Open Thread
Anyone else get a real sweet deal on a house lately?
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House Republicans will miss a self-imposed deadline to pass lobbying reform by the end of next week, in part because of slow action by House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), whose committee has jurisdiction over key components of the measure, according to congressional sources.
27% of nation's schools fail to meet law's requirements
More than a fourth of the nation's schools failed to meet the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Law last year, according to preliminary numbers reported to the Department of Education.
Democrat “Real Security” plan…
1. Eliminating Osama bin Laden
2. Providing our troops with the necessary armor in Iraq
3. Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations
4. Transitioning full sovereignty in Iraq to the Iraqi people
5. Inspecting 100% of inbound cargo
6. Energy Independence
7. Securing loose nukes
Republican “So-called Security” Plan...
1. Try catching Osama Bin Laden
2. Start a war first, arm troops second
3. Ignore 9/11 Commission Recommendations
4. Stay in Iraq as long as it takes
5. Sell ports to foreign countries and inspect limited cargo
6. Invade and occupy insecure oil nations
7. Ignore loose nukes
8. Defend President Bush's Iraq policy and call Democrats un-American for opposing the war in Iraq.
Marines Decline Extra Armor
Associated Press | March 27, 2006
HUSAYBAH, Iraq - Extra body armor - the lack of which caused a political storm in the United States - has flooded in to Iraq, but many Marines here promptly stuck it in lockers or under bunks. Too heavy and cumbersome, many say.
Marines already carry loads as heavy as 70 pounds when they patrol the dangerous streets in towns and villages in restive Anbar province. The new armor plates, while only about five pounds per set, are not worth carrying for the additional safety they are said to provide, some say.
"We have to climb over walls and go through windows," said Sgt. Justin Shank of Greencastle, Pa. "I understand the more armor, the safer you are. But it makes you slower. People don't understand that this is combat and people are going to die."
Staff Sgt. Thomas Bain of Buffalo, N.Y., shared concerns about the extra pounds.
"Before you know it, they're going to get us injured because we're hauling too much weight and don't have enough mobility to maneuver in a fight from house to house," said Bain, who is assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. "I think we're starting to go overboard on the armor."
Bush Rejects Idea of Boycotting Meeting in Russia
President Bush said Wednesday that it would be a mistake for the United States to boycott the Group of 8 meeting in Russia this summer.
He also said he needed a personal relationship with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia so he could walk into a room with him and have him "not throw me out."
"I think we're starting to go overboard on the armor."
LOL!
Tell that to a Marine in Water Reed who's Humvee got hit by a IED.
Posted by LOC on March 30, 2006 at 06:44 PM
Do you know any?
The new armor plates, while only about five pounds per set, are not worth carrying for the additional safety they are said to provide, some say.
If that was MY kid, refusing to carry another lousy 5 lbs, in order to save his life, I would fly over there and kick his ass!
You know, this is what happens when the Army recruits snot nosed 18 year olds out of high school, and think they know enough to make decisions on their mortality or morbidity! None of them think they are going to die!
Bookman,
Your post is pretty much on the mark. I know that in Afghanistan I used to remove the kevlar portion of my armor while on patrol in those mountains. The extra weight was just too much, and we were sometimes chasing people in those conditions. I wore what is known as a plate hanger, which I thought was good enough. A few Marines were killed from small arms fire in the vacinity even though they had full body armor on, as their chain of command required.
While driving in vehicles I wore all of my armor though. I don't think any amount of body or vehicle armor for that matter will save you from a direct IED hit, but it would probably help in a partial hit.
A friend of mine and his interpreter were killed by an IED even though he was in a brand new uparmor HUMMV and was wearing full body armor. He suffered a direct hit from an anti-tank mine. The rest of the people in the vehicle survived, probably because they were also wearing their body armor.
Overall, I think we have to weigh protection with performance. We can't just shell up in protective equipment. We have to maintain the ability to take the fight to the enemy, who can move more quickly with less weight.
bookman here is one for you
A sniper's bullet had found the vulnerable flesh between Powell's helmet and Kevlar body armor. Like the other soldiers, Powell always left his constrictive neck armor at the barracks. What were the chances?
Trapped between Life and Death
you may have to register (free) to read it as the article ran in Sunday's paper.
ranger995 @ 7:07
Thank you for your service. I'm glad you made it back home safe. Thanks for the common sense too, from someone who knows what they're talking about.
Out.
PamB
Your post reminds me of the scene in "A Christmas Story" where the mom binds her poor son up in ridiculous clothing to the point where he can no longer move--to protect him from the cold. Unfortunately, when someone knocks him down he can't get back up.
If we don't want people to die, we shouldn't start wars. If we start wars we have to give the people fighting them the ability to win. All of the Special Operations soldiers, sailors, and marines wear less body armor so that they are more mobile. These are not snot nosed kids, but older specially trained troops.
Their philosophy is this: If we focus on defense for protection, we limit our ability at offense, thus prolonging the war and causing more casualties. I agree with this. Look at it this way, If we keep our troops on base, there would be less casualties, at least at first. However, we would give the enemy time to put together a strategy to attack. Aggressive patrolling keeps them on the defensive. The case is similar with excessive weight.
Kristen,
Everyone leaves the constrictive neck armor off, because it is completely worthless--I left mine home. It is Kevlar and would not stop a direct hit at all. Thus, just extra weight, and every pound counts--try running and shooting in full protective gear sometime. It is very limiting and makes things like changing magazines on the fly much more difficult.
I have seen proof that the kevlar portion is ineffective against direct hits. A Marine where I was serving was shot in the side right through the kevlar portion of his body armor and killed.
I don't want to come across as combative to you all. I just want to give some perspective to this.
At first, the Army was not providing enough armor--shame on them. Now, in a reation to public outrage, they are requiring too much armor.
Both cause the troops grief.
Regarding Butters post,
The situation regarding public schools is dire in this country. Education is not nearly a high enough priority to anyone.
Soon, only the rich will be able to get a good education. That has been the case for college level, but now it will be for elementary and secondary levels as well.
We have got to develop higher standards for teachers and pay them more. Teachers should be as professional and esteemed as Doctors or Lawyers. As it is right now, teachers have no say in curriculum or testing. We don't even ask them how to fix the problems. They can't participate on school boards, and they are not taken seriously. Corporate CEOs have more say on our educational policies than teachers. This is a trend that has to change, or it will only get worse.
Butters on March 30, 2006 at 06:34 PM:
Do they break down Public and Private schools? Or is this only Public schools? If the later, then Bush is already 1/4 of the way toward shutting down the American Public Education system, the TRUE goal of no child left behind!
ranger995 on March 30, 2006 at 07:37 PM:
I hope you realize the NCLB has little to do with the quality of the education our children are getting in their schools. It has EVERYTHING to do with shutting the American Public School system, and replacing it with a private school system that discriminates on the basis of one's parent's ability to pay, and thus further distancing the (ultra) rich from the rest of the citizens of this country.
Marc,
I don't think No Child Left Behind applies to private schools at all. I don't think they are subject to legislation.
I hope you are wrong about the overall goal, but evidence is mounting that you are right. First the school vouchers thing, and now states are basing funding on how schools score on tests. Florida just recently did this. Thus, failing schools will get less money and resources. This is the most absurd thing I have ever heard of. How will they improve?
Marc,
I don't see the advantages to privatization, but I am confused by many things republicans do. They are so greedy that they are self defeating. They don't see educating everyone as a good thing. They unwittingly are turning America into a third world country.
That being said, I know a lot of Democrats supported the NCLB legislation. You know I have never read the act, so perhaps I should do so now. I know a lot of teachers hate it.
The test scores do indicate something is wrong though, and I think our public schools should be a lot better.
Ranger, my post was in direct response to bookman and held no opinion one way or the other. As you said yourself you wore your protective gear when riding in the humvee...this young man didn't and no one will know for sure if it could have changed the outcome or not because it is done.
ranger,
If we don't want people to die, we shouldn't start wars
I agree, 100% ! This invasion into Iraq,should never have taken place. Now Afghanistan, well we had to go there.
My daughter's 19 year old nephew-in-law, pimply faced, snot nosed kid, just headed back for second tour. I am afraid I judge everyone by him.
As far as NCLB, I made it a project to ask teachers I met, what THEY thought of it. Every single one, said it was very ineffective in a teaching world, that all they were doing was teaching kids how to take tests. And the National test is done in MAY of each year, leaving 5 weeks of nothing to do at the end.
Plus the lack of proper funding for it, meant towns had to try and come up with the money themselves.
Just one more example of this horrible administration.
That being said, I know a lot of Democrats supported the NCLB legislation
unfortunetly, so many of our impotent Dems, were too frightened of being called anti-american, un-patriotic, oppositional, so they backed a lot of stupid Republican acts.
ranger995 on March 30, 2006 at 07:51 PM:
I have long held that one of the few things that has always made the United States different has been it's system of public education. Yet, from the Republican perspective, it is just another case of the rich having to carry the burden of those undeserving poor. Direct assaults over the years have failed, so they came up first with vouchers... let parents who can afford, or almost afford, a private school, be it religious or not, and redirect badly needed funding from the public schools to the private one. Then came No Child Left Behind, which claims to protect children through measurement. The problem here is that the metric has never been validated against the claimed goal... we run the students through a pile of tests, with the presumption that if they can pass them, they must have received an excellent education. There are many other possible outcomes, and that is where using science to validate the theory is needed.
BUT, Bush doesn't believe in science. He knows what is best, so he forces his beliefs on the rest of us. The republicans are pleased as he furthers their goal since they know that if one rigs the measurement system, then a high percentage of schools will be declared "failing", causing their funding to be cut and thus ensuring they can NEVER get better.
Remember, Bush tends toward Libertarian extremist views of Economics, and a country with no Public Education System is far more Libertarian.
PamB on March 30, 2006 at 08:03 PM:
As I said, on the surface, lots of measurement seems like a great idea. If you identify students with deficencies in their education, then you can address those deficencies before they graduate (whether you explicitly prevent graduation or not). Of course, it also means that if you identify a problem, you also need the resources to address it. NCLB works the other way... it's A** Backwards... if measurement identifies deficencies, then funds are CUT so there is no hope of fixing anything. THIS threat is so severe that schools must "teach to the test" to ensure they survive, and that in the best of cases destroys the education they provide, and in the worst only compounds the problem.
Marc,
I tend to think you are right about where we are headed, although I don't think it is a political or even recognized trend.
I think that individual greed drives our economy and everything else. We are a gluttonous culture. We are going to consume ourselves right out of superpower status. Education is not important, buying power is. Of course, we got here by placing such an importance on education. This should be one of the top issues in this election. Whatever the cause, it appears that NCLB is not working. What a sad state of affairs.
Why do I believe GOP Fundamentalist Christians are the most un-American and unpatriotic group in existence within this country?
1) GOP Fundamentalist Christians do not pay taxes!
a. Most Fundamentalist Christian Organizations files themselves as non-profit organizations or illegal money funneling channels to political campaigns. Majority of that funding going to GOP.
b. Our forefathers declared independence from Britain to gain equal representation with equal taxation. Here we have a group that do not pay American tax and want extra representation. That my friend classifies them as un-American and unpatriotic.
2) GOP Fundamentalist Christians do not believe in the law of the land and do not support the Constitution of United States. The GOP Fundamentalist Christians have declared war against the courts of this country. That my friends make them un-American and unpatriotic.
3) GOP Fundamentalist Christians do not even follow the word of the bible. They have created their own interpretations that allow them to justify killing of innocent people under the preemptive strike. This is against all moral and ethical codes within the bible and the law of this land, The Constitution of United States. That makes the GOP fundamentalist Christians un-American and unpatriotic.
4) The GOP Fundamentalist Christians support cronies and thieves within our government. They believe the government owes them. Jesus preached of self sacrifice and helping those in need, not ripping off the needy for fundamentalist Christian profit.
The Fundamentalist Christians are hammering the air waves telling America that there are people like me who are sending negative messages about Fundamentalist Christians. The actions listed above are all things that Fundamentalist Christians have trumped on the airwave for 6 years. This is the Fundamentalist Christians behavior. If you do not want to behave like un-American and unpatriotic people, pay your taxes, support the law of the land, support the Constitution of United States and stop supporting the cronies ripping off American.
Hybrid,
Fundamentalist Christians have always been doing this. Christianity was under attack in the middle ages, so they started the crusades.
Of course, Native Americans were a threat to Christianity so we had to wipe them out.
Now, just becaue we don't want their crappy ideology rammed down our throats, we are opressing them.
This is how they operate. Playing victim while on the offensive. I have to say, it is effective. BASTARDS!!!
ranger995 on March 30, 2006 at 08:15 PM:
I fear the problem in campaigning on this issue is that it takes some understanding of nuance and the less-simplistic answer to understand why NCLB doesn't work. Bush has demonstrated that being completely wrong doesn't matter. What matters is being able to describe EVERY issue in fewer words than a complete sentence, and EVERY issue must be seen as simple. That the real world is rarely simple is just an inconvenient fact, but Bush would never let a few inconvenient facts get in the way of a simple solution.
I have heard that Tom Delay is claiming that he is being prosecuted because he is Christian. If this theme is accepted, you can bet every republican who commits a crime will start becoming a martyr. I hate organized religion so so so much. I have seen the terrible effects of fundamentalism first hand in Afghanistan, now it rears its ugly head once again in America. Did we not learn from the Inquisition and witch trials?
I am really considering moving to another country, mostly because of our trend toward Theism. I am not sure which country to move to. Anyone have any Ideas? I can speak Spanish.
Marc,
On that note, I don't think the Democratic 5-point agenda is specific enough either. Good education for everybody is a good theme, but what policy are they going to push? Bush had No Child Left Behind to constantly tout. What policy do we have to tout?
We better get it together and make one soon.
In SC the schools are teaching what the students will be tested on: reading and math. Other subjects suffer. The arts, social sciences, geography etc are given no or very rudimintary time.
This is poor way to impart an education to a young mind.
The Constitution of Unitied States, the law of the land, is what we use to show how unAmerican and unpatriotic these Fundamentalist Christians have become.
For every action there is a reaction, they broke the law of the land with their fundamentalist christian beliefs. Show the world their action broke these laws and have gone against everything that is American and what is means to be truly patriotic.
First off, they (GOP Fundamentalist Christians) are already trumping the recovering drunk, lamest duck, brainwashed, religious freak is not their president.
Why not use a page from their campaign message, "wishy washy, i stand for this and now i stand for that? where do they stand? They stand with the un-American and unpatriotic GOP"
Follow the Money,
Are you involved with the follow the money project on the IAVA website?
Just wondering
Well, I have to go workout. I always get stuck on this blog for too long--it's addictive.
Well everyone have a good night.
>Patriotism:
love for or devotion to one's country
A beautiful concept. One which has many adherents. One for which many have givin their lives. But also one which every despot has used to manipulate the people. We have to be very careful with that Concept. Don't let the bad guys use it to ruin us.
I wonder if Bush and his wiz-bang advisors get the message?
Shiite Ayatollah Ignores Letter From Bush
By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA, Associated Press Writer
BAGHDAD, Iraq - A letter from President Bush to Iraq's supreme Shiite spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, was hand-delivered earlier this week but sits unread and untranslated in the top religious figure's office, a key al-Sistani aide told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The aide — who has never allowed use of his name in news reports, citing al-Sistani's refusal to make any public statements himself — said the ayatollah had laid the letter aside and did not ask for a translation because of increasing "unhappiness" over what senior Shiite leaders see as American meddling in Iraqi attempts to form their first, permanent post-invasion government...
Al-Sadr, who is staunchly anti-American, met with al-Sistani in Najaf on Thursday but emerged without making a statement....
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060330/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_060330204532
I have heard that Tom Delay is claiming that he is being prosecuted because he is Christian.
Ha, ha, ha, ha.
Patriotism:
love for or devotion to one's country
this is the way it was suppossed to appear
NCLB is a wonderful concept but it is grossly under funded. I live in an affluent, but small community on the outskirts of a major city in Texas. Every year under the so-called Robin Hood Plan we have to give up 8M in local school taxes to the state. This money is then used to help fund schools in the valley heavily populated with the children of undocumented immigrants. In addition, our state sales tax funds their medical care through the CHIP program.
If the NCLB concept is to work, can someone please tell me where the funding will come from.
I know some will use this chance to spew their anger but I would seriously like to see a Democrat plan for funding our public education system. Bullet points would be preferable. Where will the money come from?
Just a quickie, Came out of a meeting and in the parking lot noticed a bumper sticker, "Enough is enough, vote Democratic" My wife turned to me and said " Yes, yes, I want some of those!" So my question to ya'll is where or how can I get some of those bumper stickers? I'll pay. Can anyone supply the answer? Thanks.
NCLB was a compromise plan using Kennedy's Education Funding proposals and some Pubie crapola. Alky the Crack Head had a BIG signing ceremony because he was "The Educamacation President" and W(orst) PROMPTLY CUT FUNDING TO HIS OWN PROGRAM!!
And the rotten bastard has been doing it EVERY YEAR since. Now the Pugs say "Oh Yeah? How come Kennedy supported it? HUH?!?!?
First he came for the Basics, Now he is coming after the Tech Classes....
When are THE STOOOOOPID people going to learn that this bastard is THE DEVIL?
(When they are too stupid to realize it).
For Bruno and others, the NCLB concept is bogus. It's a fraud. If no child is left behind, all children are left behind. It is another Republican plan to change the way we educate our kids. If public schools can't keep up we NCLB increasing requirements, they fall into sucessive steps of gov't control and finally closure. Eventually, private or church bases schools take over. That, in a nut shell, is where they're headed. When it comes to Repugs, it's always about the money.
Aaron, not sure where you can get that already printed but you can always make your own.
I am a Christian! Tom Delay is a Crook, first and formost, and a religious freak that do not represent my values, morals or ethics. He is being persecuted because he is a crook. If he wants to tell the world that his religion told him to do these unlawful acts, then his church should be under civil liability for teaching him to break the law!
I have heard that Tom Delay is claiming that he is being prosecuted because he is Christian.
Ha, ha, ha, ha.
Posted by SandyH on March 30, 2006 at 08:58 PM
this is from democratic underground. i hope it is true because it would be nice to take this moron allen off the count early in the game:
For those who may have missed it....George Allen is a Racist
Edited on Fri Mar-31-06 01:20 AM by LibDemAlways
Yesterday Sen. George Allen of VA appeared on Tweety to discuss immigration. On a DU thread about Allen's appearance and obvious stupidity, a fellow DUer,The Casual Observer, repeated a story I've told here before. Another poster suggested that the story deserves its own thread. So, in a nutshell, in case you aren't familiar with it from previous posts.....
The Casual Observer and I attended high school with George Allen in Palos Verdes Estates, CA back in the late 60's. Allen and I were both in the class of 1970. Allen's father was coach of the NFL Rams at the time and was a well-known and respected man in the community.
The Allens lived in a beautiful custom home high on a hill with a great view of the ocean and city below. Palos Verdes is a wealthy community 20 minutes south of the LA airport set apart on a hilly peninsula.
Palos Verdes High School was a block from the ocean near high cliffs. Kids who went to "PV" High tended to look down on those who didn't live on "the hill," as it was known. George Allen was one of those kids. Given his pedigree, he was made quarterback of the varsity team senior year. He wasn't a talented player, but he had a lot of attitude. He also had a lot of Confederate flag stickers on his car - very odd in Southern California. {By the way, Allen was born in Whittier, CA. He didn't arrive in Virginia until his dad became coach of the Redskins in the early 70's.}
In the fall of 69 the PV High football team was scheduled to play the Morningside Monarchs, a predominently black team from down on the flatlands. During the week before the game, a bunch of racist graffiti was spraypainted on the outdoor walls of Palos Verdes High. It looked to be the work of vandals from Morningside. However, the word "Monarchs" was misspelled, and suspicion almost immediately fell on George Allen. He fessed up and was forced to apologize over the school PA. School officials made sure the incident was not publicized. They didn't want to see Allen's father embarrassed. Allen had done it to stir up racial tension between the schools -no other reason.
Allen went on to UCLA and then moved to Virginia with his family. He's been publically called on the carpet for the noose he kept in his law office and the Confederate flag on his living room wall. He claims the noose meant nothing more than that he was concerned with being tough on crime. He says the flag was part of a collection and no big deal.
I've been in touch with a couple of reporters about this. One, based in Virginia had written about the noose in an article. I sought him out. The other, from Salon.com, has been chasing "rumors" about Allen's racist past, and recently contacted me. The Virginia reporter says Allen has been asked about the graffiti incident, and laughs it off as a "boyhood prank." Given the sorry state of our corporate media and the amount of time that's passed, I doubt this will ever get any media attention. Too bad because if anyone deserves to have his filthy racist past catch up with him, it's George Allen.
Posted by followthemoney on March 30, 2006 at 08:40 PM
One way to control minds. Or lack of them.
{{Butters!!}} Is that your daughter? The only reason I ask is that the only other picture I had seen was of you and your daughters doing that "Red White & Blue" post on FHF. (Back in my lurking days)
Congrats to the future DC Staffer for the Newest Congressman come January. You will get to meet Lardball in person!!
Tell him for me that he's a putz.
Yes, my oldest. She wasn't in the RW&B picture though. That was my youngest. ;)
You mean I'm not to call him a prick?
Evening Folks,
Unsurprisingly Digby regarding Matthews:
[...]I think it is EXTREMELY important, for this as well as many other reasons, that we make it very, very clear that Chris Matthews is not a Democrat. He's a Republican:
MATTHEWS: People go to vote this November, you know this as well. When I go to vote, I know who my congressperson is. And I always voted for this woman out in Maryland for years, because I know her and like her, a moderate Republican. I always voted for her. Then if I knew somebody running against her personally, I'd vote for them.
It's the way I look at a lot of the elections. I think Bush is OK the first time, then he changed I thought, so I didn‘t like him the second time. I‘m a thinker about this. Or do people just vote the party who my parents voted.
He's a thinker, all right. A Republican thinker.
Okey Dokey, as long as it starts with a P
(Then leave one on his shoes)
{{{Hi Everybody}}} I've been busy lately, but I've {{{missed}}} all of you:))
I think the Ten Commandments should sit in front of the US Capitol.
#2 You shall have no other gods besides Me
Uh, and does MONEY count?
#3 You shalt not swear falsely by the name of the LORD
And, uh, is using "Christianity" to get that money taking the Lord's name in vain?
Nah, They'd probably think that the 10 were just a sign from heaven entitling them to keep on gouging us peasants;)
xdebx, don't forget that little thing about "bearing false witness..."
Isn't that LYING?? the Dome would cave in!
Looks like some kewl katz!! I've even heard of a couple of 'em before. I'm stoked!!
Oilfielguy, Fitzgerald likes to drop HIS indictments at around 2 on Friday. He has a History of it (in Chicago AND DC).
This could be a GREAT Friday, (as opposed to Good Friday, which has probably been copyrighted by the Fundies at this point).
Posted by Butters on March 30, 2006 at 10:02 PM
You rock, Jacque.
xdebx, don't forget that little thing about "bearing false witness..."
Isn't that LYING?? the Dome would cave in!
Posted by DPD on March 30, 2006 at 10:42 PM
"Truthiness", is the new "bear false witness", in America 2.0
Great Fitzday
Oh a fine day
It is payday
Some say mayday
(snerkle!)
So Butters - which one is you and which one is the daughter? You're both very pretty -
My daughter just called and said everyone in Madison is really fired up for Russ tomorrow..she said there are signs all over the place in support of him. Everyone will be keeping their eyes glued to C-Span but everyone knows it's just bot going any place.
Had a good fight with a fellow worker today - he said no matter if the Dems take over Congress in Nov, Bush isn't going any where...I smiles and said, that might be true but wouldn't it be great watching the little prick smirm..
My eyeballs are about to drop on the key board, better end it for tonight. I just signed 150 letters to be sent out to people in my District for our upcoming meeting and for money...
I miss Colleen tonight - I hope she had a drink for me.
Keep on Rockn'
Oooh. And the hits just keep coming!
The National Journal tattles on turd blossoms arm twisting so nobody would rat out Bush lying us into war. Stuff most of us already know, but this guy Waas puts a hurtin' on him. (h/t Christy Hardin Smith @ FDL)
LOL DPD and Oilfield:))
Speaking of truthiness check this one out scroll down to The fictitious Kyl/Graham floor debate
Excerpt: "Apparently this entire 8 page colloquy--which is scripted to read as if it were delivered live on the floor of the Senate, complete with random interruptions from other Senators--never took place. It was inserted into the Congressional Record in written form just prior to passage of the bill."
and this was presented to the Supreme Court as FACT.
Posted by brunohokalugie on March 30, 2006 at 09:04 PM NCLB is a wonderful concept but it is grossly under funded.
The rhetoric or notion of leaving no child behind is a great idea - it's a liberal notion.
But the actual legislation is something entirely different
The yearly progress goals in NCLB are unsustainable - the goals get tougher each year until all schools fail no matter how much money one pours into them - in which case the final remedy is to turn management of the schools over to the private sector. (which in theory is still subject to the same accountability standards but which in practice is not)
Here's some 1st hand information - straight from the current administration's mouth
The actual legislation is here
It's hard to talk about the complexities of this issue in a 10 second sound bite so all we hear is the rhetoric of "No Child Left Behind" "Accountability" and "Unfunded Mandate"
Tomorrow is Feingold Friday!!
Posted by Oilfieldguy on March 30, 2006 at 10:37 PM
I've been missing so much news. What is happening tomorrow with Feingold?
hi keedz
{{jacque}} you're amazing!
{{kathy}} you're amazing!
y'all keep me stoked!
Posted by Kathy_in_Indiana on March 30, 2006 at 10:53 PM
Sleep well. I'll have one for you. Raise it to Colleen.
(and all the other Aries I love)
I've been missing so much news. What is happening tomorrow with Feingold?
Posted by Butters on March 30, 2006 at 11:03 PM
Preznit censure hearings!!!
For more info click on my tentative witness link in comment above. A real official and imposing looking document.
dorsano is right on! see my earlier post. NCLB is a political ploy. they don't really mean it. We used to complain that schools had to go slow enough so that the slowest student could keep up. That didn't work because the bright kids got bored. Now, the NCLB idea is a new twist on that old idea. But, as stated above, the unspoken motive is to do away (as much as possible) with the public education system, turn the whole thing over to private enterprise and ----- well you know the rest of the pitch.
Posted by Oilfieldguy on March 30, 2006 at 11:13 PM
That would be interesting to watch.
I started spring quarter and have an assignment due Monday, so I probably won't even have time to read what you all type about it.
Bummer, seems like I just get caught up on all these blogs and just when I get ready to yak it's beddybye time.
well you know the rest of the pitch.
Posted by AaronM on March 30, 2006 at 11:16 PM
People can't fund it with taxes either. They have been voting them down here for the last couple of years. The school boards are running 4 elections a year to try to pass levies here.
Thank god for satelite radio and C-span. I can listen to the censure hearings while navigating my 32 wheel truck with gross weight of 154,000lbs from W. Memphis to a location in Haysi Virginia.
Posted by Oilfieldguy on March 30, 2006 at 11:19 PM
I love to chat on here at night as well. And I love reading the morning crew. Ain't nothing like sharing a cup of coffee & news with like minded friends & talk about the weather. Speaking of which, the sounds of the critters chriping at night are back. Life is good!
Posted by dorsano on March 30, 2006 at 11:02 PM
the idea of accountability is not new. Iowa test of basic skills, the one you and i took, was a nationally normed test that illustrated your progress in relation to the students in the country, your state, your school...the SAT and ACT tests took care of whatever that Iowa test didn't cover.
NEXT: Ross Perot and the 1984 (i think) report"A Nation at Risk", House Bill 72 in Texas, Senate Bill 1 (W's first legislative move as governor) and the disasterous compromise with Kennedy (aghast, still...they never should have agreed!)
FIFTEEN TO TWENTY BILLION DOLLARS TO TEXTBOOK COMPANIES, DOMINATED BY TEXAS SCHOOLS, WHO PRODUCE THE TEST, AND ALIGN TEXTS TO "TEACH THE TEST" WITH ...arghhhhhhhhhh
NY City...third graders failing (because of the test failure) for the third time. the third time...how long before they internalize this as their identity?
this is destroying the kids who don't get help...that part of the legislation is still a disaster...help would also include art, music, social science, science and other topics that aren't on the test...but are eliminated until they learn the basics...it's crazy and expensive and designed to make the public school system disappear....pooof! (workin' well, too)
The locals say Haysi Virginia is the oxycontin capitol of the world. They call it "hillbilly heroin". If I see Rush, I'm puttin' him in a ditch ;)
Posted by Oilfieldguy on March 30, 2006 at 11:26 PM
That stuff was so bad here a couple of years ago. 3 young guys, they were buddies, OD within 6 months of each other.
Yes Butters, we've had a similar problem here in the golden state. Finally found some workarounds. First school districts learned to use bond issues. Then working with concerned citizen groups we got state constitution amended to set guarantee % of state spending for schools. Now if we could get a democratic governor with the guts to say, "we need to increase taxes a little to finance all the things you expect government to do." Arnie won't, so we just keep using creative methods.
The way I figure NCLB is that schools in areas where children are given a head start by their families/neighborhoods/communities the children will test well and the schools rewarded, thereby providing corporations with white collar workers. In areas where children are economically deprived kids will test poorly cutting off funding to the schools, the children will never have a chance, thereby providing cheap hourly paid workers for corporations. The new American "caste" system!
turn the whole thing over to private enterprise
Glad to see someone saying this here.
A report out this week says that thousands of American schools have found one way to try to raise reading and math scores: cut back on teaching everything else. President Bush's "No Child Left Behind" program punishes schools that don't hit their marks on reading and math test scores. In an effort to meet the law, some schools are pushing all but reading, math -- and testing -- to sidelines.
If you think NCLB is bad, and it is, take a good look at the Medicare Perscription Drug bill. Now there is the worst screw job ever foisted on the public. Fellow blogers, regardless of your present age, you will be a victum of this Bushie scheme to get more of their buddies into your and my pocket. Not only is this plan a total SNAFU, but it's only real purposes was to 1. inject the insurance industry into the middle of a government plan, and 2. add billions to the drug cartel's revenues. Seniors are taking it in the shorts. And they are fearful of not signing up because they realize that they will need help paying for the drugs they need, or will need. the costs are outrageous. Even if you buy in Canada, it's still out of reach of most seniors.
Posted by fade2bluz on March 30, 2006 at 11:24 PM (workin' well, too)
27% of all the public schools in the nation "failed" this year.
They'll get spanked with sanctions.
Here are the things a REAL DEM is doing, (some of which have already been signed into law:
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, everything this administration does is aimed at helping their friends make more money. I mean EVERYTHING! That includes Iraq, NCLB (let us not forget what brother Neil does for a living) Medicare Part D, Border secruity, etc. etc. etc.
Sorry, don't mean to shout, I just get so angry and the general public hasen't got a clue.
late nite crew. i guess everyone wants to be up to welcome bush back to america.
{{Butters}} - gotta hit the hay - good luck with Zack
The DCCC shouldn't be muckin around in the endorsement conventions or the primaries
let the Democratic rank and file decide who to run against the GOP
and then the DCCC can spend the money that we contribute as they see fit.
What the hell kind of party do they think we are? :)
Well, I'm gonna leave you good folks for the evening. We'll do this again soon.
the interesting thing about Texas' "reform" that led to NCLB--IT DIDN'T WORK on the two categories of students that were consistently being "left behind"...poor and minority groups
hahahahaha...count the billions wasted, that COULD have been spent providing services to those kids...that a first year teacher could have identified the first month of school
i have to go back to mike malloy and try to forget this...it makes me so crazy that i'll cry myself to sleep thinking of the kids that deserve the help they will be DENIED because they need help...good lord only in bushworld
peace, love and logic...soon, please
27% of all the public schools in the nation "failed" this year.
and what was the median income of the parents of those failing schools?
Canaries in a coal mine.
Aaron, I'm hoping that WHEN dems take all 3 branches of gov't that we'll go back and prove that Gore won in 00 and Kerry won in 04 and have grounds to undo all of the legislation that the pugs have done...including the drug bill.
nice crowd in the republican run house of reps. seems they think prisoners are interchangeable with slaves....which i think means they believe in slavery. so finally we are getting down to the real nitty gritty of their philosophy...from cnn web:
'Let prisoners pick the fruits'
House conservatives criticized President Bush, accused the Senate of fouling the air, said prisoners rather than illegal farm workers should pick American crops and denounced the use of Mexican flags by protesters Thursday in a vehement attack on legislation to liberalize U.S. immigration laws.
---this is great shit. these cretins are crawling out from under their rocks and letting their freak flags fly---
"I say let the prisoners pick the fruits," said Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of California, one of more than a dozen Republicans who took turns condemning a Senate bill that offers an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants an opportunity for citizenship.
---and---
"Anybody that votes for an amnesty bill deserves to be branded with a scarlet letter 'A,'" said Rep. Steve King of Iowa, referring to a guest worker provision in the Senate measure.
---and---
...even Bush was not spared criticism.
"I don't think he's concerned about alienating voters, he's not running for re-election," said Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado. He said Republicans could lose the House and Senate over the immigration issue, and he said of the president: "I wish he'd think about the party and of course I also wish he'd think about the country."
---and the friggin best is a half assed marxist spin by a right wing nut...oh i love it when their depends start to leak---
King analyzed the issue in class terms.
"The elite class in America is becoming a ruling class and they've made enough money by hiring cheap illegal labor that they think they also have some kind of a right to cheap servants to manicure their nails and their lawn, for example.
"So this ruling class, this new ruling class of America, is expanding a servant class in America...
---hoo ha the loonies are running the congressional asylum....speedballs and thorazine for everyone!---you couldn't make this shit up.
i guess everyone wants to be up to welcome bush back to america.
Posted by gregg on March 30, 2006 at 11:51 PM
How come W gets to go to Cancun on MY dime for Spring Break?
I'll have to order those "Girls Gone Wild" videos just to see if he's passed out in the Margarita fountain in the background.
the republicans can't decide whether to appeal to racism or go for the hispanic vote....
hahahahahahahah.....and this is a good time for the democrats to keep their mouths shut.
dpd, let me know if laura is frenching with any coeds...or showin her yamahas
Anyone else get a real sweet deal on a house lately?
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Hmmmmmm,The closest I ever came to a sweet deal on a house was when I played MONOPOLY, the board game.LOL!
dpd, this is an industrial techno song about joe leiberman that is pretty wild. not that i know shit about any music made after 1967 but this is a gas and i can picture it as the sound track for some sort of slasher/greenwich village club/ecstacy/body pierced and tatooed movie with joementum playing the slasher:
fos, catching you at your shift's beginning for once. time for me to crash but if you have a sound card in the machine you are using check out the song i posted at 12:28.
Posted by gregg on March 31, 2006 at 12:29 AM
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Thanks Gregg. Talk to you later. ;D
Got one of those, 'I hate bush,Gimmie some mOney e-mails.This time,from Sen. Reid. I posted the good parts.
snip:Dear *** ****,
Dangerously incompetent and consistently misleading, George Bush is our worst President ever because he has failed at the basic task of serving the American people.
Bush Republicans in the Senate have refused to hold him accountable for his mistakes, allowing incompetence and corruption to become the rule in Washington. In all my years of public service, I have never seen anything like it and I've never been more worried for the future.
Here's Ted Kennedy's.......
I will ALWAYS have respect for him.
Dear *** ****,
Could the Republican leadership be any more out of touch with the American people?
At almost every turn, the GOP leadership still tries to protect an out-of-control White House. The Dubai Port scandal was finally too much for even the most dedicated GOP lap dogs in the Senate and House to swallow, but they've quickly reverted to defending this constantly incompetent Administration.
The American people deserve real action to meet the nation's challenges. Democrats are doing our best to answer the call to action on issue after issue, but to have a real impact we need a Democratic majority in the House and Senate.
To please the White House, the Senate leadership continues to stall the debate on stem cell research, refusing to allow a vote. Democrats are fighting back, demanding that the GOP Leadership keep the promise it made last year and bring it to the floor. Tens of millions of Americans could benefit from this life-saving medical technology -- and we owe it to all Americans to support it.
Despite intense opposition from the Senate leadership, Democrats helped persuade the Judiciary Committee to approve a fair immigration reform bill that I strongly support, and it is finally being debated by the full Senate right now. It's a tough but fair approach to protect our borders and deal responsibly with the 11 million hard-working undocumented immigrants who continue to be exploited at the workplace and live in constant fear of detection and deportation.
The Republican leadership still defends the President's illegal wiretapping program. But now -- thanks to your efforts -- Democrats have forced them at least to hold a serious Senate hearing on this issue this week. It is our obligation in Congress to protect our country, and that includes protecting our Constitution.
The Republican leadership hypocritically continues to support pay raises for members of Congress, but it refuses to raise the minimum wage which has remained stuck at the unacceptably low level of $5.15 an hour for the past nine years.
Now is the time for us to speak out ever more strongly. The American people are listening. They are fed up with a White House that refuses to realistically confront issues relating to the war in Iraq, health care for all Americans, the soaring cost of college, global warming, and countless other major concerns of our people.
We can change all that in November. Let's seize the opportunity now, and keep building momentum now, so that we can win the elections in November and end the nightmare of this rubber-stamp Republican Congress. With a Democratic majority in Congress, you'll see the change right away on issue after issue. A new day will dawn in Congress, and it can't come too soon. I intend to do all I can to be part of it, and I thank you for joining me.
Yours for a Democratic majority in November '06!
Senator Edward M. Kennedy
P.S. Thank you so much for your continuing support. Tomorrow, March 31, will be the last opportunity for any potential opponents to gauge our fundraising before deciding whether to run against me in my Senate race. Show them our strength with your contribution, and be sure our country starts moving forward again:
hi fos, how are ya?
Posted by jen on March 31, 2006 at 12:37 AM
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I'm good.Still hangin in there.LOL
fade2bluz
One thing I do hate is how the kids are grilled for a week so they can pass the tests. It's not about anything other than seeing to it your school gets "Exemplary Status" to qualify for a few extra bucks.
It would seem to me the only way to increase education standards to tax multinational corporation profits. We give them R&D credits then once the product is ready for production they move it offshore. No return on investment for the to taxpayers for the credits corporations receive. Tax these bums until shareholders start rioting over the massive executive incentives.
But what democrat in congress is going to suggest this? Most on on the take from PAC's just like republicans.
Sorry, but that's the way it is.
glad to hear it fos!
night gregg, thx.
i probably ought to hit the hay. i don't want this day to end though, it's been so nice. See you all tomorrow. It's going to be a good one too.
Good Night everyone who's going to bed.Have a great weekend! ;D
I've been missing so much news. What is happening tomorrow with Feingold?
Posted by Butters on March 30, 2006 at 11:03 PM
Preznit censure hearings!!!
Posted by Oilfieldguy on March 30, 2006 at 11:13 PM
Uh Duh, These hearings are to make the Dems look silly even with a silly slug like Arlen Spector in charge. They will go through the hearings, the committee will vote that the President has broken no laws (if the President is not authorized to spy on the enemy in time of war then God help us all) and then put it to a vote of the Senate which will generate 3 or 4 votes for sensure. 96 to 4 against senure -- case dismissed.
In the immediate future, watch for the President to nominate some very conservative judges to the various appelate courts. The Dems will try to block them, even threatening or instigating fillibusters. And that will be the issue in the 06 election -- Dems blocking the appointment of proper judges. Nothing pisses the Republican base off more than liberal judges writing laws. As the Supreme Court has done recently in finding a right to buttf***ing in the US Constitution.
Even if the House of Representatives were to change to Democrat hands it will not last long. They would began espousing goofy views (as expressed here on this site) and proposing goofy laws and the Republicans would get back an even greater house majority in 08 along with the Presidency again. It would be a good thing if the Republicans lost the House in 06.
THe Republicans will probably pick up seats in the Senate in 06 though - at least two. 57-43
Posted by **Sally** on March 31, 2006 at 02:51 AM
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Is that what you think? ...... or HOPE?
These days, Ms. Sally, you seem to be one of our biggest most two faced trolls yet.I gotta hand it to ya.You like to wait for serveral days after you troll so we can't go back and read your trolled posts and figure out what you're up too,but you we're so obnocious this last time sally,that I actually remembered a little byotch like you.On THAT note.......
Russ Feingold has NOT given up on the Censure....
http://www.feingold.senate.gov/releases/06/03/20060312.html
http://feingold.senate.gov/~feingold/statements/06/03/2006329.html
Posted by FreedomOfSpeechForComprehensiveImmigrationReform on March 31, 2006 at 03:22 AM
It doesn't matter whether Feingold has given up on sensure or not, he is only one Senator with only one vote. He is only making points with the leftwing Dem base for his own Presidential run. He has zero chance of ever being elected the President.
I hope he is the Democrat candidate.
Even if he is not the candidate I know that the Dems will nominate another dork like Kerry or Gore who cannot win either.
Posted by **Sally** on March 31, 2006 at 03:12 AM
Posted by **Sally** on March 31, 2006 at 03:22 AM
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We don't require your assistance with our political strategy.Why don't you go on over tho the G.O.P. website and share this bullsh*t with them? We can care less what you think.We are fully aware that we are winning in all the races and polls and that this time, when we take the White House, we are not going to be just HouseKeepers, cleaning up the mess your Republican Retarded Party made, but we will be certain not to pull a "Bill" so that there is NO excuse to vote us out.We will make the American people happy because we will have restored NORMACY and PROTECTION and PROSPERITY once again to our nation.We will press upon Iraq to get their shi-ite together and we will bring our troops home.We will deal with Iran and find Osama.We will provide Universal Health Care to the people of this great netion and fix SEVERAL of the Kitcken Table issues that the Republicans have ignored for the last five years.So,sally,I would urge that you pull you're head out of your ass and get a life.Okay?
night night!
Posted by **Sally** on March 31, 2006 at 03:29 AM
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Yeah,That's right! Take your weak arguments back to the hole you crawled out of.I HOPE Feingold get's the nomination too because he can kick ANY one of you're Republicans azzes.
1.) Mc Cain-With that thing growing on the side of his face and the fact that he has pissed off his right-wing constituents does not guarantee him any bit of acceptance from the Democrats or Independents.It's takes more than pissing off you're Republican constituents during an election year to get us to "switch"
2) Guilliani-(If)...and that's a big (if), the Republicans gave this Liberal Republican the nod, why the hell would Democrats and Independents vote for a Fake Democrat when they could have the real thing? It wouldn't make sense.Why vote for a person and "hope" he's does the right thing when you have someone who you "know" will do the right thing.?
3)Newt Gingrich- ........against Feingold are you f*cking kidding me? As if!
4.)Bill Frist - Corrupt polititian against an Honest man? Ha Ha Ha !
5.) Mitt Romney - I'm sorry, who the fu*ck are you?
6.) George Allen - You need more than TWO issues to run a Campaign.....http://allen.senate.gov/?c=issues
5.) George Pataki- Too many rumors of him being a racists......me no likey dat!
6.) Chuck Hagel- This Old Fart Bush Cronie with no independent ideals of his own Just backs an unpopular Bush? Ha Ha Ha ...please.
7.)Tom Tancredo - Well, we just saw the latest. His message to America ? ...."We're full"
So,yeah.Like they say in ebonics, "Ya'll ain't got sh*t worth sh*t to run in 2008!"
Regarding 2008 Presidential Candidates.....
I find it remarkably amusing the responses “against” Russell Feingold becoming the next President of the United States. Here’s a sample of the most typical of these pathetic responses.......
(Them) “I hope they nominate him. He won’t win. It will be easy for the Republicans.....”
(Us) Really? Why not? Why won’t he win?
(Them) “ummm.....well.....ummmm....The Democrats ....ummmmm. Well, he can’t win”
(Us) “Okay ...why?”
(Them) “Ummmm...... because. He wouldn’t win. I hope the Democrats nominate him.....”
(US) “LOL! Okay, fool. Whatever
Sen. Frist: Being Majority Leader Is A "Terrible, Terrible, Terrible, Terrible" Way To Get 2008 Nomination...
Source: Huffington Post by way of the Associated Press
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2006/03/30/sen-frist-being-majorit_n_18163.html
OOOH, You Republicans gotta be just a little bit better at hiding your MOTIVES if you intend to trick your voters.Shhheeeeeze, must you make it that obvious that you plan to scam folks?
ATTENTION: DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP !!!!!!!!!
There is ONE sure way to successfuly take back the House,Senate and the White House.It's a sure undefeated victory.Wanna know what it is? okay......
STOP treating the Republicans like you do your own Democrat constituents.You may think what I'm about to say is vain and you can ignore it if you want to at your own peril, but I'm going to tell you anyways.......
The Republican Party's Constituency is NOT that SMART! You cannot assume they know when their Party's Leaders are bulls*itting them.Hell,they think Fox News is real,actual,fair and balanced.FOX NEWS! ....REAL....
They sit up there after having read news reports that clearly reveal to them that the Bush Administration spent 1.2 Billion dollars on planting fake news and they are still stupid.They don't even know that Bush has been talking to audiences that have been pre-screened and coached.They think that's what the American people really feel.I so kid you not.They think those are real average Americans and Bush just popped up there and spoke to them.They are just that ignorant to what's really going on and you cannot continue assuming they are on to the lies that are spewing out of the White House.When you let the Republicans "define" you and "re-define" the positions you take on certain issues by NOT rebutting the lies, these idiots who still get to vote,BELIEVE what they hear.STOP letting the Republican Party DEFINE you.Now,we Democrats KNOW when they are lying to us,but don't assume that because we aren't falling for it that the rest of the country is just as smart and keen to the crap.They aren't.They don't know.They believe that crap and when they have no one rebutting it with the truth,they believe it.To them,if someone says something about another and that person doesn't rebut it,in their minds,it's true.We ALL know that Russ Feingolds Censure Resolution is not about Bush listening to the terrorist and that to suggest it is, is in itself laughable,but guess what? The Republican Leadership's constituency base actually "believes" that it is and when you have key,dominant Democratic Leaders standing there with a stupid azz look on their face saying nothing,then they believe that you aggree with what the Republicans are saying. We Democrats are NOT that stupid.We know,that most times, we're not going to see a rebuttal to some accusations because the charge is so stupid it's not worth it to respond.But here's the problem..............
YOU DON'T NEED TO CONVINCE THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY CONVENCED!!!!!
While we already know and have accepted the truth,that's not the case for Republican Constituent base.They are like little kids.You have to "address" the bullsh*t or else they will "believe" the bullsh*t.I know it may feel stupid having to rebut the most retarded of charges and that it seems to be a waste of time, but you have to.These people really are just that stupid.I'm sorry it has to be that way and that it's extra work, but you have to start talking like your speaking to retards because that's what you're dealing with.I'm serious people.I'm very serious.
Thank You
P.S. .....and what I said about not letting the Republican Leadership define you? The same goes for the friggen media.They don't know what you're gonna back and not back.They don't know you like that.You give them way, way, way too much power.Don't "ever" do that again.(waiting to see what the Media thinks you're response will be and then acting on it)That's just....retarded.Do the nation a favor...........SHOCK the Media by instead of doing what they think you're gonna do,doing what your SUPPOSED to do.Try it.It's a wonderful feeling to be a free person.
Okay, I'm done.Good luck in all ya'll's races and elections and all that.Just get it together will ya? Think about what I said.
Posted by AaronM on March 30, 2006 at 09:17 PM
I saw the post about the bumper stickers. You can get them at www.stampandshout.com. There are also good ones at xpressyourview.com
I'm watching everyday and paying alot of attention to this Illegal Alien issue. If you watched Lou Dobbs
Last night 92% of the American people do not want Amnesty for Illegals.
The Democrats better stand up and notice this. Kennedy and McCain are whittling away my vote.
I've heard many comments made about the kids that are protesting in the streets. As they are born in America but have parents or grandparents that would be effected if we sent all the illegal's back to their countries. Well has anyone realized that they are a symbol of how much we are paying in Medicaid costs because no illegal pays for thier own healthcare? In the meantime "Our Leaders" are whittling away benefits for our Veterans and we are facing the biggest debt owed to other countries in history.
This is the thanks we get folks. Our young American Anchor Kids are fighting "for" Crime instead of "against" it.
What a Joke.
Posted by LOC on March 30, 2006 at 06:44 PM
Do you know any?
Posted by bookman on March 30, 2006 at 06:50 PM
Hi Bookman,
I do. My Son. He spent 3 weeks in a Hospital in Germany having 4 surgeries to sow his wounds up.
WOW!
Here in Green Bay,Wis.,there's going to be a Senselessbrenner R)Immigration Bill Protest March right by my Apartment complex this weekend.Yeah! I will be out of town the morning of,but I swear if it's still going on when I get back into town,I'm marching right along with them.They are anticipating 5000.!
Posted by AmercnWmn on March 31, 2006 at 06:31 AM
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Just because Lou Dobbs says the Democrats are proposing amnesty doesn't make it true.If Lou Dobbs wants to help make Legislation,he needs to get his big ole behind up out of that "anchor" chair and run for office.Then, he can participate.The democrats are NOT proposing amnesty, but they are promoting HUMANITY while addressing this very complex issue.
BEWARE DEMOCRATS!
Trolls are out in FULL force today mimicing some of our discontentment and trying to pass off as fellow democrats offering constructive critism.If you pay close attention to what they are saying,they are actually attempting to insert right-wing talking points directly from the RNC website.Look for complete and utter praise for the Republicans and utter trashing of Democrats.You shall know them by their.....POLITICS!
Ha Ha Ha !
Hi Freedom,
I like your post. The one just before you responded to mine.
If Lou did run, I think he would get my vote.
Only if it wasn't against Fiengold because he is doing exactly what you described in your fist post.
However, being that I am a Patriot and am concerned by all the facts, and having 2 boys in the Marine Corp. and have always beleived in a guest worker program, I do not believe by starting a legislation to allow Illegal activity to assume in Our Country is the best way to start.
Just like No Child Left Behind is not working for the American Public Schools because it is backwards when it comes to funding, so will the new proposal that Kennedy and McCain are promoting.
If I were illegal and were in this country say, 10 years and have managed to maintain my Family of 1 wife and 3 Kids that were born in America, why would I register for the new law. I would have to get in line behind all of the Immigrants that have filed "Legally" pay a 2,000.00 fine, and pay back taxes (by the way, the only way the government could prove this theory is if I'm fruedulantly using someone elses SSN) then learn Enlish and take a Civics test and go through a back ground check.
Let's see. HMMMM. No ones pounding on my door demanding that I pay for my crimes, I am still working and allowed housing and my kids are still getting Medicaid and allowed to go to school, and I am driving without a license and Insurance, so why should I go through all that. Nah, I'll stay at home Thanks.
If we are going to strengthen the Guest Worker program we have to start with making people understand that thier is no reward for breaking the law in the United States and when it is broken you must pay the price.
Peace
Taken from CNN website:
Which is the bigger threat to American jobs?
Illegal immigration 25% 12304 votes
Outsourcing 75% 37901 votes
Total: 50205 votes
Scroll all the way down to the bottom and then, right.Take the Quck Vote.
One more thing Freedom,
My husband is Hispanic American and a Veteran. I am Native American.
We have been dedicated, contributing Democrats and law abiding hard working Citizens all