In the 19th Century the Newspaper was your only source of news. Many towns had more than one, with names like the Barbour County Democrat, The Oakland Republican, etc. These names were not picked haphazardly, they reflected the views of the newspaper. You bought your newspaper based on its political views. That was how the media ran in the 19th Century.
Through the 20th Century that open bias went underground and was thinly veiled claim of journalistic impartiality. Although if you looked close enough you could often find the bias poking its head through. The problem was the vast majority of the press shifted to the left.
Now at the beginning of the 21st Century it has come full circle and the 19th Century media has returned with a vengeance. MSNBC could very easily change its name to DNBC (Democrat National Broadcasting Corp), or CNN changes it to DNN (Democratic News Network) because that reflects the view point they provide. They complain constantly that Fox News is Republican Network. Well, they would be right. They are providing a different point of view and reaping the financial rewards.
Our nations political views are primarily center right. With the majority of the media hard left, they do not reflect the view point most Americans want to hear. If some one wants to challenge Fox News media dominance, then the way to do that is create a second right leaning network.
In the 21st Century if you're Right, the you watch Fox News, read the internet and listen to talk radio. If you're left then you watch Broadcast news, CNN or MSNBC and read major city newspapers. Now if we could only return a 19th Century sized Federal Government.
Friday, April 24, 2009
School Calendar Debate
To me the school calendar debate is somewhat overblown. Many have established an arbitrary number of 180 days as the gold standard. The weather and any other issues be darned, if students do not have the opportunity to endure 180 days of school, they have been somehow undeserved.
While debate has raged over the quantity of days spent in school, little discussion centers around the quality. Over consolidation and overcrowded classrooms affect the educational experience far more adversely than whether or not a school system has operated 180 days.
Let's be honest. Many days on the school calendar see both teachers and students less than motivated by the learning experience. Thirteen years of personal attendance, four years as a substitute, and sixteen combined years spent by my children in school tells me that any days spent during Thanksgiving week, any days during a week shortened by Christmas, and every day in June is nearly pointless. These are opportunities to show The Princess Bride or the movie about the Red Rider BB gun shooting a kid's eye out again.
It's not that I am complaining about these diversions for school kids, but we are fooling ourselves if we think that each one of those 180 days will be chock full of instructional time. And should they be? College students pack the same amount of learning into many fewer days.
It's time to debate the sizes of schools and classrooms, not the number of days. Shrink the size of schools and classes overall and you will achieve better results in 150 days of class time than you are now.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
So the Terrorists Won After All
Just after 9/11, it was bandied about that if we allowed substantial changes to our national character as a result of crisis, it meant the terrorists were winning. Who ever would have thought we'd see the following:
The government is no longer our obedient servant. Now General Motors is the government's obedient servant.
Those who interpreted the law so that we could compete on the front lines of terrorism now possibly face worse treatment than all but one of the Confederate States of America military and political officials who actually took arms against the United States. They do not get a thank you for preventing additional attacks, they get threatened with prosecution.
Law abiding gun owners are told that the freedoms they believe in somehow give Mexican drug lords 90% of their guns. I am not sure how they got all those Russian, Chinese, and Czech arms from American dealers.
We'd rather form government labor battalions than reduce taxes so that employers can hire more people.
The British head of government and head of state are treated with crass disrespect while anti-American dictators get the "best buddy" treatment.
We regard captured terrorists as civilians and returning solider-heroes as terrorists.
Republicans are, for the most part, also mostly terrorists for standing behind our Founding ideals.
This is a government that plays hardball with corporations, but swoons with affection towards the brutal Hugo Chavez. The world is turned upside down. A few years ago we were prosperous and strong, now we mollycoddle enemies and trample the free market.
Two years cannot go past soon enough. We need to get our America back.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Either Naivete, Stupidity, Or A Serious Lack of Concern
In 1959 a newspaper photo was sent over the wires that reaffirmed in the strongest possible way the support of the United States of America for democracy as well as its opposition to oppression and tyranny. Vice President Richard Nixon responded to a debate challenge by Nikita Kruschev with characteristic aggressiveness. The pugnacious Nixon stands with index finger extended into the chest of a suddenly bemused Soviet premier.
Other presidents, such as Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, were credited for boosting the spirits of those fighting tyranny in their own countries. Reagan's challenges reverberated secretly through the gulags while Tibetan freedom protesters in recent years cited American support as a strong source of motivation. You never forgot our position on dictatorship and democracy during these presidencies.
That is what makes Obama's familiarity with Chavez so chilling and foolish at the same time. He plays the picture of a handshake and the two men obviously enjoying each other's company as meaningless. Remember, this is the same person who (along with his wife) could not help but demonstrate contempt over and over for our real allies.
Obama in foreign affairs conducts himself like the stereotypical witless TV dad who has no real connection with the world around him, simply wants to get along with everyone, and try to look "cool" doing it.
Maybe he should stay home and let the adults handle "big boy" issues like America's daily shrinking credibility. Then again, he would just be tempted to foul up the banks and General Motors some more. Or maybe pass another tax on employers.
Does anyone else remember the days when the President of the United States was called "leader of the free world?"
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Count me as someone unconcerned that one of the 9/11 plotters was waterboarded over 180 times. Seems to me it was about 2,000 times too few. I have zero sympathy for this gentleman. The idea that terrorists will treat American or allied prisoners more harshly as a result is ludicrous. They beheaded Daniel Pearl. At least some of the victims of execution were not given clean cuts either. Does it get much more brutal than that? We need to remember who we are dealing with.
Every report on the number of waterboardings done to these people ought to be prefaced by a shot of the towers being hit and coming down.
Economic Recovery Funds in the Potomac Highlands
Emergency Food and Shelter Program
Agency: Other Category: Public Safety Amount: $3,179.00
IDEA Part B Preschool Allocation
Description: Special Education Agency: Department of Education
Category: Education Amount: $25,392.00
Title I Grants
Agency: Department of Education
Category: Education Amount: $306,498.00
IDEA Part B School Age Allocation
Agency: Department of Education
Category: Education Amount: $532,005.00
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Emergency Food and Shelter Program
Agency: Other
Category: Public Safety Amount: $3,680.00
IDEA Part B Preschool Allocation
Description: Special Education Agency: Department of Education
Category: Education Amount: $30,096.00
Title I Grants
Agency: Department of Education
Category: Education Amount: $258,284.00
IDEA Part B School Age Allocation
Agency: Department of Education
Category: Education Amount: $630,587.00
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Description: RESURFACING Agency: Department of Transportation
Category: Transportation Amount: $4,000,000.00
Emergency Food and Shelter Program
Agency: Other
Category: Public Safety Amount: $4,785.00
IDEA Part B Preschool Allocation
Description: Special Education Agency: Department of Education
Category: Education Amount: $48,628.00
IDEA Part B Preschool Allocation
Description: Special Education Agency: Department of Education
Category: Education Amount: $2,250.00
Title I Grants
Agency: Department of Education
Category: Education Amount: $639,553.00
IDEA Part B School Age Allocation
Agency: Department of Education
Category: Education Amount: $1,018,796.00
IDEA Part B School Age Allocation
Agency: Department of Education
Category: Education Amount: $47,118.00
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Mineral County
Mineral St
Description: RESURFACING Agency: Department of Transportation
Category: Transportation Amount: $1,131,000.00
Emergency Food and Shelter Program
Agency: Other
Category: Public Safety Amount: $6,953.00
IDEA Part B Preschool Allocation
Description: Special Education Agency: Department of Education
Category: Education Amount: $57,561.00
Title I Grants
Agency: Department of Education
Category: Education Amount: $729,237.00
IDEA Part B School Age Allocation
Agency:Department of Education
Category: Education Amount: $1,206,063.00
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Judy Gap Bridge
Description: BRIDGE LMC Agency: Department of Transportation
Category: Transportation Amount: $462,000.00
4-U Bridge
Description: BRIDGE C&P Agency: Department of Transportation
Category: Transportation Amount: $232,000.00
Deer Run Park
Description: BRIDGE REPLACE Agency: Department of Transportation
Category: Transportation Amount: $575,000.00
Rough Run
Description: BRIDGE REPLACE Agency: Department of Transportation
Category: Transportation Amount: $875,000.00
Smith Creek to Franklin Rd
Description: SLIDES Agency: Department of Transportation
Category: Transportation Amount: $1,000,000.00
IDEA Part B Preschool Allocation
Description: Special Education Agency: Department of Education
Category: Education Amount: $14,206.00
Title I Grants
Agency: Department of Education
Category: Education Amount: $119,618.00
IDEA Part B School Age Allocation
Agency: Department of Education
Category: Education Amount: $297,636.00
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
State Sponsored Sexual Assault Up For Debate in the Supreme Court
Imagine a teenage girl forced into a small room. There she is ordered to undress by force. Adults leer at her nude body, examining it closely. Then she is told to dress and go on her way.
This was not a kidnapping, this actually happened at a school! In America!
In Safford, Arizona several years ago Savana Redding, described as a "shy and nerdy" eighth grade honor student, was forced to undress by a vice principal. Did they suspect she was armed, about to kill a fellow student? No. Was she about to offer heroin to a classmate? No.
They suspected that she had contraband ibuprofen in her underwear. No, check that. Extra strength ibuprofen. Worse than anything else, the students knew what had happened to her. When her mother April protested, she was told that her daughter was lucky that nothing was found.
She was scarred for years, humiliated by the event. Redding feared going to the school. Who could blame her? An institution of the state basically raped her and neither she nor her parents could ever hope for justice against the perpetrator.
Fortunately, in one of the few good rulings you will ever see from here, the 9th Circuit stood up for Redding's civil liberties. If a strip search is not a violation of the right to be secure in your person, what isn't. Also in this day and time when improper contact between teachers and students is reported from somewhere almost daily, who wants to trust these people with this kind of power?
Were I in Arizona, I would tell my children to refuse any orders to remove clothing unless they could produce a warrant signed by a judge, as is required by the Constitution. If I found out that they had been strip searched, I would be the next one in jail. These are not prisoners, these are children. They do not leave every constitutional right at the door when they enter school. If the Supreme Court rules that they do, it is time to abandon the public school system in states that allow such monstrous practices.
No wonder civics is not taught anymore in many areas. Why would administrators such as the vice principal in Safford want these children to understand the Bill of Rights? It is so much easier to terrify them into submission, over ibuprofen.
Miss California
Miss California was asked a question about Gay Marriage. She gave her honest answer, which is what we should expect from anybody. As a result of her traditional values, many believe it cost her the title of Miss USA.
It turns out that she was set up by a gay activist, Perez Hilton, that asked the question. A handful a cheers could be heard from the crowd when the question was ask, but the real strong response came when she said, she believed marriage is between a man and a woman. Now we are a free people and we are free to believe as we wish. Votes have been taken in several states and the people are speaking.
This question never should have been asked in the venue and her answer should not have had an effect on the outcome of the pageant. Our First Amendment rights are designed to allow us to voice our opinion without retribution, but in our society of political correctness this is almost a thing of the past. We should not be afraid to voice our opinion. Mr. Hilton is wrong in his actions and should not be allowed to judge another Miss USA pageant.
It turns out that she was set up by a gay activist, Perez Hilton, that asked the question. A handful a cheers could be heard from the crowd when the question was ask, but the real strong response came when she said, she believed marriage is between a man and a woman. Now we are a free people and we are free to believe as we wish. Votes have been taken in several states and the people are speaking.
This question never should have been asked in the venue and her answer should not have had an effect on the outcome of the pageant. Our First Amendment rights are designed to allow us to voice our opinion without retribution, but in our society of political correctness this is almost a thing of the past. We should not be afraid to voice our opinion. Mr. Hilton is wrong in his actions and should not be allowed to judge another Miss USA pageant.
WVGOP Think Tank coming to the Potomac Highlands
All Republicans from Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral & Pendleton Counties are invited to the Potomac Highlands Regional Meeting of the WVGOP Think Tank
It will be held:
April 22nd, 2009 @ 7:00 PM
Grand Central Business Center
3 Floor Meeting Room
1 E Piedmont St
Keyser, WV 26726
Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by calling (304) 788-6554 or (304) 788-2513
Please invite your County Executive Committee's and any active interested Republicans you think might wish to attend.
The WVGOP Think Tank http://www.wvgopthinktank.org is the official think tank of the West Virginia Republican Party, and is visiting the Potomac Highlands to get your input. The WVGOP Think Tank is dedicated to gathering and sharing the ideas and visions of Republicans across the state as we work to develop a plan for victory in 2010 and beyond.
It is dedicated to including the thoughts and ideas of all Republicans who wish to attend the meeting. Our energies will be devoted to working with all Republicans, and increasing Republican influence in government.
Republicans can, and will, legitimately disagree. The goal of finding common ground in battling our opposition and winning the hearts and minds of West Virginians.
It will be held:
April 22nd, 2009 @ 7:00 PM
Grand Central Business Center
3 Floor Meeting Room
1 E Piedmont St
Keyser, WV 26726
Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by calling (304) 788-6554 or (304) 788-2513
Please invite your County Executive Committee's and any active interested Republicans you think might wish to attend.
The WVGOP Think Tank http://www.wvgopthinktank.org is the official think tank of the West Virginia Republican Party, and is visiting the Potomac Highlands to get your input. The WVGOP Think Tank is dedicated to gathering and sharing the ideas and visions of Republicans across the state as we work to develop a plan for victory in 2010 and beyond.
It is dedicated to including the thoughts and ideas of all Republicans who wish to attend the meeting. Our energies will be devoted to working with all Republicans, and increasing Republican influence in government.
Republicans can, and will, legitimately disagree. The goal of finding common ground in battling our opposition and winning the hearts and minds of West Virginians.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Another Unintended Testament to President Bush
Today (Wednesday April 15th) Barack Obama once again gave his predecessor credit for foresight and wisdom.
Now he never does it intentionally. Whenever he mentions the former president, it is usually with derision. However, Obama's actions occasionally demonstrate a willingness to follow where President Bush led.
Last week he followed a patented Bush move, the surprise trip to Iraq. This week he is touting a simplified tax code.
While President Bush remained in office this was a non-starter. Congress, whether GOP or Democrat, did not want to budge on this item that President Bush pushed harder than most others. When President Bush talked at length about the value of a simplified code, Congress looked the other way.
Now Obama will try to scale this mountainous code assembled by special interests. Of course his revamped code will likely increase taxes on those that produce the most goods and jobs, after all that is his style. But it is still a compliment to the foresight of President Bush that simplifying the tax code has emerged once again on the presidential agenda.
Keyser Flag Day Tea Party Scheduled
Date: Sunday, June 14, 2009
Time: 2:00 to 3:00 PM
Location: Grand Centeral Business Center, 1 East Piedmont St.
City: Keyser, WV 26726
Planned Events: Planting of a Liberty Tree
The first Liberty Tree was near Boston Common and was a meeting place for the first patriots. As time went on many towns and cities had their own Liberty Trees for meeting places prior to the Revolution. The new Liberty Tree will be our meeting place and symbol that we wish to return to following the Founding Fathers vision of Liberty.
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Matt E. Ryan, Ph. D.
Charles G. Koch Doctoral Fellow
College of Business & Economics
West Virginia University
Associate editor on "Unleashing Capitalism"
Greg Brown, US Army, Veteran OEF - 2002, OIF - 2003-2004
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