Teachers: It takes more than replacing teachers, principals to turn around struggling schools | MLive.com
People working in the classroom say there are fewer ill-prepared teachers than some think, and federal reform efforts need a holistic approach without casting blame.
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Muskegon's health improvement efforts stack up against communities across the country
Muskegon's health improvement efforts stack up against communities across the country | MLive.com
The One in 21 initiative was launched last spring to put Muskegon County in position to be the healthiest county in Michigan by 2021.
The coalition working on the health issues includes business, government, churches, education, health care and non-profit agencies.
The One in 21 initiative was launched last spring to put Muskegon County in position to be the healthiest county in Michigan by 2021.
The coalition working on the health issues includes business, government, churches, education, health care and non-profit agencies.
Wake-up call: Muskegon County leaders to continue to fight for healthier community
Wake-up call: Muskegon County leaders to continue to fight for healthier community | MLive.com
....teen pregnancy rates are heading in a positive direction.
The teen birth rate – babies born in Muskegon County based on 1,000 young women aged 15-19 – is listed as 52, down from 54 in last year’s rankings but much higher than Michigan’s 34 and the national average of 22.
....teen pregnancy rates are heading in a positive direction.
The teen birth rate – babies born in Muskegon County based on 1,000 young women aged 15-19 – is listed as 52, down from 54 in last year’s rankings but much higher than Michigan’s 34 and the national average of 22.
School employee unions file suit over law prohibiting dues collection through payroll deduction
School employee unions file suit over law prohibiting dues collection through payroll deduction | MLive.com
Four unions representing teachers and other school employees are challenging a new law prohibiting school districts from collecting union dues through payroll deduction, calling the ban unconstitutional.
Four unions representing teachers and other school employees are challenging a new law prohibiting school districts from collecting union dues through payroll deduction, calling the ban unconstitutional.
Would you sign a petition to get a Gov. Snyder recall question on the ballot? (poll)
Would you sign a petition to get a Gov. Snyder recall question on the ballot? (poll) | MLive.com: Michigan Rising members this week created buzz among MLive.com readers with a release saying that Snyder “abused children.”
“Gov. Snyder is bad for Michigan,” said Jan BenDor, the organization’s election specialist, in a release. “Our citizens cannot afford to wait another two years to get rid of this corporate monster; the recall will chop off its head.
Snyder and his cronies are destroying our cherished democratic institutions and democracy itself.
“Gov. Snyder is bad for Michigan,” said Jan BenDor, the organization’s election specialist, in a release. “Our citizens cannot afford to wait another two years to get rid of this corporate monster; the recall will chop off its head.
Snyder and his cronies are destroying our cherished democratic institutions and democracy itself.
CNN Enhances Zimmerman 911 Again, Finds He May Have Not Used Racial Slur
CNN Enhances Zimmerman 911 Again, Finds He May Have Not Used Racial Slur | Video | TheBlaze.com
Recently, CNN enhanced audio of George Zimmerman — the man who shot Trayvon Martin — to try and determine if he did, in fact, use a racial slur while calling police on the night of the shooting.
Back then, it sounded like Zimmerman might have used the phrase “fu**ing coons,” and his critics have cited it as evidence of a racially-motivated attack.
But now CNN has enhanced the audio again, and the reporter is casting doubts that the term was used.
“It certainly sounds like that word to me,” Gary Tuckman said when the audio was first enhanced. But after the latest enhancement, he’s not so sure:
Recently, CNN enhanced audio of George Zimmerman — the man who shot Trayvon Martin — to try and determine if he did, in fact, use a racial slur while calling police on the night of the shooting.
Back then, it sounded like Zimmerman might have used the phrase “fu**ing coons,” and his critics have cited it as evidence of a racially-motivated attack.
But now CNN has enhanced the audio again, and the reporter is casting doubts that the term was used.
“It certainly sounds like that word to me,” Gary Tuckman said when the audio was first enhanced. But after the latest enhancement, he’s not so sure:
“Now it does sound less like that racial slur. … From listening in this room, and this is a state-of-the-art room, it doesn’t sound like that slur anymore. It sounds like … we‘re hearing the swear word at first and then the word ’cold.’ And the reason some say that would be relevant, is because it was unseasonably cold in Florida that night and raining.”The audio expert agreed it sounded like “cold,” and said the new method gets rid of a lot more background noise but doesn’t change the voice or words.
£10bn refuel planes don’t work for RAF
£10bn refuel planes don’t work for RAF | The Sun |News
Tests have revealed the giant new Voyager air-to-air tankers are not compatible with RAF Tornados.
The connecting pipes which join aircraft together in flight LEAK when fuel is pumped through them.
Even more embarrassingly the system DOES work when it has been tried on US jets.
Tests have revealed the giant new Voyager air-to-air tankers are not compatible with RAF Tornados.
The connecting pipes which join aircraft together in flight LEAK when fuel is pumped through them.
Even more embarrassingly the system DOES work when it has been tried on US jets.
Germany set to tax young
Germany set to tax young
GERMANY is proposing to levy extra taxes on the young to pay for the costs of the country's growing numbers of old people, under government plans for a ''demographic reserve'' levy.
Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats have drafted proposals that, if law, would require all those over 25 to pay a proportion of their income to cushion Germany against a looming population crisis.
The German Chancellor's ruling party is seeking extra sources of revenue to pay for soaring pensions and bills for social care costs as Germany's ''baby boomer'' generation ages amid a decline in the birth rate
GERMANY is proposing to levy extra taxes on the young to pay for the costs of the country's growing numbers of old people, under government plans for a ''demographic reserve'' levy.
Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats have drafted proposals that, if law, would require all those over 25 to pay a proportion of their income to cushion Germany against a looming population crisis.
The German Chancellor's ruling party is seeking extra sources of revenue to pay for soaring pensions and bills for social care costs as Germany's ''baby boomer'' generation ages amid a decline in the birth rate
Carbon dioxide ended last Ice Age, scientists' new study says
Carbon dioxide ended last Ice Age, scientists' new study says | The Australian
Traces of CO2 - the principal greenhouse gas that traps solar heat - show that carbon concentrations in the atmosphere rose after temperatures were on the rise, not before.
Traces of CO2 - the principal greenhouse gas that traps solar heat - show that carbon concentrations in the atmosphere rose after temperatures were on the rise, not before.
Coon Set On Fire
Police: Pair Set 13-Year-Old Boy On Fire - Kansas City News Story - KMBC Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A 13-year-old Kansas City boy is back home after two teenagers poured gasoline on him and lit him on fire.
It happened Tuesday at the teen's home on Quincy Avenue, just down the street from Kansas City's East High School. The boy lives less than two blocks away from the school and was walking home when the attack happened.
Melissa Coon said her son turned from the school's stadium onto Quincy Avenue and noticed two teenagers following him. She said the teens followed her son home and attacked him outside his front door.
"And they rushed him on the porch as he tried to get the door open," she said. "(One of them) poured the gasoline, then flicked the Bic, and said, 'This is what you deserve. You get what you deserve, white boy'."
The two attackers ran away, and the eighth grader put the fire out with the shirt off his back. He managed to call 911 on his own, then his father. He was taken by ambulance to Children's Mercy Hospital and spent several hours in the hospital's burn unit.
"You could smell the burned skin," said Coon. "You could smell the burned hair. It was just horrible." Her son lost some of his eyelashes, eyebrows, and some of the hair around his face was singed. Coon said she knows her son is lucky -- but also can't believe someone would do that to her child.
Coon said the incident will have a lingering affect on her family.
"My five year old came in and asked me, 'Mom, am I going to get set on fire today?'" she said. "I was in tears."
Coon said her family will move from their home and her son will not return to East High School. She said he thinks his attackers may be students there.
Police said the two suspects are male and have facial hair. Police said one was wearing a blue hat, blue jacket, and shoes with the number 23 on the side. The other wore a blue hat, a black jacket, and wore glasses.
Read more: http://www.kmbc.com/news/30572405/detail.html#ixzz1rDZucYYQ
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A 13-year-old Kansas City boy is back home after two teenagers poured gasoline on him and lit him on fire.
It happened Tuesday at the teen's home on Quincy Avenue, just down the street from Kansas City's East High School. The boy lives less than two blocks away from the school and was walking home when the attack happened.
Melissa Coon said her son turned from the school's stadium onto Quincy Avenue and noticed two teenagers following him. She said the teens followed her son home and attacked him outside his front door.
"And they rushed him on the porch as he tried to get the door open," she said. "(One of them) poured the gasoline, then flicked the Bic, and said, 'This is what you deserve. You get what you deserve, white boy'."
The two attackers ran away, and the eighth grader put the fire out with the shirt off his back. He managed to call 911 on his own, then his father. He was taken by ambulance to Children's Mercy Hospital and spent several hours in the hospital's burn unit.
"You could smell the burned skin," said Coon. "You could smell the burned hair. It was just horrible." Her son lost some of his eyelashes, eyebrows, and some of the hair around his face was singed. Coon said she knows her son is lucky -- but also can't believe someone would do that to her child.
Coon said the incident will have a lingering affect on her family.
"My five year old came in and asked me, 'Mom, am I going to get set on fire today?'" she said. "I was in tears."
Coon said her family will move from their home and her son will not return to East High School. She said he thinks his attackers may be students there.
Police said the two suspects are male and have facial hair. Police said one was wearing a blue hat, blue jacket, and shoes with the number 23 on the side. The other wore a blue hat, a black jacket, and wore glasses.
Read more: http://www.kmbc.com/news/30572405/detail.html#ixzz1rDZucYYQ
Ferris State advances to Frozen Four final
Ferris State advances to Frozen Four final - WSJ.com
Ferris State got the win in its first Frozen Four appearance and will face Boston College or Minnesota in Saturday night's championship.
Ferris State got the win in its first Frozen Four appearance and will face Boston College or Minnesota in Saturday night's championship.
10 Things You Probably Don’t Know About IL State Pensions.
Champion News | 10 Things You Probably Don’t Know About IL State Pensions
3. Less than 1% of state retirees worked 40 years.
If you work in the private sector from age 22 to 62 and retire on early Social Security at a maximum of $22,000 you will have worked 40 years.
It is extremely rare for state workers to work that long in spite of the large pensions.
In fact the Top 100 Pensions average only 31 years work in IL for their average $227,000 pension.
3. Less than 1% of state retirees worked 40 years.
If you work in the private sector from age 22 to 62 and retire on early Social Security at a maximum of $22,000 you will have worked 40 years.
It is extremely rare for state workers to work that long in spite of the large pensions.
In fact the Top 100 Pensions average only 31 years work in IL for their average $227,000 pension.
Arsenic in Our Chicken?
Arsenic in Our Chicken? - NYTimes.com
That’s because my topic today is a pair of new scientific studies suggesting that poultry on factory farms are routinely fed caffeine, active ingredients of Tylenol and Benadryl, banned antibiotics and even arsenic.
“We were kind of floored,” said Keeve E. Nachman, a co-author of both studies and a scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Center for a Livable Future. “It’s unbelievable what we found.”
He said that the researchers had intended to test only for antibiotics.
But assays for other chemicals and pharmaceuticals didn’t cost extra, so researchers asked for those results as well.
“We haven’t found anything that is an immediate health concern,” Nachman added. “But it makes me question how comfortable we are feeding a number of these things to animals that we’re eating. It bewilders me.”
Likewise, I grew up on a farm, and thought I knew what to expect in my food. But Benadryl? Arsenic? These studies don’t mean that you should dump the contents of your refrigerator, but they do raise serious questions about the food we eat and how we should shop.
It turns out that arsenic has routinely been fed to poultry (and sometimes hogs) because it reduces infections and makes flesh an appetizing shade of pink. There’s no evidence that such low levels of arsenic harm either chickens or the people eating them, but still...
That’s because my topic today is a pair of new scientific studies suggesting that poultry on factory farms are routinely fed caffeine, active ingredients of Tylenol and Benadryl, banned antibiotics and even arsenic.
“We were kind of floored,” said Keeve E. Nachman, a co-author of both studies and a scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Center for a Livable Future. “It’s unbelievable what we found.”
He said that the researchers had intended to test only for antibiotics.
But assays for other chemicals and pharmaceuticals didn’t cost extra, so researchers asked for those results as well.
“We haven’t found anything that is an immediate health concern,” Nachman added. “But it makes me question how comfortable we are feeding a number of these things to animals that we’re eating. It bewilders me.”
Likewise, I grew up on a farm, and thought I knew what to expect in my food. But Benadryl? Arsenic? These studies don’t mean that you should dump the contents of your refrigerator, but they do raise serious questions about the food we eat and how we should shop.
It turns out that arsenic has routinely been fed to poultry (and sometimes hogs) because it reduces infections and makes flesh an appetizing shade of pink. There’s no evidence that such low levels of arsenic harm either chickens or the people eating them, but still...
Savings come slowly for hybrid, electric car owners
Savings come slowly for hybrid, electric car owners - Nashville Business Journal
If you're thinking about buying a fuel-efficient hybrid, electric or otherwise eco-friendly vehicle as a way to save money over time, do your homework — or be prepared to wait.
..........For drivers of the Chevrolet Volt ($31,767), the wait is even longer— 26.6 years.
If you're thinking about buying a fuel-efficient hybrid, electric or otherwise eco-friendly vehicle as a way to save money over time, do your homework — or be prepared to wait.
..........For drivers of the Chevrolet Volt ($31,767), the wait is even longer— 26.6 years.
Teens set kid on fire for being 'white boy'
Teens set kid on fire for being 'white boy' - New York Daily News
A 13-year-old boy who police say was doused with gasoline and lit on fire last week while walking home from school is recovering from first-degree burns to his face and head.
The boy was just two blocks from his home in Kansas City Tuesday when two teenagers began to follow him and then attacked him, his mother, Melissa Coon, said.
Police have described the suspects as black 16-year-olds, while the victim is white.
"We were told it's a hate crime," Coon told KTLA.
A 13-year-old boy who police say was doused with gasoline and lit on fire last week while walking home from school is recovering from first-degree burns to his face and head.
The boy was just two blocks from his home in Kansas City Tuesday when two teenagers began to follow him and then attacked him, his mother, Melissa Coon, said.
Police have described the suspects as black 16-year-olds, while the victim is white.
"We were told it's a hate crime," Coon told KTLA.
Zimmerman and Ketman
Articles: Zimmerman and Ketman
The most interesting question at this point in the Trayvon Martin case may be who believes the Party line and why.
The most interesting question at this point in the Trayvon Martin case may be who believes the Party line and why.
Company's Most Common Tablet Mistakes
Company's Most Common Tablet Mistakes - WSJ.com
American Airlines was an early adopter of tablet computers.
As a result, it learned a lot about how best to use tablets—and where it could go wrong.
American Airlines was an early adopter of tablet computers.
As a result, it learned a lot about how best to use tablets—and where it could go wrong.
Public bashing doesn't help create change we need
Letters: Public bashing doesn't help create change we need | MLive.com
"Over the last few years, I have seen more and more public criticism of our political leaders.....
.....Well, I am sick of it!
What happened to the days of respecting our local leaders for the tough decisions that they have to make and work together for a common goal of doing good for our communities and local governments.
To bark out the accusations that I listed above in the local newspapers and on the local radio airwaves erodes us all, much like a form of cancer.
To take those kinds of potshots is completely unfair, irresponsible, and immature."
Interesting.
Democrat candidate for county commission wants no public criticism of the democrat controlled county commission.
Who'd of guessed!
"Over the last few years, I have seen more and more public criticism of our political leaders.....
.....Well, I am sick of it!
What happened to the days of respecting our local leaders for the tough decisions that they have to make and work together for a common goal of doing good for our communities and local governments.
To bark out the accusations that I listed above in the local newspapers and on the local radio airwaves erodes us all, much like a form of cancer.
To take those kinds of potshots is completely unfair, irresponsible, and immature."
Interesting.
Democrat candidate for county commission wants no public criticism of the democrat controlled county commission.
Who'd of guessed!
Grand Valley State University student sues, says guinea pig is 'emotional support'
Grand Valley State University student sues, says guinea pig is 'emotional support' | MLive.com
Battling a heart condition and severe depression, Grand Valley State University student Kendra Velzen takes such comfort from her pet guinea pig that her therapist formally prescribed an “emotional support animal.”
This story is so depressing it's gonna give me a heart condition.......gimme a break!
Battling a heart condition and severe depression, Grand Valley State University student Kendra Velzen takes such comfort from her pet guinea pig that her therapist formally prescribed an “emotional support animal.”
This story is so depressing it's gonna give me a heart condition.......gimme a break!
Mona Shores, North Muskegon reduce schools-of-choice openings
Mona Shores, North Muskegon reduce schools-of-choice openings | MLive.com
Some have complained that Mona Shores is restricting schools-of-choice openings to keep out students from Muskegon Heights, which is undergoing a financial crisis, faces the likelihood of an emergency manager and may even face closure next year.
Some have complained that Mona Shores is restricting schools-of-choice openings to keep out students from Muskegon Heights, which is undergoing a financial crisis, faces the likelihood of an emergency manager and may even face closure next year.
Gov. Snyder signs dues collection bill; teachers union leaders call move 'blatant political retribution'
Gov. Snyder signs dues collection bill; teachers union leaders call move 'blatant political retribution' | MLive.com
School districts are no longer allowed to deduct union dues and fees from employee paychecks, a move teachers union leaders call “blatant political retribution.
.....Pratt said union leaders have not determined how they will collect dues.
He also said the union’s legal team is investigating how lawmakers can single out teachers unions.”
School districts are no longer allowed to deduct union dues and fees from employee paychecks, a move teachers union leaders call “blatant political retribution.
.....Pratt said union leaders have not determined how they will collect dues.
He also said the union’s legal team is investigating how lawmakers can single out teachers unions.”
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Muslims angry at alleged vodka blasphemy
Muslims angry at alleged vodka blasphemy | News24
Muslims in the Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan are up in arms at a vodka producer for including the word "Allah" on its liquor bottles.
Muslims in the Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan are up in arms at a vodka producer for including the word "Allah" on its liquor bottles.
No. 1 in corporate taxes
No. 1 in corporate taxes | TBO.com
As of Sunday, the United States has the highest corporate tax rate of any country in the world. Given the shaky state of our economy, it's not worth celebrating.
We got here because politicians have exploited voters' false belief that corporations pay taxes.
As of Sunday, the United States has the highest corporate tax rate of any country in the world. Given the shaky state of our economy, it's not worth celebrating.
We got here because politicians have exploited voters' false belief that corporations pay taxes.
Coke caves in face of Democratic boycott threat
Coke caves in face of Democratic boycott threat | Washington Examiner
Democratic officials Wednesday launched a two-pronged attack on states with new laws requiring identification before voting, the highlight being a call to boycott Coke, Walmart and others that back a leading organization pushing for voter ID laws.
Coke was quick to react to the political boycott threat, pulling support from the targeted group just five hours after it was called.
Walmart said that support for a group does not mean it backs every decision by those groups
Democratic officials Wednesday launched a two-pronged attack on states with new laws requiring identification before voting, the highlight being a call to boycott Coke, Walmart and others that back a leading organization pushing for voter ID laws.
Coke was quick to react to the political boycott threat, pulling support from the targeted group just five hours after it was called.
Walmart said that support for a group does not mean it backs every decision by those groups
County board needs to ask more questions about how tax dollars are spent
Letters: County board needs to ask more questions about how tax dollars are spent | MLive.com
This is increasingly how business is done here in Muskegon County.
This same scam was successfully utilized to ram through seven union contracts last year.
No committee meeting.
No public vetting of a vote that essentially locks in 70-80 percent of county spending for the next three years.
Read it all and call your county commissioner!
Now!
This is increasingly how business is done here in Muskegon County.
This same scam was successfully utilized to ram through seven union contracts last year.
No committee meeting.
No public vetting of a vote that essentially locks in 70-80 percent of county spending for the next three years.
Read it all and call your county commissioner!
Now!
Musings of a College Instructor
Articles: Musings of a College Instructor
A few years back, a student told me that she was "proud to be black, but not proud to be American."
Far too many black students harbor resentment and anger about America even though they have never experienced segregation.
There is much more here.
Read it all.
It won't make you feel good.....
A few years back, a student told me that she was "proud to be black, but not proud to be American."
Far too many black students harbor resentment and anger about America even though they have never experienced segregation.
There is much more here.
Read it all.
It won't make you feel good.....
Tuesday, April 03, 2012
Are earmarks returning?
NetRight Daily » Are earmarks returning?
Bill Wilson, President of Americans for Limited Government, said, “This is an open acknowledgement that earmarks are nothing more than legislative bribery to buy votes.
But what it represents is a further repudiation by leadership of the principles that got them in power in the first place.
In 2010, Republicans pledged to ‘put us on a path to balance the budget and pay down the debt.’”
Rogers says he has a lot of support amongst House Republicans to get the earmark ban lifted, an issue which he brought up at a recent meeting of Republican members of the House.
As Rogers put it, “There was a lot of applause when I made my comments.
I had a few freshman boo me, but that’s okay.
By and large it was very well embraced.”
RINO ALERT!
Bill Wilson, President of Americans for Limited Government, said, “This is an open acknowledgement that earmarks are nothing more than legislative bribery to buy votes.
But what it represents is a further repudiation by leadership of the principles that got them in power in the first place.
In 2010, Republicans pledged to ‘put us on a path to balance the budget and pay down the debt.’”
Rogers says he has a lot of support amongst House Republicans to get the earmark ban lifted, an issue which he brought up at a recent meeting of Republican members of the House.
As Rogers put it, “There was a lot of applause when I made my comments.
I had a few freshman boo me, but that’s okay.
By and large it was very well embraced.”
RINO ALERT!
Monday, April 02, 2012
'Massive Wealth Destruction' Is About to Hit Investors: Faber
'Massive Wealth Destruction' Is About to Hit Investors: Faber - US Business News - CNBC
Runaway government debts have triggered uncontrolled money printing that in turn will lead to inflation that will decimate portfolios, according to the latest forecast from "Dr. Doom" Marc Faber.
Runaway government debts have triggered uncontrolled money printing that in turn will lead to inflation that will decimate portfolios, according to the latest forecast from "Dr. Doom" Marc Faber.
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