Clearly, it's meant to inspire stoners to join the cause, knowing that they'd never read past the "legalize" word.

what the Constition may look like
Image: V_2009_A_Bright_New_Day_Anna_Visa.png

Hmmm

How about we issue a court order to these folks that demands that they read the constitution and then forces them to define certain key words and phrases like separation of Chruch and State, the notion that secession is treason, and the notion of a social contract.

Then for bonus points they have to be able to define both socialism and fascism.

Et "tu"?

So do you think that she'd just finished the "L" when she realized that "f*** I'm running out of room!" So then decided to make the "I" lowercase in "LEGALiZE"?

re: #3 LudwigVanQuixote

Hmmm

How about we issue a court order to these folks that demands that they read the constitution and then forces them to define certain key words and phrases like separation of Church and State, the notion that secession is treason, and the notion of a social contract.

Then for bonus points they have to be able to define both socialism and fascism.

Works for me, but preview is your friend, Ludwig.

re: #3 LudwigVanQuixote

Hmmm

How about we issue a court order to these folks that demands that they read the constitution and then forces them to define certain key words and phrases like separation of Chruch and State, the notion that secession is treason, and the notion of a social contract.

Then for bonus points they have to be able to define both socialism and fascism.

I see your these folks & raise you in public school by the 6th grade...

Someone say Long Island Ice Tea?
...Pity...*

Legalize spelling.

re: #2 negativ
I preferred this character:
Image: morenabaccarin.jpg

re: #6 Dark_Falcon

Works for me, but preview is your friend, Ludwig.

PIMF is always my friend. We all know I can't type for crap when it gets late and I am feeling chatty.

How about we issue a court order to these folks that demands that they read the constitution and then force them to define certain key words and phrases like separation of church and state, the notion that secession is treason, and the notion of a social contract.

Then for bonus points they have to be able to define both socialism and fascism.

re: #5 jamesfirecat

So do you think that she'd just finished the "L" when she realized that "f*** I'm running out of room!" So then decided to make the "I" lowercase in "LEGALiZE"?

How can the Tea Party guys be right about economical planning, when they can't even plan out the typography of their signs?!

Wait. Why do we have to legalize it? Is the Constitution unconstitutional?

*head asplodes*

re: #12 cenotaphium

How can the Tea Party guys be right about economical planning, when they can't even plan out the typography of their signs?!

They're schizophrenic?

/

re: #3 LudwigVanQuixote

Hmmm

How about we issue a court order to these folks that demands that they read the constitution and then forces them to define certain key words and phrases like separation of Chruch and State, the notion that secession is treason, and the notion of a social contract.

Then for bonus points they have to be able to define both socialism and fascism.

No, that would just be one more example of Obama "controlling every aspect of our lives."

Does this really have much to do with the constitution? It seems more like a continuation of the culture war, backlash edition.

re: #15 palomino

No, that would just be one more example of Obama "controlling every aspect of our lives."

Does this really have much to do with the constitution? It seems more like a continuation of the culture war, backlash edition.

Culture War, Episode Two, Clone of the Attack!

re: #13 JasonA

*head asplodes*

awww man! you got you f'n grey matter in my beer!

re: #5 jamesfirecat

hey lady It's Constitution with a "u" you idiot!
Have to say they are fun to watch....

re: #7 brookly red

I see your these folks & raise you in public school by the 6th grade...

This is a straight up good comment. All the sixth graders I knew when I was in the sixth grade could have done this. Well maybe one or two were slow, but these sort of basic things used to be standard education.

Of course if I had my way, I would quintuple the money we spend on primary education by doubling teacher salaries and hiring twice as many of them and firing the ones who don't belong there. The rest of the money I would use to buy books and materials.

re: #15 palomino

No, that would just be one more example of Obama "controlling every aspect of our lives."

Does this really have much to do with the constitution? It seems more like a continuation of the culture war, backlash edition.

Of course that is what it is. If you asked that woman what she was so angry about the government doing, she would be unable to give a coherent answer. She would however tell you all sorts of things she heard on Fox.

Legalize the Constition

Abolish the Department of Education!

re: #16 jamesfirecat

Culture War, Episode Two, Clone of the Attack!

I think I must be a lot older than you, because this seems like Episode IX, at the very least.

re: #19 LudwigVanQuixote

This is a straight up good comment. All the sixth graders I knew when I was in the sixth grade could have done this. Well maybe one or two were slow, but these sort of basic things used to be standard education.

Of course if I had my way, I would quintuple the money we spend on primary education by doubling teacher salaries and hiring twice as many of them and firing the ones who don't belong there. The rest of the money I would use to buy books and materials.

I agree...

now who are you and what have you done with Ludwig?

re: #18 reloadingisnotahobby

hey lady It's Constitution with a "u" you idiot!
Have to say they are fun to watch...

There's no such thing as a word with 3 T's!

/outrageously outraged dumbass

re: #17 brookly red

*head asplodes*

awww man! you got you f'n grey matter in my beer!

Oh. That'll be 50 cents, sir.

re: #22 palomino

I think I must be a lot older than you, because this seems like Episode IX, at the very least.

Episode XII

(I'm )So very tired.... (of this bullshit)

re: #19 LudwigVanQuixote

This is a straight up good comment. All the sixth graders I knew when I was in the sixth grade could have done this. Well maybe one or two were slow, but these sort of basic things used to be standard education.

Of course if I had my way, I would quintuple the money we spend on primary education by doubling teacher salaries and hiring twice as many of them and firing the ones who don't belong there. The rest of the money I would use to buy books and materials.

We wouldn't actually need to raise spending that much once we'd gotten rid of the waste and dud teachers. The problem you'd face is the unions. You normally can't fire a teacher simply because they don't do the job well.

re: #23 brookly red

I agree...

now who are you and what have you done with Ludwig?

?

I have been ranting that we need to spend real money on primary education so as to insure that good people are attracted to the job and that there is a small enough teacher student ratio that kids get proper attention ever since my first posts here.

re: #21 Killgore Trout

Abolish the Department of Education!

End the Fed!111!1!

GOOOLLLDDD

re: #19 LudwigVanQuixote

Do the folks who make these signs live in dictionary-free zones?

Maybe the incorrect spelling is intentional: an ironic way to criticize elitists who spell words correctly.

re: #25 JasonA

Oh. That'll be 50 cents, sir.

/hell gonna need some more aspolading libs to get fifty cents worth of brains...

re: #30 palomino

Do the folks who make these signs live in dictionary-free zones?

Maybe the incorrect spelling is intentional: an ironic way to criticize elitists who spell words correctly.

That'll learn 'em!

re: #29 Varek Raith

End the Fed!111!1!

GOOOLLLDDD

Ssseeedddd baaaanksssss!!!

re: #30 palomino

Do the folks who make these signs live in dictionary-free zones?

Maybe the incorrect spelling is intentional: an ironic way to criticize elitists who spell words correctly.

Nu-cu-lar its pronounced nu-cu-lar!

re: #30 palomino

Maybe the incorrect spelling is intentional: an ironic way to criticize elitists who spell words correctly.

Yea! That's it!!
*pimf*

re: #31 brookly red

Your comment offends me, so I updinged you for it.

Not a fan of the teabaggers either, but wasn't there some grumbling about liberals infiltrating tea parties with signs like this for just this intended result?

Constition though, lol!

re: #28 LudwigVanQuixote

?

I have been ranting that we need to spend real money on primary education so as to insure that good people are attracted to the job and that there is a small enough teacher student ratio that kids get proper attention ever since my first posts here.

no I am just snarking that I agree with you... sheesh.

re: #3 LudwigVanQuixote

Or give them ALL remedial spelling lessons.
Sheesh!

re: #8 reloadingisnotahobby

I could use a Long Island Iced Tea about now....

re: #39 Floral Giraffe

Or give them ALL remedial spelling lessons.
Sheesh!

Ok... I can't find the article on line... Click on my name, you will see my email address link, try that again?

re: #26 jamesfirecat

Episode XII

(I'm )So very tired... (of this bullshit)

Me too. And I don't see many signs of this getting better.

re: #21 Killgore Trout

Abolish the Department of Education!

How on earth did we ever educate kids before 1979 without it?!?

re: #35 reloadingisnotahobby

Maybe the incorrect spelling is intentional: an ironic way to criticize elitists who spell words correctly.

Yea! That's it!!
*pimf*

Alinsky double reversal, Cloward to the Piven!
/Genius!

re: #33 Killgore Trout

Ssseeeddd baaanksss!!!

Wait, what happens if there's a run on the seed bank? Will the gov't insure my seeds?!?

re: #37 wiffersnapper

Not a fan of the teabaggers either, but wasn't there some grumbling about liberals infiltrating tea parties with signs like this for just this intended result?

Constition though, lol!

If that were the case...

10% Tea Partier
90% Librul infiltraitor

re: #37 wiffersnapper

Not a fan of the teabaggers either, but wasn't there some grumbling about liberals infiltrating tea parties with signs like this for just this intended result?

Constition though, lol!

Poe's Law writ large is what this is!

re: #21 Killgore Trout

Abolish the Department of Education!

Abolish the Department of Edumacation.

FTFY!

In all honesty, you guys may be jumping to conclusions here. Have you considered the crashtheteaparty.org folks. Misspelled signs are one of there stated goals.

re: #40 Floral Giraffe

I could use a Long Island Iced Tea about now...

Here...Have mine.I'm switching to ZOMBIES!!

re: #49 CSDS

In all honesty, you guys may be jumping to conclusions here. Have you considered the crashtheteaparty.org folks. Misspelled signs are one of there stated goals.

re: #46 Varek Raith

If that were the case...

10% Tea Partier
90% Librul infiltraitor

:P

re: #45 JasonA

FDIC only covers open pollinated heirloom varieties. F1 varieties will get you raped by the Mole Man.

re: #46 Varek Raith

If that were the case...

10% Tea Partier
90% Librul infiltraitor

Which means... that Tea Partiers only consti(tu)te 10% of the numbers we see at crowds? I can live with that...

re: #27 Dark_Falcon

We wouldn't actually need to raise spending that much once we'd gotten rid of the waste and dud teachers. The problem you'd face is the unions. You normally can't fire a teacher simply because they don't do the job well.

DING DING DING!
We have a winner!
Would you like the toaster or the blender?

re: #21 Killgore Trout

Not really sure why education policy needs to be done at the national level. Except for the bad optics of looking like one is opposed to public education, I doubt education would suffer if the states took over what the feds do.

Of course it would be nice if we could tell Texas how this science stuff works. But it's pretty unlikely a national policy enforcing a real-science curriculum policy would ever be enacted.

re: #45 JasonA

Wait, what happens if there's a run on the seed bank? Will the gov't insure my seeds?!?

Do realize what the reaction from the wingnuts would be if it did?

GET THE GUBMINT AWAY FRUM MY SURVIVAL SEEDZ! STOP OBAMUNIST TYRANNY!11 BUY GOLD!!1

re: #46 Varek Raith

re: #49 CSDS

The librulz are errrrveryWUR!!!

re: #10 CarleeCork

Well, there's no question that Firefly was far superior to the new "V". Nevertheless, I'll take my televised Sci-Fi where I can get it, warts and all.

I really hate the way the TV suits treat sci-fi. Firefly only got 14 episodes. The Sarah Connor Chronicles admittedly blew more goats than a SKYNET-designed goat-blowing device for 75% of the first season, but just when it started to get its act together in a REALLY interesting way for season two, *poof*.

The same is going to happen to V. Seems like if you can't produce MEGA-SUPER-PLATINUM OMFG right out of the gate, you're vaporized.

The first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation was horrible, but went on to become the best of the entire Star Trek franchise.

I never watched "Cheers", but it was dead-friggin-last in the ratings for its first season, but went on to become insanely popular.

blaarrgh, wharrgarble, rant. Never mind.

re: #52 Killgore Trout

FDIC only covers open pollinated heirloom varieties. F1 varieties will get you raped by the Mole Man.

I don't know what that means but I dinged you anyway.

re: #49 CSDS

Misspelled signs are one of there stated goals.

[write your own joke here]

My local blue grass band is having rehearsal tonight. A wonderfully redneck version of Comfortably Numb going on now. I need to get a recording of this one.

re: #45 JasonA

Wait, what happens if there's a run on the seed bank? Will the gov't insure my seeds?!?

well yes but you need to turn them over for safe keeping... just sign here.

OK this may sting for a few seconds...

re: #55 BryanS

Not really sure why education policy needs to be done at the national level. Except for the bad optics of looking like one is opposed to public education, I doubt education would suffer if the states took over what the feds do.

Of course it would be nice if we could tell Texas how this science stuff works. But it's pretty unlikely a national policy enforcing a real-science curriculum policy would ever be enacted.

see #43

We got along without a Fed Dept of Ed prior to 1980 (law signed in 79, enacted in 80)

re: #49 CSDS

In all honesty, you guys may be jumping to conclusions here. Have you considered the crashtheteaparty.org folks. Misspelled signs are one of there stated goals.

It's vaguely ironic that you made a spelling and grammar error in a comment absolving Tea Partiers of spelling errors and blaming it on liberals.

re: #35 reloadingisnotahobby

Maybe the incorrect spelling is intentional: an ironic way to criticize elitists who spell words correctly.

Yea! That's it!!
*pimf*

People making these signs seem quite literate...I'm sure they can express irony in sophisticated ways.

re: #41 Walter L. Newton

Ok... I can't find the article on line... Click on my name, you will see my email address link, try that again?

Did that work?
TechTard, here...

re: #27 Dark_Falcon

We wouldn't actually need to raise spending that much once we'd gotten rid of the waste and dud teachers. The problem you'd face is the unions. You normally can't fire a teacher simply because they don't do the job well.

I truly think you have that very backwards. The teacher's union is the only reason they make a reasonable salary at all. Further it is only because of the union that teachers have had any leverage to make stands and do controversial things like teach evolution or whatever other true facts might offend some idiot parent or church group.

Education is a you get what you pay for proposition. If you have as your teacher pool only the few idealists who love the job and the rest as shlubs who fell into the job, this is the result. If education budgets are always amongst the first to suffer, this is what you get. If the funding for a school is based on property taxes, then you guarantee that poor areas must make due with much less.

The bottom line is that Americans need to realize that when it comes to a high school, you vote to expand the history department before you build another baseball field. Further, they need to get the fact that they do not get to vote on what the facts are. Truth is not a democracy. It is what it is regardless of popularity, and the ignorant have no business whatsoever trying to impose their opinions on it as if their opinions mattered at all.

If we had a sensible system, we would have massive federal funding for all public schools with strict minimum standards for course materials. With that funding, we would insure that schools are secure and that there are enough teachers to make certain that the bright kids go to classes for the bright, the kids with the most needs get special care and the ones in the middle get enough attention to keep them pushing and to help get them unstuck, rather than having one teacher trying to teach to the middle of 40 kids.

re: #60 bratwurst

[write your own joke here right you're on jok hear]

FTFY

re: #55 BryanS

Not really sure why education policy needs to be done at the national level.

Because we can't afford to have even one state teaching their children that the universe is 6,000 years old. That kind of shit will destroy a country.

re: #49 CSDS

In all honesty, you guys may be jumping to conclusions here. Have you considered the crashtheteaparty.org folks. Misspelled signs are one of there stated goals.

And do you think that's a good idea?

re: #63 sattv4u2

see #43

We got along without a Fed Dept of Ed prior to 1980 (law signed in 79, enacted in 80)

Yeah--and Bush eviscerated the traditional Republican opposition to growth of the federal role in k-12 education with his no child left behind policy.

re: #50 reloadingisnotahobby

Here...Have mine.I'm switching to ZOMBIES!!

Mmmm, brainz...

Well folks, I'm off to enjoy my daily constitional. Be nice to each while I'm gone.

re: #69 Killgore Trout

Because we can't afford to have even one state teaching their children that the universe is 6,000 years old. That kind of shit will destroy a country.

/...faster than sodomy.

re: #74 brookly red

/...faster than sodomy.

Much faster.

re: #61 Killgore Trout

My local blue grass band is having rehearsal tonight. A wonderfully redneck version of Comfortably Numb going on now. I need to get a recording of this one.

And, post it on youtube, to share!
Love, comfortably numb.

re: #39 Floral Giraffe

Or give them ALL remedial spelling lessons.
Sheesh!

You just reminded me of a joke I had with a friend. We were kidding about Star Wars and the whole tempted by the darkside thing.

I said, no, it's not a joke, seriously. It would be insanely tempting. Imagine going to a tea party and thinking...

Do I choke the insolent with the force, fry them with lightning, or merely bounce them around like a pinball?

re: #71 BryanS

Yeah--and Bush eviscerated the traditional Republican opposition to growth of the federal role in k-12 education with his no child left behind policy.

Teddy Kennedy authored the leg,, but ,, shhhh ,,,
BLAME BUSH!

re: #73 JasonA

Well folks, I'm off to enjoy my daily constitional. Be nice to each while I'm gone.

What? No wireless Laptop!

re: #49 CSDS

In all honesty, you guys may be jumping to conclusions here. Have you considered the crashtheteaparty.org folks. Misspelled signs are one of there stated goals.

Perhaps one of their stated goals.

re: #54 Floral Giraffe

DING DING DING!
We have a winner!
Would you like the toaster or the blender?

Blender, I've already got a good toaster.

re: #67 LudwigVanQuixote

Teachers unions help teachers make more reasonable wages, yes. But they also help undeserving bad teachers make more than they are worth and make it impossible to get rid of those bad teachers.

re: #67 LudwigVanQuixote

Well, you must not be part of the LAUSD is all I can say.

re: #77 LudwigVanQuixote

Do I choke the insolent with the force, fry them with lightning, or merely bounce them around like a pinball?

' I find your lack of self-awareness disturbing.'

Teh parties are sines of the thymes.
BTW, is Kevorkian creepy or what?

re: #49 CSDS

In all honesty, you guys may be jumping to conclusions here. Have you considered the crashtheteaparty.org folks. Misspelled signs are one of there stated goals.

There (that place) Their (belonging to them) They're (they are)
It's (it is) Its (belonging to it)
Your (belonging to you) You're (you are)

Am I the only person on the planet who paid attention in class when they taught contractions and possessives?

re: #83 Floral Giraffe

Well, you must not be part of the LAUSD is all I can say.

LAUSD?

Ignoring the spelling mistake, what is this sign even supposed to mean?

re: #69 Killgore Trout

Because we can't afford to have even one state teaching their children that the universe is 6,000 years old. That kind of shit will destroy a country.

If only a national education policy could actually do anything about that. Alas, that would never pass. Federalism isn't always a bad thing--at least people can get away from the crazy of one state if the issue upsets them enough.

re: #49 CSDS

In all honesty, you guys may be jumping to conclusions here. Have you considered the crashtheteaparty.org folks. Misspelled signs are one of there stated goals.

See my 47, if the Tea Partiers can't tell she's a liberal plant why should we try to?

re: #86 Alouette

There (that place) Their (belonging to them) They're (they are)
It's (it is) Its (belonging to it)
Your (belonging to you) You're (you are)

Am I the only person on the planet who paid attention in class when they taught contractions and possessives?

Si.

re: #80 reine.de.tout

Perhaps one of their stated goals.

Website of CSDS, who tells us that misspellings are one of "there" stated goals (talking about the infiltrators).

CSDS - If you're going to be here, you really need to be completely upfront about where you're coming from.

re: #77 LudwigVanQuixote

Walk away laughing, happily into a fun filled life!
Wingnuts aren't worth an INSTANT of your time or energy.
MUCH better things to be doing!

(She types from the basement!)

re: #82 BryanS

It's really not that hard!!
I think I'm personally responsible for at least three teacher quiting!!
I know!Mom was so proud!

re: #77 LudwigVanQuixote

You just reminded me of a joke I had with a friend. We were kidding about Star Wars and the whole tempted by the darkside thing.

I said, no, it's not a joke, seriously. It would be insanely tempting. Imagine going to a tea party and thinking...

Do I choke the insolent with the force, fry them with lightning, or merely bounce them around like a pinball?

Varek Raith has perfected a Force GAZE that he uses to fry teabaggers in their tracks.

re: #86 Alouette

There (that place) Their (belonging to them) They're (they are)
It's (it is) Its (belonging to it)
Your (belonging to you) You're (you are)

Am I the only person on the planet who paid attention in class when they taught contractions and possessives?

No.
I caught it too.re: #80 reine.de.tout

ANd also.
re: #92 reine.de.tout

re: #78 sattv4u2

Teddy Kennedy authored the leg,, but ,, shhh ,,,
BLAME BUSH!

Yes, Teddy was the Senate lead sponsor of the bill. But Bush caved. Funny, though, high "partisan" the left always thought Bush was. On some things yes, but on the education issue he was not.

re: #87 LudwigVanQuixote

LAUSD?

Los Angeles Unified School District

re: #97 BryanS

Yes, Teddy was the Senate lead sponsor of the bill. But Bush caved. Funny, though, high "partisan" the left always thought Bush was. On some things yes, but on the education issue he was not.

On many other domestic issues also

re: #82 BryanS

Teachers unions help teachers make more reasonable wages, yes. But they also help undeserving bad teachers make more than they are worth and make it impossible to get rid of those bad teachers.

Yes that is true. It is however a completely secondary thing to the culture that we have established in our primary schools where most of the school's staff are idiots.

I mean how many more kid got suspended for having a Tylenol stories do you need to hear? It is not just that. I could write for a few days on notable excesses of stupidity on the part of school boards, administrators and teachers overall.

The bottom line is that with the current culture, schools either attract idealists, who do their damndest for too little pay, or the kind of weak and silly person who likes making rule for kids. If we paid teachers properly, we would have a different ratio.

re: #100 LudwigVanQuixote

Yes that is true. It is however a completely secondary thing to the culture that we have established in our primary schools where most of the school's staff are idiots.

I mean how many more kid got suspended for having a Tylenol stories do you need to hear? It is not just that. I could write for a few days on notable excesses of stupidity on the part of school boards, administrators and teachers overall.

The bottom line is that with the current culture, schools either attract idealists, who do their damndest for too little pay, or the kind of weak and silly person who likes making rule for kids. If we paid teachers properly, we would have a different ratio.

If you're talking about zero tolerance, then I'm in complete agreement. But fixing that requires large-scale tort reform and that is very hard to do in many states. Here in Illinois, it keeps getting shot down by the state supreme court.

re: #99 sattv4u2

On many other domestic issues also

Big government conservative--really that's why the tea party folks are not cozy with Republicans nearly as much as is thought here.

I still think that, while there are certainly Republican crazies gloming onto the tea party, they are mostly the Perot voters. Both presidents Bush seem to have brought out the same crowd opposed to big government Republicanism.

re: #88 Jadespring

Ignoring the spelling mistake, what is this sign even supposed to mean?

It would be interesting to see if she could even tell you. hat is sort of my point. The tea party is nothing but inchoate anger fueled by fear. I doubt sincerely she could say what she meant at all. It would be some sort of stammering with references to Fox. IF you pointed out that the few statements that were coherent that she did make, were just simply not true, she would switch to another sound byte and pretend you said nothing.

re: #101 Dark_Falcon

If you're talking about zero tolerance, then I'm in complete agreement. But fixing that requires large-scale tort reform and that is very hard to do in many states. Here in Illinois, it keeps getting shot down by the state supreme court.

I am talking about much more than that. I am using that as one example of a culture.

re: #101 Dark_Falcon

If you're talking about zero tolerance, then I'm in complete agreement. But fixing that requires large-scale tort reform and that is very hard to do in many states. Here in Illinois, it keeps getting shot down by the state supreme court.

Forgive me for being a foolish catnip smoking liberal, but how do you need tort reform on a large scale in order to fix the policy of what drugs students can and can't have in schools? They seem like two utterly unrelated issues....

re: #100 LudwigVanQuixote

Yes that is true. It is however a completely secondary thing to the culture that we have established in our primary schools where most of the school's staff are idiots.

I mean how many more kid got suspended for having a Tylenol stories do you need to hear? It is not just that. I could write for a few days on notable excesses of stupidity on the part of school boards, administrators and teachers overall.

The bottom line is that with the current culture, schools either attract idealists, who do their damndest for too little pay, or the kind of weak and silly person who likes making rule for kids. If we paid teachers properly, we would have a different ratio.

Totally agree with paying teachers properly. I am opposed to many of Obama's policies, but I give him a lot of credit where he has pushed merit pay and other policies to help hold teachers accountable.

re: #88 Jadespring

Ignoring the spelling mistake, what is this sign even supposed to mean?

"I hate Obama!"

re: #100 LudwigVanQuixote

It seems to be a question of values. Unfortunately, not enough people value good teaching well enough to pay for it. If we valued it more, it would be simple to do. But as long as we value teachers so little, how can we expect intelligent, talented people to want to do it?

I couldn't help but notice that this guy Levin, who is getting in trouble for his Tea Party crashing website, first gave his profession as tech consultant, though it was quickly discovered that he was a teacher. Are teachers so embarrassed that they have trouble even calling themselves one? What does that say about us as a society?

re: #67 LudwigVanQuixote

I truly think you have that very backwards. The teacher's union is the only reason they make a reasonable salary at all. Further it is only because of the union that teachers have had any leverage to make stands and do controversial things like teach evolution or whatever other true facts might offend some idiot parent or church group.

Education is a you get what you pay for proposition. If education budgets are always amongst the first to suffer, this is what you get. If the funding for a school is based on property taxes, then you guarantee that poor areas must make due with much less.

The bottom line is that Americans need to realize that when it comes to a high school, you vote to expand the history department before you build another baseball field. Further, they need to get the fact that they do not get to vote on what the facts are. Truth is not a democracy. It is what it is regardless of popularity, and the ignorant have no business whatsoever trying to impose their opinions on it as if their opinions mattered at all.

If we had a sensible system, we would have massive federal funding for all public schools with strict minimum standards for course materials. With that funding, we would insure that schools are secure and that there are enough teachers to make certain that the bright kids go to classes for the bright, the kids with the most needs get special care and the ones in the middle get enough attention to keep them pushing and to help get them unstuck, rather than having one teacher trying to teach to the middle of 40 kids.

As a Texan I can only say AMEN! Our BOE is the new Kansas BOE. Many years ago a friend of mine complained about the new football stadium being built while our children were being taught in temporary buildings.

She received death threats. Don't mess with football in Texas!

re: #93 Floral Giraffe

Walk away laughing, happily into a fun filled life!
Wingnuts aren't worth an INSTANT of your time or energy.
MUCH better things to be doing!

(She types from the basement!)

Really, come one, tell me true. Imagine right there in front of you is someone like Beck or Rush, wouldn't just a little of that force choke action be utterly gratifying?

And like Yoda said, forever would it rule your life. Because damn it Rush deserved a force choke - and it would be gratifying... The next thing you know, you are choking the guy who was rude in line, or the waitress who messed up your order after ignoring you for twenty minutes.

re: #105 jamesfirecat

Forgive me for being a foolish catnip smoking liberal, but how do you need tort reform on a large scale in order to fix the policy of what drugs students can and can't have in schools? They seem like two utterly unrelated issues...

/it's always about drugs to you... *sigh*

re: #88 Jadespring

Ignoring the spelling mistake, what is this sign even supposed to mean?

That the constitution is not followed. Agree with the tea partiers or not, that's one of their complaints.

re: #105 jamesfirecat

Forgive me for being a foolish catnip smoking liberal, but how do you need tort reform on a large scale in order to fix the policy of what drugs students can and can't have in schools? They seem like two utterly unrelated issues...

The reason said policies are in place are so schools can defend their uniform policies in case they get sued. They don't want to make a judgment call because those are how you get dragged into court.

re: #108 Renaissance_Man

I would think he was afraid of losing his job. The "real" teabaggers called his school en mass, so we will see what happens to him.

re: #87 LudwigVanQuixote

LAUSD?

Los Angeles Unified School District.
REALLY bad teachers problems.
Almost NYC sized.

re: #103 LudwigVanQuixote

It would be interesting to see if she could even tell you. hat is sort of my point. The tea party is nothing but inchoate anger fueled by fear. I doubt sincerely she could say what she meant at all. It would be some sort of stammering with references to Fox. IF you pointed out that the few statements that were coherent that she did make, were just simply not true, she would switch to another sound byte and pretend you said nothing.

that's one person and one picture....you seriously underestimate the TPs...there are plenty of them that have their shit together and know exactly what they are doing and what they intend to achieve...you delight in singling out the ones with crazy signs and stupid rhetoric, just like many other people here...so be it...you will be caught with your pants down, these people are for real and not going away...the strategy here seems to be mock them into submission, but I say you are wasting your time....but mock on

re: #94 reloadingisnotahobby

It's really not that hard!!
I think I'm personally responsible for at least three teacher quiting!!
I know!Mom was so proud!

Your Mom is a SAINT.
In case you hadn't figured that out, by now...
LOL!

re: #108 Renaissance_Man

It seems to be a question of values. Unfortunately, not enough people value good teaching well enough to pay for it. If we valued it more, it would be simple to do. But as long as we value teachers so little, how can we expect intelligent, talented people to want to do it?

I couldn't help but notice that this guy Levin, who is getting in trouble for his Tea Party crashing website, first gave his profession as tech consultant, though it was quickly discovered that he was a teacher. Are teachers so embarrassed that they have trouble even calling themselves one? What does that say about us as a society?

it says that if you have and agenda other than teaching you shouldn't be.

re: #49 CSDS

In all honesty, you guys may be jumping to conclusions here. Have you considered the crashtheteaparty.org folks. Misspelled signs are one of there stated goals.

And the excuse for the four years prior to that would be?

re: #113 Dark_Falcon

The reason said policies are in place are so schools can defend their uniform policies in case they get sued. They don't want to make a judgment call because those are how you get dragged into court.

I still feel its a bit of a non sequitor (just legalize those drugs that you're allowed to have outside of school, birth control pills, headache meds while still keeping illegal drugs out) but thanks for your words of explanation, sorry it's just at times it seem like "Tort reform" and "tax cuts" are the only two tools in the domestic policy box of the Republicans

As opposed to the one tool in the Democrat's box which is the all mighty dollar and lots of them!

re: #108 Renaissance_Man

It seems to be a question of values. Unfortunately, not enough people value good teaching well enough to pay for it. If we valued it more, it would be simple to do. But as long as we value teachers so little, how can we expect intelligent, talented people to want to do it?

I couldn't help but notice that this guy Levin, who is getting in trouble for his Tea Party crashing website, first gave his profession as tech consultant, though it was quickly discovered that he was a teacher. Are teachers so embarrassed that they have trouble even calling themselves one? What does that say about us as a society?

I'd wait a bit to try to figure out why he didn't state his profession as a teacher, it probably had nothing to do with his being embarrassed at all.

Some states have legal restrictions and limitations on what sort of political activities public employees (and that sometimes includes teachers) can participate in. Or, the school board or school he works for may have some sort of restrictions he agreed to.

re: #116 albusteve

that's one person and one picture...you seriously underestimate the TPs...there are plenty of them that have their shit together and know exactly what they are doing and what they intend to achieve...you delight in singling out the ones with crazy signs and stupid rhetoric, just like many other people here...so be it...you will be caught with your pants down, these people are for real and not going away...the strategy here seems to be mock them into submission, but I say you are wasting your time...but mock on

Hey if we get a few laughs out of it then obviously there are worse ways we could be wasting our time....

re: #110 LudwigVanQuixote

Really, come one, tell me true. Imagine right there in front of you is someone like Beck or Rush, wouldn't just a little of that force choke action be utterly gratifying?

And like Yoda said, forever would it rule your life. Because damn it Rush deserved a force choke - and it would be gratifying... The next thing you know, you are choking the guy who was rude in line, or the waitress who messed up your order after ignoring you for twenty minutes.

Yes, but the jail time is a BIG deterrent.
Besides, you should try the "laugh in their face" option.
It is WAY more satisfying.
I KNOW this.
I once had a gun pulled on me, car to car, as I was laughing.
And, it's STILL F'ing funny, many years later.
Well, and that he didn't shoot.
But, his face, is in my memory forever.
I have never seen such anger before, or since.
And I bet he remembers me too.
(And, I'm not in a cell, doing time!)

re: #61 Killgore Trout

My local blue grass band is having rehearsal tonight. A wonderfully redneck version of Comfortably Numb going on now. I need to get a recording of this one.

If you do, please share.

re: #121 reine.de.tout

I'd wait a bit to try to figure out why he didn't state his profession as a teacher, it probably had nothing to do with his being embarrassed at all.

Some states have legal restrictions and limitations on what sort of political activities public employees (and that sometimes includes teachers) can participate in. Or, the school board or school he works for may have some sort of restrictions he agreed to.

That seems like an unreasonable restriction on speech. I can understand forbidding political activity and advocacy in the classroom, but I can't think of why it should be forbidden otherwise.

re: #122 jamesfirecat

Hey if we get a few laughs out of it then obviously there are worse ways we could be wasting our time...

hope you are still laughing in November...

re: #109 CarleeCork

As a Texan I can only say AMEN! Our BOE is the new Kansas BOE. Many years ago a friend of mine complained about the new football stadium being built while our children were being taught in temporary buildings.

She received death threats. Don't mess with football in Texas!

And that is why you have the school board you do.

Honestly, Texas and Kansas are the best arguments ever for keeping the school boards out of local or even state jurisdiction.

Unfortunately, I have no real good way to fix that because if we tried to set federal standards, the congress critters from those ares would push their BS into the federal system.

A much better approach would be to set up an independent commission of educated folks, say the top 5000 best university professors, to examine what needs to be covered for basic education to advance to a competitive university and impose standards based on that commission's report.

re: #115 Floral Giraffe

Los Angeles Unified School District.
REALLY bad teachers problems.
Almost NYC sized.

Gotcha.

California has the problem of most of America, but writ large. They want everything, but not to have to pay for it.

re: #125 BryanS

That seems like an unreasonable restriction on speech. I can understand forbidding political activity and advocacy in the classroom, but I can't think of why it should be forbidden otherwise.

I was a public employee, and I worked for an elected official.
I was quite happy to have a restriction on the sorts of political activities I could engage in.

re: #126 brookly red

hope you are still laughing in November...

As long as I've got me Daily Show and have found a job I will be....

If not I'll probably out there with a sign protesting how Obama's new taxesare taking too big a chunk out of my unemployment check.

I don't think anybody has yet linkedthis article on Yahoo News. Seems the Tea Partiers are possibly finally starting to police up the worst offenders. Credit where credit is due. May still be a little short but hey, it's a start. (See, not possessive "its". I paid attention//)

re: #126 brookly red

hope you are still laughing in November...

If tea partiers continue to act like this--not just idiots with signs but also many of the speakers--then yes, we'll still be laughing.

You're only gonna be happy with election results 50% of the time, but there's always something to laugh at.

re: #122 jamesfirecat

Hey if we get a few laughs out of it then obviously there are worse ways we could be wasting our time...

I suppose...get your laughs now because in a few months we might see that it's not so funny after all...there must be a better way to counter these people besides laughing at signs...after all LGF is a wellspring of intelligent thought...if it's a mission then at least point it in the proper direction

re: #120 jamesfirecat

I still feel its a bit of a non sequitor (just legalize those drugs that you're allowed to have outside of school, birth control pills, headache meds while still keeping illegal drugs out) but thanks for your words of explanation, sorry it's just at times it seem like "Tort reform" and "tax cuts" are the only two tools in the domestic policy box of the Republicans

As opposed to the one tool in the Democrat's box which is the all mighty dollar and lots of them!

I understand. I try not to overplay tort reform, on this matter I feel it is needed.

re: #130 jamesfirecat

As long as I've got me Daily Show and have found a job I will be...

If not I'll probably out there with a sign protesting how Obama's new taxesare taking too big a chunk out of my unemployment check.

you get the good sport award...

sorry it is taxable.

re: #125 BryanS

That seems like an unreasonable restriction on speech. I can understand forbidding political activity and advocacy in the classroom, but I can't think of why it should be forbidden otherwise.

Additional information:
Before such restrictions existed in Louisiana, there was the famous "DE-duct box" of Huey P. Long.

State employees would line up at one table to receive their weekly pay in cash.

Then they would move to the next table over to hand over their deduct for Huey.

No longer happens.

re: #129 reine.de.tout

I was a public employee, and I worked for an elected official.
I was quite happy to have a restriction on the sorts of political activities I could engage in.

Why were you happy about that?

re: #123 Floral Giraffe

Yes, but the jail time is a BIG deterrent.
Besides, you should try the "laugh in their face" option.
It is WAY more satisfying.
I KNOW this.
I once had a gun pulled on me, car to car, as I was laughing.
And, it's STILL F'ing funny, many years later.
Well, and that he didn't shoot.
But, his face, is in my memory forever.
I have never seen such anger before, or since.
And I bet he remembers me too.
(And, I'm not in a cell, doing time!)

Oh floral I laugh at them and mock them terribly. That does not change the pleasure that the thought of giving Rush a force choke in the middle of one of his racist rants doesn't fill my heart with glee.

I find your lack of tolerance most disturbing.... I would say.

However, you are talking real world. Of course in the real world, all you can do is laugh at them and point out why they are worth laughing at.

re: #92 reine.de.tout

Website of CSDS, who tells us that misspellings are one of "there" stated goals (talking about the infiltrators).

CSDS - If you're going to be here, you really need to be completely upfront about where you're coming from.

That website is familiar, especially the "About" section. I have seen that site referenced here before.

Things you don't see: A Tea Partier in a Slayer t-shirt

re: #137 BryanS

Why were you happy about that?

See:
re: #136 reine.de.tout

Additional information:
Before such restrictions existed in Louisiana, there was the famous "DE-duct box" of Huey P. Long.

State employees would line up at one table to receive their weekly pay in cash.

Then they would move to the next table over to hand over their deduct for Huey.

No longer happens.

And if they didn't hand over their "deduct", they were out of a job the next day.

Oh, I was quite happy to have a complete separation of my government job from the politics surrounding it.

re: #139 Slumbering Behemoth

That website is familiar, especially the "About" section. I have seen that site referenced here before.

I'm thinking I may not should have linked to it.

re: #132 palomino

If tea partiers continue to act like this--not just idiots with signs but also many of the speakers--then yes, we'll still be laughing.

You're only gonna be happy with election results 50% of the time, but there's always something to laugh at.

I don't know... heads they win tails you lose is not funny to me, but hey humor is a good thing.

re: #139 Slumbering Behemoth

That website is familiar, especially the "About" section. I have seen that site referenced here before.

In what context?

Dun-tuh, dun-tuh, dunta dunta dunta dunta!

(Jaws Theme song)

re: #140 WindUpBird

Things you don't see: A Tea Partier in a Slayer t-shirt

Maybe if the wearer doesn't realize it's a band.

re: #116 albusteve

that's one person and one picture...you seriously underestimate the TPs...there are plenty of them that have their shit together and know exactly what they are doing and what they intend to achieve...you delight in singling out the ones with crazy signs and stupid rhetoric, just like many other people here...so be it...you will be caught with your pants down, these people are for real and not going away...the strategy here seems to be mock them into submission, but I say you are wasting your time...but mock on

I don't think I am mocking them into submission. I do think there are a lot less of them then their noise would lead you to believe.

re: #125 BryanS

That seems like an unreasonable restriction on speech. I can understand forbidding political activity and advocacy in the classroom, but I can't think of why it should be forbidden otherwise.

The military cannot distribute leaflets, advocate publicly, appear in uniform, give speaches in support or against any candidate...the list is quite long and not always clear. You can attend a rally, but whether or not you are allowed to carry a picket sign seems to be up to whoever is interpreting the rules that day. Courts haven't ruled against the military on this in quite a spell. I know that's different in a qualitative way...just tacking on.

re: #131 Escaped Hillbilly

I don't think anybody has yet linkedthis article on Yahoo News. Seems the Tea Partiers are possibly finally starting to police up the worst offenders. Credit where credit is due. May still be a little short but hey, it's a start. (See, not possessive "its". I paid attention//)

May be a little late, but they had to do something after being repeatedly smacked upside the head.

re: #128 LudwigVanQuixote

NYC Teachers issue link for you.
[Link: www.nypost.com...]

re: #126 brookly red

hope you are still laughing in November...

Well between the VAT and the fairness doctrine and Obama's goons coming for my guns, I will be wearing a barrel, getting my political info from clandestine CB radio broadcasts and defending my family with a baseball bat. I will have to laugh in order not to cry!

re: #139 Slumbering Behemoth

That website is familiar, especially the "About" section. I have seen that site referenced here before.

I just reported my #92 in case Charles doesn't want a direct link from here.
But it's still in CSDS's profile information.

re: #136 reine.de.tout

Additional information:
Before such restrictions existed in Louisiana, there was the famous "DE-duct box" of Huey P. Long.

State employees would line up at one table to receive their weekly pay in cash.

Then they would move to the next table over to hand over their deduct for Huey.

No longer happens.

That would seem to be activity IN the work place--and more like coerced speech, something I think everyone can agree should not be allowed.

re: #138 LudwigVanQuixote

Laughing & pointing, is, in the real world, still just as dangerous, but INFINITELY more funny!

re: #143 brookly red

I don't know... heads they win tails you lose is not funny to me, but hey humor is a good thing.

Making fun of ridiculous signs doesn't preclude serious thought and action.

Seriously, I don't understand your point.

re: #116 albusteve

that's one person and one picture...you seriously underestimate the TPs...there are plenty of them that have their shit together and know exactly what they are doing and what they intend to achieve...you delight in singling out the ones with crazy signs and stupid rhetoric, just like many other people here...so be it...you will be caught with your pants down, these people are for real and not going away...the strategy here seems to be mock them into submission, but I say you are wasting your time...but mock on

Really, because their leadership seems to be the most incoherent of the bunch.

I strongly believe that what people like Palin will achieve is a break away moron party that only gets votes in places like Texas.

I am honestly all for seeing the GOP fragment into three parts.

There will be a sane part, a libertarian conspiracy nut part, and a guns for Jesus part.

The sane part, in time may draw enough independents to it to create a balance to the Dems - and the loony parts will be thorns in the sides of local politics.

re: #141 reine.de.tout

And if they didn't hand over their "deduct", they were out of a job the next day.

Oh, I was quite happy to have a complete separation of my government job from the politics surrounding it.

I can understand not wanting politics to interfere with your job. If all the restrictions were on just bringing political activity into the work place, I wouldn't have a problem with anyone being political on their own time.

re: #144 jamesfirecat

I like your new avatar. Are the animal's tats something I would approve or disapprove of?

re: #151 reine.de.tout

I just reported my #92 in case Charles doesn't want a direct link from here.
But it's still in CSDS's profile information.

I don't trust any website that has a black background.

re: #90 jamesfirecat

See my 47, if the Tea Partiers can't tell she's a liberal plant why should we try to?

Indeed. Even if she was one of them there sneaky librul plants, was there nobody around her in the crowd to say, "Hey, dumbass! You misspelled Constitution and are making the rest of us look bad!"

It seems the Republicans are saying "hell no" to the Democrat's bank reform bill (shocking, I know.) But how to do it without alienating the entire country (especially the Tea Baggers) & coming off like exactly what they are - beholden to special interests on Wall St.? Well, it would appear their strategy thus far is to utterly & shamelessly lie about the contents of the bill itself (once more: what. a. shock.)

They're saying that the bill would "ensure endless taxpayer bailouts to the biggest banks, while harming the small banks." Which is just patently untrue, and I assume they know this. What the bill does is force the banks to pay into a bailout insurance pool that would be there to use in the event of another calamitous meltdown, thereby eliminating the need for any further taxpayer supported bailouts. It's actually the exact opposite of what they're saying - with the passage of this bill, there will be no further taxpayer funded bailouts. Period.

And so they're doing the only thing they can do in this instance (& what seems to come so naturally to them) - they're lying. Because how else can they explain away to the coveted Tea Party-vote that after the biggest financial meltdown in nearly 100 years, every single house republican voted "hell no" to financial reform?

This is a perfect example of why I have zero respect for the Republicans currently in charge.

re: #152 BryanS

That would seem to be activity IN the work place--and more like coerced speech, something I think everyone can agree should not be allowed.

Ah, but there was nothing prohibiting it.
If people wanted to work and had a family to support, what should they have done?

At any rate, it's fairly standard in many areas that public employees are allowed to publicly support (or be against) issues, but they cannot donate to nor publicly support specific political parties or candidates.

re: #158 Alouette

I don't trust any website that has a black background.

:( My portfolio site had a black background!

(now it has no background because it's down and I'm redesigning it)

re: #154 palomino

Making fun of ridiculous signs doesn't preclude serious thought and action.

Seriously, I don't understand your point.

well,
if things stay the same it sucks...
if these agents of change win it sucks...

yes I see your point it is kinda funny.

re: #142 reine.de.tout

I not sure if it's a big deal. I do remember reading that "About" section before, though. Maybe from a link by CSDS itself, I don't know.

re: #147 Escaped Hillbilly

The military cannot distribute leaflets, advocate publicly, appear in uniform, give speaches in support or against any candidate...the list is quite long and not always clear. You can attend a rally, but whether or not you are allowed to carry a picket sign seems to be up to whoever is interpreting the rules that day. Courts haven't ruled against the military on this in quite a spell. I know that's different in a qualitative way...just tacking on.

Appearing in uniform seems about right--implies organizational endorsement, and that's dangerous for a military to do that in a democracy.

I wouldn't have a problem with a member of the military doing any other activity on their own time.

re: #156 BryanS

I can understand not wanting politics to interfere with your job. If all the restrictions were on just bringing political activity into the work place, I wouldn't have a problem with anyone being political on their own time.

Whether I was on my "own" time or not, I was a public employee, subject to being available whenever the public needed me.

re: #138 LudwigVanQuixote

Oh floral I laugh at them and mock them terribly. That does not change the pleasure that the thought of giving Rush a force choke in the middle of one of his racist rants doesn't fill my heart with glee.

I find your lack of tolerance most disturbing... I would say.

However, you are talking real world. Of course in the real world, all you can do is laugh at them and point out why they are worth laughing at.

OTOH the terribly mocking meme gets old and redundant...it's all been expressed and there is little mock to add to it, unless you are enamored with your own words....sooner or later somebody better start to take the cats seriously...I suppose for a liberal it's a dream come true, but...for me I don't want to see these people rise to the power and influence level they are at the edge of...we need a functional two party system, not crackpots on the fringes in power

re: #156 BryanS

I can understand not wanting politics to interfere with your job. If all the restrictions were on just bringing political activity into the work place, I wouldn't have a problem with anyone being political on their own time.

And it has less to do with interference with your job, than it does gaining undue influence, or being under coercion from undue influence from someone else.

re: #160 Sigma_x

It seems the Republicans are saying "hell no" to the Democrat's bank reform bill (shocking, I know.) But how to do it without alienating the entire country (especially the Tea Baggers) & coming off like exactly what they are - beholden to special interests on Wall St.? Well, it would appear their strategy thus far is to utterly & shamelessly lie about the contents of the bill itself (once more: what. a. shock.)

They're saying that the bill would "ensure endless taxpayer bailouts to the biggest banks, while harming the small banks." Which is just patently untrue, and I assume they know this. What the bill does is force the banks to pay into a bailout insurance pool that would be there to use in the event of another calamitous meltdown, thereby eliminating the need for any further taxpayer supported bailouts. It's actually the exact opposite of what they're saying - with the passage of this bill, there will be no further taxpayer funded bailouts. Period.

And so they're doing the only thing they can do in this instance (& what seems to come so naturally to them) - they're lying. Because how else can they explain away to the coveted Tea Party-vote that after the biggest financial meltdown in nearly 100 years, every single house republican voted "hell no" to financial reform?

This is a perfect example of why I have zero respect for the Republicans currently in charge.

Corker was on CNBC this morning trying to dial down the rhetoric and encourage his colleagues on both sides to come to a bipartisan agreement.

I see that Dr. Jack Kevorkian is off probation and that there's a movie with old yeller Al Pacino playing the ghoulish doctor. Should be good for quite a few tea party signs.

re: #140 WindUpBird

Things you don't see: A Tea Partier in a Slayer t-shirt

Perhaps not, but you might see them wearing a Dittohead t-shirt.

re: #138 LudwigVanQuixote

Oh floral I laugh at them and mock them terribly. That does not change the pleasure that the thought of giving Rush a force choke in the middle of one of his racist rants doesn't fill my heart with glee.

I find your lack of tolerance most disturbing... I would say.

However, you are talking real world. Of course in the real world, all you can do is laugh at them and point out why they are worth laughing at.

I'll admit I'm very surprised to see you expressing glee over the thought of hurting someone.

re: #146 prairiefire

I don't think I am mocking them into submission. I do think there are a lot less of them then their noise would lead you to believe.

the few control the many in this country...why do you think Charles posts this stuff?

re: #149 Floral Giraffe

NYC Teachers issue link for you.
[Link: www.nypost.com...]

I really don't know anything about that. If NYC was mismanaging its money in the way that the article describes it, it is certainly a bad thing.

I really do not claim to know all of the shenannigans that go on in primary education from a school district point of view.

I claim to know what the results of that system are when their students end up in my classes and I know that when it comes to education, there is absolutely no substitute for personal attention between teacher and student, actually covering the material that needs to be covered and setting standards high so the kids shoot for them, rather than lowering standards so it becomes OK to become progressively ignorant.

The only way to actually address that is to have more teachers in more and better equipped classrooms that are more focussed on the individual needs of the students.

Otherwise you get what you pay for - which seems to be a lot of the soft ball coach teaching biology - to 40 kids per class.

re: #168 reine.de.tout

Hi, Reine. Does the Roi have all the sea brine scrubbed off yet? I sent an email earlier w/o a tag re:salads. Will send soup tomorrow.

LGF, what a great cookbook is in store!
Thanks to Jaunte, Reine, Kilgore, and all the contributors and proofs.

re: #148 Alouette
I thought it was interesting that it was the slightly more moderate speakers asked to share a podium with the likes of Orly Taiz who complained. The organizers hadn't bothered to even check on who some of these people were. It's like if my family were organizing an event..."Hey call up Uncle Jimmy, see if he's out of the slam yet and wants to come down." Sheesh. Maybe that's why I still hold out hope for them and secretly root for them. Just a bunch of goofy relatives who mean well, but maybe should put down the bottle.

re: #172 reine.de.tout

I'll admit I'm very surprised to see you expressing glee over the thought of hurting someone.

ooops.

re: #3 LudwigVanQuixote

Hmmm

How about we issue a court order to these folks that demands that they read the constitution and then forces them to define certain key words and phrases like separation of Chruch and State, the notion that secession is treason, and the notion of a social contract.

Then for bonus points they have to be able to define both socialism and fascism.

Since when has there been a requirement for running around acting like an idiot and holding a sign?

re: #161 reine.de.tout

Ah, but there was nothing prohibiting it.
If people wanted to work and had a family to support, what should they have done?

At any rate, it's fairly standard in many areas that public employees are allowed to publicly support (or be against) issues, but they cannot donate to nor publicly support specific political parties or candidates.

I can understand the reasoning--wonder if anybody ever sued over the restriction on speech. Though it would seem public employees are highly unionized--their unions sure don't have a problem supporting candidates and parties.

re: #173 albusteve

Mindy bendy.....

re: #170 Spare O'Lake

I see that Dr. Jack Kevorkian is off probation and that there's a movie with old yeller Al Pacino playing the ghoulish doctor. Should be good for quite a few tea party signs.

KEVORKIAN

re: #172 reine.de.tout

I'll admit I'm very surprised to see you expressing glee over the thought of hurting someone.

Arrgggh you are talking all real world!

Obviously it is an idle and silly thought.

You will note I did not say fry him with force lightning.

re: #175 prairiefire

Hi, Reine. Does the Roi have all the sea brine scrubbed off yet? I sent an email earlier w/o a tag re:salads. Will send soup tomorrow.

LGF, what a great cookbook is in store!
Thanks to Jaunte, Reine, Kilgore, and all the contributors and proofs.

I did get it, THANK YOU for the quick turn-around!
Book is pretty awesome, isn't it?

re: #163 brookly red

well,
if things stay the same it sucks...
if these agents of change win it sucks...

yes I see your point it is kinda funny.

I agree that the TPP taking over the GOP would suck. But laughing at absurd signs and doing constructive things to counter the TPP aren't mutually exclusive.

Leno, Letterman, and future Conan tell jokes about this stuff all the time. I don't think their humor puts up an obstacle to countering the TPP.

However, if your point is that many on the left and center are making a mistake by trivializing (and then ignoring) the tea partiers, then I'd agree completely.

re: #178 SanFranciscoZionist

Since when has there been a requirement for running around acting like an idiot and holding a sign?

SFZ, I am so glad you are here. I'm busy arguing that we need lots more primary school teachers ho are much better paid.

re: #172 reine.de.tout

I'll admit I'm very surprised to see you expressing glee over the thought of hurting someone.

it's a Star Wars reference, force choke is what happens when Darth Vader is sick of Lorth Needa's bullcrap ;-)

re: #169 BryanS

Corker was on CNBC this morning trying to dial down the rhetoric and encourage his colleagues on both sides to come to a bipartisan agreement.

I am going to love to see how they play this, though. Exactly how do they plan on being able to say with a straight face that they're fighting for the common man, when they're coming out against financial reform?

And do you know why they're coming out against it? Well, in 2008, Wall St. gave the democrats more money over republicans by, like, 3:1. This time it's all turned around. They know whom their bread is going to be buttered by in Washington for the next few years. So they're throwing their weight behind the republicans.

But how in the fuck do they think they're going to get away with this one?

re: #183 reine.de.tout

Yes, indeed.

A full Troll rump roast on a spit is a featured illustration. Lovely.

re: #179 BryanS

I can understand the reasoning--wonder if anybody ever sued over the restriction on speech. Though it would seem public employees are highly unionized--their unions sure don't have a problem supporting candidates and parties.

Very very few Louisiana state employees are unionized. AFSCME is a virtual non-entity here.

re: #182 LudwigVanQuixote

Arrgggh you are talking all real world!

Obviously it is an idle and silly thought.

You will note I did not say fry him with force lightning.

hehehe.
yes, yes.
Still . . .

re: #183 reine.de.tout

I did get it, THANK YOU for the quick turn-around!
Book is pretty awesome, isn't it?

no spoilers!....I hear you outdid yourself on this one....KT is still in orbit

re: #144 jamesfirecat

In what context?

I don't recall the context, but the "About" part is pretty darn specific as to be memorable.

re: #185 LudwigVanQuixote

SFZ, I am so glad you are here. I'm busy arguing that we need lots more primary school teachers ho are much better paid.

We started out the morning with calls for the end to the Dept. Of Education. Another day of Yin and Yang on LGF.

re: #186 WindUpBird

it's a Star Wars reference, force choke is what happens when Darth Vader is sick of Lorth Needa's bullcrap ;-)

I know.
I probably saw the first Star Wars when you were a nobody, a mere glimmer, an inkling, a gleam, a nothing.

re: #192 Slumbering Behemoth

I don't recall the context, but the "About" part is pretty darn specific as to be memorable.

Some guy who is abused by his wife, or so he claims.

re: #193 prairiefire

We started out the morning with calls for the end to the Dept. Of Education. Another day of Yin and Yang on LGF.

wow really?

DOWN WITH THE FDA, BLOODY TYRANTS

re: #185 LudwigVanQuixote

SFZ, I am so glad you are here. I'm busy arguing that we need lots more primary school teachers ho are much better paid.

we need more well paid "ho"s !?!?!

re: #193 prairiefire

We started out the morning with calls for the end to the Dept. Of Education. Another day of Yin and Yang on LGF.

Well the wingnuts get up early and the independents and leftists tend to be nocturnal.

re: #15 palomino

No, that would just be one more example of Obama "controlling every aspect of our lives."

Does this really have much to do with the constitution? It seems more like a continuation of the culture war, backlash edition.

I get culture war headaches.

re: #191 albusteve

no spoilers!...I hear you outdid yourself on this one...KT is still in orbit

No not me.
Jaunte and his assistant where he works.
And proofreaders, working diligently now (and some before).

I am merely the messenger and organizer.
The talent is elsewhere.

re: #194 reine.de.tout

I know.
I probably saw the first Star Wars when you were a nobody, a mere glimmer, an inkling, a gleam, a nothing.

I saw the first one at a drive thru when I was a little kid. But I saw them all when they were contemporary! I remember being in the theater for Empire with my uncle :D

re: #170 Spare O'Lake

I see that Dr. Jack Kevorkian is off probation and that there's a movie with old yeller Al Pacino playing the ghoulish doctor. Should be good for quite a few tea party signs.

Pacino is perfect for the part (if he can keep his scenery chewing in check). He played an old, dying Roy Cohn in "Angels in America" and nailed it. Kevorkian looks a lot like that bastard Cohn did in his final days.

re: #196 WindUpBird

wow really?

DOWN WITH THE FDA, BLOODY TYRANTS

Ya ,,, how did we ever get along prior to 1980 without a Dep. of Ed!?!?!

re: #197 sattv4u2

we need more well paid "ho"s !?!?!

PIMF typo happens

SFZ, I am so glad you are here. I'm busy arguing that we need lots more primary school teachers who are much better paid.

re: #187 Sigma_x

I am going to love to see how they play this, though. Exactly how do they plan on being able to say with a straight face that they're fighting for the common man, when they're coming out against financial reform?

And do you know why they're coming out against it? Well, in 2008, Wall St. gave the democrats more money over republicans by, like, 3:1. This time it's all turned around. They know whom their bread is going to be buttered by in Washington for the next few years. So they're throwing their weight behind the republicans.

But how in the fuck do they think they're going to get away with this one?

The Repubs want a bipartisan solution because of the bad politics of opposing it as you point out. As suggested by the moderators of the discussion this morning on CNBC, it would seem Obama is ratcheting up the partisanship by pressuring the Dem caucus to go for a 59 + 1 Repub policy--forcing Republicans to oppose something it would be politically damaging to oppose. Smart politics from Obama's standpoint, but certainly not bipartisan.

re: #193 prairiefire

We started out the morning with calls for the end to the Dept. Of Education. Another day of Yin and Yang on LGF.

Teachers are paid by their states/counties, not US Dept of Ed.

Just sayin'.

There was no such thing as a US Dept of Ed when I attended school.
Again, just sayin'.

You guys hear about this cat-ash-strophe (sorry, I had to do it) that happened with the Icelandic volcano that erupted and shut down flights all over Europe?

re: #202 palomino

Pacino is perfect for the part (if he can keep his scenery chewing in check). He played an old, dying Roy Cohn in "Angels in America" and nailed it. Kevorkian looks a lot like that bastard Cohn did in his final days.

His role as Roy Cohn was GENIUS

re: #200 reine.de.tout

No not me.
Jaunte and his assistant where he works.
And proofreaders, working diligently now (and some before).

I am merely the messenger and organizer.
The talent is elsewhere.

I want to be stunned...I'm a stunnist!
what a cool thing, thank you

re: #103 LudwigVanQuixote

It would be interesting to see if she could even tell you. hat is sort of my point. The tea party is nothing but inchoate anger fueled by fear. I doubt sincerely she could say what she meant at all. It would be some sort of stammering with references to Fox. IF you pointed out that the few statements that were coherent that she did make, were just simply not true, she would switch to another sound byte and pretend you said nothing.

Probably true.

The only thing I can figure is that she's messed up the talking points about Obama supposedly throwing out the Constitution and doing things that are illegal according to the Constitution and turned it into the actual Constitution being illegal or maybe she has some weird understanding of what 'legalize' means.

re: #189 reine.de.tout

Very very few Louisiana state employees are unionized. AFSCME is a virtual non-entity here.

Different here in Wisconsin.

re: #198 LudwigVanQuixote

Well the wingnuts people who get shit done get up early and the independents and leftists tend to be nocturnal.

fixed

re: #201 WindUpBird

It's called a Drive In, dear.

re: #27 Dark_Falcon

We wouldn't actually need to raise spending that much once we'd gotten rid of the waste and dud teachers. The problem you'd face is the unions. You normally can't fire a teacher simply because they don't do the job well.

Once they have tenure in the district. Up to that point you can fire them because you don't like their face.

re: #206 reine.de.tout

gmta (203)

re: #203 sattv4u2

Ya ,,, how did we ever get along prior to 1980 without a Dep. of Ed!?!?!

people want to kill the Department of Education to weaken public schools. We know what's up. :)

We also didn't have an EPA before Nixon, doesn't mean it wasn't sorely needed.

re: #202 palomino

Pacino is perfect for the part (if he can keep his scenery chewing in check). He played an old, dying Roy Cohn in "Angels in America" and nailed it. Kevorkian looks a lot like that bastard Cohn did in his final days.

David Carridine would have made a good Jack the Dripper, but, he's dead.

re: #198 LudwigVanQuixote

Well the wingnuts get up early and the independents and leftists tend to be nocturnal.

Yes, I was there this morning with the wingnuts.

And in the afternoon with the independents and leftists, and occasional conservative.

And I like everybody.

re: #213 prairiefire

It's called a Drive In, dear.

SHUT UP I'M TIRED :(

re: #110 LudwigVanQuixote

Really, come one, tell me true. Imagine right there in front of you is someone like Beck or Rush, wouldn't just a little of that force choke action be utterly gratifying?

And like Yoda said, forever would it rule your life. Because damn it Rush deserved a force choke - and it would be gratifying... The next thing you know, you are choking the guy who was rude in line, or the waitress who messed up your order after ignoring you for twenty minutes.

I'd hurl bolts of lightning.
To each his own.

re: #208 WindUpBird

His role as Roy Cohn was GENIUS

ROY IS A GENIUS!
(another genius, they're everywhere)

re: #198 LudwigVanQuixote

Well the wingnuts get up early and the independents and leftists tend to be nocturnal.

I get up at the crack of noon. All my best work is done in the middle of the night with a beer by my side :D

re: #216 WindUpBird

people want to kill the Department of Education to weaken public schools. We know what's up. :)

We also didn't have an EPA before Nixon, doesn't mean it wasn't sorely needed.

Actually, they want to eliminate it to STRENGTHEN schools at the state/ local levels, where people tend to know whats needed in their particular district

re: #211 BryanS

Different here in Wisconsin.

We have a very strong system of protection of public employee's rights here, as well as pay and promotional policies.
There's been no real need for a union.

re: #208 WindUpBird

His role as Roy Cohn was GENIUS

I didn't see that movie. I couldn't get over Colette's decision to keep Ethel Rosenburg in it. By the time the movie was made, it had become clear that the charges Cohen went after her for were correct. She was in fact a Soviet spy.

re: #206 reine.de.tout

I would have to read more on it to have an opinion other than a knee jerk, Liberal, clutching my bureaucracy position.

Night, Lizards. Sweet Dreams.

re: #213 prairiefire

It's called a Drive In, dear.

OMG, I didn't even notice that!
LOL.
It is a drive IN.
hahahaha!

re: #199 SanFranciscoZionist

I get culture war headaches.

Worst thing, besides never ending, is that the culture war often trumps all other issues.

re: #216 WindUpBird

people want to kill the Department of Education to weaken public schools. We know what's up. :)

We also didn't have an EPA before Nixon, doesn't mean it wasn't sorely needed.

yes, that brilliant franchise that is cranking out GENIUSES left and right....thank God for the Dept of Ed...we are so smart

re: #223 sattv4u2

Actually, they want to eliminate it to STRENGTHEN schools at the state/ local levels, where people tend to know whats needed in their particular district

I think in some cases that may be true, at least in theory, but in most cases it's all Grover Norquist strangle-it-in-the-bathtub shit, dominionists wanting to defund public education and hand the money to private schools, etc.

re: #216 WindUpBird

people want to kill the Department of Education to weaken public schools. We know what's up. :)

We also didn't have an EPA before Nixon, doesn't mean it wasn't sorely needed.

EPA seems to be justified as a federal agency--the environment does not have sharp boundaries at the state line.

Education? Really no need for the Feds to do it instead of the states.

re: #219 WindUpBird

{{WUB}} smooches.

re: #49 CSDS

In all honesty, you guys may be jumping to conclusions here. Have you considered the crashtheteaparty.org folks. Misspelled signs are one of there stated goals.

You must be with them, then.

And wasn't there an equivalent group that 'infiltrated' anti-war rallies? May I blame all the Bushitler signs on them?

Question:

Workers form unions in order to keep the capitalists from taking unfair advantage and to get higher wages right? Why do government employees need unions?

I'm sure this will thrill the teabaggers as they consider who to vote for in 2012:

Romney indicates he is prepared to flip-flop on health care, support it in a general election

On Sunday, the New York Times’ Kevin Sack reported on the difficulty Mitt Romney faces in convincing conservative voters that the new health care reform law is substantially different from the reform he signed in Massachusetts. While Romney is currently denying that Massachusetts served as a template for national health reform, the former Governor indicated that he may be prepared to change his position if he wins the Republican Presidential nomination in 2012:

“I keep on scratching my head,” Mr. Obama said at a fund-raising reception in Boston. “I say, ‘Boy, this Massachusetts thing, who designed that?’”

In response, Mr. Romney is reminding audiences that Mr. Obama has cast the Republicans as the “party of no,” devoid of ideas. “And yet,” Mr. Romney said in Bedford, “he’s saying that I was the guy that came up with the idea for what he did. He can’t have it both ways.”

He added, “If ever again somewhere down the road I would be debating him, I would be happy to take credit for his accomplishment.”

Last week, Romney added even more nuance to his position, telling the New Hampshire Union Leader that it was unconstitutional for the federal government to require everyone to purchase insurance coverage. “I think it’s unconstitutional on the 10th Amendment front,” he said.

re: #212 cliffster

fixed

Well the wingnuts get shit done by getting up early and figuring out who they are going to screw or misinform or just rob by lunch. The independents and leftists tend to be nocturnal.

Fixed it back.

re: #223 sattv4u2

Actually, they want to eliminate it to STRENGTHEN schools at the state/ local levels, where people tend to know whats needed in their particular district

duh?...get the feds out of state run education?...revolutionary!

re: #221 albusteve

ROY IS A GENIUS!
(another genius, they're everywhere)

He was fairly effective as Joe McCarthy's chief of staff for a time, but his obession with another McCarthy staffer who had been drafted played a major role in Tailgunner Joe's downfall.

re: #216 WindUpBird

people want to kill the Department of Education to weaken public schools. We know what's up. :)

We also didn't have an EPA before Nixon, doesn't mean it wasn't sorely needed.

Ok, tell us one problem the Dept of Education has fixed. I am not as sure as you are that we needed it. I don't like the idea of crazies throwing out evolution in favor of their preferred religous teachings. But that is happening now. The Dept of Ed. hasn't stopped Texas. There were problems before. There are problems now. Want to fix them? Get all of the parents involved, not just the loud mouthed ones who don't have jobs and have time to show up at meetings.

re: #216 WindUpBird

people want to kill the Department of Education to weaken public schools. We know what's up. :)

We also didn't have an EPA before Nixon, doesn't mean it wasn't sorely needed.

Before 1980, most school systems were humming along very nicely.

Many declines in many school systems since then, including the one where I live.

SOMETHING is the problem. I don't know what it is, probably a mix of a lot of different things. But I don't see that the US Dept of Ed has done anything that has actually HELPED the situation.

re: #231 BryanS

EPA seems to be justified as a federal agency--the environment does not have sharp boundaries at the state line.

Education? Really no need for the Feds to do it instead of the states.

Quite concur.

re: #236 LudwigVanQuixote

Are there real life wingnuts here on LGF?

re: #185 LudwigVanQuixote

As one who left the teaching profession I wonder where we would get more good teachers even if improved pay was an incentive. The job is an odd combination of subject knowledge, people skills with both adults and their offspring of whatever age you teach, and ability to impart that knowledge you have. Clerical skills, crowd control, presentation development because the district can't come up with a department to make visuals for what they are demanding be taught....

re: #224 reine.de.tout

We have a very strong system of protection of public employee's rights here, as well as pay and promotional policies.
There's been no real need for a union.

That's probably the best thing for your state--I've always thought that it is best for employers to do everything they can so that a union is not needed. Once a union is in the mix, it's not the wages that kill an organization necessarily, it is the burden of the work rules that kill companies.

re: #225 Dark_Falcon

I didn't see that movie. I couldn't get over Colette's decision to keep Ethel Rosenburg in it. By the time the movie was made, it had become clear that the charges Cohen went after her for were correct. She was in fact a Soviet spy.

Huh? In the movie, she was portrayed as a soviet spy.

re: #78 sattv4u2

Teddy Kennedy authored the leg,, but ,, shhh ,,,
BLAME BUSH!

Given that his administration preened mightily over it, yes, he's stuck with the praise and the blame for NCLB, no matter how often Kennedy's involvement is invoked.