NOTABLE QUOTE: (To National Governors Ass'n, Cary, North
Carolina, June 2009): "It is especially important that [RTTT] has
started at the state level because some people will raise concerns
that common standards across states will lead to federal over-
reaching. I am very sensitive to that issue.. . . Education is a state
and local issue. You pay 90 percent of the tab."
Carolina, June 2009): "It is especially important that [RTTT] has
started at the state level because some people will raise concerns
that common standards across states will lead to federal over-
reaching. I am very sensitive to that issue.. . . Education is a state
and local issue. You pay 90 percent of the tab."
Liberal Democrat? Yes. Obama supporter? Yes. Any visible signs
of non-government-related business or corporate experience? No.
of non-government-related business or corporate experience? No.
Specificity is our friend. Before moving on to the vendors driving
RTTT/CCS, let's first take a quick look at one state, Alabama,
starting with the image at right on the cover of the Cotton State's
RTTT application.
Who are these folks and why are they smiling? Is it because of their
hearts of gold? It appears gold's involved, all right.
Come, let's follow the money -- if only because it leaves a surer trail
than bread crumbs -- and look at the connection between
RTTT/CCS and Faya Rose Toure, Arne Duncan, Vivian Figures, Joe
Morton, F.D. Reese and Hank Sanders. As we get to know these
folks, we're going to be looking for any non-government business
experience they might have; bios follow.
RTTT/CCS, let's first take a quick look at one state, Alabama,
starting with the image at right on the cover of the Cotton State's
RTTT application.
Who are these folks and why are they smiling? Is it because of their
hearts of gold? It appears gold's involved, all right.
Come, let's follow the money -- if only because it leaves a surer trail
than bread crumbs -- and look at the connection between
RTTT/CCS and Faya Rose Toure, Arne Duncan, Vivian Figures, Joe
Morton, F.D. Reese and Hank Sanders. As we get to know these
folks, we're going to be looking for any non-government business
experience they might have; bios follow.
While RTTT and CCS promoters assure us (constantly) that it's all about the kids and that their motives are pure as the driven snow,
is this true? Or are they actually driven equally as much by liberal nanny-state ideals as by their real and potential financial benefits?
is this true? Or are they actually driven equally as much by liberal nanny-state ideals as by their real and potential financial benefits?
IN CLOSING, we note that BP's current chief PR guy, Andrew
Gowers, appears to have been hired for his track record at
Lehman Brothers and Gordon Brown much as Eli Broad hired PR
gal Karen Denne fresh from her prior gig as VP of PR for Enron.
Re BP and IB both, to paraphrase the words of a country song,
"Too much PR talk, not enough action."
Gowers, appears to have been hired for his track record at
Lehman Brothers and Gordon Brown much as Eli Broad hired PR
gal Karen Denne fresh from her prior gig as VP of PR for Enron.
Re BP and IB both, to paraphrase the words of a country song,
"Too much PR talk, not enough action."
Bigger's not always better. The larger things get, the more concentrated power is
at the top, the less accountable leaders are to the citizens they're supposed to
serve, so much so that they start referring to them as "the small people."
Britain-based BP's Louisiana oil spill? Didn't happen in BP execs' back yard -- so
it's not the same heart and soul priority for them as for the folks who live along the
at the top, the less accountable leaders are to the citizens they're supposed to
serve, so much so that they start referring to them as "the small people."
Britain-based BP's Louisiana oil spill? Didn't happen in BP execs' back yard -- so
it's not the same heart and soul priority for them as for the folks who live along the
All Delaware public school
expenditures have been online for
almost a year now, thanks to Gov.
Jack Markell and Lt. Gov. Matthew
Among expenses published I've
never pushed for including payroll
checks as they're repetitive.
But not so with former Laurel
School District finance director (&
Democrat) Bill Hitch. According to
the 99-count indictment from
Delaware AG Joe Biden III, Hitch's
extra payroll checks -- to himself --
were the soul of creativity, not to
mention his underpayments to
other employees; according to a
district audit, "the district underpaid
six administrators a total of
$40,758 and one assistant principal
a total of $4,845 for the 2009-10
school year."
In addition to the criminal
complaint, repayment of the
$151,000 Hitch reportedly overpaid
himself is also sought; if he's found
guilty, perhaps taxpayers can put a
lien on his taxpayer-funded
retirement checks.
How did this go on since 2001?
Long-time school employees (Hitch
started working in Laurel in 1996)
tend to be taken for granted as
occurred with veteran Michigan
school payroll supervisor Dana
Bacon, who made off with $1.3
million. And, Bill's wife Wendy, a
kindergarten teacher, also works at
the district; for some reason
two-paycheck couples seem to
have favored standing. (Think
about your own school district.)
As a practical matter, Bill's boss,
Laurel supe John McCoy, has been
busy asking taxpayers for more
money, $176 million. for a Cadillac
construction program including
$35 mil for a new football stadium.
John's also been busy playing
Food Nanny.
expenditures have been online for
almost a year now, thanks to Gov.
Jack Markell and Lt. Gov. Matthew
Among expenses published I've
never pushed for including payroll
checks as they're repetitive.
But not so with former Laurel
School District finance director (&
Democrat) Bill Hitch. According to
the 99-count indictment from
Delaware AG Joe Biden III, Hitch's
extra payroll checks -- to himself --
were the soul of creativity, not to
mention his underpayments to
other employees; according to a
district audit, "the district underpaid
six administrators a total of
$40,758 and one assistant principal
a total of $4,845 for the 2009-10
school year."
In addition to the criminal
complaint, repayment of the
$151,000 Hitch reportedly overpaid
himself is also sought; if he's found
guilty, perhaps taxpayers can put a
lien on his taxpayer-funded
retirement checks.
How did this go on since 2001?
Long-time school employees (Hitch
started working in Laurel in 1996)
tend to be taken for granted as
occurred with veteran Michigan
school payroll supervisor Dana
Bacon, who made off with $1.3
million. And, Bill's wife Wendy, a
kindergarten teacher, also works at
the district; for some reason
two-paycheck couples seem to
have favored standing. (Think
about your own school district.)
As a practical matter, Bill's boss,
Laurel supe John McCoy, has been
busy asking taxpayers for more
money, $176 million. for a Cadillac
construction program including
$35 mil for a new football stadium.
John's also been busy playing
Food Nanny.
FOLLOW THE MONEY: Who's
getting it at charter schools,
how are they spending ?
Sometimes charter
school operators
spend our dollars
wisely and sometimes
they don't -- but without
their checks online it's
hard to tell which.
Last year Minnesota AIM charter
operator Joel Pourier was arrested
for embezzling and spending $1.38
million on high living rather than his
school and his students; his trial is
set for next month.
Thanks to Education Commissioner
Robert Scott, the Texas Education
Agency posts their payments to
charter school operators such as
Cosmos Foundation (Harmony
Public Schools); here's a quick look
at the $15 million that generous
Texas taxpayers handed over to
Cosmos in less than two months
last fall ($74.6 million during FY 2010
through May):
getting it at charter schools,
how are they spending ?
Sometimes charter
school operators
spend our dollars
wisely and sometimes
they don't -- but without
their checks online it's
hard to tell which.
Last year Minnesota AIM charter
operator Joel Pourier was arrested
for embezzling and spending $1.38
million on high living rather than his
school and his students; his trial is
set for next month.
Thanks to Education Commissioner
Robert Scott, the Texas Education
Agency posts their payments to
charter school operators such as
Cosmos Foundation (Harmony
Public Schools); here's a quick look
at the $15 million that generous
Texas taxpayers handed over to
Cosmos in less than two months
last fall ($74.6 million during FY 2010
through May):
| HARMONY PS CONTRACTORS (cont'd) currently available IRS Public Charity Form 900 posted for Cosmos Foundation, the contractor with the largest compensation from HPS -- Atlas Texas Construction & Trading, Inc., with almost three times the earnings of all other major listed HPS contractors ($6,709,375) -- has direct ties to Turkey; wondering what other qualifications they brought that earned them such a large contract. The second one listed on the HPS IRS form 990, North American Constrution [sic], appears to have no presence at the Texas Comptroller as regards franchise tax responsibilities -- even when the third name is spelled "Construction"; however, there is an assumed name for NACCO (but no Comptroller presence although there is one for "NACCO HOMES INC." which could perhaps be "North American Construction Co.") and is owned by Mohammed Mujeebullah. I am unable to find much on any of these three and here again am wondering the criteria for awarding a $1.2 million contract to "North American Constrution [sic]." The penultimate name on the contractor list is "EGE Construction LLC" which is owned by Osman Ozkan; again not able to find much in the way of records for this business. (3) SBEC Looked for your State Board for Educator Certification certificate at TEA (first name: Soner, last name: Tarim) but there is none listed. Under which name did you earn your SBEC superintendent certificate? (4) Armenian genocide Readers have suggested that I ask you about Harmony Public Schools' teaching of the murder of over a million Armenian men, women and children in Turkey during World War One, commonly referred to as the Armenian Genocide. Apart from any minimum curiculum requirements in the TEKS, can you give me some idea how this very sensitive subject is being covered by HPS ? By the way, have you posted your schools' checks online yet? Over two thirds of all Texas local school dollars are already onlne, all voluntarily. Thank you for your help on this -- please let me know if you have any questions -- |
By now hopefully more folks are
understanding Bill Gates' role as
one of the funders of the Cosmos
Foundation, a public charity,
through the Texas High School
Project.
understanding Bill Gates' role as
one of the funders of the Cosmos
Foundation, a public charity,
through the Texas High School
Project.
The causes of liberty and freedom are precarious and hard-won, tenuously held at best. When White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel
famously told The New York Times, "Rule one: Never allow a crisis to go to waste," wondering now in light of subsequent post-
election crises whether Rahm was referencing Saul Alinsky or the Nazi playbook. A few weeks after Hitler became prime minister of Germany
on January 30, 1933 he established an "auxilliary" 50,000-member police force; five days later a mysterious fire destroyed the Reichstag,
blamed by the Nazis on Communists. Regardless of whether the Nazis actually set it themselves, Hitler was able to use the crisis to persuade
German president Hindenburg to issue a "Decree for the Protection of People and State" the next day that dissolved Germany's Weimar
Republic and granted the Nazi elite sweeping powers to deal with the so-called emergency, cementing legal foundations for a police state.
famously told The New York Times, "Rule one: Never allow a crisis to go to waste," wondering now in light of subsequent post-
election crises whether Rahm was referencing Saul Alinsky or the Nazi playbook. A few weeks after Hitler became prime minister of Germany
on January 30, 1933 he established an "auxilliary" 50,000-member police force; five days later a mysterious fire destroyed the Reichstag,
blamed by the Nazis on Communists. Regardless of whether the Nazis actually set it themselves, Hitler was able to use the crisis to persuade
German president Hindenburg to issue a "Decree for the Protection of People and State" the next day that dissolved Germany's Weimar
Republic and granted the Nazi elite sweeping powers to deal with the so-called emergency, cementing legal foundations for a police state.
| 13 |
What's up with
International
Baccalaureate?
Although many folks have taken a
serious look at IB, Inc., no one has
compared what they advocate --
wealth redistribution -- with the
salaries of IB's top executives.
Until today.
That's IB's director general Jeff Beard
at right with his wife on the balcony of
one of the three places around the
world where they hang their hats;
Jeff, an Akron native, is also featured
prominently on IB's page dedicated
to him as saying his employment at
IB is a chance to "give something
back." Here at Horseshoe Bay
Central we're trying to correlate the
notion of giving back with his almost
half a million a year IB remuneration,
plus the fact that given his prior jobs,
the IB gig would appear to represent
a pay grade continuum, not a
voluntary step down. So which is it,
Jeff? Also, finally found a photo of his
deputy director, Ian Hill. It's all here
along with questions for and about
both executives and their
organization -- IB, Inc. -- plus Ian's
side gig, The Earth Charter. Here's a
link to the new International
Baccalaureate, Inc. page I've been
building; you'll find a recent salary
and benefits schedule for top IB
executives, plus an insight into
reporter Jay Mathews' favorable
reports on International
Baccalaureate for The Washington
Post, plus a photo of Ian Hill.
What, you don't know who Ian Hill is?
You should.
International
Baccalaureate?
Although many folks have taken a
serious look at IB, Inc., no one has
compared what they advocate --
wealth redistribution -- with the
salaries of IB's top executives.
Until today.
That's IB's director general Jeff Beard
at right with his wife on the balcony of
one of the three places around the
world where they hang their hats;
Jeff, an Akron native, is also featured
prominently on IB's page dedicated
to him as saying his employment at
IB is a chance to "give something
back." Here at Horseshoe Bay
Central we're trying to correlate the
notion of giving back with his almost
half a million a year IB remuneration,
plus the fact that given his prior jobs,
the IB gig would appear to represent
a pay grade continuum, not a
voluntary step down. So which is it,
Jeff? Also, finally found a photo of his
deputy director, Ian Hill. It's all here
along with questions for and about
both executives and their
organization -- IB, Inc. -- plus Ian's
side gig, The Earth Charter. Here's a
link to the new International
Baccalaureate, Inc. page I've been
building; you'll find a recent salary
and benefits schedule for top IB
executives, plus an insight into
reporter Jay Mathews' favorable
reports on International
Baccalaureate for The Washington
Post, plus a photo of Ian Hill.
What, you don't know who Ian Hill is?
You should.
| Transparency history Llano ISD FOIA conviction Edgewood ISD PD re FOIA Progress by March 2007 1st year ann'y: Oct. 2007 Gov.Perry & Comm.Scott |
| WHO'S ATTENDING YOUR SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS? Follow the money in our vendor-driven schools: 15 vendors & special interests to look for at your next board meeting. |
| P E Y T O N W O L C O T T |
How we take back our children's education: one person, one question, one school at a time. |
| FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of education issues vital to a republic. We believe this constitutes a "fair use" of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C., Chapter 1, Section 107 which states: the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright," the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond "fair use" you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. |
| ATTENTION EDUCATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS: Every attempt possible has been made to verify all sources and information. In the event you feel an error has been made, please contact us immediately. Thank you. NOTICE: All individuals mentioned on this site are presumed innocent unless they have been found guilty in a court of law. |
| Copyright 1999-2010 Peyton Wolcott |
"Walk softly and carry a big stick." -- Teddy Roosevelt "Trust but verify." -- Ronald Reagan |
| Just because you can doesn't mean you should. |
| H o w w e t a k e b a c k o u r c h i l d r e n ' s e d u c a t i o n : o n e p e r s o n , o n e q u e s t i o n , o n e s c h o o l a t a t i m e . F o l l o w t h e m o n e y , h o n e y ! |
| AZ CA KS MD MO OH OK KeyWest CreditCards SLAPP TX Senator John Cornyn Edgewood 1 2345 CleburneISD KatyISD BremondISD LlanoISD |
| Check Registers US TX Flyer Ask your district Set goals/organize Ask lots of questions School Board Ethics Pledges Watchdogs: AngryActivist Alert PR |
| PEYTON WOLCOTT'S 6 SIMPLE SUGGESTIONS FOR SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS: How you can rebuild public trust and save at least $75 per student this next year. 1. End discretionary spending. Set an example for your staff; let them know you mean business about running a tighter ship: No trips, no conferences, no meals, no credit cards. If you want to learn more about something, use Google. Do a webinar. Read a newsletter. No golf games with vendors, ever. No chauffeurs, no rental cars. Stay home, do your work and keep your nose clean. 2. Reduce administrative costs. Go through your administrative staff roster and cut every other job, starting with getting rid of all PR and marketing. No advisors, no consultants. Learn how to really read a budget. Put your check register and all wire transfers online. 3. Ethics. No nepotism. Let your wife and kids earn a living in a field other than education. No board members' spouses working in the district. Conduct all discussions with vendors and potential vendors in the open; invite your public to watch and ask questions. Throw away your contract and work year by year. Move your chair off the dais at board meetings. You're not a team member with your elected trustees. You're not equal to them. They're your boss. 4. No construction. If you're the rare district truly experiencing sufficient growth to justify building new schools, splinter off that population and let them start their own new school district or charter school. They might be able to take over an abandoned church or office building for much less than the Taj Mahal you had in mind. 5. Back-to-basics curriculum. Math table (1st grade: add, 2nd grade: subtract, 3rd grade multiply, 4th grade divide) daily drill. You made sure your own kids learned the basics at home or with tutors; why shouldn't all children have that same opportunity? Ditto for phonics. Classical literature. History, not social studies. No more block scheduling. Daily P.E. for all. Emphasize individual effort and accomplishment. 6. Attitude. You're a public servant, not a Third World dictator. Practice humility and gratitude. Remember when your employees laugh at your jokes or tell you you're cool or vendors marvel at your every utterance that they're all sucking up to you. Remember why you got into education to begin with. Sell your house in the gated community and buy one in the middle of a real subdivision like your average parents and taxpayers can afford. Let yourself be driven not by the latest platitude you picked up at the latest education conference but by the same wonderful noble desire to educate kids that got you into this field. |
| Ethics pledges Corruption Team of 8 Nationalization NCLB/Pearson $1.4 B (TX) Transparency 2006 Lax oversight Lobbyists 1 2 3 PassTheTrash 1 2 |
| Edu-Monopoly EduInc Internal Controls Tech Audits ERDI Financial Exigency Laptops Credit cards Supes travel/meals Edu-Conferences TASA MidWinter GORGE-ous Supes/Golf/Vendors 1 |
| Terms & Conditions: Sorry to have to include this; some groups--God bless them--have copied my research and published it as their own. |
| Robin Hood & 22 'equity' failures: MALDEF's 22 Edgewood districts cost Texans billions in failed academics & extravagance. |
| How to persuade your district: Friendly works best-- take the Golden Rule with you when asking your schools to post checks. Testimonials: issues & concerns solved. |
| Welcome, America -- glad you're finding this no-ads website useful! #1 on Google & Yahoo of 256,000,000! |
| Texas Hill Country - Mesquite and Wildflowers Boerne |
| WELCOME, Washington state! Public school checks now online in 34 states, 600+ school districts, in 3 years! |
05.29.09
Questions reporters
& others ask most:
Q1: When did this grass-
roots check register
project start, and why?
A1: We compiled the first
national roster on October
1, 2009. There were
several precipitating
incidents, including this; it
was clear that
administrators, lobbyists
and vendors didn't like
public records requests.
Q2: How many school
districts are now online in
how many states?
A2: As of March 2010
there are over 800 in 36
states.
Q3: How quickly has this
grown?
A3: When we first started
asking districts to
voluntarily post, there
were only a handful in a
handful of states posting.
Q4: How can I find out if
my district is online? Are
any in my state online?
A4: You can look them up
on these rosters:
o Alabama
o Alaska-Louisiana
o Maine-Tennessee
o Texas
o Texas financials
o Utah-Wyoming
Q5: How do I make my
district put its checks
online?
A5: Unless we're
dictators we can't make
anybody do anything -- but
we can persuade. Here
are some easy to follow
directions based on
treating your schools as
you'd like them to treat
you. (The Golden Rule
really does work.) Just
like in baking or anything
else involving special
skills or plans, the steps
we've found that work are
successful 100% of the
time when followed as
scripted; as with making
pastry, shortcuts lead to
failure.
Q6: Why don't you just
pass a law?
Q6: Have you ever tried
getting a law passed? As
the Texas Public Policy
Foundation and similar
groups elsewhere have
learned, the folks who
stand to benefit the least
from public ed financial
transparency are a very
active lobbying force,
especially in larger states
where more money is
involved in public
education. (With just 17
school districts, only
Delaware has a state law
requiring schools to post
their checks online.)a
& others ask most:
Q1: When did this grass-
roots check register
project start, and why?
A1: We compiled the first
national roster on October
1, 2009. There were
several precipitating
incidents, including this; it
was clear that
administrators, lobbyists
and vendors didn't like
public records requests.
Q2: How many school
districts are now online in
how many states?
A2: As of March 2010
there are over 800 in 36
states.
Q3: How quickly has this
grown?
A3: When we first started
asking districts to
voluntarily post, there
were only a handful in a
handful of states posting.
Q4: How can I find out if
my district is online? Are
any in my state online?
A4: You can look them up
on these rosters:
o Alabama
o Alaska-Louisiana
o Maine-Tennessee
o Texas
o Texas financials
o Utah-Wyoming
Q5: How do I make my
district put its checks
online?
A5: Unless we're
dictators we can't make
anybody do anything -- but
we can persuade. Here
are some easy to follow
directions based on
treating your schools as
you'd like them to treat
you. (The Golden Rule
really does work.) Just
like in baking or anything
else involving special
skills or plans, the steps
we've found that work are
successful 100% of the
time when followed as
scripted; as with making
pastry, shortcuts lead to
failure.
Q6: Why don't you just
pass a law?
Q6: Have you ever tried
getting a law passed? As
the Texas Public Policy
Foundation and similar
groups elsewhere have
learned, the folks who
stand to benefit the least
from public ed financial
transparency are a very
active lobbying force,
especially in larger states
where more money is
involved in public
education. (With just 17
school districts, only
Delaware has a state law
requiring schools to post
their checks online.)a
| Fox News mention |
| Texas Education Service Centers posting check registers |
Most of Texas' 20
Regional Education
Service Centers are
now posting their
check registers online.
Hats off to the
following for being
among the first:
Regional Education
Service Centers are
now posting their
check registers online.
Hats off to the
following for being
among the first:
Region 10 - Richardson
Choose your month here:
www.region10.org/administrators/C
heckRegisterPosting.html
Choose your month here:
www.region10.org/administrators/C
heckRegisterPosting.html
Region 1 - Edinburg
Pick a month here
www.esc1.net/1293108141351379
20/blank/browse.asp?A=383&BMD
RN=2000&BCOB=0&C=55565&129
3Nav=|&NodeID=1450
Pick a month here
www.esc1.net/1293108141351379
20/blank/browse.asp?A=383&BMD
RN=2000&BCOB=0&C=55565&129
3Nav=|&NodeID=1450
Region 9 - Wichita Falls
Pick a month here:
www.esc9.net/vnews/display.v/SEC/
Public%20Information%3E%3EChe
ck%20Register
Pick a month here:
www.esc9.net/vnews/display.v/SEC/
Public%20Information%3E%3EChe
ck%20Register
Region 8 - Mt. Pleasant
Choose a month here:
www.reg8.net/default.aspx?name=a
dmin.checkregister
Choose a month here:
www.reg8.net/default.aspx?name=a
dmin.checkregister
Public Ed Commentary
Here they are, the
updated US rosters!
updated US rosters!
- Alabama
- Alaska - Louisiana
- Maine - Tennessee
- Texas
- Texas spending data
2007-08 - Texas spending data
2008-09 (Excel) - Utah - Wyoming
- Beyond FOIA: Why it's
more effective to
persuade your local
school district than to
demand; why it's better
for schools to post on
their sites than for you
to FOIA check registers
then put them on your
private or 501c website.
- Is 'equity' equitable?
More about MALDEF &
Robin Hood
- Printable flyer to share
with your board; print at
100%. Testimonials
from school leaders
who have already
successfully posted
their districts' checks
online countering all
usual opposition points
(cost, technology, etc.).
- Special interests in your
district and at your
board meetings: Do
you know who they are
and what they have to
do with spending?
- If there was a major
precipitating incident
behind the check
registers, this was it.
| CHECK REGISTERS |
| Are your district's checks on their website? If not, why not? More than 825 are, including New York City, Miami, Houston and Dallas, in 37 states, in just over 3 years. Simple how-to.here works 100% of the time--if no shortcuts. |
| Friday July 2, 2010 |
| NATIONALIZATION OF 13,900 LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS INTO 70 BY FEDS: Click here for ex-IBM chair Lou Gerstner WSJ op=ed |
| ED PHOTO OF THE WEEK: 2 PRESIDENTIAL TELEPROMPTERS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOM (VA) |
| President Barack Obama, accompanied by Education Secretary Arne Duncan, speaks to the media after a discussion with 6th grade students at Graham Road Elementary School in Falls Church (VA), Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010. (AP) |
| Only Texas -- thanks to Governor Rick Perry, Education Commissioner Robert Scott, and our State Board of Education -- all supported by those who cherish individual freedoms and local control of our school districts -- has had the courage among the 50 states to stand firm against the power grab by the United States Department of Education, the school equivalent of what Mr. Obama's crew is trying to do with healthcare. As with healthcare, Race to the Top's national curriculum standards have less to do with education and more to do with being a vehicle for increasing federal control. |
| Bringing you the information and tools you need in order to improve public education and lower taxes and spending; during the past two decades of the voucher debate an entire generation has grown up in the public school system. If you don't think this is important look at the Nov. 2008 election where folks voted based on emotions and hope rather than facts. Let's put a stop to the school-to-prison pipeline -- and keep our public schools locally run, strong and free.. |
Region 7 - Kilgore
Public Information
www.esc7.net/default.aspx?n
ame=pub_info
Public Information
www.esc7.net/default.aspx?n
ame=pub_info
| S C H O O L N E W S Q U I C K L I N K S |
| Professional development -- or developing a tan? Is this a good use of America's resources and tax dollars? For salaried public school superintendents to play golf on school days? At a resort hundreds of miles away? With vendors? How about if it's with a spouse who is a no-bid vendor in his district? And the business is a sponsor of the golf weekend? In any event, do these 9 images look like "professional development"? Which part of this is professional and what's being developed in a setting like this other than a tan? Starting with this photograph, let's begin a meaningful conversation about spending in our public schools. |
| International Baccalaureate director general Jeffrey R. 'Jeff' Beard with Mrs. Beard on the balcony of one of their residences around the world: In her own words, Mrs. Beard's description of their lifestyle here. |
LIFE AT THE TOP
Questions for and about
public charity International
Baccalaureate
By Peyton Wolcott
May 18, 2010
Questions for and about
public charity International
Baccalaureate
By Peyton Wolcott
May 18, 2010
| New International Baccalaureate page here |
| Only known online photo of Ian Hill |
More here. and here. .
Questions about
International Baccalaureate?
Here's IB's website; here's Jeff
Beard's IB page and here's
information at IB regarding Ian Hill.
And here's Washington Post
education reporter Jay Mathew's book
Supertest about IB written with Ian
Hill and published by Open Court
(owned by International
Baccalaureate powerhouse Blouke
Carus who according to his bio was
instrumental in bringing IB to North
America).
More here. and here.
Questions about
International Baccalaureate?
Here's IB's website; here's Jeff
Beard's IB page and here's
information at IB regarding Ian Hill.
And here's Washington Post
education reporter Jay Mathew's book
Supertest about IB written with Ian
Hill and published by Open Court
(owned by International
Baccalaureate powerhouse Blouke
Carus who according to his bio was
instrumental in bringing IB to North
America).
More here. and here.
| States rejecting Race to the Top (II) |
| International Baccalaureate, Inc. |
Here's the tally we've compiled
as of June 7, 2010:
as of June 7, 2010:
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
- Alaska
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- Oregon
13 sovereign states in 1776,
13 sovereign states in 2010 . . . .
13 sovereign states in 2010 . . . .
Memorial Day Weekend 2010
As we gather to honor our courageous fallen American warriors, it's good to remember
why they died, especially those in World War II. My generation and younger were not
taught in school that during their ascents Mussolini and Hitler were thought handsome
(as was Hitler's home) or that they had many rich and famous US and English supporters;
this George Bernard Shaw YouTube clarifies the tenor of those times. By 1939 the Nazi flag
flew over 11 countries and ruled 70 million citizens, a fifth of whom they killed, their efforts
made more efficient by Hollerith punch cards and technical help from Tom Watson and IBM.
As we gather to honor our courageous fallen American warriors, it's good to remember
why they died, especially those in World War II. My generation and younger were not
taught in school that during their ascents Mussolini and Hitler were thought handsome
(as was Hitler's home) or that they had many rich and famous US and English supporters;
this George Bernard Shaw YouTube clarifies the tenor of those times. By 1939 the Nazi flag
flew over 11 countries and ruled 70 million citizens, a fifth of whom they killed, their efforts
made more efficient by Hollerith punch cards and technical help from Tom Watson and IBM.
| Germany's Reichstag today; inset, 1933 fire |
Learning from David and Goliath--still: Bullies and self-serving opportunists seeking to expand their power at the expense of our freedom
have ever been with us. Encouragingly, according to a landmark 2005 study by Ivan Arreguín-Toft, although predictably Goliaths defeat
Davids 71.5% of the time, when Davids set aside Goliathan rules and defy convention, outnumbered Davids win most battles. Question for
us today is, what ill-fitting helmet and suit of armor are we wearing that we can abandon in favor of which five smooth stones?
have ever been with us. Encouragingly, according to a landmark 2005 study by Ivan Arreguín-Toft, although predictably Goliaths defeat
Davids 71.5% of the time, when Davids set aside Goliathan rules and defy convention, outnumbered Davids win most battles. Question for
us today is, what ill-fitting helmet and suit of armor are we wearing that we can abandon in favor of which five smooth stones?
Grab your Ottoman (Empire): Time to talk Turkey
about Turkey in our public schools
By Peyton Wolcott
Friday, June 4, 2010 / Updated 10:09 a.m.
about Turkey in our public schools
By Peyton Wolcott
Friday, June 4, 2010 / Updated 10:09 a.m.
| Above, Turkish consul with student dancers at Texas public school; below, more student dancers in Texas taxpayer-funded public schools |
Did you notice in stories this week about Israel's defense of its
anti-terrorist blockade against Islamic elements masquerading as
humanitarian aid ships that the aid ships were funded by a
Turkish-based charity? Did that come as a surprise?
anti-terrorist blockade against Islamic elements masquerading as
humanitarian aid ships that the aid ships were funded by a
Turkish-based charity? Did that come as a surprise?
| The group that sent the six ships from Turkey, Islan Haklary Ve Hurriyetleri Vakfi [IHH], is an Islamist charity that has been on the Israeli terror list in recent years and under scrutiny by the CIA since 1996.* (SOURCE--Gary Bauer) |
Turkey's been popping up all over the world stage the past few years.
My first "What the ...." Turkey moment was last year when Rick Steves,
PBS's pot-promoting travel host, traveled outside of Europe for a special
on Turkey in which he described that country's massacre of over a
million Armenians during World War I as an unfortunate political event --
reserving "terrible" for a description of the orange drink at his hotel.
My first "What the ...." Turkey moment was last year when Rick Steves,
PBS's pot-promoting travel host, traveled outside of Europe for a special
on Turkey in which he described that country's massacre of over a
million Armenians during World War I as an unfortunate political event --
reserving "terrible" for a description of the orange drink at his hotel.
| * The IHH is connected to a Saudi organization run by Sheikh Yusuf Qaradawi, who has issued fatwas supporting homicide bombings against Israeli civilians. The entire effort was a PR stunt – “a provocation” as one Israeli official put it. One “peace activist” who participated in the IHH effort told Al Jazeera before the ships departed Turkey, “We are now waiting for one of two good things – either to achieve martyrdom, or to reach Gaza.” Note which “good thing” she put first. (SOURCE--Gary Bauer) |
Then a few months ago we learned that Islamic imam Fethullah Gulen,a Turkish exile seeking to bring sharia law to Turkey along with the
rest of the world, has established at least 90 American taxpayer-funded charter schools (here in Texas under the umbrella of parent company
Cosmos Foundation) with two dozen here in Texas (see list below), all of them with the word "Harmony" in their title. Rice University prof
Jill Carroll -- following a Gulen-funded trip to Turkey -- is an American fan, and calls the Gulen movement "a positive face of Islam."
rest of the world, has established at least 90 American taxpayer-funded charter schools (here in Texas under the umbrella of parent company
Cosmos Foundation) with two dozen here in Texas (see list below), all of them with the word "Harmony" in their title. Rice University prof
Jill Carroll -- following a Gulen-funded trip to Turkey -- is an American fan, and calls the Gulen movement "a positive face of Islam."
| TEXAS FETHULLAH GULEN TURKISH CHARTERS PROPOSED--& facing community opposition: ODESSA Harmony Science Academy. HOUSTON: Harmony Science Academy.... Harmony Science Academy Houston NW.... Harmony School of Excellence.... Harmony School of Endeavor... Harmony School of Ingenuity..... Harmony School of Innovation...... Harmony School of Science DALLAS: Harmony Science Academy...Harmony School of Innovation EL PASO: Harmony Science Academy...Harmony School of Innovation SAN ANTONIO: Harmony Science Academy BROWNSVILLE: Harmony Science Academy LAREDO: Harmony Science Academy AUSTIN: Harmony Science Academy.... Harmony Science Academy North Austin.... Harmony School of Excellence....Harmony School of Science FORT WORTH: Harmony Science Academy .... Harmony Science Academy Grand Prairie.... Harmony Science Academy Euless BEAUMONT: Harmony Science Academy BRYAN: Harmony Science Academy LUBBOCK: Harmony Science Academy WACO: Harmony Science Academy |
| Scene from Texas public school Turkish class weekend camp |
| QUERIES TO SONER TARIM, SUPERINTENDENT HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS (DATED 06.02.10) QUERY: Harmony Public Schools (1) Invitation to consuls (2) contractors (3) SBEC (4) Teaching of WWI Armenian genocide Soner, I'm doing research for a commentary on charter schools, hope you can help me with a few questions: (1) Consular visits When the Turkish consul visited one of your schools he was honored with a Turkish dance; were any other consuls from any other countries invited during the past 2-3 years and if so which and what were the approximate dates of the visits? Were these other consuls honored with dances in their own language and culture; for example, if the Swiss consul was invited was the dance reflective of the Swiss dancing style including costumes? I've tried various Google searches and am only able to come up with the Turkish consul. While various elected and appointed officials appear to have have visited Harmony Public Schools; I'm only asking about visits by consular officials. (2) Harmony PS contractors How are contractors chosen for your schools? Are contracts put out for open bid? Why this question comes up: On the most (cont'd) |
| COSMOS FOUNDATION IRS 990 FORM - CONTRACTORS |
| (L) Soner Tarim, superintendent, Harmony charter schools (Texas); (R) right, John Fitzpatrick, Texas HS Project exec. dir. |
| Harmony Doner Day [sic] volunteers. |
While the Ottoman Empire will
not likely be rebuilt on the backs
of sleeping Texas taxpayers, it is
a good thing to be asking
questions about these folks who
come to our shores and use our
dollars to teach our children about
their way of life -- especially if it
appears they may be doing so at
the expense of American history,
heritage, culture and citizenship.
not likely be rebuilt on the backs
of sleeping Texas taxpayers, it is
a good thing to be asking
questions about these folks who
come to our shores and use our
dollars to teach our children about
their way of life -- especially if it
appears they may be doing so at
the expense of American history,
heritage, culture and citizenship.
COSMOS FOUNDATION INC.
| 9/2/2009 9/3/2009 9/8/2009 9/15/2009 9/23/2009 9/24/2009 10/2/2009 10/8/2009 10/13/2009 10/14/2009 10/16/2009 10/22/2009 10/26/2009 |
| $ 608.62 6,166.04 3,157.26 1,320.00 7,393,214.00 493.70 7,775.40 2,500.00 91,214.26 76,376.00 12,298.00 7,393,810.00 15,119.00 |
| Joel Pourier |
(Posted 06.07.10)
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
John Q. Porter & Terry Abbott
When this image above flashed
across Oklahoma City TV screens in
January 2008, few if any understood
what it meant. In an attempt to find a
supe willing to stay more than a few
months, OKC leaders had hired
Porter, an Eli Broad grad, the prior
summer, but when administrative
problems surfaced and Porter
wouldn't answer Christmas break
phone calls from then-OKC school
board chair, Sonic CEO Cliff Porter,
the board scheduled a showdown.
Houston ISD PR guy Terry Abbott
was Porter's first stop (above) after
his suspension at the meeting; the
surprise for the OKC board was that
Broad-flak Abbott was not there to
represent the interests of OKC
schools but to represent Porter in his
Broad-er context. Good to keep in
mind when Mr. Broad comes calling
TODAY: John Q. Porter still owns
the million-dollar house he bought in
OKC, and he's joined New York-
based Mosaica Turnaround Partners
(founded by Education Entrepreneurs
of the Year Dawn & Gene Edelman, a
former day care owner/operator) as
their EVP/COO. Terry Abbott , who
still lives in Fort Bend ISD, a drive
southwest from his old HISD job, in
the Houston area, resigned from
HISD in June 2008 and owns a
Houston-area PR firm, Drive West
Communications; he did PR for LA
Unified during 2006-2008.
When this image above flashed
across Oklahoma City TV screens in
January 2008, few if any understood
what it meant. In an attempt to find a
supe willing to stay more than a few
months, OKC leaders had hired
Porter, an Eli Broad grad, the prior
summer, but when administrative
problems surfaced and Porter
wouldn't answer Christmas break
phone calls from then-OKC school
board chair, Sonic CEO Cliff Porter,
the board scheduled a showdown.
Houston ISD PR guy Terry Abbott
was Porter's first stop (above) after
his suspension at the meeting; the
surprise for the OKC board was that
Broad-flak Abbott was not there to
represent the interests of OKC
schools but to represent Porter in his
Broad-er context. Good to keep in
mind when Mr. Broad comes calling
TODAY: John Q. Porter still owns
the million-dollar house he bought in
OKC, and he's joined New York-
based Mosaica Turnaround Partners
(founded by Education Entrepreneurs
of the Year Dawn & Gene Edelman, a
former day care owner/operator) as
their EVP/COO. Terry Abbott , who
still lives in Fort Bend ISD, a drive
southwest from his old HISD job, in
the Houston area, resigned from
HISD in June 2008 and owns a
Houston-area PR firm, Drive West
Communications; he did PR for LA
Unified during 2006-2008.
| Terry Abbott (L) and John Q. Porter |
Hector Montenegro (above left
at a January 2008 TASA MidWinter
reception in his honor between gigs
as Ysleta and Arlington supe), has
landed in San Diego, California as
area superintendent of SDUSD High
School District 3; he is a native of Los
Angeles.
at a January 2008 TASA MidWinter
reception in his honor between gigs
as Ysleta and Arlington supe), has
landed in San Diego, California as
area superintendent of SDUSD High
School District 3; he is a native of Los
Angeles.
When Randy Acevedo (R)
watched his wife Monique's (L)
arrest last year; he was still Key
West, Florida supe; she'd been his
district's director of adult education
until her resignation in March when
financial irregularities came to light;
he was subsequently also arrested.
She's at home awaiting her October
trial; he's been doing some IT work
and/or perhaps working at Sears.--
and awaiting word on his appeal.
watched his wife Monique's (L)
arrest last year; he was still Key
West, Florida supe; she'd been his
district's director of adult education
until her resignation in March when
financial irregularities came to light;
he was subsequently also arrested.
She's at home awaiting her October
trial; he's been doing some IT work
and/or perhaps working at Sears.--
and awaiting word on his appeal.
Grab your Ottoman (Empire):
Time to talk Turkey about
Turkey in our public schools
Time to talk Turkey about
Turkey in our public schools
And what's their relationship to
exiled Turkish imam Fethullah
Gulen, now living in Pennsylvania?
exiled Turkish imam Fethullah
Gulen, now living in Pennsylvania?
| Fethullah Gulen |
TOWARDS A MEANINGFUL
DIALOGUE ABOUT PUBLIC
EDUCATION
Q: Should school-related convicted
felons who are found guilty by a jury
and have permanently surrendered
their SBEC certificates "in lieu of
displinary proceedings" be allowed
to work in public schools again in
situations involving money?
By Peyton Wolcott
Updated Tuesday, June 15, 2010 / 9:19 a.m.
DIALOGUE ABOUT PUBLIC
EDUCATION
Q: Should school-related convicted
felons who are found guilty by a jury
and have permanently surrendered
their SBEC certificates "in lieu of
displinary proceedings" be allowed
to work in public schools again in
situations involving money?
By Peyton Wolcott
Updated Tuesday, June 15, 2010 / 9:19 a.m.
| SBEC Voluntary Surrender: "A voluntary surrender of a certificate occurs as a result of an educator's voluntary relinquishment of a certificate, in lieu of disciplinary proceedings, and renders that certificate permanently invalid." |
America's a generous place where
folks get all kinds of second, third,
extra chances to do better; it's also a
place where we love enterprise and
business. Given this, where -- at
what exact point -- do we say "No" to
our lawbreakers who have through
their actions cost us a great deal?
Is it where public and not private
salaries and other monies are
involved? More here.
folks get all kinds of second, third,
extra chances to do better; it's also a
place where we love enterprise and
business. Given this, where -- at
what exact point -- do we say "No" to
our lawbreakers who have through
their actions cost us a great deal?
Is it where public and not private
salaries and other monies are
involved? More here.
Delaware school embezzler
Bill Hitch makes the case for
posting payroll checks online.
Bill Hitch makes the case for
posting payroll checks online.
| (Posted 06.15.10) |
| (Posted 06.18.10) |
| William "Bill" Hitch, Jr. |
PRACTICAL FALLOUT: Has
the community noticed? In last
month's school board election,
voters rejected incumbent Jerry
White's campaign for reelection in
favor of newcomer Brent Nichols,
242-166. And back in March,
despite the usual heavy-handed
tactics including "Vote Yes" school
marquees, pro-referendum
materials sent home with kids, etc.
the district's construction bid was
soundly rejected by taxpayers.
Local citizens offer money-saving
suggestions to the district here.
the community noticed? In last
month's school board election,
voters rejected incumbent Jerry
White's campaign for reelection in
favor of newcomer Brent Nichols,
242-166. And back in March,
despite the usual heavy-handed
tactics including "Vote Yes" school
marquees, pro-referendum
materials sent home with kids, etc.
the district's construction bid was
soundly rejected by taxpayers.
Local citizens offer money-saving
suggestions to the district here.
Q: Should someone whose
educator certificate looks
like this -- who was tried by
the Texas Attorney General
and found guilty by a jury of
his peers -- be working in
Texas public schools again?
educator certificate looks
like this -- who was tried by
the Texas Attorney General
and found guilty by a jury of
his peers -- be working in
Texas public schools again?
THE FAILURE OF GLOBALIZATION
Is BP to US oil, tourism & fisheries what IB is
to US public education?
By Peyton Wolcott / Updated Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 1:45 a.m.
Is BP to US oil, tourism & fisheries what IB is
to US public education?
By Peyton Wolcott / Updated Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 1:45 a.m.
| BP executive Tony Hayward (center, seated) watches yacht race back home in UK |
| Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Beard on balcony of one of three domiciles around the world (US, UK & Switzerland) |
| President Obama & VP Biden playing golf at the White House (WH PHOTO--Pete Souza) |
| Public charity IB execs: Self-serving or serving others? Jeff Beard, IB's director general, is quoted on his IB page as saying that his $440K annual IB compensation is his opportunity to "give something back." (That's Jeff above left with Mrs. Beard on the balcony of one of the three places they hang their hats in the US, the UK and Switzerland.) Look like giving back to you? |
We define ourselves by our choices. Rather than rolling up his shirt sleeves and
sweating in the sweltering Gulf Coast heat alongside Americans trying to save their
homes and livelihoods over the weekend, BP exec Tony Hayward instead turned
up the collar on his jacket, donned a Rolls Royce cap, and settled back in a chair
on the deck of a yacht to watch fellow yachtsmen chase each other around the
pristine waters of the Isle of Wight back home inthe UK; his boss Carl-Henric
Svanberg was also a spill no-show, likewise opting to stay in the UK. Whether or
not Tony has really been demoted from his executive perch or even whether his
replacement-or-not Bobby Dudley-- so long gone from his Hattiesburg roots his
Southern accent appears to have disappeared -- worked* through the weekend, at
best we now have a US generic wonk replacing a UK generic wonk. Meanwhile,
BP appears to be taking a slow-boat-to-China approach to the numerous possible
cures for their mess.
sweating in the sweltering Gulf Coast heat alongside Americans trying to save their
homes and livelihoods over the weekend, BP exec Tony Hayward instead turned
up the collar on his jacket, donned a Rolls Royce cap, and settled back in a chair
on the deck of a yacht to watch fellow yachtsmen chase each other around the
pristine waters of the Isle of Wight back home inthe UK; his boss Carl-Henric
Svanberg was also a spill no-show, likewise opting to stay in the UK. Whether or
not Tony has really been demoted from his executive perch or even whether his
replacement-or-not Bobby Dudley-- so long gone from his Hattiesburg roots his
Southern accent appears to have disappeared -- worked* through the weekend, at
best we now have a US generic wonk replacing a UK generic wonk. Meanwhile,
BP appears to be taking a slow-boat-to-China approach to the numerous possible
cures for their mess.
Regarding BP's PR approach, might they be taking their cue from
Messrs. Obama and Biden, who the day before, rather than rolling
up their shirt sleeves and at least performed some small action --
however symbolic -- somewhere along the Gulf Coast to help
residents, instead goofed off and played golf for five hours at
taxpayer expense.
Messrs. Obama and Biden, who the day before, rather than rolling
up their shirt sleeves and at least performed some small action --
however symbolic -- somewhere along the Gulf Coast to help
residents, instead goofed off and played golf for five hours at
taxpayer expense.
| HAVE YOU SEEN THE JAMES CARVILLE-QUOTING RESPONSE FROM REPUBLICANS? If you're at work, turn down your speakers. |
Which brings to mind International Baccalaurate. For several weeks now I've been asking IB about the
compensation they're giving to their top executives -- and have yet to receive anything in writing other than
directions to call their European PR people, even though IB has long maintained a pricey -- given their "public
charity" IRS standing -- New York office complete with paid PR flak. (How hard can it be to reply to an email?)
compensation they're giving to their top executives -- and have yet to receive anything in writing other than
directions to call their European PR people, even though IB has long maintained a pricey -- given their "public
charity" IRS standing -- New York office complete with paid PR flak. (How hard can it be to reply to an email?)
US Gulf Coast. Hard to
put yourself in someone
else's shoes when you're
walking different beaches
put yourself in someone
else's shoes when you're
walking different beaches
IDEALS--OR DEALS?
Have you noticed that the same folks promoting Race to the Top
& Common Core Standards are also feeding at the public trough?
By Peyton Wolcott
Updated Friday, Jul 2, 2010 / 7:21 a.m.
Have you noticed that the same folks promoting Race to the Top
& Common Core Standards are also feeding at the public trough?
By Peyton Wolcott
Updated Friday, Jul 2, 2010 / 7:21 a.m.
| Second round Race to the Top applications range from Alabama's (above) complete with a photo of the state supe walking hand in hand across a bridge with among others none other than US DE secretary Arne Duncan to plainer efforts (at right) from Colorado, Florida, Tennessee and Georgia. |
| NGA Center for Best Practices Mission Statement: "Through the staff of the Center, governors and their policy advisors can quickly learn about what works, what doesn't, and what lessons can be learned from other governors grappling with the same problems; obtain assistance in designing and implementing new programs or in making current programs more effective; and receive up-to-date, comprehensive information about what is happening in other state capitals and in Washington, D.C., so governors are better prepared to react to emerging issues." |
Although neither is without their own resources (below left), the more important CCSSO/NGA function is
their strategic placement in the complex pyramid scheme that public education has come to represent, an
endless succession of Soviet-style five-year plans complete with unproven silver bullets, payoff always in
the far distant never-to-be-realized future. How? By lobbying with our tax dollars -- for more tax dollars:
their strategic placement in the complex pyramid scheme that public education has come to represent, an
endless succession of Soviet-style five-year plans complete with unproven silver bullets, payoff always in
the far distant never-to-be-realized future. How? By lobbying with our tax dollars -- for more tax dollars:
| CCSSO & NGA PUBLIC CHARITY IRS STATUS CCSSO Assets: $ 18 million Income (2007): $ 29 million Top dog pay: $ 294 K NGA Assets: $ 29 million Income (2007): $ 18 million Top dog pay: $ 225 K |
| Top dogs: Gene Wilhoit/ CCSS (left) & John Thomasian/NGA |
Messrs. Thomasian (below left) and Wilhoit testifying:
| ABOVE, AND BELOW RIGHT: SCREENSHOTS OF 5 STATES' RTTT APPLICATIONS ( PHASE 2, PAGE 1) |
| SAY BYE-BYE TO YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD.... The US gov't wants to run your local school district From 13,900 local school districts to 70: Former IBM chair (& big man on education reform) Lou Gerstner laid it all out for us in his Dec. 2008 Wall Street Journal op-ed; more here, at far right. |
When there are big questions involving
money and political power and
decision-making, following the money is
generally helpful. As one good recent
example . How'd we get that big oil spill in
the Gulf of Mexico? Follow the money.
BP gave lots of cash to Mr. Obama's
presidential campaign and BP got some
sweetheart deals. In other words, "crony
capitalism."
money and political power and
decision-making, following the money is
generally helpful. As one good recent
example . How'd we get that big oil spill in
the Gulf of Mexico? Follow the money.
BP gave lots of cash to Mr. Obama's
presidential campaign and BP got some
sweetheart deals. In other words, "crony
capitalism."
| CCSSO & NGA The two engines driving adoption of the Common Core Standards are the benign-sounding Council of Chief State School Officers and the National Governors Association. While at first glance they may sound like just another excuse for officials to get together at ritzy resorts and play golf with vendors and lobbyists at taxpayer expense, both organizations represent strategically positioned -- talk about timing! -- public charities (yes, that's their official IRS standing). |
- Faya considered Rose M. Gaines her "slave" name, hence the change.
- Faya's husband is long-time Alabama Democrat powerhouse, state
senator Hank Sanders (that's him above at far right, in the blue shirt).
FAYA ROSE
SANDERS
Born Rose M. Gaines
on May 20, 1945, in
Salisbury, NC; married
Alabama State Sen.
Henry Sanders, 1970;
changed name to Faya
Ora Rose Touré, c.
2003; children: Malika,
Kindaka, Ainka; four
foster children
Education: Johnson C.
Smith University, BA,
political science and
economics, 1966;
Harvard Law School,
JD, law, 1969;
University of Ibadan
[Nigeria], Study
Internship, 1970.
Memberships: Alabama
New South Coalition;
Coalition of Alabamians
Reforming Education;
National Bar
Association; National
Conference of Black
Lawyers of Alabama;
Legal Defense Fund.
Career: Herbert Smith
Fellowship, fellow,
1969-70; Legal
Services Corporation,
Huntsville, AL,
attorney, 1971-72;
Chestnut, Sanders,
Sanders, Pettaway &
Campbell, LLC, Selma,
AL, attorney, 1972-;
City of Uniontown,
Uniontown, AL,
municipal judge,
1973-77; U. S.
Department of
Agriculture,
Washington, D. C.,
attorney, 1982.
(SOURCE--Answers.com)
SANDERS
Born Rose M. Gaines
on May 20, 1945, in
Salisbury, NC; married
Alabama State Sen.
Henry Sanders, 1970;
changed name to Faya
Ora Rose Touré, c.
2003; children: Malika,
Kindaka, Ainka; four
foster children
Education: Johnson C.
Smith University, BA,
political science and
economics, 1966;
Harvard Law School,
JD, law, 1969;
University of Ibadan
[Nigeria], Study
Internship, 1970.
Memberships: Alabama
New South Coalition;
Coalition of Alabamians
Reforming Education;
National Bar
Association; National
Conference of Black
Lawyers of Alabama;
Legal Defense Fund.
Career: Herbert Smith
Fellowship, fellow,
1969-70; Legal
Services Corporation,
Huntsville, AL,
attorney, 1971-72;
Chestnut, Sanders,
Sanders, Pettaway &
Campbell, LLC, Selma,
AL, attorney, 1972-;
City of Uniontown,
Uniontown, AL,
municipal judge,
1973-77; U. S.
Department of
Agriculture,
Washington, D. C.,
attorney, 1982.
(SOURCE--Answers.com)
| Q: Guess where Mr. & Mrs. Hank Sanders are celebrating July 4th, 2010: DC? Alabama? A: Egypt. |
Regarding Faya's working life, it's an assortment of 501s and
outright government jobs, many with family ties such as the law firm
where she works with her husband whose chief income appears to
have been mostly from taxpayer-funded payouts in class action law-
suits. There's a family tie to the McRae Learning Center, a day care
operation owned by her mother in Selma whose IRS 990 forms (it's a
501 public charity corporation) are not on file at Guidestar; what's that
about? We can't leave Faya without mentioning the National Voting
Rights Museum she founded in Selma: $129,765 for unnamed consul-
tants during 2008 but no salary information for paid employees;
contributions the prior year: $540584; a personal welcome from Faya
here. Oh, these are interesting, community comments speculating
on her resignation last December from the museum:
outright government jobs, many with family ties such as the law firm
where she works with her husband whose chief income appears to
have been mostly from taxpayer-funded payouts in class action law-
suits. There's a family tie to the McRae Learning Center, a day care
operation owned by her mother in Selma whose IRS 990 forms (it's a
501 public charity corporation) are not on file at Guidestar; what's that
about? We can't leave Faya without mentioning the National Voting
Rights Museum she founded in Selma: $129,765 for unnamed consul-
tants during 2008 but no salary information for paid employees;
contributions the prior year: $540584; a personal welcome from Faya
here. Oh, these are interesting, community comments speculating
on her resignation last December from the museum:
NOTABLE QUOTE: "Honk for Healthcare!" (Mrs. Sanders at the
Selma bridge shouting to motorists.) Thank you, Mr. President!
Selma bridge shouting to motorists.) Thank you, Mr. President!
| Artur gives the Museum $450,000 and Rose conveniently resigns as President of the dump. She fulfilled her mission of getting some money on the backburner then jumps ship. I guess all the allegations were starting to hit too close for comfort.......Tick Tock, Tick Tock. The FBI is on the clock.....I agree with eye on you, how convenient of Rose to resign as soon as the museum received $450,000. I guess she had to line her pockets one last time. |
ARNE DUNCAN
Early years and personal
Duncan was raised in Hyde
Park, a Chicago
neighborhood
encompassing the
University of Chicago. His
father Starkey Duncan was
a psychology professor at
the university and his
mother Susan Morton runs
the Sue Duncan Children's
Center, an after-school
program primarily serving
African-American youth in
the nearby Kenwood
neighborhood. While
growing up, Duncan spent
much of his free time at his
mother's center tutoring or
playing with students there.
Some of his childhood
friends were John W.
Rogers, Jr., CEO of Ariel
Capital Management (now
Ariel Investments) and
founder of the Ariel
Community Academy,
Illinois State Senator
Kwame Raoul, actor
Michael Clarke Duncan,
singer R. Kelly and
award-wining martial artist
Michelle Gordon.
Duncan attended the
University of Chicago
Laboratory Schools[1] and
later Harvard University,
where he graduated magna
cum laude in 1987 with a
bachelors degree in
sociology. His senior thesis,
for which he took a year's
leave to do research in
Kenwood, in inner-city
Chicago, was entitled The
values, aspirations and
opportunities of the urban
underclass.[2]
While at Harvard, Duncan
co-captained the varsity
basketball team and was
named a first team
Academic
All-American.[1][3] From
1987 to 1991, Duncan
played professional
basketball, mostly in
Australia, with teams
including Melbourne's
Eastside Spectres, of
Australia's National
Basketball League.[4]
While in Australia Duncan
met his future wife, now
Karen Luann Duncan.[5]
They live in Arlington,
Virginia, and have a
daughter and son who
attend elementary school
there.[6]
(SOURCE--Answers.com)
Early years and personal
Duncan was raised in Hyde
Park, a Chicago
neighborhood
encompassing the
University of Chicago. His
father Starkey Duncan was
a psychology professor at
the university and his
mother Susan Morton runs
the Sue Duncan Children's
Center, an after-school
program primarily serving
African-American youth in
the nearby Kenwood
neighborhood. While
growing up, Duncan spent
much of his free time at his
mother's center tutoring or
playing with students there.
Some of his childhood
friends were John W.
Rogers, Jr., CEO of Ariel
Capital Management (now
Ariel Investments) and
founder of the Ariel
Community Academy,
Illinois State Senator
Kwame Raoul, actor
Michael Clarke Duncan,
singer R. Kelly and
award-wining martial artist
Michelle Gordon.
Duncan attended the
University of Chicago
Laboratory Schools[1] and
later Harvard University,
where he graduated magna
cum laude in 1987 with a
bachelors degree in
sociology. His senior thesis,
for which he took a year's
leave to do research in
Kenwood, in inner-city
Chicago, was entitled The
values, aspirations and
opportunities of the urban
underclass.[2]
While at Harvard, Duncan
co-captained the varsity
basketball team and was
named a first team
Academic
All-American.[1][3] From
1987 to 1991, Duncan
played professional
basketball, mostly in
Australia, with teams
including Melbourne's
Eastside Spectres, of
Australia's National
Basketball League.[4]
While in Australia Duncan
met his future wife, now
Karen Luann Duncan.[5]
They live in Arlington,
Virginia, and have a
daughter and son who
attend elementary school
there.[6]
(SOURCE--Answers.com)
VIVIAN FIGURES
Figures graduated
from Williamson High
School in Mobile, and
received her bachelor
of science degree in
Management Science
from the University of
New Haven in
Connecticut. She put
herself through college
by working at Yale
University, and in a
family owned grocery.
She was attending
Jones School of Law in
Montgomery when her
husband's death
forced her to
discontinue her legal
education.[2] Figures
has three sons. Her
youngest, Jelani, is on
a basketball
scholarship at
Morehouse College.[3]
His brother, Shomari,
is a law student at the
University of
Alabama.[2] Figures's
oldest son, Akil, is
serving a term in a
federal penitentiary on
drug charges. At her
son's sentencing,
Figures stated, "I also
pray that other children
and other families will
learn from our
experience."[4]
Figures is
President/CEO of
Figures Legacy
Education Foundation
and serves on the
Board of Directors of
the Mobile Area
Education Foundation.
She is a past at-large
member of the
Democratic National
Committee. She was
initiated in the Delta
Theta Omega Chapter
of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority, Inc. in 2002.[1]
Before her service in
the Alabama Senate,
Figures was a
member of the Mobile
City Council.
(SOURCE--Wikipedia)
Figures graduated
from Williamson High
School in Mobile, and
received her bachelor
of science degree in
Management Science
from the University of
New Haven in
Connecticut. She put
herself through college
by working at Yale
University, and in a
family owned grocery.
She was attending
Jones School of Law in
Montgomery when her
husband's death
forced her to
discontinue her legal
education.[2] Figures
has three sons. Her
youngest, Jelani, is on
a basketball
scholarship at
Morehouse College.[3]
His brother, Shomari,
is a law student at the
University of
Alabama.[2] Figures's
oldest son, Akil, is
serving a term in a
federal penitentiary on
drug charges. At her
son's sentencing,
Figures stated, "I also
pray that other children
and other families will
learn from our
experience."[4]
Figures is
President/CEO of
Figures Legacy
Education Foundation
and serves on the
Board of Directors of
the Mobile Area
Education Foundation.
She is a past at-large
member of the
Democratic National
Committee. She was
initiated in the Delta
Theta Omega Chapter
of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority, Inc. in 2002.[1]
Before her service in
the Alabama Senate,
Figures was a
member of the Mobile
City Council.
(SOURCE--Wikipedia)
JOE MORTON
Dr. Morton was
previously Superintendent
of Education of
Sylacauga City Schools
and of Sumter County
Schools. Dr. Morton has a
B.S. degree from Auburn
University and M.S. and
Ph.D. degrees from The
University of Alabama.
He was selected by the
Alabama State Board of
Education to be the State
Superintendent of
Education on July 13,
2004. Prior to the
appointment as State
Superintendent of
Education, Dr. Morton
served for eight years as
Deputy State
Superintendent of
Education.
As Deputy and State
Superintendent of
Education Dr. Morton has
guided the creation and
implementation of the
Alabama Reading
Initiative; the Alabama
Math, Science, and
Technology Initiative; the
Alabama Connecting
Classrooms, Educators,
and Students Statewide
(Distance Education)
Initiative; and FIRST
CHOICE (a new
graduation plan for
Alabama’s students).
While serving as State
Superintendent of
Education, Alabama has
shown significant
academic gains in reading
and math assessment
scores and has been
judged a national leader in
training future teachers
and principals. Alabama is
considered a national
leader in student nutrition
and student exercise
initiatives. In 2008 Dr.
Morton was given the
“State Policymaker
Award” by the State
Educational Technology
Directors Association
(SETDA).
Dr. Morton can be
reached via e-mail at
jmorton@alsde.edu.
(SOURCE--ALSDE)
Dr. Morton was
previously Superintendent
of Education of
Sylacauga City Schools
and of Sumter County
Schools. Dr. Morton has a
B.S. degree from Auburn
University and M.S. and
Ph.D. degrees from The
University of Alabama.
He was selected by the
Alabama State Board of
Education to be the State
Superintendent of
Education on July 13,
2004. Prior to the
appointment as State
Superintendent of
Education, Dr. Morton
served for eight years as
Deputy State
Superintendent of
Education.
As Deputy and State
Superintendent of
Education Dr. Morton has
guided the creation and
implementation of the
Alabama Reading
Initiative; the Alabama
Math, Science, and
Technology Initiative; the
Alabama Connecting
Classrooms, Educators,
and Students Statewide
(Distance Education)
Initiative; and FIRST
CHOICE (a new
graduation plan for
Alabama’s students).
While serving as State
Superintendent of
Education, Alabama has
shown significant
academic gains in reading
and math assessment
scores and has been
judged a national leader in
training future teachers
and principals. Alabama is
considered a national
leader in student nutrition
and student exercise
initiatives. In 2008 Dr.
Morton was given the
“State Policymaker
Award” by the State
Educational Technology
Directors Association
(SETDA).
Dr. Morton can be
reached via e-mail at
jmorton@alsde.edu.
(SOURCE--ALSDE)
F.D. REESE
HANK SANDERS
Liberal Democrat? Yes. Obama supporter? Yes. Any visible signs
of non-government-related business or corporate experience? No.
of non-government-related business or corporate experience? No.
Liberal Democrat? Yes. Obama supporter? Yes.
Any visible signs of non-governmental business/
corporate experience? No. The
former NBA basketball star
turned pro, played in Australia,
returned home to Chicago
where he wound up running the
city's schools and playing
pickup basketball with a future
Illinois senator then moved to
DC as Secretary of Education --
where he oversees a federal
function that's unconstitutional,
the legacy of one-term president Jimmy Carter.
Any visible signs of non-governmental business/
corporate experience? No. The
former NBA basketball star
turned pro, played in Australia,
returned home to Chicago
where he wound up running the
city's schools and playing
pickup basketball with a future
Illinois senator then moved to
DC as Secretary of Education --
where he oversees a federal
function that's unconstitutional,
the legacy of one-term president Jimmy Carter.
| 3 |
Liberal Democrat? Yes. Obama supporter? Yes. Any visible signs
of non-government-related business or corporate experience? No.
of non-government-related business or corporate experience? No.
| Arne Duncan (L), Mr. Obama (PHOTO--White House) |
NOTABLE QUOTE: "We need people in these leadership positions
who is [sic] going to promote that love and that togetherness."
who is [sic] going to promote that love and that togetherness."
Liberal Democrat? Yes. Obama supporter? Yes. Any visible signs
of non-government-related business or corporate experience? No.
of non-government-related business or corporate experience? No.
| 4 |
Vivian, who occupies her late husband Michael Figure's state senate
seat, is employed as president & CEO of the Figures Legacy
Education Foundation, a 501(c) public charity:
seat, is employed as president & CEO of the Figures Legacy
Education Foundation, a 501(c) public charity:
Judge Faya Rose Toure
aka Rose M. Gaines aka Mrs. (AL senator) Hank Sanders
aka Rose M. Gaines aka Mrs. (AL senator) Hank Sanders
| 1 |
US EDUCATION
SECRETARY ARNE DUNCAN
SECRETARY ARNE DUNCAN
| 2 |
ALABAMA STATE
SENATOR VIVIAN FIGURES
SENATOR VIVIAN FIGURES
ALABAMA SUPERINTEN-
DENT OF EDUCATION JOSEPH B. MORTON
DENT OF EDUCATION JOSEPH B. MORTON
Chestnut,
Sanders,
Sanders,
Pettaway &
Campbell, LLC
One Union Street
Selma, AL 36702
(334)875-9264
(334)875-9375
Sanders,
Sanders,
Pettaway &
Campbell, LLC
One Union Street
Selma, AL 36702
(334)875-9264
(334)875-9375
- 2008 IRS 990: FLEF gross receipts $28,009; FLEF activity:
1 leadership experience camp; FLEF salary Vivian Figures paid
herself for 20 hours / week: $18,839; - 2007 IRS 990: FLEF gross receipts $54,412; FLEF activity:
2 leadership experience camps; FLEF salary Vivian Figures
paid herself for 20 hours / week: $21,530. - 2006 IRS 990: FLEF gross receipts $88,836; FLEF activity:
3 leadership experience camps (cost: $7,339); FLEF salary
Vivian Figures paid herself for 20 hours / week: $40,369.
REV. F. D. REESE
PASTOR, EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH (SELMA)
PASTOR, EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH (SELMA)
| 5 |
| 6 |
ALABAMA STATE
SENATOR HANK SANDERS
SENATOR HANK SANDERS
In January 1965, Frederick Douglas Reese was working as a
schoolteacher in Selma; he was also president of the Selma City
Teachers' Association. In that capacity, he led the led the first march
of fellow teachers to the county courthouse to protest the lack of
voting rights for African Americans. Watch his accounting of that
day on video here. Two months later Reese again participated in
another civil rights march, known now as Bloody Sunday; video here.
schoolteacher in Selma; he was also president of the Selma City
Teachers' Association. In that capacity, he led the led the first march
of fellow teachers to the county courthouse to protest the lack of
voting rights for African Americans. Watch his accounting of that
day on video here. Two months later Reese again participated in
another civil rights march, known now as Bloody Sunday; video here.
| F.D. Reese at far right with Martin Luther King on Bloody Sunday; story behind the white Hawaiian leis here. |
F.D. Reese Christian Academy, a 501(c) public charity in Kokomo,
Indiana, made a pilgrimage to significant civil rights locales earlier
this year; there are no IRS 990 returns on file here. In addition to
serving as pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Selma, Reese is
also associated with the "FRIENDS OF THE SELMA TO
MONTOGOMRY [sic] NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL, a third
501(c) with no IRS 990 returns on file here.
This past March Republican Mike Pence traveled from Indiana to
walk the Selma bridge with FD and others; Mike's account here.
Indiana, made a pilgrimage to significant civil rights locales earlier
this year; there are no IRS 990 returns on file here. In addition to
serving as pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Selma, Reese is
also associated with the "FRIENDS OF THE SELMA TO
MONTOGOMRY [sic] NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL, a third
501(c) with no IRS 990 returns on file here.
This past March Republican Mike Pence traveled from Indiana to
walk the Selma bridge with FD and others; Mike's account here.
| FDRCA students traveled from Indiana to visit MLK's church in Montgomery, Alabama |
Liberal Democrat? Yes. Obama supporter? Yes. Any visible signs
of non-government-related business or corporate experience? No.
of non-government-related business or corporate experience? No.
NOTABLE QUOTES ABOUT DR. REESE: Here.
MRS. JOE MORTON
After 30 years in the Sylacauga public schools
(where her husband Joe was superintendent)
Margaret Morton now collects a salary from a
501(c) public charity business, Sylacauga
Alliance for Family Enhancement, Inc.; SAFE's
stated mission is "to provide family support
and resources for the enhancement of the
family units and individuals in Sylacauga."
Margaret didn't disclose her salary on SAFE's
2007 IRS 990 form here. (look for Margaret
"Morten" on the "over $50,000" section on
page 10.) Margaret's corporation's annual
gross receipts are in the $1.5 million range, a
third of which were unrestricted as to how
they were spent; no details to IRS as to how
much including federal dollars ALSDE/Joe
directs to SAFE.
After 30 years in the Sylacauga public schools
(where her husband Joe was superintendent)
Margaret Morton now collects a salary from a
501(c) public charity business, Sylacauga
Alliance for Family Enhancement, Inc.; SAFE's
stated mission is "to provide family support
and resources for the enhancement of the
family units and individuals in Sylacauga."
Margaret didn't disclose her salary on SAFE's
2007 IRS 990 form here. (look for Margaret
"Morten" on the "over $50,000" section on
page 10.) Margaret's corporation's annual
gross receipts are in the $1.5 million range, a
third of which were unrestricted as to how
they were spent; no details to IRS as to how
much including federal dollars ALSDE/Joe
directs to SAFE.
In the above clip, Joe
Morton testifies before a
US Senate committee,
seeking $23 billion for
education on behalf of the
Council of Chief State
School Officers -- a prime
driver of RTTT / CCS --
and the State of Alabama.
Joe left his prior post in
the mid-1990s as
Sylacauga school (and
county) superintendent
and took at job at the state
department of education
where he was eventually
voted by the state board
of education to the top
post as state
superintendent in 2004.
(Please scroll down to bio.)
Morton testifies before a
US Senate committee,
seeking $23 billion for
education on behalf of the
Council of Chief State
School Officers -- a prime
driver of RTTT / CCS --
and the State of Alabama.
Joe left his prior post in
the mid-1990s as
Sylacauga school (and
county) superintendent
and took at job at the state
department of education
where he was eventually
voted by the state board
of education to the top
post as state
superintendent in 2004.
(Please scroll down to bio.)
NOTABLE QUOTE PUBLISHED BY JOE'S EMPLOYER, THE
ALABAMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: "The
First Tee in Sylacauga is an excellent example of community
partnerships fostered by the Sylacauga Alliance for Family
Enhancement (SAFE), local school systems, local governments,
and local businesses and industries." (More about First Tee on page 9 here)
ALABAMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: "The
First Tee in Sylacauga is an excellent example of community
partnerships fostered by the Sylacauga Alliance for Family
Enhancement (SAFE), local school systems, local governments,
and local businesses and industries." (More about First Tee on page 9 here)
Developing . . . . |
| 7 |
RTTT/CCS PLAYERS
NOT WALKING ACROSS SELMA BRIDGE
NOT WALKING ACROSS SELMA BRIDGE
| 10 FACTS CONSERVATIVES NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RACE TO THE TOP AND THE COMMON CORE STANDARDS By Peyton Wolcott Friday, July 2, 2010 / 1:54 a.m. Someone in another state asked a very good question late last night: "Why aren't conservatives up in arms about the feds' nationalization of our schools like they were health care?" 1. People act according to their economic interests. Health care directly affects most Americans in their wallets, public schools not so much (or so they think). 2. When public education went downhill with the introduction of subjective curriculums such as fuzzy math in the late 1980s, many conservatives turned their backs on public schools and put their kids in private. About this same time conservative think tanks began focusing on school choice/vouchers. 3. Speaking of conservative think tanks, indulge me for a Miss Marple moment. Remember her, the Agatha Christie character? Something would happen and she'd tell a little story about a similar incident back home in St. Mary Mead? Well, there's a wonderful Japanese haiku, "I asked directions of a man pulling radishes and he pointed the way with a radish.” By their very definition think tanks are cerebral; they're not do- ers and were never intended to be. They can present you with facts and data, like a train schedule, but they can't actually get you anywhere, including to St. Mary Mead for radishes. 4. The simple presentation of facts is never enough in and of itself to get anyone moving. Oomph is needed. The politically savvy conservatives who should be driving this train sold out some time ago to the education lobby. This small group includes Karl Rove who gave us Pearson lobbyist Sandy Kress, NCLB and the notion back in the 1990s that assessments would save public education. Newt Gingrich aligned with Arne Duncan and Al Sharpton last year on behalf of Obama- educare. New Jersey's Gov. Christie looked promising -- until endorsing RTTT/CCS. Sarah Palin may or may not be a resource but she seems to have other fish to fry, as does Michele Bachmann. 5. Where's the conservative media? Rush doesn’t have kids and the others send theirs to private. 6. Conservatives are used to bringing in experts to solve problems. Unfortunately with public ed the experts conservatives brought in had economic ties to the problem or the solution or both. 7. How the 1773 Tea Party differed from our modern Tea Party movement: When colonists were directly affected in their wallets by the Tea Tax, a few courageous souls boarded a ship and dumped tea overboard. Today's Tea Partyists took no equivalent direct meaningful action and health care passed. 8. Remember how magic works? The magician does something snazzy with his right hand to keep our attention deflected from the swift moves he's making with his left. While the feds have been keeping conservatives busy talking about national standards and assessments the larger issues are the student data elements and which technology companies and consortia are going to get to sell and fondle and service the database. 9. For those who turned their back on public education and sent their own kids to private, better start paying attention to public schools. Your kids are going to grow up in a world dominated by public school graduates; if you don't think this matters, look at the 2008 presidential election in which the post-NCTM standards students who can't tell you what 8 times 7 is without a calculator voted as they’d been taught to, based on feelings rather than facts. 10. All is not lost. Sure, we’re in a David and Goliath situation, but remember who won. Coming next: Gather ye rosebuds, radishes -- and five smooth stones. |
Here's one white board
moment we'd love to see:
moment we'd love to see:
| In September 2009 Richard Rogers (left) of the South Marengo County Fire & Rescue Squad accepted a check for funds directed to his department by Hank Sanders; the money was to be used to update their communications with the E911 system and other agencies across the county. |