Unfortunately what isn't recognized is that this is by design to keep that proportion of the population voting a particular way.

re: #106 funky chicken

Especially at the cost of about 11 grand per kid. I know the east coast is more expensive, but you cannot tell me that Catholic and Lutheran schools back there cost more than 11 grand per kid. Sidwell Friends? Oh yeah, it's twice that.

I have suggested to our city/county managers that they could cut the education budget by 50% tomorrow. They pay about $10,000/child/year.

Issue everyone $5000 vouchers and close the schools. We are blessed with dozens of private schools who could handle the influx. Or issue vouchers by option for a year or two and give the private schools time to expand (and others open), if they fear the schools couldn't handle in the influx.

BONUS! I pay about $4000/yr tuition at a top private school, so MY voucher would be cashed for less than $5000, as I expect many others would be too. Yet MORE savings for the city/county. If they'd only adopt the Silhouette Plan.

re: #120 MandyManners

Seeing all these kid movies made me think of all I saw as a toddler. I must've been warped somehow as I saw a mixture of G through R rated films at that age. Never thought much of it.

re: #108 MandyManners

I don't remember those. My parents wouldn't let me watch SNL.

since that was the first election I voted in, my folks allowed me to stay up until midnight:)

Oh wait, I had already moved out of the house by the time carter took office.

re: #69 buzzsawmonkey

Practically anyone can learn basic math. Practically nobody does. That's because it is not exciting to memorize times tables and do long division, and kids are permitted to use calculators before they learn what processes the calculators are doing.

I have a question on my employment applications that stumps almost everyone.

What is 10% of $12.30?

If they pull out their cell phone to use as a calculator for that, no hire.

re: #102 Tarkus289

One word to sum up the problem in the schools...Discipline,
I keep hearing about smaller class sizes, that is bull, there were thirty + kids in every class I was in, and you could hear a pin drop.

Tell ya what, I had the nuns with around 45 students per class.
I don't recall a lot of discipline problems.

re: #128 bellamags

I have a question on my employment applications that stumps almost everyone.

What is 10% of $12.30?

If they pull out their cell phone to use as a calculator for that, no hire.

They need a calculator for that? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

/It's $1.23, BTW.

He also said he would make college more affordable.

Only 2 ways to do that:

1. Adopt a regulation eliminating tenure at public universities, so maybe the y will teach a full day an you can get rid of the wackos and screw up's teaching.

2. Subsidize the price via some mix of price fixing, rationing and throwing money at it.

Door number 1 would require Obama to tell the unions to go scratch.

My money is on door number 2.

The Old Man refused a free lunch! Humph.

Anyway that imbecile Joy Behar? She used to be a TEACHER.

Awaiting President-Elect to announce his economic team.

Here they come.

Cue Alan Parsons' "Sirius"!

re: #119 big steve

There are many models states are trying but most have gone to some variation of local property taxes are sent into the state and then reapportioned out usually by head count.

From each district, according to their ability.

To each district according to their need based on population.

Hmmm, sounds so familar.

Anything the president does regarding education will have little impact. The root problem is that there are too many parents who just don't give a shit. A voucher system may help if it could separate those that care about their kids education and those that don't.

Also, why are educators these days so afraid of learning by memorization? "Critical thinking skills" aren't much good if you don't know any facts to think about.

re: #66 mcnorman

No Child Left Behind was GWB's brain child. It has failed in Texas...kids learn how to take a test. That is it. Anything to make that score. It matters not that the kids can't read or write.

I drove past a school a couple of years ago with a big banner on the front fence; apparently they were very proud of something. I went over to take a look.

"Congratulations [name of school which I can't remember] on achieving adequate yearly progress!"

re: #115 Last Mohican

Some years ago, while Rudy Giuliani was mayor of New York, I was riding in a New York taxi, and the driver had an AM news station on. Guiliani had just ordered the firing of some public school employees -- administrators who got paid to do nothing. I mean absolutely nothing. I don't think they even had to show up at the job more than a few hours a week. Rudy wanted to spend the money on new textbooks or something, instead of their salaries. There was an outcry from some union, maybe the teacher's union, who wanted them reinstated. Rudy's response, which became a sound bite on the radio, was "our children's education is more important than whether some people have jobs."

It was a gutsy, politically incorrect statement, one that most politicians wouldn't make, and one that I'll never forget. Obama would never, ever say or even think something like that. But it will take that kind of thinking to solve any major political problem.

Rudy, Rudy. I could see him involved in some GOP admin. Maybe to clean up the Education Dept.

re: #130 Honorary Yooper

They need a calculator for that? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

/It's $1.23, BTW.

You would be surprised at the percentage of people who get that wrong.

re: #45 CIA Reject

I just added to your karma.

re: #23 MandyManners
"He wrote checks reality cannot cash." That's a keeper for sure!

re: #115 Last Mohican

Politicians with Guiliani's character and convictions are quite rare, because such people are rare in general. The ability to look a problem in the face and ignore the temptation to just opt for something warm and fuzzy is a perquisite for solving thorny problem. Sad to say, that is not an ability possessed by Barack Obama.

On defense, an attorney from New York...

DOW is up 314, gold is up 32, oil is up $4 and change.

Cash seems to be flowing back into the markets for a little while.

But Obama is about to open his mouth.

re: #113 bellamags

unbeLIEvable

I guess the good news is this crop of boys gets a good dose of parental attention and I get to mold their minds a few times a month. The most lasting and meaningful education still comes from parents and loved ones. I contend it has more to do with what they see us doing than what they hear us say.

My kids may think it's sappy for me to tear up when Old Glory passes by in a parade in the hands of an aged veteran, but by God they know I love our soldiers and our country!

re: #94 funky chicken

It's still President Bush. No sense in calling him what he ain't - rather demeaning actually, to him and the office.

re: #140 Dark_Falcon

Politicians with Guiliani's character and convictions are quite rare, because such people are rare in general. The ability to look a problem in the face and ignore the temptation to just opt for something warm and fuzzy is a perquisite for solving thorny problem. Sad to say, that is not an ability possessed by Barack Obama.

Yes the warm and fuzziness is a problem. There is no room for that when seriously trying to solve problems, unless of course you are talking about fabric softeners.

re: #135 Fat Jolly Penguin

Hooray mediocrity!

re: #137 bellamags

You would be surprised at the percentage of people who get that wrong.

True, being an engineer and going to a technical university tends to shield you from the folks who get that one wrong.

re: #2 DaddyG

...Their default settings were very telling about the new educational agenda and traditional positive American role models and civic values being dilluted with the new age values of environmentalism and multiculturalism.

They get liberalism in school, then they go home and get liberalism on the news, then they watch E! and get liberalism from Hollywood fatheads.

I've updinged you and now I'm going to go shoot myself.

re: #139 realwest

"He wrote checks reality cannot cash." That's a keeper for sure!

+Yes, but it would truer to say that he will write checks that we cannot cash and he liable to lash out when the checks fail to clear.

re: #126 Honorary Yooper

Seeing all these kid movies made me think of all I saw as a toddler. I must've been warped somehow as I saw a mixture of G through R rated films at that age. Never thought much of it.

Times have changed. R-rated movies are far more inappropriate nowadays.

re: #143 DaddyG

I guess the good news is this crop of boys gets a good dose of parental attention and I get to mold their minds a few times a month. The most lasting and meaningful education still comes from parents and loved ones. I contend it has more to do with what they see us doing than what they hear us say.

My kids may think it's sappy for me to tear up when Old Glory passes by in a parade in the hands of an aged veteran, but by God they know I love our soldiers and our country!

Do you think that kid heard from his parents that Hugo Chavez fought for workers pay? That was more than likely a school thing. That is troubling to me.

re: #33 bosforus
Yup that's a toughie especially since tuition went up almost 7% for students starting school in Autumn of 2009 - we're in an economic crisis and colleges and Universties are RAISING TUITION?! Good luck with that one Obama.

re: #125 Silhouette

I have suggested to our city/county managers that they could cut the education budget by 50% tomorrow. They pay about $10,000/child/year.

Issue everyone $5000 vouchers and close the schools. We are blessed with dozens of private schools who could handle the influx. Or issue vouchers by option for a year or two and give the private schools time to expand (and others open), if they fear the schools couldn't handle in the influx.

BONUS! I pay about $4000/yr tuition at a top private school, so MY voucher would be cashed for less than $5000, as I expect many others would be too. Yet MORE savings for the city/county. If they'd only adopt the Silhouette Plan.

thats just way too simplistic. you simply do not understand the nuances of public education. Public education requires more funding that private education because it is naturally more expansive and better. It is not judgemental and guarantees a full understanding of the world we live in.

/

re: #147 Honorary Yooper

True, being an engineer and going to a technical university tends to shield you from the folks who get that one wrong.

Yeah. I am down in the trenches dude.

re: #147 Honorary Yooper

True, being an engineer and going to a technical university tends to shield you from the folks who get that one wrong.

On the other hand, I'm an engineer and once forgot the word for square.

"You know, just as far this way as it is that way."

re: #128 bellamags

1.23

Too much "global" and "international" for me.

re: #1 Shug

Vouchers here. Vouchers now.

Vouchers Baby Vouchers

Yes, give me my fucking change, I want choice.

Fat chance.

Just remember that when Obama doesn't keep his promises; it'll be Bush's fault!

re: #127 Eowyn2

since that was the first election I voted in, my folks allowed me to stay up until midnight:)

Oh wait, I had already moved out of the house by the time carter took office.

I remember the "wear a sweater" thing and long lines at the gas station. And, my dad's choice words for Carter.

re: #150 MandyManners

Times have changed. R-rated movies are far more inappropriate nowadays.

Yes.

For some reason, I was old enough for them at 17, but now I am waaay too young to see any of that trash.

re: #153 Eowyn2

thats just way too simplistic. you simply do not understand the nuances of public education. Public education requires more funding that private education because it is naturally more expansive and better. It is not judgemental and guarantees a full understanding of the world we live in.

/

I almost didn't see your sarc tag. I had to pick up my jaw off the counter. LOL

re: #135 Fat Jolly Penguin

I drove past a school a couple of years ago with a big banner on the front fence; apparently they were very proud of something. I went over to take a look.

"Congratulations [name of school which I can't remember] on achieving adequate yearly progress!"

Average über alles !

the answer is to just give everyone a C
just for showing up
no need to participate in class discussions, tests or homework
but just show up and receive your bailout handout of the basic and overwhelmingly average C grade

re: #55 DaddyG

Here's a good test of your Civil Literacy skills. DaddyG's Dad just sent me the link.

My score: 87.88%

Most embarassingly I missed the topic of the Lincoln Douglass debates.

I missed that one too. Got the same score you did.

Assistant Coach, from Clinton University, Laaaryyy SUUUmeeerrrsss..

And the Department of Educationalism has educated how many people to date? Times are tough. Educationalists should be prepared to go under the Ö bus in 5...4...3...

Will someone please point me to the part of the constitution that gives the federal government authority to do anything in regards to education?

Ronald Reagan had the right plans for the Department of Education, its too bad he was never able to carry them out.

re: #91 jcm

How you do on #30? That seems to trip up most Lizards, the answer is Keynesian but I'm in the Adam Smith camp.

I missed #30. Or rather the Invisible Hand did.

Hey I am watching Obama introduce his financial geniuses and I see Biden has surfaced. Who knew he was still around?

Looks like the Treasury is going to have to bail out Obama's campaign promises next.

re: #165 Yashmak

I missed that one too. Got the same score you did.

As did I.

:-)

re: #150 MandyManners

Times have changed. R-rated movies are far more inappropriate nowadays.

TV is far more inappropriate today! Even flipping through the channels during the day on the weekends can cause a parent to blush. Just yesterday, we were watching football as a family and were channel surfing during a commercial. Up pops a lady in a silk bra and panties, cavorting around a bedroom ~ oops!

re: #131 3 wood

Only 2 ways to do that:

1. Adopt a regulation eliminating tenure at public universities, so maybe the y will teach a full day an you can get rid of the wackos and screw up's teaching.

2. Subsidize the price via some mix of price fixing, rationing and throwing money at it.

Door number 1 would require Obama to tell the unions to go scratch.

My money is on door number 2.

Method 3: Remove all tuition subsidies and student loans that keep inflating tuition. People will begin going to schools that they can afford so schools that have high tuition either have lower enrollment or they lower their tuition.

re: #145 bellamags

Yes the warm and fuzziness is a problem. There is no room for that when seriously trying to solve problems, unless of course you are talking about fabric softeners.

The thing about it is that hard-headed realism never looks superficially as good as the warm fuzzies. Most people do not or can not look beneath the surface of political problems. The are repeatedly bothered by the same problem because they will not put in the time to find and support those who can actually solve the problem, instead opting to watch TV and take another dose of the drug that is the warm fuzzies.

re: #151 bellamags

Do you think that kid heard from his parents that Hugo Chavez fought for workers pay? That was more than likely a school thing. That is troubling to me.

I am guessing school. I suspect he didn't know how to pronounce it because he read it from a book without it being discussed.

Heck we're in Georgia - I would have gone big time for Martin Luther King, Jr. or George Washington Carver as good citizens. But his answer really stunned me as the first answer that came to his mind. Perhaps it was a recent lesson?

After Bush and Kennedy completed "no child left behind" Teddy turned around and stabbed Bush in the back. Don't ever under-estimate the democrat's ability to be shameless back-stabbing two-faced liars. Bi-partisan means: Do
it the lefty dem way or we will cut you off at the knees. It's payback time. The dems are required to suck up to the unions thugs.

re: #128 bellamags

I once applied for a job and the questionaire read:

If Item A is 3/1.00 what is the price of a single item.

I wrote 34 cents and the boss said I was wrong, that it should be 33 cents.

I calmly explained that 33 cents would add to 99 cents and that, hello, why would anyone pay a dollar for three if they could get them seperate for 99 cents?

I got the job.

At point guard, from Berkeley, Christina ROOOmeeer...

re: #152 realwest

What the CSU has to do is lay off those administrators and faculty who don't perform on the job. But no, with tenure and stuff they'll keep their wasting ways.

re: #150 MandyManners

Times have changed. R-rated movies are far more inappropriate nowadays.

I'm not so sure I buy that argument. Times always appear to have changed as we grow up and grow older.

re: #128 bellamags

I have a question on my employment applications that stumps almost everyone.

What is 10% of $12.30?

If they pull out their cell phone to use as a calculator for that, no hire.

In college I worked behind the counter of a deli and we figured the bill up in pencil on the back of the brown paper bag we give to the customer.

No calculators, no cash registers (except to ring up after the rush had subsided) and you deal with 3 to 4 customers at a time during lunch.

I was in the supermarket last night and the bill came to $15.72. I gave the kid at the register a $20 bill and three quarters.

He looked at me like I had just stepped out of a UFO.

Then he punched everything into his computerized cash register and gave me a $5 bill and three pennies...

re: #161 Silhouette

Yes.

For some reason, I was old enough for them at 17, but now I am waaay too young to see any of that trash.

I can handle the blood and guts but, that sex thang just...just...NO.

re: #172 Nevergiveup

Hey I am watching Obama introduce his financial geniuses and I see Biden has surfaced. Who knew he was still around?

I think Biden needs a reality show. They could reach across the aisle and put it on Fox. We must keep a microphone in that guys face always.

SERIOUS QUESTION HERE - Obama didn't get elected just by the Democratic Base - so he has a lot to lose with folks who really were hoping for HOPE and Change.
But, while we've had discussions out here about the Republican Base, what about the Democratic Base?
Surely it CAN'T be just the KosKidz, Du'ers and HuffPoos. Who are they and how the hell can Obama hope to keep them?
For example, the UAW - as is it's wont - went big for Obama in terms of money and some 85,000 "volunteers" - but if he doesn't bail out the Big 3 he's gonna lose that large constituent base and if he DOES bail out the Big 3 he's gonna lose Independents and a lot of Dems - there isn't much public sentiment for bailing out the Big 3.
So - who comprises Obama's "Base"?

re: #66 mcnorman

No Child Left Behind was GWB's brain child. It has failed in Texas...kids learn how to take a test. That is it. Anything to make that score. It matters not that the kids can't read or write.

I would politely dissagree. If one cannot read or write one cannot pass the TAKS test in Texas. I have seen the test and more importantly being on a school board I see the details behind the testing. It is true that districts do teach to the test because that is exactly what is intended. You must get the kids to a certain point in the curriculum before the test (in April). The consequence of this is exactly as intended in that the teachers are held responsibile in getting the entire class to a certain point. Prior to the testing, at least in Texas, was for teachers to work on getting the whole class to a certain point and then the marginal learning was controlled by the slowest couple of kids in a class.

O-my Obama taking about Clean energy.

re: #160 MandyManners

I remember the "wear a sweater" thing and long lines at the gas station. And, my dad's choice words for Carter.

BTW - Bloomberg used the sweater line in NYC last week. Can't raise the heat in public buildings ---> wear a sweater and be glad you still get a paycheck.

re: #161 Silhouette

Yes.

For some reason, I was old enough for them at 17, but now I am waaay too young to see any of that trash.

That's more about the quality of the movie making than it is about the rating. I do agree that the quality of Hollywood has been severely lacking recently.

re: #5 buzzsawmonkey

Applications are now being taken for the Army of Teachers slogan.

"We do more by Friday than most people do all morning."

re: #188 realwest

SERIOUS QUESTION HERE - Obama didn't get elected just by the Democratic Base - so he has a lot to lose with folks who really were hoping for HOPE and Change.
But, while we've had discussions out here about the Republican Base, what about the Democratic Base?
Surely it CAN'T be just the KosKidz, Du'ers and HuffPoos. Who are they and how the hell can Obama hope to keep them?
For example, the UAW - as is it's wont - went big for Obama in terms of money and some 85,000 "volunteers" - but if he doesn't bail out the Big 3 he's gonna lose that large constituent base and if he DOES bail out the Big 3 he's gonna lose Independents and a lot of Dems - there isn't much public sentiment for bailing out the Big 3.
So - who comprises Obama's "Base"?

He got the corned beef

And finally, from the Center for American Progress, Melody BAAArnes...

Ladies and gentlemen your 2009-2012 Economic Saviors.

In 3 sentences Obama just pretty much promised everything to everybody? But I guess the way the Bush WH is bailing people out...?

re: #180 Eowyn2

Touche! and a karma point. :)

re: #138 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Gee, thanks "Fellow Traveler" :-)

re: #188 realwest

The answer, I think, is that there is no base. No foundation. The country seems to have fractured into a thousand self-interested pieces.

re: #172 Nevergiveup

Hey I am watching Obama introduce his financial geniuses and I see Biden has surfaced. Who knew he was still around?

He popped in from his van down by the river?

re: #179 FrogMarch

After Bush and Kennedy completed "no child left behind" Teddy turned around and stabbed Bush in the back. Don't ever under-estimate the democrat's ability to be shameless back-stabbing two-faced liars. Bi-partisan means: Do
it the lefty dem way or we will cut you off at the knees. It's payback time. The dems are required to suck up to the unions thugs.

The one thing about Bush that I will always remember, is that he does not believe in political payback. He will turn the other cheek, despite what we we all say (we want blood!). The media and democrats have given tried to paint him in a very bad light. He does not hit back. He is a very decent man. I will always admire that about him.

Sit through a few courses in teacher education and preparation at any college of education in this country and one will find the heart of the problem. Form over function, absence of meaningful content, goofy concepts relating to "socialization" rather than passing on scientifically based knowledge and the values upon which this country was founded. Teacher education, for the most part is a sad joke that penalizes the best and the brightest and foists the chaff on the public. There are exceptions, but they lack the courage to defy their unions. The character of many of the persons teaching your children resembles that of a whipped dog and they are creating copies of themselves with your children and tax dollars.

Thank God for the few teachers in this country that do their jobs well, for they are the increasingly rare.

re: #128 bellamags

I have a question on my employment applications that stumps almost everyone.

What is 10% of $12.30?

If they pull out their cell phone to use as a calculator for that, no hire.

Cute! I love it.

We used to go to festivals and sell to the public. We'd hire high school friends of our daughter's to help with sales. I always had to help figuring out sales taxes.

For cash or check sales we only needed a total with tax. For credit card sales we needed a subtotal and a discreet sales tax amount.

I'd inevitably have to write out something like:

Cash/Check - Price x 1.07 = Total
Credit Cards - Price x .07 = Tax

It really opened my eyes wrt quality of high school education.

re: #187 freedombilly

I think Biden needs a reality show. They could reach across the aisle and put it on Fox. We must keep a microphone in that guys face always.

and in true Biden spirit, they could steal the format of another reality show and call it an original

our local elementaty school district was trying to pass a parcel tax a few years ago, to have us pay to keep two schools open when enrollment declines (and common sense) had made it only feasible to have one

but the teachers union and administrators banded together to foist a parcel tax (to try and keep all their jobs)
even though each school could hold 600 kids
and there were only 450 in the district (so yes, both were operating at less than half capacity)

so when their own polls suggested the measure would not pass
they came up with, and got a state Ed dept person to go along,
a new "award" for the schools
and put up big banners crowing about the "achievement"

but, red-county Placer (California)voters nixed the tax 70-30
when 66% were needed, they got 30%
because not all voters are as stupid as the average American

re: #176 MadJadBad

Method 3: Remove all tuition subsidies and student loans that keep inflating tuition. People will begin going to schools that they can afford so schools that have high tuition either have lower enrollment or they lower their tuition.

Not possible. That would require a leader able and willing to abjure the warm fuzzies and then bear the storm of media anger that would descend upon such a proposal. We do not have such a leader and are not likely to find one who could do such a thing.

re: #188 realwest

So - who comprises Obama's "Base"?
___

many people who bought into a slick talker. O-and change too. )-:

re: #194 Shug

I've concluded that most Americans are physically, mentally, and intellectually lazy and that it's just EASIER to be a Democrat.

re: #178 DaddyG

I am guessing school. I suspect he didn't know how to pronounce it because he read it from a book without it being discussed.

Heck we're in Georgia - I would have gone big time for Martin Luther King, Jr. or George Washington Carver as good citizens. But his answer really stunned me as the first answer that came to his mind. Perhaps it was a recent lesson?

Just the fact that Chavez came to his mind when asked who good citizens are is frightening. Whatever he read left that impression. History books are being manipulated and that is one of the root problems with this recent electorate I believe. No one discusses "bad" people anymore. "Lets look for the good in all" BS has got to stop.

Obama is tied to the Great White Whale of the teacher's unions, who will fight any meaningful reform. Obama will put their interests first ahead of the students, as he has always done and as all Democrats do. However, he will come up with a few Potemkin programs that can be plausibly argued to have had some positive effect somewhere in some unmeasurable way. In the end, Obama will accomplish nothing and receive an award from the teacher's unions for all the nothing he's done.

re: #183 Iron Fist

Are you saying she was overdressed? Pity, that.

Um, not for elementary school age kids.

re: #198 Iron Fist

I take it you don't like Obama :-)

Make it a 24 hour show. All Biden, all the time.

Shit, he needs his own network. BRN - the Biden Reality Network. I would need a larger DVR.

re: #175 poopeedoo

TV is far more inappropriate today! Even flipping through the channels during the day on the weekends can cause a parent to blush. Just yesterday, we were watching football as a family and were channel surfing during a commercial. Up pops a lady in a silk bra and panties, cavorting around a bedroom ~ oops!

And, Adult Swim on the Cartoon Channel? Eeek.

He just mentioned cuts and sacrifices. Hum? Since the only ones he did NOT promise money to was the DOD, I guess we know where those are coming from?

re: #190 Dustoff-507

Like Oh Boy, Oberto!?

re: #204 eschew_obfuscation

For credit card sales we needed a subtotal and a discreet discrete sales tax amount.

[pet peeve]

re: #3 MrSilverDragon

Never make promises you can't keep.

Never write a check the taxpayers can't cover.

re: #177 Dark_Falcon

The thing about it is that hard-headed realism never looks superficially as good as the warm fuzzies. Most people do not or can not look beneath the surface of political problems. The are repeatedly bothered by the same problem because they will not put in the time to find and support those who can actually solve the problem, instead opting to watch TV and take another dose of the drug that is the warm fuzzies.

yep. see my 210

re: #202 Golem Akbar

The one thing about Bush that I will always remember, is that he does not believe in political payback. He will turn the other cheek, despite what we we all say (we want blood!). The media and democrats have given tried to paint him in a very bad light. He does not hit back. He is a very decent man. I will always admire that about him.

He is a decent man. and left-wing moonbats and dirty corrupt back-stabbing democrats are dirt.

re: #115 Last Mohican

Some years ago, while Rudy Giuliani was mayor of New York, I was riding in a New York taxi, and the driver had an AM news station on. Guiliani had just ordered the firing of some public school employees -- administrators who got paid to do nothing. I mean absolutely nothing. I don't think they even had to show up at the job more than a few hours a week. Rudy wanted to spend the money on new textbooks or something, instead of their salaries. There was an outcry from some union, maybe the teacher's union, who wanted them reinstated. Rudy's response, which became a sound bite on the radio, was "our children's education is more important than whether some people have jobs."

It was a gutsy, politically incorrect statement, one that most politicians wouldn't make, and one that I'll never forget. Obama would never, ever say or even think something like that. But it will take that kind of thinking to solve any major political problem.

But, but, Rudy G is pro-choice 11!11eleventy!

re: #128 bellamags

I have a question on my employment applications that stumps almost everyone. What is 10% of $12.30? If they pull out their cell phone to use as a calculator for that, no hire.

What do you mean stumps? You're not saying they can't figure the 10 percent out just by looking at it?

re: #202 Golem Akbar

The one thing about Bush that I will always remember, is that he does not believe in political payback. He will turn the other cheek, despite what we we all say (we want blood!). The media and democrats have given tried to paint him in a very bad light. He does not hit back. He is a very decent man. I will always admire that about him.

yes, and that turning of the cheek brought us
President-elect 0bama
ruined our investments
and will raise our taxes

good work George

re: #2 DaddyG

Then when I asked who the boys thought were great citizens (past and present) I was greeted with stares. One youngster finally chimed in with "Kaser Chivitz" - I asked him to describe this person and he told about how Kaser helped people who didn't get paid enough for picking fruit and vegetables. I replied "do you mean Caesar Chavez?" and he nodded emphatically - yes, that's the guy!

I think that's a brand of Jewish wine.

re: #217 Occasional Reader

[pet peeve]

And that on an education thread! Woops! Back to school for me ;*)

A little off thread but quite amusing and straight from HuffPo proving the Liberals do have a sense of humor...Monica Lewinski Cabinet Position

re: #191 DeafDog

BTW - Bloomberg used the sweater line in NYC last week. Can't raise the heat in public buildings ---> wear a sweater and be glad you still get a paycheck.

Those are public buildings so I have no problem with that.

Well every since Obama started talking at his press conference, the market dropped 50 points and counting.

re: #182 marge45b
Um, sorry but what is CSU ? And of course we need to address - maybe even more than the rising cost of colleges and universities, we need to discuss education at all levels. IIRC, in inner Cities, the High School drop out rate approaches 50% and has for YEARS now - what do those people do for work? And make no mistake about it, Obama is gonna HAVE to get everyone to work (though that's one campaign promise I'll bet he never thought he'd have to keep). It's a real, human tragedy and no amount of re-runs of the New Deal are gonna fix that.

re: #195 Bumr50

And finally, from the Center for American Progress, Melody BAAArnes...

Ladies and gentlemen your 2009-2012 Economic Saviors.

I've quoted myself because this lady scares me. And I'm a little loony.

Researching...

When I was in school there was always "that kid" who flunked a grade. Not any more, and herein lies the problem. Kids are advanced even when they don't deserve to just so they don't get their feelings hurt.

Welcome to the democrat party.

re: #200 Cognito

The answer, I think, is that there is no base. No foundation. The country seems to have fractured into a thousand self-interested pieces.

I would disagree. Obama's base is the left side of the Democratic party. If he does what they want, the country goes to disaster.

re: #200 Cognito

The answer, I think, is that there is no base. No foundation. The country seems to have fractured into a thousand self-interested pieces.

That's actually quite insightful, Cog. Depressing, but insightful.

re: #200 Cognito

The answer, I think, is that there is no base. No foundation. The country seems to have fractured into a thousand self-interested pieces.

Hey Cognito. I missed you while you were gone. Your favorite post of mine was the one where you referenced the horrible turkey spaghetti. That made me laugh for hours.

re: #228 3 wood

Well every since Obama started talking at his press conference, the market dropped 50 points and counting.

If there was a split screen of both Obama and Paulson talking it would lose 20% in an hour.

re: #216 Bumr50
(-:

re: #224 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

One youngster finally chimed in with "Kaser Chivitz"

I think that's a brand of Jewish wine.

I thought it was the archvillain in The Usual Suspects?

Here's my prescription:

1) Vouchers redeemed to TEACHERS, not schools (you choose a teacher and pay her/him directly, not the school.) Parents can parcel their voucher money to several teachers.
2) Teachers choose their own curriculum.
3) The districts are responsible for buildings.
4) Testing is done twice a year, the second function of government.
5) There are no age based classrooms. Teachers teach a particular subject in the uppergrades Any student ready for that subject can be admitted to that teacher's classroom.
6) Teachers can get rid of any student who isn't performing or behaves poorly and refund the money to parents.
7) Once a year, teachers hold a conference for parents during which their particular interests and teaching style is described to potential "buyers."

Any more ideas?

They asked him DIRECTLY will he let the Bush tax cuts stand. He immediately went into his campaign stump speech. Someone should tell him the campaign is over? Oh he has not answered the question-Surprise Surprise

This week's cover of Time magazine...
The New New Deal

re: #208 Dustoff-507

So - who comprises Obama's "Base"?

Oprah viewers

re: #115 Last Mohican

Some years ago, while Rudy Giuliani was mayor of New York, I was riding in a New York taxi, and the driver had an AM news station on. Guiliani had just ordered the firing of some public school employees -- administrators who got paid to do nothing. I mean absolutely nothing. I don't think they even had to show up at the job more than a few hours a week. Rudy wanted to spend the money on new textbooks or something, instead of their salaries. There was an outcry from some union, maybe the teacher's union, who wanted them reinstated. Rudy's response, which became a sound bite on the radio, was "our children's education is more important than whether some people have jobs."

It was a gutsy, politically incorrect statement, one that most politicians wouldn't make, and one that I'll never forget. Obama would never, ever say or even think something like that. But it will take that kind of thinking to solve any major political problem.

Rudy G is a dirty RINO! No more RINOs! Leave George Bush alone!

/breaks my heart

Melody Barnes summing herself up in a nutshell.

We are mocking this man now, but I am afraid he is going to put upon our educational system even more of the same crap that has "broken it" in the first place. We will see more worthless and harmful programs being attached to the money the federal government sends to schools. The schools will of course take it, they are addicted to it.

With Obama in the White House and Ted Kennedy in the Senate...get ready for a tsunami of BS, heading straight to a public school near you.

re: #214 MandyManners

And, Adult Swim on the Cartoon Channel? Eeek.

Yikes ~ We don't have cable nor satellite... Just plain ol' public TV.

re: #234 bellamags

Hey Cognito. I missed you while you were gone. Your favorite post of mine was the one where you referenced the horrible turkey spaghetti. That made me laugh for hours.

That's why he got banned. Don't get him started again, unless you want to see him gone.
/

Reading between the lines, Obama is just now laying out his new "New Deal" economic plan, replete with plenty of calls to throw a big pity- party. All that's missing is the naming of the new WPA and CCC.
But wait, there's more- we'll have a new Dept. of Energy Stoopidity to help smooth the transition between the destruction of carbon- based energy systems and who- the- hell- knows what comes next.
A bonafide economic genius...

re: #228 3 wood

Well every since Obama started talking at his press conference, the market dropped 50 points and counting.

Why can't that man just shut up?

re: #217 Occasional Reader

[pet peeve]

Your always playin' your roll.

;)

re: #235 Iron Fist

Age appropriate sex ed for kindergarteners is one of the O-man's promises I believe he intends to keep. After all, you can't let a kid go to the first grade if they aren't proficient with a condom. It just wouldn't be sporting.

Will parents be able to opt-out?

re: #222 Walter L. Newton

What do you mean stumps? You're not saying they can't figure the 10 percent out just by looking at it?

IN WA we have a sales tax, varies by locality but most places I end up it's 8.9%. If I'm standing in line have the correct change, I'll hand the cashier the correct amount before she scans everything, I get looks like I'm physic or something.

re: #160 MandyManners

I remember the "wear a sweater" thing and long lines at the gas station. And, my dad's choice words for Carter.

living in the sticks we didnt have really long lines at the gas station but those damn 55/mph really added to any trips we took. are we there yet.

Carter was a joke.

re: #228 3 wood

Well every since Obama started talking at his press conference, the market dropped 50 points and counting.

When the market is open and Obama's talking, we ought to compare where the Dow is when he starts with when he finishes. Then we should use those dips to build the case that he knows nothing about reassuring businesses and won't be able to help the economy much.

BBL

At the University (public, of course) that my wife teaches at, they needed to maintain a 1.5 GPA among the students who rec'd Federal aid in order to qualify for increases in aid, additional accreditations, etc. They failed to do so two years running. A 1.5 is a "D' in my book, and yet these kids couldn't even manage that? I was a bit sickened when I heard that (as was wifey).

Market now down 120 points since Obama started talking.

re: #243 funky chicken

Funny, but GWB could be considered a RINO given the way he's throwing money all over the place, whether it was the education package, the prescription drug plan, or now the bailout. That's hardly conservative. It sure isn't compassionate given that the next generation of Americans will be saddled with debt as far as the eye can see.

My hopes for education have already been dashed.

I had hoped the electorate was educated enough not to have voted for him.

re: #235 Iron Fist

*sick* (but true)

Feeding frenzy...

"Nov. 24 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. government is prepared to lend more than $7.4 trillion on behalf of American taxpayers, or half the value of everything produced in the nation last year, to rescue the financial system since the credit markets seized up 15 months ago."

[Link: bloomberg.com...]

re: #200 Cognito
Ok, I could maybe buy that, but then why do we always talk about the Republican Base? Why not the Democratic Base? Fragmented or not (for Republicans see: creationism/Intelligent Design, abortion and "So-Cons" in general - what about the Leftist agenda or "base" (no fair using the word liberal, the Dems' don't allow liberals into their party anymore).

re: #242 CIA Reject

Gezzz, DON'T scare me like that. LOL

re: #246 poopeedoo

Yikes ~ We don't have cable nor satellite... Just plain ol' public TV.

The Kid wants DirectTV for Christmas.