Today, it was announced that Nevada has the highest drop out rate in the country. Does that shock anyone?
From the Las Vegas Sun: Nevada has lost ground when it comes to high school dropout rates and ranks last in the nation, according to a report released Tuesday.
The report by the America's Promise Alliance said the number of high schools in Nevada deemed "dropout factories" rose from eight in 2002 to 34 in 2008, with the increase representing nearly 54,000 students. During that time, the state's graduation rate fell from 72 percent to 51 percent.
The term dropout factory refers to schools where fewer than 60 percent of students who started as freshman remain enrolled four years later.
Nationally, the number of dropout-factory schools fell by 13 percent.
The report cited Nevada's rapid growth during those years, as well as a soaring percentage in the number of English language learners, a "stressed and undiversified economic system," and a strong labor market for unskilled workers for the decline.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/30/nv-dropout-factories-nevada/
First, our economy stinks and people have moved out of state and in case of illegals, out of the country. That has to have an effect on the drop out rate.
Second, how can you educate kids who don't show up for school? At our school, we call the parents when the child is absent, we cite students who are truant, we do some home visits and the truant officers are always busy. But if a child is absent, how can you educate them? If a student has 10 unexcused absences in a semester, the student will usually fail, per CCSD policy.
Of course, there is the problem of lack of parent involvement. I can only talk about the school I teach at, but we have monthly parent meetings. Even with the offer of free food and convenient hours, we rarely ever get more than ten parents at a meeting and we have 2300 students at our school. Clearly, the vast majority of parents are not that interested in their kid's education to even attend a hour meeting with teachers and administration once a month. This probably isn't true at all schools, but it is probably true in most inner city schools in the Valley.
Then you have a lot of students who can barely read or write English. While the ELL (English Language Learners) can help some kids, when you have a large segment of the student population, especially in the inner city, who can barely speak and write English, what chance do they have to pass the proficiency exams which are in English? How about the chances of slim to none come to mind. And, so what happens? These kids don't graduate and more than likely will drop out.
So, what can society do to change the drop out rate?
Well, the liberal answer is to throw money at the problem? Well, where to throw the money? Most of the time, they say we need to pay teachers more so we can attract higher quality teachers. Well, that doesn't address the truancy problem and the lack of English speakers in the schools. We can hire more teachers to lower class sizes, but by the beginning of November, most class sizes are a reasonable size because of the truancy and drop out problems.
Then the conservatives scream "vouchers". Well, in Clark County there is not enough private classroom space to have a decent voucher program. Of course, you can do what CCSD is doing is offer open enrollment where a student can go whatever CCSD school they want to go to. Only catch is there has to be room for the extra kids and all the "good" schools already are overcrowded, so that plan is doomed to fail. They also say there are too many administrators in CCSD and to that point, they are correct.
So, what to do: My first solution is get rid of proficiency exams. They are costly and teachers teach to the test, for the most part. In high school, the emphasis is to pass the proficiency exams. A lot kids, especially non English speaking kids, special education students and students with academic problems drop out of school because they know they can't pass the exams.
Second, offer more electives to the curriculum and reduce the graduation core academic requirements by one or two credits. At our school, we offer a limited number of elective courses. We have auto, photography, foods, art, JROTC, PE, foreign language in French and Spanish and computers for electives. Most, but not all, of these elective courses have only 1 teacher and three of the electives have 3 or more teachers. This is not a lot of electives for a high school.
Third: Get more parent involvement. Somehow, you have to get the parents more involved in their child's education. Many times in education, the parents are treated as the enemy, not a partner in education. The parent needs to feel welcome at the school. About the only time you see a parent at our school is when the child is in trouble. We need to get parents involved positively in education. It could just be a phone call home by a teacher saying their child is doing good in the teacher's class. Of course, this will take time, but not impossible. If the parent has e-mail, a quick e-mail to the parents saying what the class is doing. At my kid's school, out of 12 teachers they have, only 1 teacher has bothered to e-mail parents saying what is going on in the classroom and as a parent, I really appreciate it.
Some of my suggestions save money, cost money or there is no cost and all can be implemented if the State wants to do it. But there is big money in proficiency exams and it will cost extra money to hire more elective teachers. So, these ideas won't fly, but it is certainly better than what is going on in the schools currently.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Product Review: Shed Vac
We recently have been seeing advertisements from Shed Vac, a mini-vacuum that is designed for dogs. It advertises that you can vacuum your dog and pick up hair from clothes, sheets and blankets. Well, they were 1 for two.
In regards to vacuuming your dog with the Shed Vac, for get about it. We have three dogs, two short hair and 1 long hair dog. The Shed Vac sucks when you want to prevent your dog from shedding on the furniture and clothes. It doesn't work on dogs, which they advertise it does.
As far as getting dog hair off of clothes and furniture, it does work, to a certain extent. It takes a lot of work, but it does pick up the dog hair off of clothes, sheets and blankets.
For us, the Shed Vac was a big rip off and if you have dogs, don't get swayed by their advertisements.
For more information: http://www.does-the-product-work.com/shed-vac/
In regards to vacuuming your dog with the Shed Vac, for get about it. We have three dogs, two short hair and 1 long hair dog. The Shed Vac sucks when you want to prevent your dog from shedding on the furniture and clothes. It doesn't work on dogs, which they advertise it does.
As far as getting dog hair off of clothes and furniture, it does work, to a certain extent. It takes a lot of work, but it does pick up the dog hair off of clothes, sheets and blankets.
For us, the Shed Vac was a big rip off and if you have dogs, don't get swayed by their advertisements.
For more information: http://www.does-the-product-work.com/shed-vac/
Monday, November 29, 2010
Pawn stars review: November 29, 2010
It's a good night to be in a warm bed watching Pawn stars tonight in Las Vegas. It will get down to about 24 degrees tonight. Nice night for some hot chocolate and cookies to watch another week of reruns.
The first episode first aired on Ma3, 2010:http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2010/05/pawn-stars-5-3-2010.html
The second episode was first aired on 2-22-2010: http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2010/02/pawn-stars-2222010.html
Next week, they should have some new episodes.
The first episode first aired on Ma3, 2010:http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2010/05/pawn-stars-5-3-2010.html
The second episode was first aired on 2-22-2010: http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2010/02/pawn-stars-2222010.html
Next week, they should have some new episodes.
Breaking News: High School Class Held Hostage In Wisconsin
In Marinette, WI., a 10 grade student is holding an entire class hostage at Marinette High School.
From The Green Bay Gazette: "A Marinette High School classroom of 23 students and one teacher is being held hostage tonight by a student armed with a handgun, Marinette police chief Jeff Skorik said at a press conference.
We know nothing about what the student wants,” Skorik said during a short press conference this evening. Authorities are reluctant to release information the student or those in the classroom, he said. The student with a handgun won’t talk to authorities, he said."
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20101129/GPG0101/101129135/Marinette-standoff-24-held-hostage
Marinette is located on the Wisconsin/Upper Michigan border. It's a nice, middle class city, where there is a large ship building company and Lake Michigan related businesses.
Hopefully, this will end well. This situation has been going on for about 6 hous now.
update: 5 hostages have been released. http://www.ehextra.com/main.asp?SectionID=12&SubSectionID=35&ArticleID=9040
update 2: All the hostages have been released by around 8:15 pm CDT.
From The Green Bay Gazette: "A Marinette High School classroom of 23 students and one teacher is being held hostage tonight by a student armed with a handgun, Marinette police chief Jeff Skorik said at a press conference.
We know nothing about what the student wants,” Skorik said during a short press conference this evening. Authorities are reluctant to release information the student or those in the classroom, he said. The student with a handgun won’t talk to authorities, he said."
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20101129/GPG0101/101129135/Marinette-standoff-24-held-hostage
Marinette is located on the Wisconsin/Upper Michigan border. It's a nice, middle class city, where there is a large ship building company and Lake Michigan related businesses.
Hopefully, this will end well. This situation has been going on for about 6 hous now.
update: 5 hostages have been released. http://www.ehextra.com/main.asp?SectionID=12&SubSectionID=35&ArticleID=9040
update 2: All the hostages have been released by around 8:15 pm CDT.
Did Brian Greenspun Lose A Bet And Got Scott Dickinsheets In The Deal?
Scott Dickinsheets is the latest of lousy columnists the Las Vegas Sun has hired.
With Dickinsheets, it's not so bad because he is just another lefty at the Sun to make fun of, but this guy is horrible, just a horrible writer.
Today, he wrote about how there should be some transparency whenever the police shoot some in the Valley. Umm, this news revelation is like 2 or more years old and pre-dates the Eric Scott case.
Other articles Dickinsheets has written is about the poor job market in Las Vegas, taking a hit in the real estate market, the Neonopolis and how much homework kids should do. These are all old stories. Maybe Dickinsheets had a knock on the head a couple of years ago and just woke up, I don't know. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/dickensheets/
At least, with Jon Ralston, he will break a story now and then and usually have to lie about it, but at least he is current to the month. Dickinsheets isn't even current to the decade.
So, I am wondering if Dickinsheets is a relative of Brian Greenspun, the editor of The Las Vegas Sun and needed a job, or did Greenspun lose a poker hand and got Dickinsheets as the booby prize? Either way, I hope someone tells Scott Dickinsheets that is almost December 2010 instead of December 2008.
With Dickinsheets, it's not so bad because he is just another lefty at the Sun to make fun of, but this guy is horrible, just a horrible writer.
Today, he wrote about how there should be some transparency whenever the police shoot some in the Valley. Umm, this news revelation is like 2 or more years old and pre-dates the Eric Scott case.
Other articles Dickinsheets has written is about the poor job market in Las Vegas, taking a hit in the real estate market, the Neonopolis and how much homework kids should do. These are all old stories. Maybe Dickinsheets had a knock on the head a couple of years ago and just woke up, I don't know. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/dickensheets/
At least, with Jon Ralston, he will break a story now and then and usually have to lie about it, but at least he is current to the month. Dickinsheets isn't even current to the decade.
So, I am wondering if Dickinsheets is a relative of Brian Greenspun, the editor of The Las Vegas Sun and needed a job, or did Greenspun lose a poker hand and got Dickinsheets as the booby prize? Either way, I hope someone tells Scott Dickinsheets that is almost December 2010 instead of December 2008.
Well, That's Nice To Know
Concerning the WikiLeaks: The White House on Monday said WikiLeaks and others behind the release of a flood of confidential diplomatic memos were "criminals" and that President Barack Obama was decidedly "not pleased."
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.12546a5fa92c645b58a7bd4e0e1fdd97.541&show_article=1
Well, that's nice of President Obama to be "not pleased". I hate to see what kind of wording they would use when he's pissed off. Oh wait, he only gets pissed off at Republicans.
And we have had 3 WikiLeaks so far. All under Obama. I wonder why. Maybe because he only becomes displeased and not angry or threaten to go after WikiLeaks through internet sabotage?
On another note, Jerry Doyle brought up that 2.5 million people have access to this kind of information. Seems like that is a lot of people to have access to this top secret information.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.12546a5fa92c645b58a7bd4e0e1fdd97.541&show_article=1
Well, that's nice of President Obama to be "not pleased". I hate to see what kind of wording they would use when he's pissed off. Oh wait, he only gets pissed off at Republicans.
And we have had 3 WikiLeaks so far. All under Obama. I wonder why. Maybe because he only becomes displeased and not angry or threaten to go after WikiLeaks through internet sabotage?
On another note, Jerry Doyle brought up that 2.5 million people have access to this kind of information. Seems like that is a lot of people to have access to this top secret information.
Oscar Goodman Was Right: Cut Off Tagger's Thumbs
A few years ago, Las Vegas Mayor, Oscar Goodman, said to combat taggers, they should have their thumbs cut off.
Well, maybe Oscar was on to something, as this story came out today in the Sun: A $2,500 reward is being offered to anyone who provides information leading to the conviction of those responsible for recent graffiti on three ancient rock art panels in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
Officials said the art panels — varying in size from 3-by-6 feet to 8-by-9 feet — were completely covered with maroon spray paint. The vandalism happened in the Willow Spring/Lost Creek area, officials said.
The panels included pictographs, defined as paintings and drawings on rock, and petroglyphs, drawings scraped and ground onto the surface of the rock. All were severely damaged, officials said.
The Bureau of Land Management estimates that restoration will cost about $10,000. The vandalism is the most severe case in Red Rock in the past several years, said Mark Boatwright, archeologist for the BLM's Red Rock/Sloan Field Office.
Officials said the art panels — varying in size from 3-by-6 feet to 8-by-9 feet — were completely covered with maroon spray paint. The vandalism happened in the Willow Spring/Lost Creek area, officials said.
The panels included pictographs, defined as paintings and drawings on rock, and petroglyphs, drawings scraped and ground onto the surface of the rock. All were severely damaged, officials said.
The Bureau of Land Management estimates that restoration will cost about $10,000. The vandalism is the most severe case in Red Rock in the past several years, said Mark Boatwright, archeologist for the BLM's Red Rock/Sloan Field Office.
For those who have never been to Las Vegas, Red Rock is just west of Las Vegas, off of Charleston Blvd. It's absolutely beautiful, with mountains, with red ribbons throughout the mountains. You can see Red Rock if you are traveling west on the southern I-215.
And to have some tagger to go put his paint on rock's pictographs is both selfish and criminal.
So, my punishment would be have the thug have a 20 minute meeting with Oscar Goodman and a gangster guest of Oscar's choice and then let them have at it.
That, or 20 years in jail, being a date mate with Bubba up at the Lovelock prison.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
I Watched SNL For The First Time In Ten Years...
And the segment I watched glorified child molesters.
When did SNL get sick and not funny?
When did SNL get sick and not funny?
R.I.P. Leslie Nielsen
Leslie Nielsen, stat of the Naked Gun Movies (and Police Squad TV show) and Airplane passed away today. From Fox News: Canadian actor Leslie Nielsen, who most famously achieved global success in comedy movies such as "Airplane!" and "The Naked Gun," has died aged 84, Manitoba radio station CJOB reported Sunday.
His death was first reported in unconfirmed messages on Twitter late Sunday that suggested the actor had died in the hospital after suffering from pneumonia.
His nephew Doug Nielson, told CJOB that Leslie had been in the hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for 12 days and that with family and friends by his side at 5:30pm Sunday "he just fell asleep and passed away."
One of the best comedy actors of all time.
His death was first reported in unconfirmed messages on Twitter late Sunday that suggested the actor had died in the hospital after suffering from pneumonia.
His nephew Doug Nielson, told CJOB that Leslie had been in the hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for 12 days and that with family and friends by his side at 5:30pm Sunday "he just fell asleep and passed away."
One of the best comedy actors of all time.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Badgers 70 Northwestern 23 Badgers Rose Bowl Bound?
The Wisconsin Badger defeated the Northwestern Wildcats, 70-23 today at Camp Randall. The Badgers finished n a 3 way tie for first place in the Big Ten with Ohio State and Michigan State.
Because of the higher BCS ranking, the Badgers should be going to the Rose Bowl and possibly play TCU.
This might have been one of the Badgers best seasons ever, but we will see if it was the best ever.
Bucky Badger Push Up Count At Half Time
Bucky Badger, who has to do push ups after each Wisconsin Badger football team score, has done 196 push ups so far today.
Wisconsin leads 49-17 against Northwestern at half time.
How many more will he have to do in the second half?
Wisconsin leads 49-17 against Northwestern at half time.
How many more will he have to do in the second half?
University of Nevada Reno Defeats Boise State
UNR defeated Boise State after the Boise State kicker choked on two field goals I could have made at age 50. UNR defeated Boise State, 34-31 in overtime.
From the Las Vegas Sun: The kick came after Boise State’s kicker missed a 26-yard field goal with 2 seconds left in regulation and another from 29 yards in overtime. It snapped Boise State’s 24-game winning streak and ended any hopes that the Broncos (10-1, 6-1 Western Athletic Conference) would play in the BCS title game.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/26/fbc-t25-boise-st-nevada/
Boise State last lost in a bowl game in 2008.
UNR has several players from Clark County, including some players from the school I teach at.
The loss by Boise state is also good news for the Wisconsin Badgers, as this should move them up in the BCS standings.
I had been rooting for Boise State all year to be number 1. I guess I was wrong.
From the Las Vegas Sun: The kick came after Boise State’s kicker missed a 26-yard field goal with 2 seconds left in regulation and another from 29 yards in overtime. It snapped Boise State’s 24-game winning streak and ended any hopes that the Broncos (10-1, 6-1 Western Athletic Conference) would play in the BCS title game.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/26/fbc-t25-boise-st-nevada/
Boise State last lost in a bowl game in 2008.
UNR has several players from Clark County, including some players from the school I teach at.
The loss by Boise state is also good news for the Wisconsin Badgers, as this should move them up in the BCS standings.
I had been rooting for Boise State all year to be number 1. I guess I was wrong.
Friday, November 26, 2010
More Injustice In Pahrump
From today's Pahrump Valley Times: "Floyd Elementary Principal Holly Lepisto was released on bail from the Pahrump jail at 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Special education teacher Sarah Hopkins was released at 11 a.m. on Thursday.Special education aide Kathryn Cummings was still in custody Friday. The three women were in jail on charges of child abuse and conspiracy to commit a crime after allegations were made involving abuse of disabled students at Floyd Elementary School. A fourth special education aide, Phyllis DuShane, faces the same charges. She was released shortly after her arrest on Tuesday for medical reasons."
http://pvtimes.com/news/update-floyd-elementary-principal-teacher-released-on-bail-aide-remains-in-custody/
So, the aide in the classroom, Kathryn Cummings, who is probably the least culpable in this case is the only one still in jail, trying to raise $100,000 in bail money.
I'm not sure completely about the special aide's in Nye County, but I am pretty sure they make maybe $1 or $2 above minimum wage. They are not paid a salary like a teacher or principal. They work maybe 9 or 10 months a year with minimum benefits. And yet this is the person they keep in jail?
The teacher is the person who is in charge of the classroom and the principal is the supervisor and the aides do what the teacher says. So, if this an ongoing problem, the aide is the least culpable.
Further, $100,000 bail? Some murderer's, killers and rapists don't get this kind of bail. Even if the allegations are true, there has been no mention of injury of a student, so why the high bail amount. Are these aides, teacher and principal a flight risk or a danger to the community? That is what bail is about- not punishment. So far, there has been no mention of anyone being a flight risk or a danger to the community.
Another troubling aspect from the article: "District Attorney Brian Kunzi said criminal complaints against the four educators will likely be filed on Monday, possibly revealing what evidence police uncovered in their investigation of abuse at Floyd.Kunzi told the Pahrump Valley Times that he was kept abreast of developments throughout the Nye County Sheriff’s Office investigation."
So, the DA has these educators thrown in jail but yet doesn't even have the criminal complaint ready. This is probably going to be a complex case, unless it involves corporal punishment that involves physical abuse and there are witnesses to the abuse.
Another troubling part of the case: "Parents of special education students were contacted Monday night by Lepisto and told that their children may need to stay home on Tuesday, because only substitutes would be teaching, said one parent. Gary Loyko, who has a 6-year-old son in Hopkins’ class, said the principal would not say why the teacher and aides would be absent." http://pvtimes.com/news/principal-3-others-arrested/
This is illegal. You cannot tell students not to come to school because of problems at school, unless the entire school is affected. That is illegal. The class could have been covered by substitute teachers, teachers from the school and school district and other school employees.
Another troubnling aspect of the case is a press release written by the Pahrump Disability Outreach Program. From the press release:
"PDOP second would hope and pray that this is an isolated incident and not the standard for the Nye County School District. We have faith that the school district will address this issue immediately and will take all necessary measures to prevent this from occurring again."
The sheriff's department has said that the criminal behavior has been occurring for two years, then how can this be an isolated incident?
The press release also says:
"PDOP third would like to say a few words to the person(s) who commit these types of crimes. The Pahrump community will not tolerate this behavior by you or anyone else especially in your position. You were entrusted with other people’s loved ones and you have betrayed that trust. There is no excuse for your behavior in the situation and it is ap-palling. We hope as an organization you now realize that the commu-nity, our families, and our organization will not tolerate this type of be-havior from anyone"
http://www.pahrumpdisabilityoutreachprogram.com/pdopnyeschool.pdf
First, what crimes? And who wrote the press release? Could it be the lead detective in the case?
From PVT: (Det. David) Boruchowitz declined to comment about his interview of Lepisto. Asked whether his position as president of local nonprofit Pahrump Disability Outreach Program, a nonprofit outreach group that works with family members of disabled children, played any role in the investigation, he said no.Asked whether he thought his off-duty role in PDOP constituted a conflict of interest, he said no.“I’m an advocate for disabled children, all children, at work and off-duty,” he said.DeMeo said he agrees there is not a conflict of interest.
http://pvtimes.com/news/update-bail-raised-to-100000-police-say-evidence-mounts-against-educators/
Again, I don't know what is going on. Maybe these four ladies are heinous child abusers who should spend the rest of their life in prison. Or maybe they are victim of a witch hunt by a detective and new DA. Or maybe it is somewhere in between. Who knows? No one because the cops and DA are not releasing any information.
http://pvtimes.com/news/update-floyd-elementary-principal-teacher-released-on-bail-aide-remains-in-custody/
So, the aide in the classroom, Kathryn Cummings, who is probably the least culpable in this case is the only one still in jail, trying to raise $100,000 in bail money.
I'm not sure completely about the special aide's in Nye County, but I am pretty sure they make maybe $1 or $2 above minimum wage. They are not paid a salary like a teacher or principal. They work maybe 9 or 10 months a year with minimum benefits. And yet this is the person they keep in jail?
The teacher is the person who is in charge of the classroom and the principal is the supervisor and the aides do what the teacher says. So, if this an ongoing problem, the aide is the least culpable.
Further, $100,000 bail? Some murderer's, killers and rapists don't get this kind of bail. Even if the allegations are true, there has been no mention of injury of a student, so why the high bail amount. Are these aides, teacher and principal a flight risk or a danger to the community? That is what bail is about- not punishment. So far, there has been no mention of anyone being a flight risk or a danger to the community.
Another troubling aspect from the article: "District Attorney Brian Kunzi said criminal complaints against the four educators will likely be filed on Monday, possibly revealing what evidence police uncovered in their investigation of abuse at Floyd.Kunzi told the Pahrump Valley Times that he was kept abreast of developments throughout the Nye County Sheriff’s Office investigation."
So, the DA has these educators thrown in jail but yet doesn't even have the criminal complaint ready. This is probably going to be a complex case, unless it involves corporal punishment that involves physical abuse and there are witnesses to the abuse.
Another troubling part of the case: "Parents of special education students were contacted Monday night by Lepisto and told that their children may need to stay home on Tuesday, because only substitutes would be teaching, said one parent. Gary Loyko, who has a 6-year-old son in Hopkins’ class, said the principal would not say why the teacher and aides would be absent." http://pvtimes.com/news/principal-3-others-arrested/
This is illegal. You cannot tell students not to come to school because of problems at school, unless the entire school is affected. That is illegal. The class could have been covered by substitute teachers, teachers from the school and school district and other school employees.
Another troubnling aspect of the case is a press release written by the Pahrump Disability Outreach Program. From the press release:
"PDOP second would hope and pray that this is an isolated incident and not the standard for the Nye County School District. We have faith that the school district will address this issue immediately and will take all necessary measures to prevent this from occurring again."
The sheriff's department has said that the criminal behavior has been occurring for two years, then how can this be an isolated incident?
The press release also says:
"PDOP third would like to say a few words to the person(s) who commit these types of crimes. The Pahrump community will not tolerate this behavior by you or anyone else especially in your position. You were entrusted with other people’s loved ones and you have betrayed that trust. There is no excuse for your behavior in the situation and it is ap-palling. We hope as an organization you now realize that the commu-nity, our families, and our organization will not tolerate this type of be-havior from anyone"
http://www.pahrumpdisabilityoutreachprogram.com/pdopnyeschool.pdf
First, what crimes? And who wrote the press release? Could it be the lead detective in the case?
From PVT: (Det. David) Boruchowitz declined to comment about his interview of Lepisto. Asked whether his position as president of local nonprofit Pahrump Disability Outreach Program, a nonprofit outreach group that works with family members of disabled children, played any role in the investigation, he said no.Asked whether he thought his off-duty role in PDOP constituted a conflict of interest, he said no.“I’m an advocate for disabled children, all children, at work and off-duty,” he said.DeMeo said he agrees there is not a conflict of interest.
http://pvtimes.com/news/update-bail-raised-to-100000-police-say-evidence-mounts-against-educators/
Again, I don't know what is going on. Maybe these four ladies are heinous child abusers who should spend the rest of their life in prison. Or maybe they are victim of a witch hunt by a detective and new DA. Or maybe it is somewhere in between. Who knows? No one because the cops and DA are not releasing any information.
Drunk Tina Suing Because She was Too Drunk
The drunk blond in the video, Tina Vlijter, is suing the makers of "Inside American Jail" because she says she was too drunk to sign a release.
If you watch the video, she didn't appear to be that drunk- just stupid. Further, if you don't want you face on TV for acting like a drunk, don't get drunk and don't get arrested for DUI.
For more information: http://www.lvrj.com/news/-hot-tina-sues-over-2008-incident-at-clark-county-jail-110890649.html
My guess is this lawsuit won't go very far and she maybe offered a very small settlement offer. Maybe she is looking for another 15 minutes of fame because more people are going to watch this video now that she has filed the lawsuit.
Will The MSM Treat Obama The Same As Other Presidents?
Our fearless Emperor, got an elbow in the mouth and got 12 stitches in his upper lip. From Yahoo News: President Barack Obama needed 12 stitches in his upper lip after taking an errant elbow during a pickup basketball game Friday morning with family and friends visiting for the Thanksgiving holiday, the White House said.
First word of the injury came in a statement from press secretary Robert Gibbs nearly three hours after the incident.
The White House did not initially name the person who caused the injury, but identified him later Friday as Rey Decerega, director of programs for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.
Obama received the stitches under local anesthesia in the doctor's office on the ground floor of the White House after returning home. Doctors used a smaller filament than typically used, which increases the number of stitches but makes a tighter stitch and leaves a smaller scar.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101126/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama
It sucks to get stitches, especially in the mouth area. It's going to cause a lot of discomfort, but do you think the MSM and late night comedians are going to treat him like they treated George W. Bush when he fell off his bike while mountain bike riding? Maybe they will treat Obama like the media and comedians treated Bush when Bush choked on a pretzel? Or Gerald Ford when he tripped and fell? Or all of the jokes at Dick Cheney's expense when Cheney had his heart problems.
Yeah, I didn't think so.
First word of the injury came in a statement from press secretary Robert Gibbs nearly three hours after the incident.
The White House did not initially name the person who caused the injury, but identified him later Friday as Rey Decerega, director of programs for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.
Obama received the stitches under local anesthesia in the doctor's office on the ground floor of the White House after returning home. Doctors used a smaller filament than typically used, which increases the number of stitches but makes a tighter stitch and leaves a smaller scar.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101126/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama
It sucks to get stitches, especially in the mouth area. It's going to cause a lot of discomfort, but do you think the MSM and late night comedians are going to treat him like they treated George W. Bush when he fell off his bike while mountain bike riding? Maybe they will treat Obama like the media and comedians treated Bush when Bush choked on a pretzel? Or Gerald Ford when he tripped and fell? Or all of the jokes at Dick Cheney's expense when Cheney had his heart problems.
Yeah, I didn't think so.
And How Was Your Thanksgiving?
I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and for government employees "Family Day".
I, myself, had the flu yesterday, spending about 20 hours sleeping. I didn't eat much or even watch TV.
Today, I had a terrible backache, but had time to watch some TV and play Scrabble with the family at night.
The cold weather brought memories of Wisconsin winter. It was 23 degrees at our house very early this morning. Right now, it is 30 degrees outside. Right now we are colder than Kodiak, Alaska, Cincinnati, OH., New York, NY., and Boston, MA.
The Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort opened. Last year, they were open for 6 months.
Black Friday happened in Las Vegas but there were no riots, probably because we are a 24 hour town and we know how to shop 24 hours.
So, I hope everyone has a nice weekend and please be safe.
I, myself, had the flu yesterday, spending about 20 hours sleeping. I didn't eat much or even watch TV.
Today, I had a terrible backache, but had time to watch some TV and play Scrabble with the family at night.
The cold weather brought memories of Wisconsin winter. It was 23 degrees at our house very early this morning. Right now, it is 30 degrees outside. Right now we are colder than Kodiak, Alaska, Cincinnati, OH., New York, NY., and Boston, MA.
The Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort opened. Last year, they were open for 6 months.
Black Friday happened in Las Vegas but there were no riots, probably because we are a 24 hour town and we know how to shop 24 hours.
So, I hope everyone has a nice weekend and please be safe.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Update: Special Education Arrests In Pahrump
There have been several new developments in the case where a principal, speacial education teacher and two special education teacher aides were arrested in Pahrump.
Bail has been raised from $35,000 to $100,000 on the defendants.
From the Pahrump Valley Times: "Nye County Sheriff’s deputies stand by their arrests of four Floyd Elementary school employees Tuesday on multiple counts of child abuse, saying that more evidence was uncovered by their investigation on Wednesday.Although no additional charges were filed, the four women — Principal Holly Lepisto, 53, teacher Sarah Hopkins, 52, and special education aides Phyllis DuShane, 73, and Kathryn Cummings, 56 — saw their bail almost tripled to $100,000 by Justice of the Peace Tina Brisebill on Wednesday.The judge released DuShane for medical reasons, but the three others were in custody as of press time.The Nye County School District has started an internal investigation and has suspended all four women as well as a fifth, unidentified aide, officials said.Ed Lepisto, the principal’s husband, was hoping to get his wife out of jail before the holiday, working with a bail bondsman as well as with local defense attorney Jason Earnest to secure her release. He said that the bail increase only added to the shock of the past 24 hours.“We’re all in shock. The community is in shock. Police officers who were at the scene were in shock,” the principal’s husband said".
Further: "The Pahrump Valley Times requested the criminal complaint and police reports, called deck sheets, from Sheriff Tony DeMeo and officials at the Pahrump Jail. Those records were not made public. Brian Kunzi, the county’s new district attorney, says criminal complaints will likely be filed on Monday. According to a press release made available Tuesday, Holly Lepisto was arrested for conducting “an extremely poor investigation” when a complaint was made to her about the manner in which Hopkins was punishing a student."
http://pvtimes.com/news/update-bail-raised-to-100000-police-say-evidence-mounts-against-educators/
So, the defendants are going to be in jail over the holidays, not knowing what criminal complaints will be filed against them. I'm not even sure this is legal.
The cops are putting out a lot of innuendo but have nothing of substance so far. The principal is accused of conducting a half hearted investigation, but perhaps she didn't see any abuse when she did investigate.
Further, we don't know what is in the IEP's of the students involved. An IEP is a yearly service plan that discusses the student's abilities and goals for the next school year.
From the Cops perspective: "DeMeo defended the arrests.“These allegations are crimes committed against people who could not defend themselves. There’s a lot more to it,” he said. “There is validation in this investigation to the allegations.”Asked if the police recovered any videotaped proof of the abuse — cameras are located inside and outside of Floyd Elementary — DeMeo said there wasn’t. The investigation, which was launched only a few days ago, started when “someone, who told someone, who told someone, who told a police officer,” the sheriff said. After that, “it unraveled.” (same article)
So, what the cops are saying that they heard through 3 lines of heresy and then put together a case.
I have several questions about this case so far:
1. Why haven't we heard any facts about the case? Lots of talk but no facts.
2. What is the functioning level of these students and how did the police interview them?
3. Where there marks left on the children and where is the proof the staff members put the marks on the child,
4. What was in the child's IEP concerning behavior?
5. Who were the witnesses?
6. Was this classroom a self-contained classroom where the kids stay in this particular class all day or where the kids in a regular education classroom or a combination of the two?
7. Who made the initial complaint?
8. Who did the investigation? Police? Child Protective services? Strangers or people familiar with the students?
9. How come were will not here what is in the complaint until Monday or Tuesday? Doesn't this violate the defendants rights?
10. Who raised the bail to $100,000- a judge? Was there a hearing and if so, what was said at the hearing? what was the rational of the increase of the bail? Did the DA think that the three remaining jailed subjects are a flight risk or a danger to the community? If so why?
11. Why were the teacher and aides out of school on the day there were to be arrested?
Again, as a special education teacher, working with students who are severely disabled, I find this case troubling. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered, by both sides, but especially by the police and DA, as the proof is on them.
Bail has been raised from $35,000 to $100,000 on the defendants.
From the Pahrump Valley Times: "Nye County Sheriff’s deputies stand by their arrests of four Floyd Elementary school employees Tuesday on multiple counts of child abuse, saying that more evidence was uncovered by their investigation on Wednesday.Although no additional charges were filed, the four women — Principal Holly Lepisto, 53, teacher Sarah Hopkins, 52, and special education aides Phyllis DuShane, 73, and Kathryn Cummings, 56 — saw their bail almost tripled to $100,000 by Justice of the Peace Tina Brisebill on Wednesday.The judge released DuShane for medical reasons, but the three others were in custody as of press time.The Nye County School District has started an internal investigation and has suspended all four women as well as a fifth, unidentified aide, officials said.Ed Lepisto, the principal’s husband, was hoping to get his wife out of jail before the holiday, working with a bail bondsman as well as with local defense attorney Jason Earnest to secure her release. He said that the bail increase only added to the shock of the past 24 hours.“We’re all in shock. The community is in shock. Police officers who were at the scene were in shock,” the principal’s husband said".
Further: "The Pahrump Valley Times requested the criminal complaint and police reports, called deck sheets, from Sheriff Tony DeMeo and officials at the Pahrump Jail. Those records were not made public. Brian Kunzi, the county’s new district attorney, says criminal complaints will likely be filed on Monday. According to a press release made available Tuesday, Holly Lepisto was arrested for conducting “an extremely poor investigation” when a complaint was made to her about the manner in which Hopkins was punishing a student."
http://pvtimes.com/news/update-bail-raised-to-100000-police-say-evidence-mounts-against-educators/
So, the defendants are going to be in jail over the holidays, not knowing what criminal complaints will be filed against them. I'm not even sure this is legal.
The cops are putting out a lot of innuendo but have nothing of substance so far. The principal is accused of conducting a half hearted investigation, but perhaps she didn't see any abuse when she did investigate.
Further, we don't know what is in the IEP's of the students involved. An IEP is a yearly service plan that discusses the student's abilities and goals for the next school year.
From the Cops perspective: "DeMeo defended the arrests.“These allegations are crimes committed against people who could not defend themselves. There’s a lot more to it,” he said. “There is validation in this investigation to the allegations.”Asked if the police recovered any videotaped proof of the abuse — cameras are located inside and outside of Floyd Elementary — DeMeo said there wasn’t. The investigation, which was launched only a few days ago, started when “someone, who told someone, who told someone, who told a police officer,” the sheriff said. After that, “it unraveled.” (same article)
So, what the cops are saying that they heard through 3 lines of heresy and then put together a case.
I have several questions about this case so far:
1. Why haven't we heard any facts about the case? Lots of talk but no facts.
2. What is the functioning level of these students and how did the police interview them?
3. Where there marks left on the children and where is the proof the staff members put the marks on the child,
4. What was in the child's IEP concerning behavior?
5. Who were the witnesses?
6. Was this classroom a self-contained classroom where the kids stay in this particular class all day or where the kids in a regular education classroom or a combination of the two?
7. Who made the initial complaint?
8. Who did the investigation? Police? Child Protective services? Strangers or people familiar with the students?
9. How come were will not here what is in the complaint until Monday or Tuesday? Doesn't this violate the defendants rights?
10. Who raised the bail to $100,000- a judge? Was there a hearing and if so, what was said at the hearing? what was the rational of the increase of the bail? Did the DA think that the three remaining jailed subjects are a flight risk or a danger to the community? If so why?
11. Why were the teacher and aides out of school on the day there were to be arrested?
Again, as a special education teacher, working with students who are severely disabled, I find this case troubling. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered, by both sides, but especially by the police and DA, as the proof is on them.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Emperor Obama: $181,757 Per Hour On Air Force 1
From Fox News: The U.S. military has provided an updated estimate on that cost, first published by a taxpayer watchdog group and confirmed by FoxNews.com, and the number is staggering -- $181,757 per hour. That's the price tag for shuttling around President Obama, who, as it turns out, has spent more days abroad in his first two years than any other president.
Estimates over the years based on government reports and independent number-crunching have always reflected a steep cost for presidential travel, but the figure provided by the 89th Airlift Wing appears to be far higher than any previously reported. It was first published in a report this week on presidential travel by the National Taxpayers Union Foundation. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/11/24/military-pegs-hourly-air-force-cost-g-obama-sets-travel-record/
Liberals complain that the GOP are holding up unemployment insurance extensions because the GOP wants to find cuts to pay for the extensions. Well, here is one place to start: Keep Obama in Washington D.C.
Estimates over the years based on government reports and independent number-crunching have always reflected a steep cost for presidential travel, but the figure provided by the 89th Airlift Wing appears to be far higher than any previously reported. It was first published in a report this week on presidential travel by the National Taxpayers Union Foundation. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/11/24/military-pegs-hourly-air-force-cost-g-obama-sets-travel-record/
Liberals complain that the GOP are holding up unemployment insurance extensions because the GOP wants to find cuts to pay for the extensions. Well, here is one place to start: Keep Obama in Washington D.C.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Oh Crap. In Two Hours I Qualify For AARP Benefits
In two hours, I turn the big 50. Trust me, I feel it and I hate seeing vultures circling my greying head.
And now I can apply for senior discounts. Sigh.
But it could be worse. Seeing so many people I have known have had their name in the obituaries and I still have not seen my name yet.
So, life goes on. Just more slowly.
And now I can apply for senior discounts. Sigh.
But it could be worse. Seeing so many people I have known have had their name in the obituaries and I still have not seen my name yet.
So, life goes on. Just more slowly.
Winter Has Arrived To Las Vegas
Winter, true winter will be arriving in the next couple of days in the Las Vegas area.
Right now, the cold front is approaching and we are getting about 40mph winds by Black Mountain.
Tomorrow's high will only be 45 with a low of 24 at night. Similar weather will on tap for Thanksgiving Day and night. Meanwhile, in northern Nevada, they had some heavy snow with blizzard conditions.
I guess we won't be seeing the 70's for the next few months.
Stay warm.
Right now, the cold front is approaching and we are getting about 40mph winds by Black Mountain.
Tomorrow's high will only be 45 with a low of 24 at night. Similar weather will on tap for Thanksgiving Day and night. Meanwhile, in northern Nevada, they had some heavy snow with blizzard conditions.
I guess we won't be seeing the 70's for the next few months.
Stay warm.
Principal, Teacher and Two Aides Arrested In Pahrump
From The Las Vegas Sun: "The Nye County Sheriff’s Office arrested four faculty members at Floyd Elementary School on Tuesday after a teacher and two aides were accused of physically punishing students with mental and physical disabilities, officials said.
Teacher Sarah Hopkins, 52, aides Phyllis DuShane, 73, and Kathryn Cummings, 56, and Principal Holly Lepisto, 53, were arrested Tuesday on five counts of child abuse/neglect and one count conspiracy to commit a crime, a Sheriff’s Office news release said.
According to the news release, detectives conducted an investigation at the school and found that Hopkins and the aides were using unreasonable physical punishment on children for at least the last two school years."
Four children were identified as victims; they had challenges that included visual impairment, cerebral palsy, speech challenges and hearing impairment, the release said.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/23/four-nye-county-school-faculty-members-accused-chi/
Since there have been no details of what the employees did to hurt the students, I am going to withhold judgement.
But this reminds me of the time I worked at Vincent High School in the Milwaukee Public School District, in Wisconsin.
I was a rookie teacher, in the middle of my first year teaching. My classroom consisted of about 10 very severely disabled students, whose average mental age was about 4 months old. Over half the kids were in wheelchairs and none of the kids could talk.
One day, one of my students was crying and a teacher from another classroom happened to be in my classroom. He went up to the girl and slapped her in the face, quite hard and yelled at her to shut up- it wasn't a love tap. Needless to say, I was shocked at what I saw. The teacher said he was tired of hearing her cry.
After the shock wore off, I knew I had to report the incident. I contacted an assistant principal at the school who I knew and trusted and she had me write up a report. Then we went to the principal's office and I reported what I had seen. And then I waited. And waited. And waited. Nothing happened. There was no investigation by anyone in the school as to what happened.
So, then, I was pissed and then I found out that the principal and the abuser thug teacher were related through his marriage to a member of the principal's family.
Well, being thoroughly pissed off and more than a little scared, I went up the chain of command. I went to the area head of special education and reported what I saw. Still nothing happened. I then went to the head of Special Education in MPS. Still nothing happened. I finally went to the superintendent's office and talked to an assistant superintendent in the district and still nothing happened. The police were never called. Child protective services were never notified. No one from MPS ever questioned the teacher or any of the aides in the classroom about the episode and obviously, nothing ever happened to the teacher.
At the end of the school year, I was involuntarily transferred from Vincent H.S. to North Division H.S.. Gee, I wonder why. I'm actually surprised that I wasn't fired, but I guess they knew I could have raised a big stink if they fired me.
So, I can see how this could have happened in Pahrump. People see something and people can cover it up to protect their buddies. And in case, all of those arrested were fairly old and probably have been working together for a long time.
Again, I don't know the details of what happened in Pahrump, so I will reserve judgement, especially since this case comes from Nye County. This is where a lot of strange things happen, especially in the court system.
Teacher Sarah Hopkins, 52, aides Phyllis DuShane, 73, and Kathryn Cummings, 56, and Principal Holly Lepisto, 53, were arrested Tuesday on five counts of child abuse/neglect and one count conspiracy to commit a crime, a Sheriff’s Office news release said.
According to the news release, detectives conducted an investigation at the school and found that Hopkins and the aides were using unreasonable physical punishment on children for at least the last two school years."
Four children were identified as victims; they had challenges that included visual impairment, cerebral palsy, speech challenges and hearing impairment, the release said.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/23/four-nye-county-school-faculty-members-accused-chi/
Since there have been no details of what the employees did to hurt the students, I am going to withhold judgement.
But this reminds me of the time I worked at Vincent High School in the Milwaukee Public School District, in Wisconsin.
I was a rookie teacher, in the middle of my first year teaching. My classroom consisted of about 10 very severely disabled students, whose average mental age was about 4 months old. Over half the kids were in wheelchairs and none of the kids could talk.
One day, one of my students was crying and a teacher from another classroom happened to be in my classroom. He went up to the girl and slapped her in the face, quite hard and yelled at her to shut up- it wasn't a love tap. Needless to say, I was shocked at what I saw. The teacher said he was tired of hearing her cry.
After the shock wore off, I knew I had to report the incident. I contacted an assistant principal at the school who I knew and trusted and she had me write up a report. Then we went to the principal's office and I reported what I had seen. And then I waited. And waited. And waited. Nothing happened. There was no investigation by anyone in the school as to what happened.
So, then, I was pissed and then I found out that the principal and the abuser thug teacher were related through his marriage to a member of the principal's family.
Well, being thoroughly pissed off and more than a little scared, I went up the chain of command. I went to the area head of special education and reported what I saw. Still nothing happened. I then went to the head of Special Education in MPS. Still nothing happened. I finally went to the superintendent's office and talked to an assistant superintendent in the district and still nothing happened. The police were never called. Child protective services were never notified. No one from MPS ever questioned the teacher or any of the aides in the classroom about the episode and obviously, nothing ever happened to the teacher.
At the end of the school year, I was involuntarily transferred from Vincent H.S. to North Division H.S.. Gee, I wonder why. I'm actually surprised that I wasn't fired, but I guess they knew I could have raised a big stink if they fired me.
So, I can see how this could have happened in Pahrump. People see something and people can cover it up to protect their buddies. And in case, all of those arrested were fairly old and probably have been working together for a long time.
Again, I don't know the details of what happened in Pahrump, so I will reserve judgement, especially since this case comes from Nye County. This is where a lot of strange things happen, especially in the court system.
Nevada DMV: Great Service
Today, I had to renew my driver's license because of my upcoming birthday. Most people who go to the Nevada's DMV offices usually have to wait an hour, 2 hours or more. Rarely, do people have a positive visit to the DMV and it seems like it is a nationwide problem. However, today was different.
I went to the DMV office 4110 Donovan Way in North Las Vegas. In Nevada, you have to go desks. The first is the information desk and that is where they determine what forms you need, and what line you will be in. Sometimes, it takes an hour or more to get to the front of the line.
Today, I walked in, filled out a form, there was no line in the information line, and as soon as I got my number, they called it and I was seen right away. I was seen by the DMV agent within 5 minutes of walking through the door. The agent was very friendly and did her job in a professional manner. All told, I was in the office for about 20 minutes. I would have been out in less than 10 minutes had it not been for a minor glitch in which someone stole my identity in Hawaii about 20 years ago.
So, kudo's to the folks at the DMV office on Donovan Way in North Las Vegas. Good job.
The Real Reason Behind The TSA Pat Downs: Obama Care
People are wondering why the TSA is getting so close and comfortable with you as you pass through security. Why, of course, it is Obama Care.
Here, you have a herd of people all trapped one place. What better time to do a fast physical. Just think, you can get a prostrate exam, pap smear, check for breast cancer, hernia check, check your breathing and heartbeat. While they are at it, they can check your tonsils and if you ask nicely, you probably can get inoculations for the flu. Just think, you can get a twofer- a physical and security check.
So, behind the TSA badges are really medical assistants, nurses, doctors, along with those nice security people.
So, next time you are standing in line waiting in security, just think of all the possibilities you can have. Among those, a flight and a physical.
Only under Obama.
Here, you have a herd of people all trapped one place. What better time to do a fast physical. Just think, you can get a prostrate exam, pap smear, check for breast cancer, hernia check, check your breathing and heartbeat. While they are at it, they can check your tonsils and if you ask nicely, you probably can get inoculations for the flu. Just think, you can get a twofer- a physical and security check.
So, behind the TSA badges are really medical assistants, nurses, doctors, along with those nice security people.
So, next time you are standing in line waiting in security, just think of all the possibilities you can have. Among those, a flight and a physical.
Only under Obama.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Pawn Stars Review: November 22, 2010
Well, we are shivering in Las Vegas. The lows are in the 30's and we actually have a wind chill last night and there is snow on Mount Charleston. Of course, this means that they will open the Mountain for skiing on Thanksgiving. Yes, there is a ski hill by Las Vegas: http://www.skilasvegas.com/winter/index.html
Las Vegas is also a good place to visit during Thanksgiving. Some shows offer deep discounts and there are few lines, except at places like the Wynn, M and Bellagio. The trick is to know when the crowds will arrive and then beat the crowds.
And now onto the reruns.
The first episode was aired on May 16, 2010: http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2010/05/tonight-was-first-night-to-see-pawn.html
The second episode has been seen many times: http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2010/03/pawn-stars-review-march-1st-2010.html
Have a very nice Thanksgiving and Black Friday and thanks for stopping by.
Las Vegas is also a good place to visit during Thanksgiving. Some shows offer deep discounts and there are few lines, except at places like the Wynn, M and Bellagio. The trick is to know when the crowds will arrive and then beat the crowds.
And now onto the reruns.
The first episode was aired on May 16, 2010: http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2010/05/tonight-was-first-night-to-see-pawn.html
The second episode has been seen many times: http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2010/03/pawn-stars-review-march-1st-2010.html
Have a very nice Thanksgiving and Black Friday and thanks for stopping by.
Now that Native Americans Have Received A Huge Payout, Can They Start Relying Less On The Government?
From the San Francisco Examiner: Also, $3.4 billion would go to Indian landowners who claim they were swindled out of royalties by the Interior Department. The legislation was approved in the Senate by voice vote Friday and sent to the House. Read more at the San Francisco Examiner: http://www.sfexaminer.com/politics/congress/senate-approves-46-billion-in-settlements-for-black-farmers-american-indians-109290694.html#ixzz164OCGRdK
The case with Native Americans has been going on for years and the Federal government has been stealing money from the Indians for decades, if not longer. The Native Americans are entitled to that money. They are probably owed much more than that, but that is what they settled for.
But, now that they have the money, can they rely less on the U.S. government and the BIA? Why does the Federal government continue to provide medical care to the Indians? Talk about a scandal, the medical care for Native Americans is the worst, period. The Native Americans have the worst medical care anywhere in the U.S., probably even worse than prisoners receive in prison. You want to see what single payer health care looks like- go to an Indian Reservation and find out. (I used to live in communities that are right next to Indian Reservations in North Dakota and Montana and I have seen first hand how bad the medical care is in these communities. I also have seen how bad the education system is and corruption in the reservation governments. I have also seen the good side of Native Americans- some of the nicest people you want to meet and very family orientated) Perhaps, now the Native Americans can pick their type of health care.
And perhaps now they don't have to rely on the U.S. government for housing. When I lived in North Dakota and worked on a volunteer fire department, part of our coverage area was Native American trust land. The BIA would pay and build houses for the family. On more than one occasion, a person was dissatisfied with their house and so they burned it down and the BIA would then build them another house at no cost. We also had so many calls when a person would get drunk, and ended up burning down their house and the BIA would build them another. No need for insurance. Maybe it has changed since then, but those were my experiences.
I would love for the Native Americans break free from the Federal government and be self reliant. Maybe the $3.4 billion plus casino money will help the Native Americans become less reliant on the Federal government.
The case with Native Americans has been going on for years and the Federal government has been stealing money from the Indians for decades, if not longer. The Native Americans are entitled to that money. They are probably owed much more than that, but that is what they settled for.
But, now that they have the money, can they rely less on the U.S. government and the BIA? Why does the Federal government continue to provide medical care to the Indians? Talk about a scandal, the medical care for Native Americans is the worst, period. The Native Americans have the worst medical care anywhere in the U.S., probably even worse than prisoners receive in prison. You want to see what single payer health care looks like- go to an Indian Reservation and find out. (I used to live in communities that are right next to Indian Reservations in North Dakota and Montana and I have seen first hand how bad the medical care is in these communities. I also have seen how bad the education system is and corruption in the reservation governments. I have also seen the good side of Native Americans- some of the nicest people you want to meet and very family orientated) Perhaps, now the Native Americans can pick their type of health care.
And perhaps now they don't have to rely on the U.S. government for housing. When I lived in North Dakota and worked on a volunteer fire department, part of our coverage area was Native American trust land. The BIA would pay and build houses for the family. On more than one occasion, a person was dissatisfied with their house and so they burned it down and the BIA would then build them another house at no cost. We also had so many calls when a person would get drunk, and ended up burning down their house and the BIA would build them another. No need for insurance. Maybe it has changed since then, but those were my experiences.
I would love for the Native Americans break free from the Federal government and be self reliant. Maybe the $3.4 billion plus casino money will help the Native Americans become less reliant on the Federal government.
Will The Las Vegas Sun Blame Demcorats For Anything?
As usual, the Las Vegas Sun just cannot bring themselves to blame Democrats for anything. In their latest bit of stupidity: "House Republicans last week put on a demonstration of how they’ll conduct business when they take over the chamber next year: They blocked a bill that would extend unemployment benefits to hundreds of thousands of Americans. Although the Republicans said they want to help the unemployed, they rallied enough votes to kill the measure, which needed a two-thirds majority to pass."
Umm, whatever happened to Nancy Pelosi's pay as you go? How about not adding to the deficit? Check around the 1 minute 40 seconds to the three minute mark. Then go into the bathroom and disinfect your ears and vomit if you need to.
Of course, then the Sun goes into class warfare: The measure would cost $12.5 billion, but Republicans complained about adding to the national deficit. However, they don’t seem to have a problem with deficit spending, particularly when it comes to tax cuts. They are arguing to extend the Bush tax cuts, most of which would go to the wealthy, at a cost of $238 billion next year — and the Republicans have yet to explain how they would offset the cost.
Help the wealthy but not the unemployed? Shameful.
Actually, the GOP is trying to fight for everyone over the largest tax increase ever in the U.S.
The Dem's are saying they are cutting taxes. Nope, if they were cutting taxes, the tax rate would go down even further. Nope, the GOP is fighting for the status quo or that taxes do not go up if the Dem's fail to act on the tax rate, which I fear will happen.
"The Republican leadership in Congress, however, doesn’t get it. They think the economy will magically revive if they cut taxes. Please."
Actually, it has been shown when you cut the federal tax rate, more money flows into the treasury. Happened with JFK, Reagan and Bush. The problem is not that the Fed's have too little money but the Fed's are overspending.
The economy will also suffer. Unemployment benefits get spent, cycling money into the economy and helping maintain or create jobs. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/22/lump-coal/
Right, using this logic, Nevada should have been out of the recession by now and the economy is flourishing. But as you can see, the economy in Nevada still sucks.
Maybe, one of these days, the Sun will actually realize that the problem is spending at the Federal level. All the Democrats have to go is cut money from somewhere else and then the unemployed can have all the extensions. Cut money from the military, FDA, EPA, BIA etc. Maybe Obama and Pelosi can cut down their travel, especially Obama. They certainly can find the money to pay for the unemployed.
Umm, whatever happened to Nancy Pelosi's pay as you go? How about not adding to the deficit? Check around the 1 minute 40 seconds to the three minute mark. Then go into the bathroom and disinfect your ears and vomit if you need to.
Of course, then the Sun goes into class warfare: The measure would cost $12.5 billion, but Republicans complained about adding to the national deficit. However, they don’t seem to have a problem with deficit spending, particularly when it comes to tax cuts. They are arguing to extend the Bush tax cuts, most of which would go to the wealthy, at a cost of $238 billion next year — and the Republicans have yet to explain how they would offset the cost.
Help the wealthy but not the unemployed? Shameful.
Actually, the GOP is trying to fight for everyone over the largest tax increase ever in the U.S.
The Dem's are saying they are cutting taxes. Nope, if they were cutting taxes, the tax rate would go down even further. Nope, the GOP is fighting for the status quo or that taxes do not go up if the Dem's fail to act on the tax rate, which I fear will happen.
"The Republican leadership in Congress, however, doesn’t get it. They think the economy will magically revive if they cut taxes. Please."
Actually, it has been shown when you cut the federal tax rate, more money flows into the treasury. Happened with JFK, Reagan and Bush. The problem is not that the Fed's have too little money but the Fed's are overspending.
The economy will also suffer. Unemployment benefits get spent, cycling money into the economy and helping maintain or create jobs. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/22/lump-coal/
Right, using this logic, Nevada should have been out of the recession by now and the economy is flourishing. But as you can see, the economy in Nevada still sucks.
Maybe, one of these days, the Sun will actually realize that the problem is spending at the Federal level. All the Democrats have to go is cut money from somewhere else and then the unemployed can have all the extensions. Cut money from the military, FDA, EPA, BIA etc. Maybe Obama and Pelosi can cut down their travel, especially Obama. They certainly can find the money to pay for the unemployed.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes VS Black Eyed Peas
I was watching the AMA awards tonight (why, maybe it was the beer in me) and the Blackeyed Peas sang "I've Had The time Of My Life". This song was first made famous by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes:
Winner, hands down: Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.
Jimmie Johnson: King Of The Road. Again
Jimmie Johnson won the Sprint Cup championship based on his 2nd place finish at Homestead FL. This is his 5th straight championship. Congratulations.
People are concerned that NASCAR is boring because of Jimmie Johnson keeps winning the championship and I say B.S. NASCAR is boring for several reasons and it's not Jimmie Johnson's fault. Most people don't even care if Johnson wins the championship or not. It's not like he won the Super Bowl or World Series.
For me, what makes NASCAR boring:
1. Even though they they start side by side, within a lap or two, the drivers go into a single file line. Very boring, especially compared to Indy Car racing.
2. In Nationwide, whenever Danica Patrick races, it's Danica all the time. Face it, NASCAR, Danica sucks as a NASCAR driver. The only reason she is in Nationwide is because she female. She had a good car and good crew and yet she still sucked.
3. Dale Earnhardt JR. His season was terrible and I believe he doesn't care if he wins or loses. How is it that his three teammates are far superior to him? They have the same cars, engines and set ups. Earnhardt has a lot of fans and he loses more and more each race.
4. The reason why there is fewer TV audience is because there are a lot of people dropping cable TV. Most of the races were on cable- you can do the math. You know you are hurting that you have to run the last race of the season in the heat of the battle for the championship is shown on ESPN and not ABC.
5. There are a lot empty seats at the tracks. While the ticket prices are reasonable, it still costs a lot to go to the race. Food and drink and even more if you want to rent a scanner to listen to the pit crews. It can cost a family of 4 well over $200 to go to a race, and that is on the cheap.
NASCAR is a great sport that millions enjoy. NASCAR can do somethings better but they do a good job, despite the economy.
Yep, That's How I Go To Work Cleaning Graffiti
Graffiti clean up queen, and coke user, Paris Hilton, is pictured here, cleaning up graffiti along Hollywood Blvd. But this was for her crimes in Las Vegas. Why isn't she cleaning up- graffiti in Las Vegas?
All I can say, is that is not how most people would go to work outside.
Laurie "Bambi" Bembenek Passes Away
Laurie " Bambie" Bembenek died today of complications of numerous health problems last night in Portland, OR., at the age of 52.
From jsonline:Bembenek, 52, who later changed her first name to Laurie, had been admitted to a hospital in recent days and then was transferred to a hospice, her sister said. Her health problems included hepatitis C and liver and kidney failure, Colette Bembenek said.
"It went real fast. I'm glad she didn't linger," Colette Bembenek said. "I knew it was inevitable that she probably would be expiring early in life."
Laurie Bembenek was the former Milwaukee police officer charged with killing her then-husband's ex-wife, Christine Schultz. She was convicted in 1982 and sentenced to life in prison, but that was far, far from the end of the story.
In 1990, with the help of fiancé Dominic Gugliatto, the brother of another inmate, she escaped from Taycheedah Correctional Institution. They were captured three months later in Thunder Bay, Ontario. More legal proceedings resulted in her pleading guilty to second-degree murder and being released on parole for time served.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/109696054.html
I remember when all of this was going on because I was living in Wisconsin at the time. Initially, the murder didn't gain a lot attention. However, once Ira Robins, private investigator on the case, the publicity of the case grew tremendously.
Bembenek was convicted on circumstantial evidence and tried to appeal her conviction on circumstantial evidence. She lost a lot of creditability when she escaped from prison and was found being a waitress up in Canada.
The courts granted her an appeal and she plea bargained to a 2nd degree murder conviction and got time served. at the time, most people were tired of her and were glad her 15 minutes of fame were up.
I myself, thought she was innocent with the possibility of murdered victim's husband did the killing or at least he hired someone to do to the killing and framed Bembenek.
It just seemed strange to me that a person who always was non-violent would kill someone in cold blood. That doesn't happen very much.
So, now Laurie Bembenek can finally rest in peace. If she did the crime, she is now shaking hands with the devil. If she was innocent, she's knocking Heaven's door.
From jsonline:Bembenek, 52, who later changed her first name to Laurie, had been admitted to a hospital in recent days and then was transferred to a hospice, her sister said. Her health problems included hepatitis C and liver and kidney failure, Colette Bembenek said.
"It went real fast. I'm glad she didn't linger," Colette Bembenek said. "I knew it was inevitable that she probably would be expiring early in life."
Laurie Bembenek was the former Milwaukee police officer charged with killing her then-husband's ex-wife, Christine Schultz. She was convicted in 1982 and sentenced to life in prison, but that was far, far from the end of the story.
In 1990, with the help of fiancé Dominic Gugliatto, the brother of another inmate, she escaped from Taycheedah Correctional Institution. They were captured three months later in Thunder Bay, Ontario. More legal proceedings resulted in her pleading guilty to second-degree murder and being released on parole for time served.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/109696054.html
I remember when all of this was going on because I was living in Wisconsin at the time. Initially, the murder didn't gain a lot attention. However, once Ira Robins, private investigator on the case, the publicity of the case grew tremendously.
Bembenek was convicted on circumstantial evidence and tried to appeal her conviction on circumstantial evidence. She lost a lot of creditability when she escaped from prison and was found being a waitress up in Canada.
The courts granted her an appeal and she plea bargained to a 2nd degree murder conviction and got time served. at the time, most people were tired of her and were glad her 15 minutes of fame were up.
I myself, thought she was innocent with the possibility of murdered victim's husband did the killing or at least he hired someone to do to the killing and framed Bembenek.
It just seemed strange to me that a person who always was non-violent would kill someone in cold blood. That doesn't happen very much.
So, now Laurie Bembenek can finally rest in peace. If she did the crime, she is now shaking hands with the devil. If she was innocent, she's knocking Heaven's door.
Lines Compliment Of The tSA
If you are plamming of flying this weekend, probably plan a 4-5 hour wait in security, where waits were problamatic before the new grope/xxx-ray tatics by the TSA were instituted, especially at McCarren.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
November 21, 2010: 30 Year Anniversary Of The MGM Fire
November 21, 1980 is one of the worst days in the history of Las Vegas. That was the day that 85 people died in a fire at the MGM Grand.
While I didn't live in Las Vegas at the time, I remember reading about the fire as I was a volunteer fireman at the time. The MGM fire closely followed by the Las Vegas Hilton Fire helped with creating the new and enhanced fire codes for hotels, motels and resorts.
For more on the fire: http://fire.co.clark.nv.us/(S(quvbx4yxqfwxyu55gu5rik2v))/MGM.aspx
The investigative report: http://fire.co.clark.nv.us/(S(quvbx4yxqfwxyu55gu5rik2v))/Files/pdfs/MGM_FIRE.pdf
One hopes we will never have to go through this again.
update: The fire was not where the MGM now stands. The fire was at the Bally's current location.
TSA Business Cards
TSA business cards are available now!
Our government working for you.
h/t Real Debate Wisconsin http://realdebatewisconsin.blogspot.com/
Our government working for you.
h/t Real Debate Wisconsin http://realdebatewisconsin.blogspot.com/
Wisconsin Badgers: Win 1 Lose 1
The Badger football team crushed Michigan today by stuffing the ball down the throat of the Wolverines. The score was 48-28. If Ohio State, Michigan State and Wisconsin win out next week, the Badgers will go to the rose Bowl because of their rank in the BCS.
In basketball, the Badgers were edged by the UNLV Rebels, 68-65. It was a close game throughout the game.
And of course, I'll be hearing all about the basketball game, living in Vegas and all. But the Rebels look like a tough basketball team.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Whatever Happened To Hardcore Pawn?
I've have not seen Hard Core Pawn on TV for at least a couple of months. Are they still around?
Well according to the Tru TV web site, they will have new episodes starting in December. But Tru TV doesn't say when in December. Maybe they were canceled? Hope not, but who knows.
http://www.trutv.com/shows/hardcore-pawn/index.html
Even going on http://www.americanjewelryonline.com/ the Hard Core Pawn web site, nothing is mentioned about when they will return.
So, are they coming back or not? That is the question.
Well according to the Tru TV web site, they will have new episodes starting in December. But Tru TV doesn't say when in December. Maybe they were canceled? Hope not, but who knows.
http://www.trutv.com/shows/hardcore-pawn/index.html
Even going on http://www.americanjewelryonline.com/ the Hard Core Pawn web site, nothing is mentioned about when they will return.
So, are they coming back or not? That is the question.
Israeli's Messing With Iran?
The New York Times brings some interesting information about how the Israeli's are messing with Iran's nuclear program.
From the NY Times: The German software engineer who in September was the first to report that a computer worm was apparently designed to sabotage targets in Iran said Friday that the program contained two separate “digital warheads.”
The malicious program, known as Stuxnet, is designed to disable both Iranian centrifuges used to enrich uranium and steam turbines at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which is scheduled to begin operation next year, said the engineer, Ralph Langner, an industrial control systems specialist based in Hamburg, Germany.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/20/world/middleeast/20stuxnet.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
I am not a computer geek, so, from I what I understand from the article, Israel just screwed up Iran's nuclear program without firing a shot or bomb Iran into the Stone Age. (Not that they are that far away from the Stone Age)
Good for Israel for screwing with Iran and their nuclear prgram.
Then again, I hope we never piss of Israel either. Who knows how much damage Israel can do to us.
h/t Dad 29
From the NY Times: The German software engineer who in September was the first to report that a computer worm was apparently designed to sabotage targets in Iran said Friday that the program contained two separate “digital warheads.”
The malicious program, known as Stuxnet, is designed to disable both Iranian centrifuges used to enrich uranium and steam turbines at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which is scheduled to begin operation next year, said the engineer, Ralph Langner, an industrial control systems specialist based in Hamburg, Germany.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/20/world/middleeast/20stuxnet.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
I am not a computer geek, so, from I what I understand from the article, Israel just screwed up Iran's nuclear program without firing a shot or bomb Iran into the Stone Age. (Not that they are that far away from the Stone Age)
Good for Israel for screwing with Iran and their nuclear prgram.
Then again, I hope we never piss of Israel either. Who knows how much damage Israel can do to us.
h/t Dad 29
Stupid Tennessee News
From The Las Vegas Sun: "A Tennessee judge has ruled that the state's lethal injection method is unconstitutional, settting up a showdown before the state's high court over how it executes prisoners.
Davidson County Chancellor Claudia Bonnyman sided with defense attorneys who argued the mix of drugs used by the state could allow condemned inmates to die by suffocation while awake. Bonnyman heard testimony from several medical experts." http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/19/us-tennessee-death-penalty/
Umm, ok and who cares if he suffocates before or after he is awake or unconscious? Dead is dead.
But a simple solution to this problem is to have the thug killed the way he killed his victims, a mother and her daughter. Or maybe we could put him out his misery by using a sledge hammer to the head. Problem solved.
This is just a stupid argument. The wacked out judge is just looking for an excuse to spare the thug's life. No concern for the mother and daughter who were killed by this thug. No concern for the law and no concern for the victim's family.
And of course the Sun really doesn't care about the victims either. In the article they mention the thug's name two times. The victim's name? Zero. Nada. None.
The victim's names are Wanda Romines and her 15-year-old daughter, Sheila Romines. The thug was convicted in 1987.
What a bunch of pathetic a-holes in Tennessee.
Davidson County Chancellor Claudia Bonnyman sided with defense attorneys who argued the mix of drugs used by the state could allow condemned inmates to die by suffocation while awake. Bonnyman heard testimony from several medical experts." http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/19/us-tennessee-death-penalty/
Umm, ok and who cares if he suffocates before or after he is awake or unconscious? Dead is dead.
But a simple solution to this problem is to have the thug killed the way he killed his victims, a mother and her daughter. Or maybe we could put him out his misery by using a sledge hammer to the head. Problem solved.
This is just a stupid argument. The wacked out judge is just looking for an excuse to spare the thug's life. No concern for the mother and daughter who were killed by this thug. No concern for the law and no concern for the victim's family.
And of course the Sun really doesn't care about the victims either. In the article they mention the thug's name two times. The victim's name? Zero. Nada. None.
The victim's names are Wanda Romines and her 15-year-old daughter, Sheila Romines. The thug was convicted in 1987.
What a bunch of pathetic a-holes in Tennessee.
Unemployment Not Being Extended. Blame The Democrats.
As usual, the Democrats want to give people money with no way to pay for it. The latest is the latest unemployment extension, which probably will give people unemployment compensation until the year 2525.
The fact is, if the Democrats would cut spending somewhere to pay for the extension, the unemployment extension would pass. It's called pay as you go. Something that the Democrats, especially Nancy Pelosi, touted a couple of years go.
But the Dumbocrats just want to put the U.S. deeper in debt every day.
So, if the Dem's want unemployment compensation extensions, then cut something. How about green energy money, military cutbacks, perverted TSA agents, BLM, EPA, Congressional perks like travel etc.
So, to the Democrats, try and cut some money somewhere because you are just screwing the unemployed.
The fact is, if the Democrats would cut spending somewhere to pay for the extension, the unemployment extension would pass. It's called pay as you go. Something that the Democrats, especially Nancy Pelosi, touted a couple of years go.
But the Dumbocrats just want to put the U.S. deeper in debt every day.
So, if the Dem's want unemployment compensation extensions, then cut something. How about green energy money, military cutbacks, perverted TSA agents, BLM, EPA, Congressional perks like travel etc.
So, to the Democrats, try and cut some money somewhere because you are just screwing the unemployed.
John Ensign Cleared By The FEC. So What? Resign Now!
From the LVRJ: The Federal Election Commission has dismissed a complaint alleging Sen. John Ensign improperly paid his former campaign aide Cindy Hampton $96,000 following the discovery of their extramarital affair, according to documents made public Friday.
The allegation formed one of the legs of investigations, still ongoing in other federal bodies, into Ensign's conduct after the disclosure that the Nevada Republican had a nine-month relationship with Hampton, a family friend who also served as treasurer of his two political committees.
The charge that was filed by an ethics watchdog group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, was that a $96,000 check provided by Ensign's parents to Hampton, her husband, Doug, and two of their children in April 2008 amounted to job severance that was not reported as required to federal agencies. http://www.lvrj.com/news/federal-election-commission-won-t-punish-ensign-for-cash-to-mistress-109296314.html
Yes, the complaint was a bogus complaint from a liberal organization, but that doesn't mean you, Sen. Ensign, are qualified to be a senator in the U.S. Senate.
Resign now, sen. Ensign.
The allegation formed one of the legs of investigations, still ongoing in other federal bodies, into Ensign's conduct after the disclosure that the Nevada Republican had a nine-month relationship with Hampton, a family friend who also served as treasurer of his two political committees.
The charge that was filed by an ethics watchdog group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, was that a $96,000 check provided by Ensign's parents to Hampton, her husband, Doug, and two of their children in April 2008 amounted to job severance that was not reported as required to federal agencies. http://www.lvrj.com/news/federal-election-commission-won-t-punish-ensign-for-cash-to-mistress-109296314.html
Yes, the complaint was a bogus complaint from a liberal organization, but that doesn't mean you, Sen. Ensign, are qualified to be a senator in the U.S. Senate.
Resign now, sen. Ensign.
Watch Out: Full Moon Friday
It is a full moon Friday. It's going to be a busy day for the police, fire and ER departments.Not to mention schools and nursing homes.
Be safe out there.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Hey, John Ensign, Talk To Jim Gibbons
So, John Ensign is thinking about running for re-relection to the U.S. Senate in 2012. Ensign has been embroiled in several controversies, including cheating on his wife and trying to pay off the family.
From the LVRJ: Sen. John Ensign said Tuesday that he plans to run for re-election, a decision that sets him on an uphill path to Election Day 2012 and another six-year term representing Nevada.
Ensign will have to navigate through ongoing ethics investigations and a shortage of campaign funding in the undertaking. He could face a Republican primary challenge as well as a Democratic opponent in a year that President Barack Obama would also be on the ballot.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/ensign-says-he-ll-run-for-re-election-in-2012-108576594.html
Earth to Ensign, talk to Jim Gibbons about this. John, you have very little support and no money in the bank. You are unpopular with the voters and GOP. You won't make it out of the primary, even if you voted conservative most of the time.
It would better if you resign and have Brian Sandoval name the replacement.
So, John, talk to Jim Gibbons and see how he felt when he lost his primary election race.
From the LVRJ: Sen. John Ensign said Tuesday that he plans to run for re-election, a decision that sets him on an uphill path to Election Day 2012 and another six-year term representing Nevada.
Ensign will have to navigate through ongoing ethics investigations and a shortage of campaign funding in the undertaking. He could face a Republican primary challenge as well as a Democratic opponent in a year that President Barack Obama would also be on the ballot.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/ensign-says-he-ll-run-for-re-election-in-2012-108576594.html
Earth to Ensign, talk to Jim Gibbons about this. John, you have very little support and no money in the bank. You are unpopular with the voters and GOP. You won't make it out of the primary, even if you voted conservative most of the time.
It would better if you resign and have Brian Sandoval name the replacement.
So, John, talk to Jim Gibbons and see how he felt when he lost his primary election race.
Headline From The Sun: "Harrah’s boss says gaming industry gets a bad rap"
So, the CEO of Harrah's is concerned about the gaming industry getting a bad rap.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/17/harrahs-boss-says-gaming-industry-gets-bad-rap/
Hey Mr. CEO of Harrahs, when your employees act like union thugs during the past election in their support of Harry Reid, you are going to get a bad rap.
Boycott Harrah's properties!!!
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/17/harrahs-boss-says-gaming-industry-gets-bad-rap/
Hey Mr. CEO of Harrahs, when your employees act like union thugs during the past election in their support of Harry Reid, you are going to get a bad rap.
Boycott Harrah's properties!!!
Ann Coulter Nails It On The TSA Sexual Abusers
From Ann Coulter: After Muslim terrorist Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab of Nigeria tried to detonate explosive material in his underwear over Detroit last Christmas, the government began requiring nude body scans at airports. The machines, which cannot detect chemicals or plastic, would not have caught the diaper bomber. So, again, no hijackers were stopped, but being able to see passengers in the nude boosted the morale of airport security personnel by 22 percent....
So when the next Muslim terrorist, probably named Abdul Ahmed al Shehri, places explosives in his anal cavity, what is the government going to require then? (If you're looking for a good investment opportunity, might I suggest rubber gloves?) Last year, a Muslim attempting to murder Prince Mohammed bin Nayef of Saudi Arabia blew himself up with a bomb stuck up his anus. Fortunately, this didn't happen near an airport, or Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano would now be requiring full body cavity searches to fly....
Instead, Napolitano just keeps ordering more invasive searches of all passengers, without exception -- except members of Congress and government officials, who get VIP treatment, so they never know what she's doing to the rest of us. Two weeks ago, Napolitano ordered TSA agents to start groping women's breasts and all passengers' genitalia -- children, nuns and rape victims, everyone except government officials and members of Congress. (Which is weird because Dennis Kucinich would like it.) "Please have your genitalia out and ready to be fondled when you approach the security checkpoint."
http://www.anncoulter.com/
These illegal pat downs and nude pictures are going to hurt the airline and tourism industry and Las Vegas is going to be vulnerable.
And where is Harry Reid? Pretty darn quiet. I wonder why? Because he is exempt from the screenings: The TSA also announced that some individuals will be exempt from airport security screening, including Members of Congress, Cabinet members, state governors, federal judges, high-ranking military officers, people with top-secret security clearances and airline pilots. http://ashsd.afacwa.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_article.cfm&HomeID=24029
So when the next Muslim terrorist, probably named Abdul Ahmed al Shehri, places explosives in his anal cavity, what is the government going to require then? (If you're looking for a good investment opportunity, might I suggest rubber gloves?) Last year, a Muslim attempting to murder Prince Mohammed bin Nayef of Saudi Arabia blew himself up with a bomb stuck up his anus. Fortunately, this didn't happen near an airport, or Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano would now be requiring full body cavity searches to fly....
Instead, Napolitano just keeps ordering more invasive searches of all passengers, without exception -- except members of Congress and government officials, who get VIP treatment, so they never know what she's doing to the rest of us. Two weeks ago, Napolitano ordered TSA agents to start groping women's breasts and all passengers' genitalia -- children, nuns and rape victims, everyone except government officials and members of Congress. (Which is weird because Dennis Kucinich would like it.) "Please have your genitalia out and ready to be fondled when you approach the security checkpoint."
http://www.anncoulter.com/
These illegal pat downs and nude pictures are going to hurt the airline and tourism industry and Las Vegas is going to be vulnerable.
And where is Harry Reid? Pretty darn quiet. I wonder why? Because he is exempt from the screenings: The TSA also announced that some individuals will be exempt from airport security screening, including Members of Congress, Cabinet members, state governors, federal judges, high-ranking military officers, people with top-secret security clearances and airline pilots. http://ashsd.afacwa.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_article.cfm&HomeID=24029
Greedy CCSD Faces Budget Shortfall Of $180,000,000
CCSD faces a budget shortfall of $180,000,000 in the fiscal 2012 year.
From the Las Vegas Sun: “Ouch,” one board member murmured.
The Clark County School District budget for fiscal 2012 is expected to be about $2 billion.
Jim McIntosh, the school district’s deputy chief financial officer, told board members that a $150 million of the shortfall is projected because of falling state funding, falling property tax receipts and expected employee pay increases when union concessions expire in the year beginning in July 2011. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/17/school-district-faces-180-million-budget-shortfall/
Of course, what the writer of the article didn't write is that the district got a one year $57 million stimulus compliments of Harry Reid, Shelly Berkley and President Obama. Since this was a one time expenditure, the District hired a bunch of new employees, put the administrators who were reassigned to lower positions back into their former positions and rehired many of those who were laid off. At our school, we have fewer teaching staff but one more administrator and several more curriculum leaders. Is that good or bad- depends on who you talk to. We also have fewer students than last year.
Now, the District is saying they will have to layoff 2000 employees. But if the District wasn't so greedy in the Fall by accepting the bailout money, the shortfall will be much lower. And you know with the GOP in control of the House, they are not going to be sympathetic to school districts and other state and local government agencies to their financial problems and they shouldn't be.
So, because of the greed of the District, there will be another year of cutbacks, throwing the District into chaos. Again.
From the Las Vegas Sun: “Ouch,” one board member murmured.
The Clark County School District budget for fiscal 2012 is expected to be about $2 billion.
Jim McIntosh, the school district’s deputy chief financial officer, told board members that a $150 million of the shortfall is projected because of falling state funding, falling property tax receipts and expected employee pay increases when union concessions expire in the year beginning in July 2011. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/17/school-district-faces-180-million-budget-shortfall/
Of course, what the writer of the article didn't write is that the district got a one year $57 million stimulus compliments of Harry Reid, Shelly Berkley and President Obama. Since this was a one time expenditure, the District hired a bunch of new employees, put the administrators who were reassigned to lower positions back into their former positions and rehired many of those who were laid off. At our school, we have fewer teaching staff but one more administrator and several more curriculum leaders. Is that good or bad- depends on who you talk to. We also have fewer students than last year.
Now, the District is saying they will have to layoff 2000 employees. But if the District wasn't so greedy in the Fall by accepting the bailout money, the shortfall will be much lower. And you know with the GOP in control of the House, they are not going to be sympathetic to school districts and other state and local government agencies to their financial problems and they shouldn't be.
So, because of the greed of the District, there will be another year of cutbacks, throwing the District into chaos. Again.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
This Why Harry Reid Should Have Been Defeated
From the Sun: Republicans may not like it, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Wednesday he’s going to go ahead with bills to repeal a ban on gays serving openly in the military and provide undocumented college students and military recruits a chance to become American citizens.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/17/reid-pressing-pass-dream-act-repeal-ban-gays-milit/
As far as Don't Ask, Don't Tell, I would not bothered if they pass it or not, with the caveat- no gay marriage on military bases in States that don't have gay marriage and no housing for gay couples, unless they are married. DADT was passed by Congress, so if Congress wants to get rid of it, I find that more tolerable than if a judge changed the law.
As far as the Dream Act, I am dead set against it. It is amnesty for illegals, no matter how you look at it and it is not fair for people who had to pay thousands of dollars and years trying to jump through hoops to become a legal U.S. citizen. (my ex-wife came here legally from Singapore and we had to jump through a lot of hoops and pay thousands for fees and lawyers. Of course, sometimes I wish I had not, but that's for another day)
And people wonder why Harry Reid should have been defeated. (Yes, I know, if Harry lost, he would still have a couple of weeks in the lame duck session) But at least the GOP will probably filibuster the Dream Act and probably DADT.
I guess this is what Harry Reid calls bi-partisanship.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/17/reid-pressing-pass-dream-act-repeal-ban-gays-milit/
As far as Don't Ask, Don't Tell, I would not bothered if they pass it or not, with the caveat- no gay marriage on military bases in States that don't have gay marriage and no housing for gay couples, unless they are married. DADT was passed by Congress, so if Congress wants to get rid of it, I find that more tolerable than if a judge changed the law.
As far as the Dream Act, I am dead set against it. It is amnesty for illegals, no matter how you look at it and it is not fair for people who had to pay thousands of dollars and years trying to jump through hoops to become a legal U.S. citizen. (my ex-wife came here legally from Singapore and we had to jump through a lot of hoops and pay thousands for fees and lawyers. Of course, sometimes I wish I had not, but that's for another day)
And people wonder why Harry Reid should have been defeated. (Yes, I know, if Harry lost, he would still have a couple of weeks in the lame duck session) But at least the GOP will probably filibuster the Dream Act and probably DADT.
I guess this is what Harry Reid calls bi-partisanship.
Laurie (Bambi) Bembenek Near Death
From the Wisconsin State Journal: Laurie Bembenek, the former Milwaukee police officer and Playboy hostess convicted of a decades-old murder, is near death in hospice care near her home in Vancouver, Wash., according to a friend.
Ira Robins of Milwaukee said Bembenek, 52, has been suffering from liver and kidney failure, partially due to Hepatitis C. "She's almost gone," Robins said Wednesday. "She's been beaten up for so many years. They took her to hospice Sunday or Monday."
Bembenek, known as "Bambi" Bembenek, was convicted in 1982 of killing Christine Schultz, the ex-wife of her husband, Fred Schultz. Bembenek escaped from prison, fled to Canada, was recaptured and later entered a no contest plea to a reduced charge of second-degree murder. Prosecutors agreed to release Bembenek on time she already served.
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/article_6807402c-f2aa-11df-951e-001cc4c002e0.html
This is a case that captivated Milwaukee and much of the country for several of years. There was even a movie about her.
She was accused of killing the wife of a police officer that Bembenek had dated while the officer was still married. Bembenek was a police officer trainee at the time and when the accusations came out, she was fired.
She was convicted of murder, sent to prison and promptly escaped. She was recaptured in Canada.
She has always maintained her innocence and she was able to convince a judge to order a new trial. Instead of going to trial, she made a plea bargain and was able to get out of prison for time served. She has tried several time to get a pardon or have her conviction overturned and none of it has been successful.
I always thought she was not guilty, but I was a youngster then and so my hormones may have taken over my mind.
I hope she is out of pain.
Ira Robins of Milwaukee said Bembenek, 52, has been suffering from liver and kidney failure, partially due to Hepatitis C. "She's almost gone," Robins said Wednesday. "She's been beaten up for so many years. They took her to hospice Sunday or Monday."
Bembenek, known as "Bambi" Bembenek, was convicted in 1982 of killing Christine Schultz, the ex-wife of her husband, Fred Schultz. Bembenek escaped from prison, fled to Canada, was recaptured and later entered a no contest plea to a reduced charge of second-degree murder. Prosecutors agreed to release Bembenek on time she already served.
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/article_6807402c-f2aa-11df-951e-001cc4c002e0.html
This is a case that captivated Milwaukee and much of the country for several of years. There was even a movie about her.
She was accused of killing the wife of a police officer that Bembenek had dated while the officer was still married. Bembenek was a police officer trainee at the time and when the accusations came out, she was fired.
She was convicted of murder, sent to prison and promptly escaped. She was recaptured in Canada.
She has always maintained her innocence and she was able to convince a judge to order a new trial. Instead of going to trial, she made a plea bargain and was able to get out of prison for time served. She has tried several time to get a pardon or have her conviction overturned and none of it has been successful.
I always thought she was not guilty, but I was a youngster then and so my hormones may have taken over my mind.
I hope she is out of pain.
Boy, I Got One Right
The day after I post about how the liberal must be hating Bristol Palin for being in "Dancing With The Stars" and she is in the semi-finals, word comes from Southwestern Wisconsin that a liberal went unhinged and shot his TV because of Bristol Palin.
From the Wisconsin State Journal: Bail was set Wednesday at $1,500 for a town of Vermont man accused of shooting his television after becoming enraged by Bristol Palin’s performance on “Dancing with the Stars,” threatening his wife and sparking a 15-hour standoff with Dane County sheriff’s deputies.
Steven N. Cowan, 66, will likely post the bail and be released from the Dane County Jail but was ordered by Court Commissioner Todd Meurer to report to the Dane County Bail Monitoring Program after he leaves the jail.
Cowan, who has bipolar disorder, became upset Monday night that Palin, the daughter of Sarah Palin, was appearing on “Dancing with the Stars,” according to a criminal complaint filed Tuesday. He brought a shotgun downstairs, shot the television, then reloaded the weapon and pointed it at his wife, Janice, the complaint states.
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/article_992c2354-f294-11df-991b-001cc4c002e0.html
Thank goodness it was just the TV and not his wife. I'd hate to see what would happen if Sarah Palin won the presidency. Mass suicide by liberals?
I think there will be more crazy liberal acts because of Bristol. ABC must be laughing all the way to the bank.
From the Wisconsin State Journal: Bail was set Wednesday at $1,500 for a town of Vermont man accused of shooting his television after becoming enraged by Bristol Palin’s performance on “Dancing with the Stars,” threatening his wife and sparking a 15-hour standoff with Dane County sheriff’s deputies.
Steven N. Cowan, 66, will likely post the bail and be released from the Dane County Jail but was ordered by Court Commissioner Todd Meurer to report to the Dane County Bail Monitoring Program after he leaves the jail.
Cowan, who has bipolar disorder, became upset Monday night that Palin, the daughter of Sarah Palin, was appearing on “Dancing with the Stars,” according to a criminal complaint filed Tuesday. He brought a shotgun downstairs, shot the television, then reloaded the weapon and pointed it at his wife, Janice, the complaint states.
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/article_992c2354-f294-11df-991b-001cc4c002e0.html
Thank goodness it was just the TV and not his wife. I'd hate to see what would happen if Sarah Palin won the presidency. Mass suicide by liberals?
I think there will be more crazy liberal acts because of Bristol. ABC must be laughing all the way to the bank.
2nd CCSD Teacher Murdered In A Month
A second CCSD teacher has been murdered within about a month in Las Vegas.
From the Las Vegas Sun: The Clark County Coroner's Office said Wednesday that Franta's body was found Sunday behind a grocery store in the northwest valley.
The coroner determined she died of asphyxiation and ruled her death a homicide. Her body was found behind the Albertsons store at Tenaya Way and Craig Road.
Metro Police began asking for the public's help Tuesday in finding Franta, who taught at Irwin and Susan Molasky Junior High School. Police said she left her home about 7 p.m. Saturday in the 4300 block of Cranbrook Circle, near Torrey Pines Drive and Harmon Avenue, and didn't return.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/17/coroner-body-found-behind-grocery-store-missing-te/
On October 20, 2010, a science teacher from El Dorado, Tim VanDerbosch, died after he was robbed, knocked out and the run over by a car.
And how did CCSD let's employees know bout these tragedies? They didn't. No even a district wide e-mail of condolence. Most CCSD staff had to hear about this through the media. Very pathetic, CCSD administration.
When I worked at other school districts, if a staff member died, there would a district wide e-mail and follow up e-mails with information about the funeral and how to donate money to the family. or even off a condolence letter/e-mail, saying something to the effect: We at CCSD are saddened to hear about the death of_____. Our condolences to the family and her friends. We will keep you updated to the date and time of the funeral and where donations can be made.
Now, CCSD administrators, is that so hard? No, it's not.
R.I.P Marybeth Franta and God bless your family and friends.
Update: The husband of the school teacher was arrested for killing Mrs. Franta. From the Sun:
Metro Police on Wednesday arrested the husband of a Las Vegas teacher whose body was found behind a grocery store this past weekend in the northwest valley.
Mark Douglas Franta was taken into custody at 4:55 p.m. and charged with murder in connection with the death of 49-year-old Marybeth Franta. Police said Mark Franta had reported his wife missing.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/17/coroner-body-found-behind-grocery-store-missing-te/
Very sad, as now the two children of the couple are no parentless.
From the Las Vegas Sun: The Clark County Coroner's Office said Wednesday that Franta's body was found Sunday behind a grocery store in the northwest valley.
The coroner determined she died of asphyxiation and ruled her death a homicide. Her body was found behind the Albertsons store at Tenaya Way and Craig Road.
Metro Police began asking for the public's help Tuesday in finding Franta, who taught at Irwin and Susan Molasky Junior High School. Police said she left her home about 7 p.m. Saturday in the 4300 block of Cranbrook Circle, near Torrey Pines Drive and Harmon Avenue, and didn't return.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/17/coroner-body-found-behind-grocery-store-missing-te/
On October 20, 2010, a science teacher from El Dorado, Tim VanDerbosch, died after he was robbed, knocked out and the run over by a car.
And how did CCSD let's employees know bout these tragedies? They didn't. No even a district wide e-mail of condolence. Most CCSD staff had to hear about this through the media. Very pathetic, CCSD administration.
When I worked at other school districts, if a staff member died, there would a district wide e-mail and follow up e-mails with information about the funeral and how to donate money to the family. or even off a condolence letter/e-mail, saying something to the effect: We at CCSD are saddened to hear about the death of_____. Our condolences to the family and her friends. We will keep you updated to the date and time of the funeral and where donations can be made.
Now, CCSD administrators, is that so hard? No, it's not.
R.I.P Marybeth Franta and God bless your family and friends.
Update: The husband of the school teacher was arrested for killing Mrs. Franta. From the Sun:
Metro Police on Wednesday arrested the husband of a Las Vegas teacher whose body was found behind a grocery store this past weekend in the northwest valley.
Mark Douglas Franta was taken into custody at 4:55 p.m. and charged with murder in connection with the death of 49-year-old Marybeth Franta. Police said Mark Franta had reported his wife missing.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/17/coroner-body-found-behind-grocery-store-missing-te/
Very sad, as now the two children of the couple are no parentless.
Can We One For Harry Reid, Sharron Angle, John Ensign and Dina Titus
Reid, Ensign, Angle and Titus are the four most despicable politicians in Nevada. They need to take one of these lie detectors with them, but then, they would never be able to sleep.
The best bit by Johnny Carson is when he says: Answer: Sis Boom Bah
Question: What is the sound of a sheep exploding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlLmS54qn-I
h/t Dad29 http://dad29.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
UNLV-Wisconsin Badger Basketball Game This Saturday In Las Vegas
On Saturday, November 20th, The UNLV Rebels will play the Wisconsin Badgers at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. The game will start at 4:00 and will be broadcast on Versus (Cox cable 38 in Vegas)
The Badgers are ranked 25th in the ESPN/USA Today poll. UNLV is not ranked in the top 25 but is ranked 31. So, it should be a good game.
For those going to the game, tickets start at $20 and goes up to $103. These are the highest priced tickets of year, with the exception of the BYU game, which has the same prices.
I don't see any special Badger parties this weekend. But then, those visiting Las Vegas from Wisconsin, every day is party time
Even The Catholic Bishops Are Going Conservative
Two weeks ago, the United states turned from center left to center right in the 2010 elections.
Perhaps taking a clue from the voters, the Catholic bishops named Archbishop Timothy Dolan head of the United States Bishops.
From the New York Times: In a surprise move, the bishops that lead the Roman Catholic Church in the United States, elected Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York to be their president on Tuesday, rejecting the conference’s more liberal vice president. It was the first time in history that the bishops had not voted to elevate the vice president to the president’s post, affirming a conservative turn among the bishops....
The vote, which was close, cements Archbishop Dolan’s prominent profile in the leadership in the American church. He is already the prelate of the nation’s most visible diocese, is comfortable in the news media spotlight and was selected by the Vatican to help conduct an investigation of the church in Ireland, which has been devastated by a sexual abuse scandal.
The bishops passed over their vice president, Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, who represents the more liberal “social justice” tradition of the American church and is known for advocating dialogue between Catholic liberals and traditionalists. Archbishop Dolan is a moderate conservative who is willing to put his affable and outgoing demeanor in service of a more assertively confrontational approach to the church’s criticshttp://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/us/17bishops.html?_r=1
Dolan has been a Archbishop in St. Louis, Milwaukee and now, New York. Why this man is not a Cardinal, is beyond me.
However, from the article: "Archbishop Dolan is a moderate conservative" (emphasis mine)
What the hell is a moderate conservative?
Perhaps taking a clue from the voters, the Catholic bishops named Archbishop Timothy Dolan head of the United States Bishops.
From the New York Times: In a surprise move, the bishops that lead the Roman Catholic Church in the United States, elected Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York to be their president on Tuesday, rejecting the conference’s more liberal vice president. It was the first time in history that the bishops had not voted to elevate the vice president to the president’s post, affirming a conservative turn among the bishops....
The vote, which was close, cements Archbishop Dolan’s prominent profile in the leadership in the American church. He is already the prelate of the nation’s most visible diocese, is comfortable in the news media spotlight and was selected by the Vatican to help conduct an investigation of the church in Ireland, which has been devastated by a sexual abuse scandal.
The bishops passed over their vice president, Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, who represents the more liberal “social justice” tradition of the American church and is known for advocating dialogue between Catholic liberals and traditionalists. Archbishop Dolan is a moderate conservative who is willing to put his affable and outgoing demeanor in service of a more assertively confrontational approach to the church’s criticshttp://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/us/17bishops.html?_r=1
Dolan has been a Archbishop in St. Louis, Milwaukee and now, New York. Why this man is not a Cardinal, is beyond me.
However, from the article: "Archbishop Dolan is a moderate conservative" (emphasis mine)
What the hell is a moderate conservative?
This Must Be Making Liberals Crazy
Bristol Palin is still alive and kicking on "Dancing With The Stars". As of today, she has reached the semi-finals- the top 4.
Not bad considering that all the liberals were laughing at her when she was named as a contestant.
Now that I wrote about this, I probably jinxed her.
If you look at the comments left at Bristol Palin's You Tube video's, they are very nasty from the compassionate liberals.
Not bad considering that all the liberals were laughing at her when she was named as a contestant.
Now that I wrote about this, I probably jinxed her.
If you look at the comments left at Bristol Palin's You Tube video's, they are very nasty from the compassionate liberals.
O.J. Files Another Appeal
Today, O.J. Simpson's lawyers filed another appeal of his conviction in Las Vegas in 2007. They are asking the Supreme Court to rehear their arguments.
From the Sun: O.J. Simpson's lawyers have filed a petition before the Nevada Supreme Court for a rehearing of the high court's Oct. 20 decision to uphold his robbery/kidnapping conviction stemming from a 2007 incident at the Palace Station Casino.
Simpson was convicted on 11 felony counts in taking items from memorabilia dealers from the hotel room. The 63-year-old NFL Hall of Famer is serving his sentence at the Lovelock Correctional Center.
The court on Oct. 22 upheld Simpson's conviction. Simpson and five other men tried to regain what Simpson believed was his personal property in September 2007 in a Las Vegas hotel room. Simpson was sentenced to a minimum of nine years in prison and a maximum of 33 years.
In the rehearing petition, which was filed Tuesday, Simpson's attorneys, Yale L. Galanter and Malcolm P. LaVergn, say the Clark County District Court that convicted Simpson had flaws in the way it picked the jury.
Their petition said the voir dire process, designed to weed out members of the jury panel who might have bias, was not extensive enough.
"Extensive probing questions were necessary and required in this case under the law," the petition says. "The Court's rationale that more questioning would not have provided additional securities misapprehends the law. Accordingly, a rehearing is warranted on the issue of restricting jury selection."
Simpson's attorneys also argued that the only two African-American members of the potential jury panel should not have been struck after they said they could follow the law.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/16/oj-simpson-lawyers/
This reminds me of a scene from "A Few Good Men": Sam Weinberg: ""I strenuously object?" Is that how it's done? Hm? "Objection, your Honor!" "Overruled" "No, no. I STRENUOUSLY object." "Oh! You strenuously object. Then I'll take some time and reconsider.""
From the Sun: O.J. Simpson's lawyers have filed a petition before the Nevada Supreme Court for a rehearing of the high court's Oct. 20 decision to uphold his robbery/kidnapping conviction stemming from a 2007 incident at the Palace Station Casino.
Simpson was convicted on 11 felony counts in taking items from memorabilia dealers from the hotel room. The 63-year-old NFL Hall of Famer is serving his sentence at the Lovelock Correctional Center.
The court on Oct. 22 upheld Simpson's conviction. Simpson and five other men tried to regain what Simpson believed was his personal property in September 2007 in a Las Vegas hotel room. Simpson was sentenced to a minimum of nine years in prison and a maximum of 33 years.
In the rehearing petition, which was filed Tuesday, Simpson's attorneys, Yale L. Galanter and Malcolm P. LaVergn, say the Clark County District Court that convicted Simpson had flaws in the way it picked the jury.
Their petition said the voir dire process, designed to weed out members of the jury panel who might have bias, was not extensive enough.
"Extensive probing questions were necessary and required in this case under the law," the petition says. "The Court's rationale that more questioning would not have provided additional securities misapprehends the law. Accordingly, a rehearing is warranted on the issue of restricting jury selection."
Simpson's attorneys also argued that the only two African-American members of the potential jury panel should not have been struck after they said they could follow the law.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/16/oj-simpson-lawyers/
This reminds me of a scene from "A Few Good Men": Sam Weinberg: ""I strenuously object?" Is that how it's done? Hm? "Objection, your Honor!" "Overruled" "No, no. I STRENUOUSLY object." "Oh! You strenuously object. Then I'll take some time and reconsider.""
Space Alien Found At Red Rock... Or Not
Last week Rangers and Metro discovered some remains- a backbone to be precise- at Red Rock, in a remote area of the park. They send the Metro search and rescue team to gather the remains and implied they were human remains.
Well, today, they discovered they weren't human remains. From the Sun: A spine found by hikers at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area last week that launched a search for more remains is not from a human, the Clark County Coroner's Office said today.
The Metro Police Search and Rescue Unit had recovered more remains — which police initially said were human — after the hikers discovered the spine Thursday.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/16/coroner-remains-found-red-rock-canyon-arent-human/
Of course, they did not mention what animal/creature it was. so, maybe that is where they dump space aliens from Area 51.
But we know one thing for sure, it was not the bones from a liberal because everyone knows, liberals don't have a backbone.
Well, today, they discovered they weren't human remains. From the Sun: A spine found by hikers at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area last week that launched a search for more remains is not from a human, the Clark County Coroner's Office said today.
The Metro Police Search and Rescue Unit had recovered more remains — which police initially said were human — after the hikers discovered the spine Thursday.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/16/coroner-remains-found-red-rock-canyon-arent-human/
Of course, they did not mention what animal/creature it was. so, maybe that is where they dump space aliens from Area 51.
But we know one thing for sure, it was not the bones from a liberal because everyone knows, liberals don't have a backbone.
Monday, November 15, 2010
How To Embarass The Hell Out A School Bureaucrat
From UPI: Denair Unified School District Superintendent Edward Parraz said Cody Alicea, 13, was told not to fly the U.S. flag from his bike while at Denair Middle School after complaints from other students, KCRA-TV, Sacramento, Calif., reported.
"(The) First Amendment is important," Parraz said. "We want the kids to respect it, understand it, and with that comes a responsibility."
Parraz said racial tensions boiled over at the school this year around the Cinco de Mayo holiday.
"Our Hispanic, you know, kids will, you know, bring their Mexican flags and they'll display it, and then of course the kids would do the American flag situation, and it does cause kind of a racial tension which we don't really want," Parraz said. "We want them to appreciate the cultures."
http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2010/11/11/Student-told-to-take-US-flag-off-bike/UPI-77081289511876/
So, how did the kid and community react? See the video below:
Cody Alicea= Winner
Denair Unified School District Superintendent Edward Parraz= Loser
h/t Real Debate Wisconsin
"(The) First Amendment is important," Parraz said. "We want the kids to respect it, understand it, and with that comes a responsibility."
Parraz said racial tensions boiled over at the school this year around the Cinco de Mayo holiday.
"Our Hispanic, you know, kids will, you know, bring their Mexican flags and they'll display it, and then of course the kids would do the American flag situation, and it does cause kind of a racial tension which we don't really want," Parraz said. "We want them to appreciate the cultures."
http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2010/11/11/Student-told-to-take-US-flag-off-bike/UPI-77081289511876/
So, how did the kid and community react? See the video below:
Cody Alicea= Winner
Denair Unified School District Superintendent Edward Parraz= Loser
h/t Real Debate Wisconsin
Lame Duck Game
This is a nice shooting game of lame ducks in Congress, featuring our very own Harry Reid. To bad he was not a target. (just kidding) I was going to say that Metro cops should play this game, but their shooting seems to be pretty good today.
Here is the link to play: http://lameduckhuntgame.com/
h/t Real Debate Wisconsin
Here is the link to play: http://lameduckhuntgame.com/
h/t Real Debate Wisconsin
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