Students and Military Service

clipped from www.mauinews.com VIEWPOINT: Students need to be able to make informed decision on military service By ANN PITCAITHLEY The federal No Child Left behind Act of 2001 contains a little-known provision that threatens the federal funding of any school refusing to turn over the personal contact information of students in grades 7 through 12 to military recruiters. This action is in violation of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The federal No Child Left Behind Act also grants military recruiters access to campuses, with their presence far outnumbering college recruiters and prospective employers. Recruiting is currently a $4 billion industry. According to Army spokesman Douglas Smith, the military spent an average of $16,199 for each of its 73,373 recruits in 2005. Almost all students that we have spoken to are unaware that enlistment is a mandatory commitment of eight years, or that their rank, assignment and length of service can change without prior notice or consent.

Fighting Dirty To Prevent Chioce (Boston Mayor Race)

clipped from wbztv.com Mayoral Candidates' Signs Attacked By Vandals It's getting a bit ugly in the race for Boston mayor. Candidates' campaign signs are being vandalized throughout the city. Surveillance cameras caught a woman throwing paint several times at a sign bearing Michael Flaherty's name on River Street in Hyde Park. Flaherty campaign staffers say the owner of the sign put up three hidden cameras at his home because he was fed up with the vandalism. Candidate Kevin McCrea says it's "fantastic" that someone has been caught in the act. McCrea was out campaigning on Saturday and told WBZ's Karen Anderson that his signs have been torn down. "It's a really sad state of things when people have to think about doing that in this city, the cradle of democracy, the beginning of freedom, where we appreciate free speech," McCrea said. All the candidates have been targeted by vandals. The mayor and his challengers have all denied any involvement and say this behavior won't be tolerated.

Busted! Okay for Greer- but Obama's Out?!

words fail me- read the whole article

clipped from www.orlandosentinel.com Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer said he has no regrets about accusing the president of spreading 'liberal lies' before Greer even knew what Obama was going to say. (COURTESY OF JIM GREER) There once was a political operative who loved to tell crowds he had a simple way of explaining to children the difference between Republicans and Democrats. "Republicans get up and go to work," he would tell his son. "Democrats get up and go down to the mailbox to get their checks." This man not only talked to his son about Republican values, he went into public-school classrooms and talked about them as well. That man is Jim Greer — the same Jim Greer who, as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, just threw a nationwide hissy fit, claiming that the classroom is no place for politics and Barack Obama's "indoctrination." Are we really so far removed from reality that we don't understand the value of a president encouraging children to work hard?

W.H Responds to School Speach Furor

clipped from news.yahoo.com The White House on Friday dismissed as pointless the furor over President Barack Obama's plan to deliver a televised back-to-school speech to the nation's student "I think we've reached a little bit of the silly season when the president of the United States can't tell kids in school to study hard and stay in school," presidential spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters. "I think both political parties agree that the dropout rate is something that threatens our long-term economic success." Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, on Friday defended Obama's plan to address students "The bottom line is we need the president of the United States of America to use his bully pulpit to talk to kids about the importance of education and to help inspire kids," He said Obama's speech will not be partisan but rather a chance for children to get "a little encouragement as they start the school year.

Dog Deflates Deputy's 4 tires

:LOL

clipped from apnews.myway.com Dog deflates NC deputy's tires after dog complaint HOPE MILLS, N.C. (AP) - Some dogs chase cars. One in a North Carolina town decided to try and eat one. The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office says a pit bull deflated all four tires of a deputy's cruiser near Hope Mills on Sunday. Spokeswoman Debbie Tanna said the deputy parked his car in a woman's driveway while responding to her complaint about another dog. When Deputy Lynn Lavallis went to speak with Gloria Bass, the dog chomped into the tires. The dog didn't attack the deputy in the town near Fayetteville. Tanna says the dog's owner, Bass's next-door neighbor, will be billed $500 for a new set of wheels.

Too Much Ado about 1st Lady's Fasion

She wore Shorts in Summer in Arizona-:eek

clipped from news.yahoo.com When the First Lady attended a country-music event in July without a single strand of hair falling below her jawline, the blogosphere exploded with outbursts ranging from adoration to vitriol. Things settled down only when her deputy press secretary clarified that there had been no First Haircut. Many Americans have dismissed this hair hubbub as simply more media-driven noise - like the chatter about Michelle Obama's sleeveless dresses, J. Crew cardigans, stocking-free legs or, for that matter, recent (shocking!) decision to wear shorts in the Arizona heat. A black family at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue signifies a shattered political barrier, but our reactions to Michelle are evidence that it takes more than an election to untangle some of the unique dilemmas black women face. why it all has to be such a big deal.

Satan advertising for church

Got to admit, it's creative.

clipped from news.yahoo.com Mich. church enlists Satan in advertising campaign TRENTON, Mich. – A Michigan church is enlisting Satan in a bid to drum up attendance at services. Metro South Church in the Detroit suburb of Trenton is posting signs saying the non-denominational Christian congregation "sucks" and "makes me sick." The ads are signed by Satan. The campaign even has a Web site explaining why Satan hates the church. Youth Pastor Adam Dorband told WJBK-TV the church is trying to reach out to people and cut through the "noise." Dorband said Jesus "wants us to be creative and he wants us to ... use whatever it takes to reach people." Pastor Jeremy Schossau said the campaign is meant to be whimsical and isn't intended to upset anyone.

Knoledge is Power, Except in Sex Ed

"There's a chance that, in the U.S., UNESCO's recommendations will be drowned out by the knee-jerk outrage of conservative pundits.But at least the guidelines can undergo sober and thoughtful examination in more open-minded places ... like Ethiopia"

clipped from news.yahoo.com Any attempt to decrease the number of unwanted pregnancies and slow the spread of sexually transmitted diseases like HIV around the world has to be a good thing, right? That's what the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) thought. But now it finds itself under fire from American conservatives for proposing a new set of guidelines on sex education in schools The goal is simple: with contraception often not an option in many parts of the world - and vaccines to prevent diseases like AIDS still unavailable - UNESCO hopes that teaching children more about the risks of sexual activity will help them steer clear of such perils. Apart from the outcry from American conservative groups, however, it appears the response to the recommendations elsewhere in the world has been mostly calm But at least the guidelines can undergo sober and thoughtful examination in more open-minded places ... like Ethiopia

She's Better Than Kerry

clipped from wbztv.com Coakley First Candidate In Race For Kennedy's Seat Attorney General Martha Coakley announced Thursday she will run as a Democratic candidate in the special election to succeed the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. The 20-year prosecutor said she can continue to be "an effective voice for the people of Massachusetts." "As some have noted, we perhaps cannot fill his shoes, but must strive to follow in his footsteps," Coakley said to supporters at a downtown Boston hotel. Coakley was elected the state's first female Attorney General in 2007. She has fought to lower health care costs and address the foreclosure crisis, and protect the rights of same sex couples to marry and receive all the benefits of marriage. "I want to make government work for you, to remove barriers, to provide for opportunities and to renew that promise of democracy," she said.

Compostable Plastic made from plants

This is currently for purchase in mass bulk for grocery stores. My hope is that it will eventually make it's way to the individual consumer.

clipped from www.f-k.com Greenware® portion cups and lids are a line of crystal clear, American made premium portion cups manufactured from NatureWorks® biopolymer, a polylactic acid (PLA) resin derived entirely from plants instead of oil.  Greenware portion cups feature a rolled rim for leak-resistant lid application are are crystal clear to highlight any food or beverage.  Available in three popular sizes, Greenware portion cups are a sustainable solution in foodservice packaging. Made from NatureWorks biopolymer Resin derived entirely from natural and renewable resources Crystal clear for complete product visability Durable material unsusceptible to flavor or odor transfer Compostable where managed facilities exist* Customer recognition of environmental leadership  Stylish upscale look Containers stack on top of one another during packing, transport and storage "Sourced locally" and manufactured domestically Made in America

Kerry for health care reform

His position on health care aside---He's No Ted Kennedy.

clipped from wbztv.com Kerry Vows To Fight For Health Care Reform Sen. John Kerry positioned himself as the political heir to Edward Kennedy, pledging to the thousands who attended his town hall meeting Wednesday that he would fight for the health care overhaul championed by his longtime Democratic colleague. More than 2,000 people turned up for Kerry's first public meeting since Kennedy's Aug. 25 death from brain cancer at age 77. A line of supporters and opponents of health care reforms snaked out of the Somerville high school and down two blocks. Kerry moved quickly to invoke the memory of Kennedy and promised to carry on the fight for health care reform. "That means taking on these battles in the way that Teddy would and I pledge to you that I will," he said. The crowd appeared largely in favor of health care reforms, giving Kerry loud cheers whenever he discussed the issue. Those booing appeared to be in the minority.

Busted

Shame, shame , we know your name.

clipped from wbztv.com Mass. Rep. Buys Alcohol In NH, Avoids Sales Tax A Massachusetts state legislator who voted to impose a 6.25 percent sales tax on alcohol has come under fire after he was seen loading liquor into his state-owned vehicle outside a tax-free New Hampshire liquor store.  Rep. Michael Rodrigues' Ford Crown Victoria, bearing "House 29" Massachusetts license plates, was seen outside the store on Interstate 95 South last weekend. The Westport Democrat told The Standard Times of New Bedford that he bought the liquor during a bathroom break while he and his wife were on a weekend away in New Hampshire. He blamed the controversy on "Republican demagoguery." State Republican Party chairwoman Jennifer Nassour called Rodrigues' actions "the height of arrogance."

Reality Check

Does it really hurt to learn more? Visit the site, watch the video ,take the quiz.

clipped from www.whitehouse.gov

Where did all my stuff go?

I came through the front door with a new book in one hand and my purse in the other. I went straight to the kitchen , put the book and my purse on the table. I went to the stove to put the kettle on for some tea, which I was going to drink while I thumbed through said book, turned around and no book. I am still in the kitchen and haven't gone anywhere else. My purse is still on the table but no book. Where's the book?

I just had it. It was right here.Where did it go? Seriously, I just brought it through the front door not 5 minutes ago. I thought for sure I put it on the the kitchen table. Where did that book go? I know I put it on the table.

I was considering the possibility of having been "beamed up" , stepping into an parallel dimension, and other possible causes of memory loss , when my husband walked into the kitchen. Catching the look of obvious confusion plastered on my face, he asked what the problem was.

"I'm losing my marbles", I complained.

"I thought you lost those a long time ago", he jests.

"Most of them, sometime after the twins were born",I said. " I still had a few left, but I think those are gone now too".

"What's up?"

"I just bought a new reference book, put it on the table, and now it's gone."

Grinning, he asks if Marjika, our 5 year old daughter, was in the vicinity when I put the book on the table. I check my daughter's room and sure enough, there's Marjika , relaxing on her bed reading my new book . Boy, she really is slick.

This is a common occurrence in my home. When you have six children, things have a way of growing legs and walking off ,only to be found later in one of the children s rooms. Some of our more useful items have gotten bored with their humdrum day to day existence and have found exciting new lives as make believe airplanes, rockets, and light sabers.

Marjika is the main culprit when it comes to books, especially my design magazines and reference books. They've got great pictures in them, so I can see the attraction. Whenever she's bored with "The Scrawny Tawny Lion" she ducks into my office and picks out something from my library. This wouldn't bug me so much if she wasn't so stealthy. I'll put a book on my desk to reference as I work and she'll come up silently behind me , swipe the book and run back to her room . I reach over to find that the book has vanished. Marjika Strikes again.

She has also adopted my artist model as one of her favorite dolls. Not one of the wooden dummy types, mind you, it's an expensive , Art S Buck, anatomically proportional, one-sixth scale , over 30 points of articulation, manikins. I have to borrow it back from her when I need it for a sketch . All in all , Art seems to be getting along with the barbies just fine.