Friday, December 31, 2010

Good-bye 2010, Hello 2011

A Tea Party protest in Hartford, Connecticut, ...Image via Wikipedia
I'm not sure what to make of this past year,2010. I had some good times, some not so good times, and some just plain ridiculous times.

I guess if you are a Republican or Conservative it turned out to be a not so bad year. Unless, of course, like me you live in California where the likes of Maxine Waters, Barbara Boxer, Nancy Pelosi, Gaven Newsom and Jerry Brown still hold the masses under a deep hypnosis of liberalism. 

I am still trying to find a Tea Party in my area. I think the basic ideals of conservative, which the Republican Party so easily strays from need to be advertised and presented in a understandable manner. I am very tired of hearing Democrats and liberals, via their propaganda wing (like la Times) misstating conservative ideals and deceiving the public by withholding the truth about liberals and liberalism. News agencies refuse to tackle the truth. For example,I have yet to see and news article on the fact that in a state run by a Democratic legislature, that since 2005, over 1,200,000 Californians lost their jobs and that companies have taken those jobs to more business friendly states. I have yet to hear a whisper of a call for accountability from the legislature from our press core. That is why so many turn to the internet. May the government keeps its' slimy hands off!!! 

What I did enjoy this year was going on vacation with my family and participating in Cub Scouts with my son. There is nothing like the smile on your child's face when they are enjoying something other than video games. 

May God bless you and your family, our state, and our country.
Have a great and blessed 2011!
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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

What's Wrong with Education?

Francois Thibaut during a workshop at the Lang...Image via Wikipedia
I just shake my head when I read articles about the state of education in the United States of America, or in my home state California. Lately, my fellow teachers and I have taken quite a shellacking as the problem in education. 

As an educator, I know how hard it is to evaluate another teacher. I have been evaluated and I have evaluated other teachers. But, here in is the problem. I do not believe that the teacher is the center of the learning process. I believe the student is the center of the learning process and what happens within and and around each student is where attention needs to be focused. A few years ago some tried to focus on the learner. But, it is very difficult  to change an entire culture. 

Let me offer a few points of perspective, first from an educator and then from  a parent ( I am both). From a teacher's perspective you will always hear three basic complaints. #1 = "It's these kids!" #2 = "It's these parents!" #3 = "It's this district/ bureaucracy!"  In a public school teachers do not get to choose which students they teach or which parents will give birth to and raise said children, and few teachers have the political clout needed to direct an entire district. Since parent involvement and socio-economic factors have been shown to be STRONG indicators of individual student success or lack of success, both of which are completely out of any teachers control, it would seem unfair, to say the least, to ask any teacher to produce successful students where factors are out of there influence. In other words, "I can not change who the students are I teach, the parents who give birth to them, nor can I, as an educator, in my present situation, change this district I work for." Many give up at this point. 

As a parent I have been both pleased and not so pleased with my children's teachers. Granted, as an educator, I can have some pretty high standards. But, I do know one truth. Parents do most of the teaching. My wife and I have read to our children since they were infants. They entered school  knowing how to read. Many parents do the same with their children, as their parents did with them. I have taught children in south central LA for most of my 22 years in education. Many parents do not read with their children. I even had one parent tell me that she didn't learn to read until she was 16 so she wasn't to worried about her son in fourth grade not being able to read. I tried to encourage that the more help he received now, and the more SHE required of him now would help him BEFORE he reached 16. My point is that parents and what they are willing to do to ensure their child's success is really (in my opinion) the strongest factor in children's learning.

All that said, I think the question is wrong. The questions regarding educational success are currently focused on teachers when the focus should be on students. I do believe teachers should be accountable, but, accountable for what? 

Friday, December 24, 2010

Light Cannon fire on Christmas Eve

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL - DECEMBER 03:  In this h...Image by Getty Images via @daylife
I, like you, am a bit busy today. So, I wish you a good day and hope you get it all done!

Enjoy and take a shot if you wish!


Don't Ask, Don't Tell, So What Big Deal.
I am a conservative. If someone, gay or not wants to die for our great country, so be it, I salute them.
But, why do I have to hear if they or gay or not. If it is not a question, it's not an issue.

I have worked for the district for 22 + years.
The system ignores the most important elements, parents, students and teachers. Parents who read with their children before they attend school learn to read before they get to school. Good students come from involved parents.
I have taught in low preforming schools most of my career. The government usually just screws things up by forcing schools to start all over again every few years, throwing out the baby with the bath  water and forcing teachers and school site administrators to reinvent the wheel.
I have been forced to monitor bathroom usage because "when my child needs to pee you better let him go or I will sue you!" I don't care but when my administrator directs me to waste instructional time to make sure children can pee, I do it. Stupid.
Stupid is as stupid does.

The biggest racist are the left because it is THEIR policies that keep the poor poor and have failed for 40/50 years now. But, people like you keep blaming "racist republicans." What is racist about believing you should keep your own money and take care of your family? What is racist about believing you can find the American dream?
Let me ask you this? When did you become a Democrat? After someone told you,"Those white people don't like you!" You probably got in a fight in middle school because somebody told you someone said something about your mother.
Time to wake up and grow up.

Remember the judges names, Justices Eileen C. Moore, Wiliam F. Rylaarsdam and Richard M. Aronson. If he commits a crime, they should be help responsible and up for termination.

Typical of the propaganda wing of the left also known as la Times.
The truth is how pitiful of the President to take two years to learn how to work with congress (bipartisan) and two years plus a good political a$$ whooping to live up to his "promise to reach across the aisle."
I am only surprised that la Times has not proclaimed his brilliance for remember to brush his own teeth.

Let Arlen Specter be a testimony to all people who represent us. The tea party wanted the likes of Specter out because they don't represent the people who voted them in and they were NOT faithful to the promises they made.
Unlike the foolish "coffee party" the Tea Party stands to call on government officials to be accountable.
Specter came to represent the awful politician who represents themselves, not the public.
If only those on the left would hold their leaders so accountable.
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Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Bad Christmas Memory #1

Scandinavian Christmas gift-bringer, a Christm...Image via Wikipedia
I guess Wednesday is as good a day as any to talk about my worse Christmas experience. It was my first year in college but not my first away from home. I had lived and worked on my own for a few years before I started college. I actually had spent a year attending a small Bible School in England called Capernwray. That year I ended up in a Chalet in Switzerland with some pretty fun people. No complaints there. But, it was the next year that I must describe at this time.

Attending school in England led me to a small Bible College in South Carolina named Columbia Bible College. My home and family were on the other side of the country and I didn't have the funds to get home for the break. A friend of mind said his family offered to allow me to stay with them. I applied at UPS to work for the Christmas season. I bought the shoes and uniform. I packed some reading materials and my sleeping bag and was set. 

After arriving in the lovely home and meeting the family I settled in for the first night. Before I went to sleep by friends mom explained to me that everyone got up at 6:00am for breakfast so that "father' could read the scriptures to us before he went to work. I should of grabbed my bags and tried to hitch hike to California. So, I spent six weeks waking at 6am for grits and the scriptures. If you haven't had grits, just go to a beach, start to run and trip with your mouth open. You can add eggs, cheese, milk, whatever. 

I hoped that working would help, but, as luck with have it, UPS never called and when I called they said it was one of their slowest years ever and had not called anyone extra yet. Now, when I was young you could beat me to within an inch of my life and it was like water of a ducks back. But, put me in a room all by myself for longer than 5 minutes...that was torture! 

Now, my friend was a great guy, a model son. But, his mom rode him like he was a possible life time criminal. Every choice that poor kid made was wrong according to his mom. He couldn't pick out a shirt without enduring some harassment and being ridiculed because blue was obviously better than white on a Tuesday (if I was exaggerating that would be funny). I thought to myself that if this poor kid didn't just snap one day and kill everyone in the house I would be surprised. Two years later he quit school, started dressing all dark and decided he was gay. Mom, probably has no clue she drove him insane. 

That was not a great Christmas. The next year I made sure I made it home. There is no place like home for the holidays.
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Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The Gift of Friendship

House decorated for Christmas. Jeffreys Bay, E...Image via Wikipedia
To tell you the truth I don't remember many gifts I have received sense reaching adulthood. What I do remember are the people I have broke bread with and enjoyed their company. Often, due to busy schedules and the ever increasing activities of the modern family (sports, scouts, and homework) we don't always get to see everyone as often as we would like and the holidays seems to be the only time families and friends get together. My best memories are of family and friends, not things.

One year I asked two of my friends, Kenny and Matt, where they were going for Christmas. They both shrugged their shoulders and said, "Nowhere." So, I asked them to come with me. I called my parents and asked them to take a few presents that were for me and write "To Kenny" or "To Matt" on them. My sister once said, "You know, you think your family is messed up until you meet someone elses family or hear their stories." Both my friends didn't enjoy Christmas as kids. Their families were a bit disjointed. Matt and Kenny  joined my family that Christmas. It was very fun to watch their faces when they received a gift with their name on it. They actually were in a state of shock that someone had thought of them in even the smallest way. The next year they joined us again and Kenny had a gift for everyone. Kenny then met a beautiful young lady and had a family and now enjoys Christmas with them each year. 

So, I hope your family enjoys the gift of friendships this Christmas season, because one gift we have been given by our Creator is the gift of friendship.

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Monday, December 20, 2010

The What's It Gift

open source gift guideImage by pt via Flickr
I don't know about your family, but for mine it was Auntie "M". Every Christmas Aunt "M" gave each of us a very thoughtful gift, a gift that made each of us ask, "What is it?" None of Aunt "M's" gifts were thoughtless, mean or picked from the display aisle while waiting in line at the grocery store. No, they were personalized and special, each and every one.

My earliest memory of the "what's it" gift from Aunt "M" was when I was eight years old (to the best of my recollection) and I open my brand new left handed (I was right handed, I think she thought you wore the glove on your writing hand?)baseball glove for maybe a one or two rear old baby. The next year it was a World Atlas! Of course I had told her a NFL approved football would be perfect. One of my "favorites" was the year I open a brand new shiny 1" x 4" metal thing with about a 12" handle. At the other end were my initials. Before I could ask, "What is it?" my mom said (with a firm warning) "If I see ONE dog or ONE cat with your initials on them..." My very thoughtful aunt had given me a custom made branding iron. It was great. But, since I was not allowed to play with matches and we lived in a suburb not a ranch, I never got a chance to fire that baby up and see what it could do. 

As the years rolled by Aunt "M's" gifts were always something to look forward to. I wish she would of lived to see my children's births because I would have loved to have the video camera on to film their first "What is it" look. 

When I was in my early twenties I decided to return the favor to dear Aunt "M". I looked far and wide and finally found what I was looking for in the back pages of a Rolling Stone Magazine. It's name was "Earl, the Dead Cat." He even came with a death certificate! Her face was...priceless. I was, of course, the hero that Christmas because I had given everyone in the family the joy of watching Aunt "M" ask with an exquisitely bewildered look, "What is it?"
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Friday, December 17, 2010

Yes, Christmas Approaches

YONGIN, SOUTH KOREA - NOVEMBER 16:  Penguins d...Image by Getty Images via @daylife
Yes, it is the Holidays. For most everyone I know it can be a very busy and hectic time of year. I love Christmas. I love waking up on Christmas morning to see my children's faces as they check out what might be under the Christmas tree for them. I love stocking stuffers. When I was young, many moons ago, there would always be a tangerine, a comb, a piece of chocolate, and then maybe a Matchbox car or Hot Wheel car. Not a lot, not expense, just something small. We would play with the stocking stuffers until everyone woke up and moms' special Christmas breakfast was ready.

My wife and I have tried to carry on those traditions and add our own. I believe it is most important to remember the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh coming to save his people. So, we always read the Christmas story from the book of Luke.

To me one of the best memories of the holidays is being with family and friends. One friend of mine has a party of year that he ans his family decide to throw and invite everyone with two days notice the week before Christmas. You know, "I don't know if we are going to do it this year..." So, I am anticipating a call in a day or two. It usually is a lot of fun. They regifting game (some call it the Red Elephant game)  is always great because someone always brings one really goofy one and it gets passed around until the end.

I hope your town has a special Christmas lights area. I love seeing how much effort someone else put into their decorating. I always wonder where they keep it all.

I wish you all a great Christmas. Signing off for now,
PTVoice

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Parenting and Scouting, Pop Tarts and Smiles

Cub Scout Graduation and PromotionImage by heraldpost via Flickr
The problem with being an A Type personality is it is next to impossible to just to a little of anything. My dad once bought 2 shopping carts full of Pop Tarts, because they were good. I have never bought 2 shopping carts of any one item, but, I find myself diving in head first and going full boar or not going at all. 

I have been consumed by my sons' Cub Scout Pack as of late. I shared on an earlier post how I was volunteered as a leader. I don't  mind. I like working with people and more importantly I want to see my son have a great experience as a Cub Scout. The former leader was a man of many words with little action. I know I can be a man of MANY words but, I hope I back them up with actions a plenty. 

I rechartered our pack. I attended the University of Scouting. I called a parents planning meeting. I sent out flyers to schools in the area (my wife actually did the bulk of the work, she's awesome). I am learning all the things we should of been doing. 

I am blessed to have some great parents in the Pack. Some are beginning to step up and help. And you know what? That really is what being a parent is all about, doing what you need to do so your child can have a great scouting experience. My philosophy of parent involvement is that if you want your child to enjoy something or be successful at it, it is up to you. I want my son to enjoy scouting, so I am doing what I need to do to make that happen. Now as an A Type personality, I have dove in and found myself knee deep in Cub Scouting and to be honest, I am having a great time. More importantly, my son is enjoying being  a Cub Scout too. Two weeks ago, one of the fathers, a member of the Coast Guard arranged for the pack to visit the hanger where the Coast Guard helicopters are housed and repaired. If you could of seen the smile on my sons face when he was being lifted up in the rescue basket and into the helicopter...I swear if he was eating cake the frosting would of been on his ears...that is what scouting is about. 
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Monday, December 13, 2010

Just a Little Cannon Fire

712 Tall ShipsImage by steeljam via Flickr

It has been a horrible time for Californians.
A foolish group of State legislatures who legislated over 1.2 million jobs out of California in the last 5 years alone.
A Democrat in Republican clothing of a Governor.
Next, a clueless populace that votes in the same group that put them into the mess they are in.
And we voted for a simple majority to eliminate the check and balance of legislature.
Schwarzenegger AND the legislature have been lame all around.



Until we have a President and a Congress that understands that America needs to produce products and that the governments jobs is to make that not only possible but probable, we will just become a has been nation.
Why is China doing well? Their government understands that to make money they must produce. And produce they do.
Who is lending to who?



After 22 years in education from Compton and Vernon to San Pedro, Elementary to High School, parents make the school. Yes, good teachers and administrators are helpful,but, if the parents are not insistent that their children succeed, educational success will just be a mirage. Parents must read with their children and monitor their school work.
My children attend a decent school district. The teachers are OK. But, it is still the parents that do what they must to ensure success, whether that means going over homework with their children or getting them a tutor.
Going charter will not change anything unless the parents change.



"We are looking at a $25-billion deficit," Leno said. "Voters need to understand what damage would be done if it were resolved with cuts alone."
Here we go my fellow Californians. Damage to what? The legislature moronic budgets that do nothing but create debt and drive businesses and jobs out of state?
Revenue for the state, less money in the taxpayers' pockets, the way of the liberal, that is Jerry's plan.



The La Habra teachers  are pretty gutsy striking in this political and financial climate.
They should take the furlough days but avoid the pay cuts and be very careful of the pay for "some of the health benefits" stuff.  
I went through a strike and pay cuts in LA. It took over ten year to get our pay back up to what it was before the cuts.
By-the-way, teachers salaries should make up the bulk of the budget because they do the work of teaching (a bit obvious).
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Thursday, December 9, 2010

Thanks for Volunteering, You're the New...

The Cub Scout SignImage via Wikipedia
A funny thing happened on the way to enjoying my son's Cub Scout Meeting, I became a Den Leader and the CubMaster. This is now the third year in scouting for my son and I. I have met some great people and....some other people as well. 

When we first started the Den leader for my son was insistent that she run the show. After a few months, I remember standing in front of the scout house with my friend and his son wondering if it was the right night. As things go, we ended up doing what we needed to do to get our boys their badges and tried to have some fun. We were told we were co-leaders and needed to get trained.

The next year at the first pack meeting I was saying my hello's when the leader greeted me with a hearty, "Great to have you back! You're the new Cub Master. All you have to do is..." It turns out the Cub Master is sort of the master of ceremonies and since one of my alter-egos is a game show host it is not a bad fit. Plus, I got to wear one of those cool shirts with a Cub Master patch on it.

This year the Committee Chair, who really runs the pack, texted me just a few hours before the first meeting with a message that pretty much said he was bailing. Which, in the end may turn out to be a blessing because he was ALL talk with just a smidgen of action. We have since pulled ourselves together and are putting together what hopes to be a great year for our sons. I myself am learning the art of "Welcome back, you're the new...." 

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

No Tax Tuesday: Yea Yea Fair Share

WALLET GRAB!Image by Pomax via Flickr
Happy No Tax Tuesday! I work with a bunch suicidal liberals who are always trying to indoctrinate me into the propagandistic left. Just yesterday my union rep (I work in education) was trying to tell me, once again, how the rich needed to pay their fair share. Of course he's not going to be happy with President Obama for agreeing with Republicans on a tax deal. Oh well, he'll get over it.

Here's the deal. The idea that the "rich" do not pay their fair share is based upon...upon what? I don't know. Simple math shows that 10% of $100,000 (= $10,000) is greater than 10% of $50,000 (= $5,000). Now if a person makes $1,000,000...that's $100,000. So, in that sense, the more you make, the more you pay.

I think the idea that fair means just as painful may be what's behind some of my liberal friends thinking. At least that is what is sounds like. I can't tell you how many times I have heard, "But the rich don't feel it as much." OK, so what is your point? Is the point of taxation to punish those who make more money than me? Does paying more percentage wise make taxation fair? The rhetoric just sounds so childish to me. So what if someone makes more money than me.

Finally, for the life of me, I can not get a liberal to give me a reasonable answer to why businesses should be taxed and taxed more. The sorry excuse for logic is always that businesses need to pay their "fair share!" Now, my liberal friends can not explain how taxing a business allows it to grow, increase wages and provide more jobs. More taxation on businesses just means more money for an ever growing, less efficient government. How is that fair? It is just foolish, not fair. 

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Loose Cannon Fire 12 4 10

Gunfight and Airstrike in Korengal ValleyImage by The U.S. Army via Flickr

Lock an load, duck and cover. enjoy the loose cannon fire of the week.

Four years ago all we would of heard is how Bush has ruined Americas image and blame Bush, Blame Bush, Blame Bush.
Who will Obama blame now?
Mr. President, how will YOU assure Americans that our national interests are being protected? Or is this just some form of "transparency"?

"In essence, the LAO concludes that the budget is already out of whack because the Legislature and governor papered over the state’s fiscal problems."
Same Legislature with a governor of the same political party (as the Legislature) that was 100 days late on one of the most pathetic attempts at a budget ever seen. Is there hope that they will care if Californians suffer while they play politician? None at all.
Now we have all Democrats, all the time.
Show us the jobs. Show us the prosperity.

Why tunnel when they can just walk across? And if we don't let them, they can just ask the US Attorney General to sue on their behalf.



Really? I wonder what Winston Churchill would have to say about "transparency.? If the whole world was nice and everybody was nice and only nice things happened transparency would be lovely. But it's not always a nice world. Sometimes there are real enemies who only want to destroy us. To them transparency is just a way for them to know where we are weakest and easiest to defeat. Sort of like leaving the door unlocked when you know a killer is in your neighborhood.

I think the main thing is that the time is better for teaching and testing. Whether I agree with the emphasis on testing or not it is real and determines quite a bit. As it is now, the month of school is pretty much a throw-away.

Centrists? That is why the Tea Party came about, because centrist is a sneaky way of moving leftist.



Why does the ACLU spend so much time, money and effort on the criminal element? If they were truly about civil liberties shouldn't they be more concerned with the victims?



Runaway Girl - Red flags all around on this one.
The good news is that at least one foster parent seemed good and trustworthy enough to the 13 year old to try to seek refuge there.
The concern: What or who was she trying to "avoid"?



Firefighters - It is a pay cut..
It may be a necessary measure to balance the books. It will take along time to get back that pay.
If you work in the private sector, don't be angry at the firefighters for having a good benefit program. Negotiate yourself one.



It is incredible that states must seek to pass measures to get their governments to do what they are supposed to do.
If this is to happen the measure must be somehow protected (in its' presentation and appeal) from the insane and venomous propaganda of the left. You know, "Pete Wilson hates Mexicans" bologna.
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Thursday, December 2, 2010

Wilkileaks: Pro of Con

Logo used by WikileaksImage via Wikipedia
The good book says that if  someone speaks with the tongue of men or angels but has not love he is but a clanging symbol. Is Julian really altruistic in his motives? Or is he just an American hater? 

Julian Assange, of Wilileaks claims to seek truth via transparency. It has been said many times that you could tell a tree by its fruits. The proof is in the pudding. Well, what is the fruit of Mr. Assanges' efforts? Are they helpful or harmful? When I was in college I met guy who was hell bent on "being truthful and honest." I remember he told this young lady she was fat. The young lady was a bit over weight but far from obese. Of course it hurt her feelings. But, according to Mr.Just Saying It Like It Is, he was just being honest. I told him he was a horses ass. Just being honest. The point is that some people use the idea of openness and honesty as  an excuse for their meanness and spitefulness. 

Wikileaks and their reports sort of reminds me of my children. You can tell when one of your beloved angels is "telling" on their sibling because of some real eminant danger or because they are just trying to get their sybling in trouble. A quick look at the Wikileaks site and you see what is really on the mind of Mr. Assange: "Cablegate:250,000 US Embassy Diplomatic Cables", "War Diary: Iran War Logs", "War Diary: Afghanistan War Logs", "Video: Collateral Murder." All against the United States. Nothing about his homeland. Is he still allowed to live there?

The problem for the current administration is that it enjoyed this type of information about Bush and the Republicans and found it a useful tool in their smear campaign against the right. But, the immaturity of it all is seen in that it wasn't just opinions against Bush and the Republicans, it (to the rest of the world) was against the United States of America regardless of political affiliation. You know, cut off your nose despite your face foolishness.

Back to Wikileaks and Julian Assange. Is the release of documents helping America? I don't see it. He can claim openness and all the crap but, let's have a look at his computer files. I wonder where he has been? Julian Assange likes to come off like a crusader for truth but he sounds like clanging symbolism to me. 

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

No Tax Tuesday: I Say Have a Green Tuesday!

A Danish Christmas tree illuminated with burni...Image via Wikipedia
Happy No tax Tuesday to you all!

My original thought was to have a day where no one had to pay taxes. We just had Black Friday and Cyber Monday, how about Green Tuesday because it would mean more green in each persons pocket? It would be the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving and on this grand day, no one would have to pay sales tax! I like it!

This is an idea that helps everyone. No matter who you are, not having to pay the sales tax would give each citizen more buying power, more bang for the buck. In California it would mean that I would have 10% more to spend on my family. I don't care how rich or poor you are that would be helpful. If you spent $100 that would give you $10 more to spend because rather than having to pay that useless sales tax, you would still have $10 in your wallet to spend on whatever YOU see fit. Now if you spend $1,000 that would be $100 more for you spend on your family.

As a side note, what would my California legislature do with that money? Apparently nothing. Well,  I guess it might go for covering the cost of going without a budget for 100 days! I guess they need to cover the cost of the buffet. Again, the self-absorbed, self-serving, do nothing, good for nothing, can't pass a budget knuckleheads that have the nerve to take hard earned tax payer money and misuse it, would only flush that $10 or $100 or a million dollars down the drain of entitlements and special interests. But, I digress.

A Green Tuesday would help businesses too because it would obviously generate more sales. Not only that but businesses would not have to worry about the sales tax either. Less to deal with, less to worry about, more sales, more profits. It's a win win for the common man and woman.

So, join me in a push for a No Tax Green Tuesday following each Thanksgiving.

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Monday, November 29, 2010

Is Mohamed Osman Mohamud Really a Typical Teen?

GOLDEN AGE CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTSImage by Zellaby via Flickr
Mixed portraits of Oregon terrorism suspect
Classmates of Mohamed Osman Mohamud, accused of trying to detonate a bomb at a Christmas tree-lighting, describe a typical teen.
That's what the LA Times says. Really? A typical teen. The article further describes this "typical teen."
"The main thing was the way he said he hated Americans," Stull said. "It was serious. He looked me in the eye and had this look in his eye, like it was his determination in life — 'I hate Americans.'  "Stull said he was frightened enough to tell school counselors. School officials could not be reached Sunday. Another former classmate said Mohamud sometimes joked about being a terrorist, and that he had sent a peculiar text message this month."He texted me asking if I knew of any places where he could shoot guns off where nobody would hear," said Alex Masak. "I didn't think much of it. …I assumed he was just messing around with his friends."
In an awful way this does not surprise me given the way I have heard many of my liberal colleagues talk about their country.  I am ashamed to admit that so much anti-Americanism in the name of "open-minded" liberalism is espoused by so many teachers. So, that said, I am not surprised that an immigrant could come to our great country and hate America while enjoying the very freedoms that he condemns.

Thanks to the administrators and teachers at Westview High School for helping him with his rocket propelled grenade launcher project. No, red lights there? What did you do when he expressed hate for Americans?

So, to my liberal friends Mohamed Osman Mohamud is a typical teen. There is a far cry of a difference between hooligans putting M80's in mailboxes and toilets and wanting to kill Americans.  For any liberals out there, Mohamed Osman Mohamud is not a typical teen. 
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Saturday, November 27, 2010

Loose Cannon Fire 11 27 10

Chinese nuclear bomb on display at "Our t...Image via Wikipedia

Again, over 1.2 million Californians lost their jobs since 2005. Who controls the state legislature, where laws are made? THE DEMOCRATS!!!
Jobs will be scarce until there is a change.
Jerry Brown, Barbara Boxer, Jane Harman, Maxine Waters...no change.

45? So what! In all of America 45 millionaires who side with Obama!? What do you morons think? That their is like 46, 47 millionaires in America. There is more than that within 5 miles of my house.
45. Big deal.

Lobbyists? Labor interests? Big no surprise.
Who did Brown say was in his pocket during that farce of a debate?
Here we go corrupt-o-cats. Business as usual for the party of welfare and no jobs

"But the same poll also found that voters oppose cuts to programs that account for 85 percent of the state budget."
That sounds like it leaves 15% to cut!
Time to cut the cord!!!
Welfare, also known as progressive enslavement program, has never helped, it only enslaves. Time to cut the cord.
I am a teacher. There is still pet projects and pets. I still see more teachers than students in LAUSD. 70,000+ students gone since 2002 means about 2,300 teachers are no longer needed. Time to cut the cord.
Let's see if Jerry Brown will really make the cuts or just Brown us with more taxes.

Harris over Cooley - Get it over with!
Now, we have a clean (?) sweep of Democrats.
Who will they blame, now that not one Republican is left to defend that rights of the middle class?
Get ready for the call for voters to approve taxing the so called rich.
Get ready for take overs of schools.
Get ready for industry to move the heck out of California with the jobs they have to business friendly states.
Over 1.2 million jobs have left California with a Democratic controlled legislature since 2005! And that was with some conservatives able to offer some balance. Now that we Californians foolishly voted in a simple majority vote...who will protect working Californians from the liberal "redistribution" tyranny?

The debacle has begun.
All Democrats all the time. (Here in Calefornia)
Even in the state legislature the simple majority will allow the foolishness to go unchecked.
No blame, just responsibility for their choices, ideology and methods.
Good night and good luck.

What will be interesting is when the left completely runs out of other peoples money.
Who are they going to get to "invest", all the hard working illegal immigrants?
Even the illegals will leave when the jobs leave.
OK, Democrats. Take us to the promised land. We're waiting.
*The LA Times would not post due to “profanity.”

Record Setting Cold in LA - Global warming? I guess Al Gore is not talking at this time so the air is clear.
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Friday, November 26, 2010

Find the Profanity in LA TIMES Denied Reply

No-profanityImage via Wikipedia

I tried to post this reply to a LA TIMES article and was denied because of profanity. Can you help me find the profanity?

"What will be interesting is when the Democrats completely run out of other peoples money.
Who are they going to get to invest, all the hard working illegal immigrants? 
Even the illegal immigrants will leave when the jobs leave.
OK, Jerry and crew, take us to the promised land. We're waiting."

Unless "Democrats and "illegal aliens" are profanity...
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Thursday, November 25, 2010

Simply Thanksgiving

The First Thanksgiving, painted by Jean Leon G...Image via Wikipedia
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

As we prepare for the days festivities I am struck with the simple fact that the problem with modern holidays is that they are just too complicated! The simplicity is gone. There is always too much to do. You would think that running over to Honeybaked or your local supermarket and picking up the whole shabang, just add the heat, and everything would be so much simpler. Not so, apparently. Today we must be concerned with plane flights, security checks and pat downs, who is going to sleep where, how long will they be staying, do the plates, tablecloth and silverware match, and just how much will we actually need?

The modern holiday is too much about everything but the original reason for the holiday in the first place. It seems to me that the pilgrims, after surviving against incredible odds, sometimes unfriendly locals, and nature itself, the pilgrims were simply thankful to their Creator for their very lives, their food, shelter and family.

So, at this time I would just like to thank my Creator for my very life, my food (daily bread) that I do not have  to hunt or scavenge for, my home and my loving family.  Enjoy! 

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

No Tax Tuesday

First page of Constitution of the United StatesImage via Wikipedia
Happy No tax Tuesday!
The preamble of the constitution of the United States of America states,
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence,[1] promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. (Taken from Wikipedia)
 Since this is my weekly rant about taxes and not seeing the need for more government, I would like to point out a few "observations" I have about taxation and the purpose of our government.
1. The government to is to "insure domestice Tranquility." I have never know a tax season to be tranquil. How can ripping money from peoples paychecks ever be perceived as tranquil?
2. The government is to provide for the common defense. Why does one group think we need to surrender our borders and another we should defend them? What kind of naive leftist would sue a state for doing the federal governments job?
3. The government is to "promote the general Welfare." May I point out that the Preamble says to "promote" not provide. There is a big difference between providing and promoting. We are not a welfare state, but, many would like to enslave the people, and have in fact have done so, by promoting and continuing welfare and entitlement programs. Generations of families live in "projects" that have done nothing to promote the general welfare of people but, have in reality kept minorities down by giving them just enough to stay in squaller.
4. The government is to "secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and out Posterity." When generations only pass off the debt of entitlement to the next generation (even if it is 31 years away) that is not secure the blessing but lessening the chance for prosperity for all.

I do not see my taxes doing what the Preamble states they should do! If the government can not it's job why should my money be misused to do what I do not want done with it? No taxation for mis-representation!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Loose Cannon Fire 11 20 10

712 Tall ShipsImage by steeljam via Flickr

[QUOTE who="What A Joke"]
Women have been villified for centuries, thanks to the 3 major religions - Christianity, Judaism and Islam. I noticed that Wicca doesn't judge women nor condemn them. Why is that?[/QUOTE]
Wicca just allows women to be abused by choice and lack of moral absolutes.
If you had a clue about Judeo/Christian beliefs you would know that the Bible sought to protect women from the capricious cultural norms that allowed men to divorce their wives without cause, kind of like the Muslim beliefs of today still hold. No joke.



Obama as a capitalist is like Brock Lesnar as a ballet dancer.
If America is to be competitive in a global economy businesses MUST be able to operate for profit on a global scale. The Democratic tax deforms cripple businesses and make it all  but impossible for US businesses to compete. Countries without unionized labor such as China will have an edge because the cost of labor is so much lower than Americas.
Will the sales of the shares of GM go to pay back we the people?



"The rich hate us"?
Who are these rich people the Democrats love to make their scapegoats?
When you say rich do you mean the small business owners who seek to employee people like "us" everyday?
When you say "the rich" do you mean those who make more money than you?
Take a look at Cuba. Castro blamed the rich and they left. He now admits that socialism hasn't worked out the way he hoped. The first Cubans came to America and and new how to work. Now, thanks to socialism, they know how to stand in line waiting for bread.
Blame the rich? Really?



The idea of the "bright young people" as teacher is a myth. Studies show that although newer teachers believe they are more affective because of their "passion", the reality is that students of more experienced teachers score higher and learn more.
I have taught and been and administrator for over 22 years. Experience counts.

The teaching profession does have some nice benefits. But for all you people from the "private sector" who think it is all drinking tea and talking with kids, I doubt you have to put up with 14 year olds telling you to F off, or their parents who insist on teachers respecting their children despite the fact they are out of control and disrupt classes on a daily basis.


The Wall Street lobbyists shouldn't have too hard of a time finding connecting with their old buddies since many of them now work for Obama.



The reason why the republicans were " successful" in their " campaign to cast the healthcare legislation as a " Washington takeover," is because IT IS a government takeover!
FIGHT ON GOP!!!



I'm surrounded by lunatics! Maybe after this bunch of Democrats decimate the state even more  Californians will realize liberalism destroys economies and freedoms.



As is the custom of my libtard state, the regressives have again injured the themselves, our state and our country.
If someone is in state or out of state or incognito illegally, they have no rights.
If businesses will be required to not hire and turn in illegal aliens why shouldn't schools and universities?



Rangel guilty - Why did it take his peers TWO DAYS to figure out he was guilty? Or did it take them that long to narrow it down to under a dozen?
When's Maxine up to bat?

"The chief counsel doesn't cite corruption but financial sloppiness."1. Sloppiness? Charlie wasn't eaten' ribs, he was managing his financial affairs with a "lack" of integrity and honesty! 2. If it was a Republican the propaganda wing of the left (yes, The Times and most "news" outlets) would of been all over it like hyenas to a fresh kill.


You know, if you don't have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear.
Why is it that "civil rights" groups put other Americans at risk with their phobias?
I don't mind a little intrusion at the airport to avoid a bomb blowing me out of the air.
Maybe these civil rights groups should worry about the government controlling the salt intake.



["Rocket J Squirrel"]I USED to fly between LA and San Jose on business but between the usual problems at airports and now this, my actual drive time to LA is about the same.
I'm sorry but this is just an invasion that exceeds even Orwell's idea of the future.”
Did Orwell envision getting ones asterisk blown to kingdom come by a radical Muslim?




“For those talking about deficits and paying for things, they often fail to realize what will injure deficit reduction will be a failure of the economy to continue to grow," Casey said. "You can’t have economic growth without jobs.”
Only a Democrat considers unemployment as "a job." In my understanding of reality, the act of collecting an unemployment check is not a career. I do also think paying for something at the point of purchase rather than later in debt is more responsible and cheaper in the long run.



This what is wrong with our educational system.  "Our way of thinking" is a warped sense of moral relativism that is based upon the whims of perceived needs, poverty and injustice.  It is where wrong can be right and right is called wrong.
Illegal is illegal, the circumstances do not determine the rightness  or wrongness.  It is just wrong.
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