UPDATE, 10:20a: Forgot to mention Daena and I saw Twilight last night and really liked it. I gave it 3-1/2 stars; she gave it 4. Buying the book today.
_______________
No political cartoons on our issue this week, but here were a couple on other topics that caught my eye…
by Nate Beeler on Townhall.com…
by Lisa Benson on Townhall.com…
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Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
Maybe what Reid is getting a whiff of is the ethics and management of the congress and senate, which smells like a pile. A rat always smells his own hole.
God, when are Republicans going to give up on vouchers? You couldn’t even get them passed in Utah, for crying out loud. Taking already-scarce public school funding and giving it to unregulated private schools is just a horrible waste and an all-around terrible idea. I like the public school my child attends, and I want it to get more funding, not less. Most parents agree with me.
already-scarce public school funding
roflmbo
So Reality is anti-choice. Got it. Since you want Republicans to give up on choice, I guess that means you’re giving up on choice, too, right?
The Obamas: “Do as I say, not as I do”
Reality,
Unregulated private schools? That’s an oxymoron.
Has God given you an answer yet?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Have a good day everyone!
Hey Mary.
It sure is cold.
Sometimes its the private schools who actually teach a lot better, the teachers really WANT to be there.
I went to parochial school K-12 and it didn’t harm me. I just had an extra class that public school kids don’t. Oh, and I doubt they offer CHILD DEVELOPMENT for a class, as it would require teaching about development BEFORE birth.
By the way, when, if ever, is the 2 month old anti-Obama sidebar going to be replaced?
It is over a month since the election. Are you still in denial about the 2008 election results, or working on 2012?
Bystander, does it bother you, having to be reminded every day about what Obama supports?
Bethany, Obama’s positions on abortion are perfectly clear, and are shared by most Americans. The lies about his record on abortion by right wing extremists, like their other smears, were ignored by most of the voters and don’t bother me.
However, a month after an election, it is reasonable to take the campaign signs down.
Bystander,
It’s not our job here to cover up Obama’s disgusting abortion record. Thats what the MSM does. Jill will remove it after the bum is impeached, or if he changes his position.
Doug, 9:51am
Tell me.
Ung, Twilight. I could barely finish the first book, and I am NOT reading the rest. Definitely not my thing.
I agree with Reality about public education. I went to public schools and the most frustrating thing was seeing extra classes that I wanted to take (such as psychology, Home Ec, and yes, something similar to child development) get cut because we had funding taken away.
Bethany, you think that public education already has a lot of funding? Where did you get that idea?
Reality,
School vouchers would enable the student to use the money already spent on him/her at a school of the parent’s choice. It can be public or private.
Sort of like the Obamas having the option to send their daughters to a private school.
Stephanie, public schools have plenty of money. They are totally irresponsible with that money though. The idea that public schools don’t have enough money is a myth. Big time.
I’d encourage you to read this article…
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Commentary/com-1_18_06_JS.html
You might find this part interesting:
“The truth is, public schools are rolling in money. If you divide the U.S. Department of Education’s figure for total spending on K-12 education by the department’s count of K-12 students, it works out to about $10,000 per student.
Think about that! For a class of 25 kids, that’s $250,000 per classroom. This doesn’t include capital costs. Couldn’t you do much better than government schools with $250,000? You could hire several good teachers; I doubt you’d hire many bureaucrats. Government schools, like most monopolies, squander money.
America spends more on schooling than the vast majority of countries that outscore us on the international tests. But the bureaucrats still blame school failure on lack of funds, and demand more money.
In 1985, some of them got their wish. Kansas City, Mo., judge Russell Clark said the city’s predominately black schools were not “halfway decent,” and he ordered the government to spend billions more. Did the billions improve test scores? Did they hire better teachers, provide better books? Did the students learn anything?
Well, they learned how to waste lots of money.”
Be sure to read the rest of the article, to see what they used all that money for!
The lies about his record on abortion by right wing extremists, like their other smears, were ignored by most of the voters and don’t bother me.
Can you prove to me that any of the allegations posted here about Obama’s abortion record are false?
P.S. I don’t want just your opinion. I want the cold, hard facts please.
I heard the opposite- I heard the movie was absolutely terrible. But, I haven’t read the book and don’t really have the desire to see the movie. I am however excited to see Doubt and Valkyrie!
A teenage girl risks everything when she falls in love with a vampire.
Bethany 12:58 as you know, all of the misrepresentations about Obama’s position on abortion were repudiated by Fact Check, Media Matters, articles in the Chicago Tribune, as well as his own clear policy statements.
Obviously neither I nor any of these sources can “prove” anything to you, as you refuse to acknowledge any facts that might contradict what you wish to believe.
Reality, maybe your public schools are all honkey-dorry, but most are not.
I went to a fabulous public school. My district was poor, and didn’t pay well, but they were somehow able to retain the best teachers and most interesting and up to date teaching materials.
Why? Because it was a small district with only one Elementary, one Jr. High, and one Highschool. It was run, essentially, like a private school.
My neice and nephew go to a terrible school. My husband went to the same school 20 years ago when it was actually high performing. What changed? The school was redistricted to become a section 8 feeder and there was a huge influx of children who can’t speak english. Now 90% of the students are ESL, and the regular teachers have to spend almost all of their time teaching those children what should be learned in ESL class.
Unfortunately, students who are not ESL suffer.
My nephew is increadibly bright, but becomes bored in class because he’s not being challanged. My niece has huge difficulties reading, but no one notices or cares because 90% of her class can’t even speak English, let alone read it.
The school has plenty of money because that district has Robin Hood funding and all schools are funded equally. They just don’t manage the money well. Are you seriously going to tell me that they should be stuck at a school that is failing them? What about all of the section 8 students who are learning NOTHING because the school hasn’t figured out a way to accomidate their language needs while keeping them on grade level in other subjects?
Transfering schools isn’t an option. People camp out in RV’s weeks in advance of the school transfer date in order to get their kids out of schools like this. How many peiople can do that? Students deserve better, and if vouchers will get kids out of schools like this, I’m all for it.
Er, Bystander, perhaps you missed it when FactCheck said that Obama had indeed “mistated” his position on IL BAIPA. Of corse, you probably also missed it when Obama’s campaign quietly stated the same.
It’s much easier to just say “You’re lying” (hey, Obama did it too!) than to actually admit the truth is something other than what you want.
Speaking as a Quaker, I know that many Friends schools have excellent scholarships to those who cannot afford such education. Before it was decided that my parents would rather invest in college rather than invest in high school, my family was offered a hefty scholarship to such a school, though not Sidwell given our lack of geographical proximity.
Bethany 12:58 as you know, all of the misrepresentations about Obama’s position on abortion were repudiated by Fact Check, Media Matters, articles in the Chicago Tribune, as well as his own clear policy statements.
Obviously neither I nor any of these sources can “prove” anything to you, as you refuse to acknowledge any facts that might contradict what you wish to believe.
Very good job not answering the question, Bystander.
If you actually had any facts to factually refute the evidence presented here at Jill’s, I’m sure you could provide it easily. Your response was exactly what I expected. :)
Lauren, I was thinking about the same instance with factcheck, but couldn’t remember where that was located. :) Thanks!
YLT,
Just an interesting sidenote. I understand the very first anti-slavery society in the U.S. was formed by quakers in the pre-revolutionary era. I’m sorry I don’t have a source and if I’m wrong about that please correct me.
A note on Twilight, if you can ignore that the first book was written for teenage girls and can actually look past it, the books a pretty decent. I’m going to see the movie with a few friends tonight.
By the way I’m 28.9 years old(My b-day is this coming Thursday) not some teen screaming her love over the Twilight Series.
Rev T D Jakes went to Quaker Friends school. He is a non Trinitarian Pentecostal preacher like Gov Palin. I suspect YLT missed religion classes.
Xppc, I believe Gov Palin is AoG, which is trinitarian. United Pentecostal Church International is the large Oneness denomination.
But, TD Jakes is Oneness. :)
The answer to the school problem: homeschooling.
My fiance and his siblings were homeschooled, and no matter how bad money problems got (and they did get bad, trust me) his mother never gave up, and now I consider him to be smarter than most of the people I graduated with.
It all depends on your priorities. Most homeschooling families I meet are anything but rich, but they consider their children’s future to be more important than having a better car.
Pastor Riley baptized her in Jesus name after leading her to the Lord.
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=L4LjsfWbZLA&feature=related
at 2 minute part. I was correct.
I am very familiar with the AG and UPCI.
I put Twilight on the level of a really bad romance novel minus the sex. I thought it was really superficial and not about real love at all.
But, I guess I should try the second book, I have heard that the characters do mature a little.
My take on Twilight:
Stalking and other creepy, obsessive behavior is ok if you’re a vampire…
Vampires. HBO’s “True Blood” is great.
Personally, if we’re talking vampires here, Spike from Buffy was always my favorite. :D
Goodnight, everyone!
OMG YES SPIKE YES *swoon*
Laura, great post about homeschooling 9:38. I wholeheartedly agree!
Sarah Michelle Gellar is awesome, but in this case there is definitely something to be said for originals.
Where’s James and Joe?
The Supreme Court has turned down an emergency appeal from a New Jersey man who says President-elect Barack Obama is ineligible to be president because he was a British subject at birth.
Hal, my guess would be that they’re at the steps of the supreme court protesting.
Lauren, good point. Protesting the Bush court. I should have placed a wager with them.
“Obama’s positions on abortion are perfectly clear, and are shared by most Americans.- Bystander”
————————————–
Not according to the people thatI have actually talked to and who actually voted for this smooth-talking madman…
smooth-talking madman…”
You must have a loose definition of “madman.” The guy seems steady as a rock to me, and very competent.
Anyone who says a baby would be a “punishment” is a madman. Anyone who considers abortion “justifiable homicide” is a madman, too.
The baby isn’t punishment. Forcing someone to have the baby against their will is punishment.
The baby isn’t punishment. Forcing someone to have the baby against their will is punishment.
Posted by: Hal at December 8, 2008 5:12 PM
you have a sick view of babies hal. But then we knew that already…
Most homeschooling families I meet are anything but rich, but they consider their children’s future to be more important than having a better car.
Posted by: Laura at December 7, 2008 9:38 PM
these kids do absolutely amazing when placed into the school system.
My kids were grades ahead when they each entered the school system and have maintained that edge throughout the years…
you just can’t beat one-on-one instruction from a loving parent!
A note on Twilight, if you can ignore that the first book was written for teenage girls and can actually look past it, the books a pretty decent. I’m going to see the movie with a few friends tonight.
By the way I’m 28.9 years old(My b-day is this coming Thursday) not some teen screaming her love over the Twilight Series.
Posted by: Mary at December 7, 2008 4:10 PM
The sad thing is that since most have read very few great books, they get very excited over very average literature.
No offense.
here we go again…..
The conception of a baby is one of the two intended results of sex, Hal. The other is a unitive martial bond.
The baby isn’t punishment. Forcing someone to have the baby against their will is punishment.
Posted by: Hal at December 8, 2008 5:12 PM
No force required to wait for the child to naturally emerge from mommy.
However violent force is required to remove him or her from mommy before he or she is ready. It is also painful to both mother and child.
Just the simple truth.
Not according to the people thatI have actually talked to and who actually voted for this smooth-talking madman…
Posted by: RSD at December 8, 2008 3:34 PM
They realized they disagreed with his positions after they voted for him? Sounds like they’re stupid. That’s not Obama’s fault.
I worked in public education for years and it is like a lot of things where tons of money is spent on special populations. The less talent and ability the students have the more money is spent on them. Schools that have big gifted programs are the cheapest because those kids learn well even in large groups and with poor teaching. However kids with educational handicaps from limited English skills to minimal parental involvement or learning disablities like dyslexia and especially kids who are actually retarded, deaf, or blind are extremely expensive to educate and require mountains of documentation.
The really smart kids after about third or fourth grade can literally be handed the books with a list of pages to read and answer questions and they teach themselves. I even knew limited English middle school kids who would come in after summer break and tell me what they had taught themselves from library books while they babysat their siblings and cousins.
“who are actually retarded”????? Sorry, but that doesn’t sound like someone who has worked in education with special needs kids, hippie.
Asitis, retarded is a legitimate clinical term for a certain class of mental disability. Thus hippie’s use of “actually retarded” indicates those with the clinical definition, not the insult thrown about internet message boards.
BTW, hippie, it’s good to see you back. It seemed like you were gone for a while.
Perhaps its still a legitimate clinical term, but do professionals actually use it still? In 2006 even the American Association on Mental Retardation voted to change its name given the negative commotation of the word “retarded”.
The baby isn’t punishment. Forcing someone to have the baby against their will is punishment.
Posted by: Hal at December 8, 2008 5:12 PM
“No force required to wait for the child to naturally emerge from mommy. However violent force is required to remove him or her from mommy before he or she is ready. It is also painful to both mother and child. Just the simple truth.”
Posted by: hippie at December 8, 2008 9:18 PM
-I don’t think you understood Hal’s point. Pregnancy can be a forced situation if it is unwanted and there is no recourse.
I so admire those of you who homeschool. That takes love, patience, and sacrifice. Good for you (and your kids!)