After being accused of 'lying' to parents, state board looks to raise the bar for MEAP tests MLive.com
"The truth is that Michigan has been lying to its residents about how well its students have been performing,” said Amber Arellano, executive director of the Midwest office of the Education Trust, who plans to voice concern at today's meeting..
“That's created a false sense of confidence about how our children have been doing and whether they are prepared for the next level.”"
What an indictment!
Only in government could this continue for as long as it has.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Hamtramck: Giving Raises and Going Bankrupt
Hamtramck: Giving Raises and Going Bankrupt [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"The city also had eight more people on payroll in 2010 compared to 2007 and saw total payroll climb from $7.3 million in 2007 to $7.9 million in 2010, not including benefits.
While Hamtramck considered bankruptcy, it gave its union workers annual raises of 2 to 3 percent, according to Cooper"
"The city also had eight more people on payroll in 2010 compared to 2007 and saw total payroll climb from $7.3 million in 2007 to $7.9 million in 2010, not including benefits.
While Hamtramck considered bankruptcy, it gave its union workers annual raises of 2 to 3 percent, according to Cooper"
Taxpayers Send Teachers To Vegas Resort
Taxpayers Send Teachers To Vegas Resort « CBS Chicago
"The Chicago Public Schools system is suffering from a $700 million budget shortfall.
So why did some educators travel to Las Vegas just days after a travel restriction was ordered?
CBS 2′s Dave Savini and the Better Government Association investigated questionable spending of school tax dollars and how children are impacted.
Former Scammon Elementary School teacher Laura Hoffman is angry that 14 of her Chicago Public School co-workers went on an all-expense paid trip to a Las Vegas resort and spa for a conference last year."
"The Chicago Public Schools system is suffering from a $700 million budget shortfall.
So why did some educators travel to Las Vegas just days after a travel restriction was ordered?
CBS 2′s Dave Savini and the Better Government Association investigated questionable spending of school tax dollars and how children are impacted.
Former Scammon Elementary School teacher Laura Hoffman is angry that 14 of her Chicago Public School co-workers went on an all-expense paid trip to a Las Vegas resort and spa for a conference last year."
Mandatory Arabic Classes Coming To Mansfield
Mandatory Arabic Classes Coming To Mansfield « CBS Dallas / Fort Worth
"Some Students at Mansfield ISD schools could soon be learning Arabic as a required language.
The school district wants students at select schools to take Arabic language and culture classes as part of a federally funded grant.
The Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP) grant was awarded to Mansfield ISD last summer by the U.S. Department of Education.
As part of the five-year $1.3 Million grant, Arabic classes would be mandatory at Cross Timbers Intermediate School and Kenneth Davis Elementary School"
"Some Students at Mansfield ISD schools could soon be learning Arabic as a required language.
The school district wants students at select schools to take Arabic language and culture classes as part of a federally funded grant.
The Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP) grant was awarded to Mansfield ISD last summer by the U.S. Department of Education.
As part of the five-year $1.3 Million grant, Arabic classes would be mandatory at Cross Timbers Intermediate School and Kenneth Davis Elementary School"
Big Government Bozo of the Week: Newt Gingrich
Big Government Bozo of the Week: Newt Gingrich NetRight Daily
"In the 1990s, Newt Gingrich was one of the top Republicans on the scene.
He’s a possible Presidential candidate in 2012, but one might think he’s running as a Democrat because he’s supporting the concept of ethanol!"
"In the 1990s, Newt Gingrich was one of the top Republicans on the scene.
He’s a possible Presidential candidate in 2012, but one might think he’s running as a Democrat because he’s supporting the concept of ethanol!"
South Dakota GOP takes aim at 'Obamacare' with a gun bill
South Dakota GOP takes aim at 'Obamacare' with a gun bill - Washington Times
"If the government can require Americans to buy health insurance, the reasoning goes, then why can’t the same government require them to purchase something a bit higher on the conservative wish list?
That is why five GOP state legislators have introduced a bill that would require every South Dakotan age 21 or older to purchase a gun"
"If the government can require Americans to buy health insurance, the reasoning goes, then why can’t the same government require them to purchase something a bit higher on the conservative wish list?
That is why five GOP state legislators have introduced a bill that would require every South Dakotan age 21 or older to purchase a gun"
Monday, February 07, 2011
A QUICKER WAY TO IDENTIFY SKIN CANCER.
Instapundit » Blog Archive » A QUICKER WAY TO IDENTIFY SKIN CANCER.
“The device, called the Verisante Aura, is held above a mole, and uses Raman spectroscopy, a technique that distinguishes molecules using their vibrational states, to scan for those whose relative concentrations are characteristic of melanoma.
The device returns a verdict within seconds.
Following a successful small clinical trial, Verisante is now analyzing the results of another trial with 1,000 moles.”"
Honeybunch and I have lost her dad to skin cancer last year.
And we have too many friends and family who we love who are fighting the same pernicious disease today.
This sounds like a vibration of hope at the end of the tunnel.
“The device, called the Verisante Aura, is held above a mole, and uses Raman spectroscopy, a technique that distinguishes molecules using their vibrational states, to scan for those whose relative concentrations are characteristic of melanoma.
The device returns a verdict within seconds.
Following a successful small clinical trial, Verisante is now analyzing the results of another trial with 1,000 moles.”"
Honeybunch and I have lost her dad to skin cancer last year.
And we have too many friends and family who we love who are fighting the same pernicious disease today.
This sounds like a vibration of hope at the end of the tunnel.
Yes, They’re Overpaid
Yes, They’re Overpaid The Weekly Standard
The truth about federal workers’ compensation
The truth about federal workers’ compensation
How To Reform Fannie And Freddie Now Without Raising Mortgage Costs
How To Reform Fannie And Freddie Now Without Raising Mortgage Costs
"But there is an alternative approach that wouldn’t raise monthly mortgage costs — it might even lower them — yet it would induce the private sector to take on mortgage market risk while minimizing taxpayer credit risk.
On top of that, it would preserve the ability of the government to run a countercyclical housing policy to combat downturns and it would go a long way toward rationalizing the foreclosure process."
This is very interesting.
Take a moment to read and understand it.
And send it to your rep. and senator if you agree.
I already did.
"But there is an alternative approach that wouldn’t raise monthly mortgage costs — it might even lower them — yet it would induce the private sector to take on mortgage market risk while minimizing taxpayer credit risk.
On top of that, it would preserve the ability of the government to run a countercyclical housing policy to combat downturns and it would go a long way toward rationalizing the foreclosure process."
This is very interesting.
Take a moment to read and understand it.
And send it to your rep. and senator if you agree.
I already did.
MEA freezes salaries, lays off 25 workers after losing 5,000 members
"After giving its executive director a 9.3 percent raise in 2009-10, the Michigan Education Association is scaling back by freezing some management salaries and laying off 25 workers."
Heck of a job you're doing, Iris!
Is Adding School Debt Just Like Refinancing Your Home?
Is Adding School Debt Just Like Refinancing Your Home? [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"Leon Drolet, chairman of the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance, said if the school is taking on new debt, it shouldn’t be compared to a refinancing.
“They are trying to trick voters into believing that they are not taking on new debt when they use that kind of language,” Drolet said.
“By suggesting it is a refinance as opposed to taking on new debt … it’s a bald-faced lie.”"
"Leon Drolet, chairman of the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance, said if the school is taking on new debt, it shouldn’t be compared to a refinancing.
“They are trying to trick voters into believing that they are not taking on new debt when they use that kind of language,” Drolet said.
“By suggesting it is a refinance as opposed to taking on new debt … it’s a bald-faced lie.”"
Made in the USA
Made in the USA - The Boston Globe
"Americans make more “stuff’’ than any other nation on earth, and by a wide margin.
According to the United Nations’ comprehensive database of international economic data, America’s manufacturing output in 2009 (expressed in constant 2005 dollars) was $2.15 trillion.
That surpassed China’s output of $1.48 trillion by nearly 46 percent.
China’s industries may be booming, but the United States still accounted for 20 percent of the world’s manufacturing output in 2009 — only a hair below its 1990 share of 21 percent."
"Americans make more “stuff’’ than any other nation on earth, and by a wide margin.
According to the United Nations’ comprehensive database of international economic data, America’s manufacturing output in 2009 (expressed in constant 2005 dollars) was $2.15 trillion.
That surpassed China’s output of $1.48 trillion by nearly 46 percent.
China’s industries may be booming, but the United States still accounted for 20 percent of the world’s manufacturing output in 2009 — only a hair below its 1990 share of 21 percent."
CARPE DIEM: Made in the USA
CARPE DIEM: Made in the USA
"'There’s just one problem with all the gloom and doom about American manufacturing.
It’s wrong."
"'There’s just one problem with all the gloom and doom about American manufacturing.
It’s wrong."
Ga. Lawmaker Proposes Doing Away With Driver's Licenses
Ga. Lawmaker Proposes Doing Away With Driver's Licenses - Atlanta News Story - WGCL Atlanta
"In his bill, Franklin states, 'Free people have a common law and constitutional right to travel on the roads and highways that are provided by their government for that purpose.
Licensing of drivers cannot be required of free people, because taking on the restrictions of a license requires the surrender of an inalienable right.'"
Do we really deserve the leaders someone else elects?
"In his bill, Franklin states, 'Free people have a common law and constitutional right to travel on the roads and highways that are provided by their government for that purpose.
Licensing of drivers cannot be required of free people, because taking on the restrictions of a license requires the surrender of an inalienable right.'"
Do we really deserve the leaders someone else elects?
Sunday, February 06, 2011
dallas should never host a super bowl EVER AGAIN
dallas should never host a super bowl EVER AGAIN
"ARLINGTON, Texas --
For those interested in such things, we’ve had two significant hiccups here at Cowboys Stadium as kickoff approaches for Super Bowl XLV.
First, the NFL closed four of the 10 entrance points into the stadium because of lingering ice on the roof of the stadium. Friday, six people were injured by ice falling onto the sidewalk outside of the structure.
Second, the NFL just confirmed in a statement that some sections of the temporary seats erected inside Cowboys Stadium 'have not been fully completed.'
The league said that most fans will be accommodated somewhere in the building by kickoff, but indicated that some will not.
Those fans will receive a refund triple the cost of face value of the seat.
Local organizers are trying to break the Super Bowl record for attendance by exceeding 105,000.
Maybe they were a bit too greedy.
Can you imagine arriving at the stadium and finding out that your seat doesn’t exist?"
"ARLINGTON, Texas --
For those interested in such things, we’ve had two significant hiccups here at Cowboys Stadium as kickoff approaches for Super Bowl XLV.
First, the NFL closed four of the 10 entrance points into the stadium because of lingering ice on the roof of the stadium. Friday, six people were injured by ice falling onto the sidewalk outside of the structure.
Second, the NFL just confirmed in a statement that some sections of the temporary seats erected inside Cowboys Stadium 'have not been fully completed.'
The league said that most fans will be accommodated somewhere in the building by kickoff, but indicated that some will not.
Those fans will receive a refund triple the cost of face value of the seat.
Local organizers are trying to break the Super Bowl record for attendance by exceeding 105,000.
Maybe they were a bit too greedy.
Can you imagine arriving at the stadium and finding out that your seat doesn’t exist?"
Ohio fraternity house shooting kills 1, hurts 11
The Associated Press: Ohio fraternity house shooting kills 1, hurts 11
"University spokesman Ron Cole says members of the university-sanctioned Omega Psi Phi fraternity lived at the house"
They were thugs at MSU 40 years ago.
Nice tradition....
"University spokesman Ron Cole says members of the university-sanctioned Omega Psi Phi fraternity lived at the house"
They were thugs at MSU 40 years ago.
Nice tradition....
Advocates for Michigan's medical-marijuana law fear disclosure of records will hurt patients
Advocates for Michigan's medical-marijuana law fear disclosure of records will hurt patients
"As founder of Michigan Association of Compassion Clubs, Jamie Lowell thinks the federal government's request for records on the state's medical-marijuana registry will discourage legal use."
So these pot advocates want the federal government to encourage the use of pot?
And employers won't know if their employees are using and if they get sued because an employee has an accident, it will be "news" to the companies?
Fear the cost of these "compassion" crooks.
"As founder of Michigan Association of Compassion Clubs, Jamie Lowell thinks the federal government's request for records on the state's medical-marijuana registry will discourage legal use."
So these pot advocates want the federal government to encourage the use of pot?
And employers won't know if their employees are using and if they get sued because an employee has an accident, it will be "news" to the companies?
Fear the cost of these "compassion" crooks.
Compared to other cities, Grand Rapids' part-time City Commission is a bargain
Compared to other cities, Grand Rapids' part-time City Commission is a bargain MLive.com
"Detroiters pay $13.2 million a year -- or $14.53 per resident – to maintain their legislative branch, the City Council, the study said.
In Grand Rapids, taxpayers spent $397,864 – about $2.01 per resident – in pay and benefits to sustain their part-time City Commission,"
How long are we going to allow Detroit to spend our state into bankruptcy?
"Detroiters pay $13.2 million a year -- or $14.53 per resident – to maintain their legislative branch, the City Council, the study said.
In Grand Rapids, taxpayers spent $397,864 – about $2.01 per resident – in pay and benefits to sustain their part-time City Commission,"
How long are we going to allow Detroit to spend our state into bankruptcy?
Are Teachers "Special"? Is Anyone? Why?
Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis: Are Teachers "Special"? Is Anyone? Why?
"Ironically, if anyone is 'special' in the student-teacher relationship, it is the students (and those who cannot protect themselves), not the teachers!"
It seems that the education unionists don't do much thinking about the students.....or their taxpaying parents.
"Ironically, if anyone is 'special' in the student-teacher relationship, it is the students (and those who cannot protect themselves), not the teachers!"
It seems that the education unionists don't do much thinking about the students.....or their taxpaying parents.
“Personal Attacks” Cause Colorado Group To Cancel Palin Speech…
Weasel Zippers » “Personal Attacks” Cause Colorado Group To Cancel Palin Speech…
"Citing an “onslaught of personal attacks”, a Colorado nonprofit today canceled a scheduled May appearance in Glendale by former Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin"
"Citing an “onslaught of personal attacks”, a Colorado nonprofit today canceled a scheduled May appearance in Glendale by former Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin"
Citizen's Guide to Michigan's Financial Health
Snyder - Citizen's Guide to Michigan's Financial Health
"For far too long the true state of Michigan's financial picture has been hidden by complex budget documents indecipherable to the average resident. One-time budget gimmicks and other accounting tricks have further masked the state's dire financial situation, allowing tough decisions to be pushed off into the future."
"For far too long the true state of Michigan's financial picture has been hidden by complex budget documents indecipherable to the average resident. One-time budget gimmicks and other accounting tricks have further masked the state's dire financial situation, allowing tough decisions to be pushed off into the future."
Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell says city employee compensation is 'unsustainable' in State of the City address
Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell says city employee compensation is 'unsustainable' in State of the City address MLive.com
"Heartwell told those gathered for his 2011 State of the City address Saturday that even after a 4 percent reduction in total compensation during the last round of contract negotiations, employee benefits are 35 percent of an average employee’s compensation package.
This is expected to reach 41 percent by 2015, he said, and pension contribution during that same period could see a 65 percent increase."
Nothing like this courage from most of our leaders in Muskegon.
But we did just hire a "sustainability coordinator".
"Heartwell told those gathered for his 2011 State of the City address Saturday that even after a 4 percent reduction in total compensation during the last round of contract negotiations, employee benefits are 35 percent of an average employee’s compensation package.
This is expected to reach 41 percent by 2015, he said, and pension contribution during that same period could see a 65 percent increase."
Nothing like this courage from most of our leaders in Muskegon.
But we did just hire a "sustainability coordinator".
Happy about tax-free pensions?
Happy about tax-free pensions? - DailyHerald.com
"If you’re not yet upset about the 2 percent state tax hike, here’s something to add fuel to the flames.
Did you know pensions are not taxable by the state of Illinois?
So the Oak Brook mayor and his wife receiving over $142,000 in pensions?
They pay zero dollars to the state of Illinois.
Aren’t you happy to be supporting them?"
Public employee pensions are exempt from state and local taxes in Michigan too.
Aren't you glad they don't have to support our state?
"If you’re not yet upset about the 2 percent state tax hike, here’s something to add fuel to the flames.
Did you know pensions are not taxable by the state of Illinois?
So the Oak Brook mayor and his wife receiving over $142,000 in pensions?
They pay zero dollars to the state of Illinois.
Aren’t you happy to be supporting them?"
Public employee pensions are exempt from state and local taxes in Michigan too.
Aren't you glad they don't have to support our state?
Everybody Does It? Really?
Everybody Does It? Really? - WSJ.com
"As we noted yesterday, over the weekend Common Cause held a rally in California at which numerous supporters of the self-styled 'grassroots organization' were caught on video advocating violence against Supreme Court justices and media executives--including calls to lynch the high court's only black member.
'Common Cause's 40 year history of holding power accountable has been marked by a commitment to decency and civility--in public and private,' begins a press release from the organization yesterday.
Yet in contrast with SarahPAC, which removed from its website its famous map of targeted districts after the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, CommonCause.org's homepage still prominently features a photo and denunciation of Justices Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia, who were among the objects of the Common Cause supporters' violent--and, in Thomas's case, racist--fantasies"
And there is this:
http://weaselzippers.us/2011/02/05/personal-attacks-cause-colorado-group-to-cancel-palin-speech/
It seems the liberal media sorta missed these unending examples of liberal "civilness".
"As we noted yesterday, over the weekend Common Cause held a rally in California at which numerous supporters of the self-styled 'grassroots organization' were caught on video advocating violence against Supreme Court justices and media executives--including calls to lynch the high court's only black member.
'Common Cause's 40 year history of holding power accountable has been marked by a commitment to decency and civility--in public and private,' begins a press release from the organization yesterday.
Yet in contrast with SarahPAC, which removed from its website its famous map of targeted districts after the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, CommonCause.org's homepage still prominently features a photo and denunciation of Justices Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia, who were among the objects of the Common Cause supporters' violent--and, in Thomas's case, racist--fantasies"
And there is this:
http://weaselzippers.us/2011/02/05/personal-attacks-cause-colorado-group-to-cancel-palin-speech/
It seems the liberal media sorta missed these unending examples of liberal "civilness".
Home Depot to close stores in Michigan, other states
Home Depot to close stores in Michigan, other states Detroit Free Press
"Company spokesman Stephen Holmes said the stores are in Holland; Gentilly, La.; Rocky Mount, N.C.; and Greenville, N.C."
"Company spokesman Stephen Holmes said the stores are in Holland; Gentilly, La.; Rocky Mount, N.C.; and Greenville, N.C."
Michigan DHS turns to colleges for child welfare caseworkers
Michigan DHS turns to colleges for child welfare caseworkers Detroit Free Press freep.com
"DHS plans to hire 500 new graduates by late spring"
500 new employees will fix the debacle that is DHS?
Not!
"DHS plans to hire 500 new graduates by late spring"
500 new employees will fix the debacle that is DHS?
Not!
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