You are here: Home / 2009 / Archives for September 2009

State Superintendent Tom Horne: Critical of Worshipful Tone

September 3, 2009 By 21 Comments

The Office of Tom Horne, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, has released the following statement regarding President Obama’s speech to students next Tuesday:

HORNE CRITICAL OF WORSHIPFUL TONE EXPECTED OF SCHOOL CHILDREN LISTENING TO OBAMA’S SPEECH
PHOENIX

(Thursday, September 3, 2009) — State School Superintendent Tom Horne has raised questions about a White House effort to have students in schools watch a speech on the web, and react to it according to a curriculum provided by the White House. A copy of the White House communication is attached to this press release.

Horne stated: “An important part of educating students is to teach them to read and listen critically. The White House materials call for a worshipful, rather than critical approach to this speech. For example, the White House communication calls for the students to have “notable quotes excerpted (and posted in large print on the board),” and for the students to discuss “How will he inspire us,” among other things. There is nothing in these White House materials about approaching the speech critically, or engaging in any critical thinking whatsoever, but only adopting a reverent approach to everything they are being told.”

Horne added: “In general, in keeping with good education practice, students should be taught to read and think critically about statements coming from politicians and historical figures.”

Obama Speech Pre K-6 Guidelines
Obama Speech 7-12 Guidelines

You can also follow the Arizona Department of Education on Facebook and Twitter.

Filed Under: Education, Press Release, States Rights

The Federal Classroom 101: To Sir Obama With Love…

September 3, 2009 By 1 Comment

Parents are being encouraged by many conservative media and blog outlets to keep children home and not participate in President Obama’s public school classroom address, Tuesday, September 8, 2009.  Parents are also being told by liberal media and blog outlets that this is a traditional concept of a Presidential address to children, and the message is ‘apolitical’. As a social studies teacher who has actively participated in direct addresses from Presidents before, I can attest to this fact- this pending speech is different.  The Department of Education’s distribution of detailed lesson plans is unique.  The Obama Administration sponsoring a contest for children is unusual based on the lesson plan provided. It concerns me more as an infringement of state’s rights and local school district say about curricula.

School districts across the country are debating how to use the material, the address, and ways to inform the public regarding the information.  No one can tell parents what to do or how state school districts can use the materials.  I am awaiting my school district’s decision and I am attending the classroom to hear the process and see the interaction.  I am also going to ask for all materials distributed. I am not keeping my son out of school.

The language of the lesson has already been altered and the speech has been changed (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/03/white-house-withdraws-students-help-obama/). There will be no request of students to write or discuss how each child can help President Obama.  BUT,there is still the anticipatory sets and thought provoking, Socratic questioning of “What is President Obama asking of me?” 

Fox News and the Washington Times have each raised questions as to the legality of federally distributed lesson plans to state and local schools; is this truly appropriate?  Having read all of the material provided by the White House on this, I see that the lesson encourages and offers options.  It does not mandate what to do. 

But there is the reality and actual legal stance of authority.  Any teacher or coach must be conscious of being an expert authority.  If any of us TELLS a student to do something, including implied direction, it is an act with an objective.  We are perceived as authoritative figures: student must defer to us or face reprimand.  There in no greater authority in the country of respecting American children than the President of the United States.  What he says or encourages is guidance and will be perceived as a directive.

I submit, this is a very slippery slope.  Curricula that does NOT go through a school board review, with community viewing is odd.  What if Superintendent of Public Instruction for Arizona, Tom Horne, set forth a mandated lesson on capitalism and its benefits (something already in most economic curricula). Or what if Sarah Palin, when Governor,  had offered a mandated curriculum to Alaskan children about how drilling off shore oil could be a good thing?

I am also deeply concerned that the aspect of a contest for children, a video presentation of personal success, will have a great deal of political undertone. One cannot enter a contest of this ilk without feeling a need to pander to the partisan views of this President. If anything, I encourage all conservative families to submit a video of how capitalism is a core value, how we serve the United States Constitution not a person in this country, and how small business is a foundational building block of capitalism. Do not duck and hide, but participate fully and within the parameters.  Just as many “turned themselves in” to the fishy website, I feel we can help clarify how families feel by helping our kids by defining our individual family values. 

Finally, there is the reality of the teaching itself.  It is not appropriate for any teacher to bring in a slanted political view. This was hammered in our heads during my college education classes for social studies training. Yet I do not hear it all today.  Whether a conservative grumbling about Ted Kennedy, or a President of the United States’ subtle encouragement to join state and federally run volunteer forces: It is ALL slanted and bordering on propaganda. 

So I will go watch and learn. I will also be asking friends to to attend and listen for ANY infringement of local authority, or inappropriate use of the public education system.  If I get any sense that the public classroom and tax dollar is being used for a political hijack of my son’s values and beliefs, there will be a BIG inconvenient truth called a law suit! I have a few thousand friends who will help me file it too.

Filed Under: Education, Family, Freedom of Speech, State Government, States Rights

And Now for Something on the Lighter Side

September 2, 2009 By 4 Comments

Hat tip to Len Munsil for posting this ever-so-appropriate video featuring comedian Tim Hawkins.

YouTube Preview Image
Filed Under: Culture, Government, Human Condition

Did Terry Goddard & Kyrsten Sinema Forget to Resign?

September 2, 2009 By 6 Comments

Here is the video released by Republican State Chairman, Randy Pullen, regarding whether or not Attorney General Terry Goddard and State Representative Kyrsten Sinema failed to follow Arizona’s “Resign to Run” law.

YouTube Preview Image

Here is the text of the press release issued earlier today:

AZGOP SEEKS INVESTIGATION INTO GODDARD & SINEMA

Phoenix – With 425 days left until the 2010 general election, Attorney General Terry Goddard and State Representative Krysten Sinema apparently have kicked off their respective campaigns for Governor and State Senate. The problem? They are in violation of the state’s “resign-to-run” law.

“I will be formally requesting the Attorney General to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate whether or not he and State Representative Krysten Sinema have violated Arizona’s “resign-to-run” law by publicly declaring their intentions to run for higher office,” said Chairman Pullen.

“You would think that Representative Sinema and the Attorney General would be more observant of the state’s laws, especially ARS Sec. 38-296, the “resign-to-run” law, being that they are constantly campaigning for higher office,” he continued. “Mr. Goddard clearly stated he was running for Governor and Krysten Sinema actually wrote it on her Facebook account. Seems like an open and shut case to me.

“Ms. Sinema, a practicing attorney, cavalier attitude shows either a complete disregard for the law, or ignorance of it. In either case, not something an attorney should be proud of, she should immediately resign.”

Goddard Audio

“Citizens expect lawmakers to abide by the very laws they enact. But these two clearly feel that they don’t apply to them, said the Chairman. “I’m looking forward to the Attorney General Goddard’s response to my request. My guess is that he will try to run out the clock out until January when they can officially announce.”

Filed Under: Campaign Finance, Campaigns & Elections

Are the government schools pushing the Obama Agenda?

September 2, 2009 By 22 Comments

I just received this email from an irate friend (who shall remain nameless) regarding the latest federal “change agent” activities within the government schools. Normally, I would let this kind of thing slip but did you know that the schools are pushing an assignment as part of the Obama government school “visit?”

If you visit the official government website where the Obama “Lesson Plan” is presented, you will read that teachers are directed to engage the students before, during and after the speech with specific learning goals. Here are a few sample lesson plan ideas:

Before the Speech:

Brainstorm or Concept Web: Why does President Obama want to speak with us today? How will he inspire us? How will he challenge us? What might he say?

During the Speech:

Listening with a purpose: personal responsibility, goals, persistence. Teachers might ask pairs of students to create a word bank from the web of any one of the terms (personal responsibility, goals, or persistence) at the top of a double‐column style notes page. On the right‐hand side, students could take notes while President Obama talks about personal responsibility, or goals, or persistence, trying to capture direct quotations. At the end of the speech, students could then write the corresponding terms from the word bank in the left hand column, to increase retention and deepen their understanding of an important aspect of the speech.

Listening with a purpose: Inspiration and Challenges. Using a similar double‐column style notes page as the one above, the teacher could focus students on quotations that either propose a specific challenge to them or inspire them in some meaningful way. Students could do this individually, in pairs or groups.

After the Speech:

What is President Obama inspiring you to do? What is he challenging you to do?

My question is what if your little Johnnie or Susie is not inspired by the President but rather infuriated by the President and his agenda? What if little Johnnie or Susie writes an excoriating piece about the President? Will the government school come down on little Johnnie or Susie? Will their lack of inspiration or cooperation with the “change” being pushed by Obama affect their grade in social studies? Will it be a black mark on their record? Will they be blacklisted in by the Arizona Education Association?

If you are concerned about this latest incident, you need to make four phone calls.

First, call the principal where your child attends school and let them know how you feel about it. They are likely being directed by the Superintendent of the district to oversee the assignment.

Second, call the school district office and talk to the Superintendent of the District. They are likely the one pushing the assignment.

Third, call Superintendent of Public Instruction for Arizona, Tom Horne, and let him know how you feel. I’m willing to bet that Horne’s office is not crazy about the federal government pushing the Obama lesson in the State of Arizona. He may even be assessing how the State of Arizona may avoid or oppose this despite heavy teacher union pressure.

Fourth, call your congressman and let the know how you feel. I know. This is another battle we have to fight but remember, it’s for YOUR children.

Finally and most importantly, be a parent and sit down with your children and explain to them what you believe and why it is important to you and your family.

Here are three references to the Department of Education regarding the lesson plan for the Obama “visit.”

Filed Under: Education

Diversity Lane: Always the Community Organizer

September 2, 2009 By 13 Comments

diversity lane

Public Service Announcement:  ACORN is hiring canvassers for work in low income Phoenix neighborhoods.  Craigslist has the details.  Who knows, these may be the 2010 census takers in training.

Filed Under: Culture, Liberals, Race Relations

School Abortion Policy: Parents File Suit Over Denial of Opt-out Requests

September 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Brad Dacus is an personal associate of Veritas, and does an outstanding job of bringing Christian lawyers into ministry.  I am posting this news release from the Pacific Justice Institute for this reason: As a parent, do you know the Confidential Medical Services Policy of your child’s school?  Perhaps you should.  Perhaps when you learn of this back door route to the abortion clinic, you’ll get more involved.
City: Alameda, CA
Date: Aug. 12, 2009

A group of parents filed a lawsuit today against Alameda Unified School District after the District denied their requests to excuse their young children from controversial lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) instruction.

In late May, despite strong opposition by parents at school board meetings, AUSD approved a supplemental curriculum that will promote LGBT alternative families to kindergarten and elementary-age students. Since AUSD adopted the curriculum, numerous parents have sent letters to Superintendent Kristen Vital, requesting that their young students be opted out of the controversial instruction. The District recently sent form letters denying all of the parents’ requests.

While the District has claimed that a LGBT curriculum was necessary to address bullying and harassment in elementary schools, documentation from the District obtained by Pacific Justice Institute through a public records request shows that the vast majority of reported incidents on AUSD campuses involve racial tension and opposite-sex sexual harassment, not sexual orientation. In fact, school incident reports show that there were no complaints of harassment due to sexual orientation in AUSD elementary grades.

Today, staff attorneys for Pacific Justice Institute filed suit in Alameda Superior Court, seeking enforcement of opt-out provisions in the California Education Code. Kevin Snider, PJI Chief Counsel, commented, “Alameda parents believe all children deserve safe schools. Parents do not support LGBT indoctrination that fails to address the main causes of bullying and harassment in the District and intentionally omits children belonging to the other five protected classes,” Snider stated, referring to race and ethnicity, gender, disability, nationality and religion. “It is their right to remove their children from this highly controversial program, and we intend to vigorously defend that right,” he continued.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Pacific Justice Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) legal defense organization specializing in the defense of religious freedom, parental rights, and other civil liberties.
P.O. Box 276600 Sacramento, CA 95827-6600
Phone: (916) 857-6900 Fax: (916) 857-6902 Internet: www.pacificjustice.org

Filed Under: Culture, Education, Press Release, Sanctity of Life

Sheriff Joe Arpaio considers run for Governor?

September 2, 2009 By 17 Comments


A m e r i c a n P o s t – G a z e t t e

Distributed by C O M M O N S E N S E , in Arizona

Joe Arpaio already has earned a nationwide reputation for being America’s toughest sheriff. In a meeting this past Friday afternoon , the Sheriff discussed the possibility of his running for governor. While it’s too early for an official announcement because of campaign finance laws, Arpaio did suggest the possibility of a run for the highest office in Arizona. The stars are in alignment. He has the funding, support of the conservative base, and the timing is right.

There is no doubt the “toughest sheriff in the world” would bring the same no nonsense, cost effective approach to the governor’s office and budget negotiations. Arpaio would never even consider a tax increase until all the fat was cut from bloated state agencies. He would get every department off their high fat diet, and onto lean, green bologna, just as he has done running his no-fat Sheriff’s department.

The list of wanna be’s for governor increases with the clear scent of Governor Brewer’s political blood in the air. Few genuine contenders exist, and the Sheriff presents a formidable challenge. Stay tuned for updates!

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, State Government

American Liberty Alliance bus tour stops tomorrow in Phoenix

September 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
American Liberty Alliance To Land In Arizona

Chandler, AZ – August 25th, 2009 – If you value American liberty and believe our government is currently on a dangerous path that threatens it, this is a meeting you don’t want to miss. The American Liberty Alliance (www.americanlibertyalliance.com) is introducing itself to the state of Arizona on September 3rd, 2009, in a meeting to be held at 5:30PM at the Fiesta Inn Resort Conference Center. Arizona State Treasurer Dean Martin will be the evening’s guest speaker. Also speaking will be ALA Executive Director Eric Odom, ALA Director of Grassroots Outreach Ken Marrero, ALA Arizona Committee Chairwoman Rachel Alexander, and ALA Western Regional Field Director John McJunkin. A boxed dinner, snacks, and drink will be served. The evening’s agenda commences with an ALA vision presentation, followed by an open discussion on the State of Arizona, post Tea Party operations, and an ALA planning conversation. The cost for the event is $29, which includes the meal. Only 70 seats are available, so early registration is strongly recommended. Register at http://alaarizona.eventbrite.com/. If liberty is important to you, please plan on attending, and make your freedom-loving friends aware as well.

Contact: John McJunkin john@americanlibertyalliance.com P.O. Box 12624,
Chandler, Arizona 85248 Ph: 480-219-8800

Filed Under: Special Event

Verily, Verily, The ONE Hath Cometh

September 1, 2009 By 5 Comments

This was too good not to reprint here for you’all to read:

And it came to pass in the Age of Insanity that the people of the land called America , having lost their morals, their initiative, and their will to defend their liberties, chose as their Supreme Leader that person known as “The One”.

He emerged from the vapors with a message that had no meaning; but He hypnotized the people telling them, “I am sent to save you. My lack of experience, my questionable ethics, my monstrous ego, and my association with evil doers are of no consequence. For I shall save you with Hope and Change.

Go, therefore, and proclaim throughout the land that he who preceded me is evil, that he has defiled the nation, and that all he has built must be destroyed.” And the people rejoiced, for even though they knew not what “The One” would do, he had promised that it was good; and they believed.

And “The One” said “We live in the greatest country in the world. Help me change everything about it!” And the people said, “Hallelujah! Change is good!”

Then He said, “We are going to tax the rich fat-cats.” And the people said “Sock it to them!” “And redistribute their wealth.” And the people said, “Show us the money!” And then He said, “Redistribution of wealth is good for everybody”

And Joe the Plumber asked, “Are you kidding me? You’re going to steal my money and give it to the deadbeats??” And “The One” ridiculed and taunted him, and Joe’s personal records were hacked and publicized.

One lone reporter asked, “Isn’t that Marxist policy?” And she was banished from the kingdom!

Then a citizen asked, “With no foreign relations experience and having zero military experience or knowledge, how will you deal with radical terrorists?” And “The One” said, “Simple. I shall sit with them and talk with them and show them how nice we really are; and they will forget that they ever wanted to kill us all!” And the people said, “Hallelujah!! We are safe at last, and we can beat our weapons into free cars for the people!”

Then “The One” said, “I shall give 95% of you lower taxes.” And one, lone voice said, “But 40% of us don’t pay ANY taxes.” So “The One” said, “Then I shall give you some of the taxes the fat-cats pay!” And the people said, “Hallelujah!! Show us the money!”

Then “The One” said, “I shall tax your Capital Gains when you sell your homes!” And the people yawned and the slumping housing market collapsed. And He said, “I shall mandate employer- funded health care for EVERY worker and raise the minimum wage. And I shall give every person unlimited healthcare and medicine and transportation to the clinics.” And the people said, “Give me some of that!”

Then he said, “I shall penalize employers who ship jobs overseas.” And the people said, “Where’s my rebate check?”

Then “The One” said, “I shall bankrupt the coal industry and electricity rates will skyrocket!” And the people said, “Coal is dirty, coal is evil, no more coal! But we don’t care for that part about higher electric rates.” So “The One” said, “Not to worry. If your rebate isn’t enough to cover your expenses, we shall bail you out.. Just sign up with ACORN and your troubles are over!”

Then He said, ” Illegal immigrants feel scorned and slighted. Let’s grant them amnesty, Social Security, free education, free lunches, free medical care, bi-lingual signs and guaranteed housing….” And the people said, “Hallelujah!!” And they made him King!

And so it came to pass that employers, facing spiraling costs and ever-higher taxes, raised their prices and laid off workers. Others simply gave up and went out of business and the economy sank like unto a rock dropped from a cliff. The banking industry was destroyed. Manufacturing slowed to a crawl. And more of the people were without a means of support.

Then “The One” said, “I am the “The One” – The Messiah and I’m here to save you! We shall just print more money so everyone will have enough!” But our foreign trading partners said unto Him, “Wait a minute. Your dollar is not worth a pile of camel dung! You will have to pay more…” And the people said, “Wait a minute. That is unfair!!” And the world said, “Neither are these other idiotic programs you have embraced. Lo, you have become a Socialist state and a second-rate power. Now you shall play by our rules!”

And the people cried out, “Alas, alas!! What have we done?” But yea verily, it was too late. The people set upon “The One” and spat upon him and stoned him, and his name was dung. And the once mighty nation was no more; and the once proud people were without sustenance or shelter or hope. And the Change “The One” had given them was as like unto a poison that had destroyed them and like a whirlwind that consumed all that they had built. And the people beat their chests in despair and cried out in anguish, “Give us back our nation and our pride and our hope!!” But it was too late, and their homeland was no more.

You may think this is a fairy tale, but it’s not..

It’s happening RIGHT NOW !!!

(Written by a Pastor’s Wife somewhere in America)

Filed Under: Arts

Rachel Maddow show covers the new republicanville.com social networking site

September 1, 2009 By 1 Comment

Filed Under: Personalities, Political Parties

Slideshow from Politics on the Rocks’ McCain event

September 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Pol-parazzi, Special Event

County Supervisors caught spending astronomical funds on separate outside legal counsel Tom Irvine

September 1, 2009 By 16 Comments

The Arizona Republic’s Craig Harris, a much more objective reporter than Yvonne Wingett who has developed a way-too-cozy relationship with the Supervisors, has written an article covering how much money the Board of Supervisors has thrown at their separate, outside legal counsel Tom Irvine (pictured above). The word downtown is that the Supervisors use Irvine, a Democrat and former attorney for the Democrat Party, instead of the civil attorneys in the County Attorney’s Office who are by law the Board’s attorneys, because he tells them exactly what they want to hear.  If they want to build a $340 million Taj Mahal court tower in the midst of a recession in order to buy off the judges, forcing other county agencies to cut 15% of their budgets to pay for it, he will give them the legal approval to hide behind.

Of course, he doesn’t come cheap. The Republic reports he charges up to $340/hr.  His law clerks and legal assistants charge the county $175/hr. Unbelievable. The Board has paid Irvine’s law firm nearly $1.2 million in legal fees over the last year, the second highest-paid firm by the county! The only firm that received a higher payout last year was a firm that handles indigent defense.  Even the court tower’s project manager Abe Thomas thinks his fees are a bit excessive.  Assistant County Manager Kenny Harris admits that they didn’t need to hire the highest-paid attorneys to take minutes at meetings for projects of this sort.  We doubt they even need an attorney to manage a court tower project, which should be handled by technical people, not lawyers.  We suspect they’re paying Irvine our tax dollars so he will continue to help them defend their indefensible court tower against the wiser advice of the County Attorney’s counsel who they fired because they didn’t like their legal advice in regards to following the law.

Filed Under: County Government, Crime and Punishment, Spending

CD-1: Rusty Bowers In, Bill Konopnicki Waiting

September 1, 2009 By 9 Comments

I’ve alread previewed one candidate running in congressional district 1 – Bradley Beauchamp – whom I’ve thrown my support behind.

Now EspressoPundit is reporting that former state senator, Rusty Bowers will enter the race. This brings the total to three Republicans in the primary (did I forget someone else?) Rusty is a great guy and very smart but does he have the energy to run in a district that is incredibly widespread? Talk about a road trip!

Will Rusty’s yet to be announced declaration prompt the entry of state representative Bill Konopnicki? That is yet to be determined but let’s just say that if BK gets in the race he’ll have plenty of fast food profit money to finance the race.

I have to scratch my head about Republicans battling through a primary. Maybe it’s more like pulling my hair out. 2010 is going to be a great year for conservative challengers. As I’ve been saying, Democrats will be target #1 and incumbents, target #2 of voter anger. With so many Republicans climbing over each other to win a primary, it only reinforces the notion that Republicans are the “party of stupid.” It’s too bad that in all the anger to take on a Democrat, Republicans will beat each other up in a primary with the winner walking away battered and bruised and with little or no money to take on the Dem and probably the DCCC.

As the party of Jesus, I’m not seeing a whole lotta effort to have a come to Jesus meeting to settle on one candidate to challenge the sole Democrat.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections
Newer Posts »