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Blogging from Aspen

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sun Jun 10, 2007 at 01:27:11 PM EST
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I'm at the NORML conference.

We're creating a blog with Blogger.

Tommy Chong was here yesterday. Here's a picture of him and me.

Gotta go now. More later.

This is an open thraad.

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    Blogging from Aspen | 9 comments (9 topical)

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    Medical Pot (none / 0) (#1)
    by Semanticleo on Sun Jun 10, 2007 at 01:31:46 PM EST
    Please post any info on progress on Medical Marijuana and DOJ's occasional incursions into
    'legal' states.  How much federal energy do you
    see going into superimposing Fed law on State law?

    Scrapping tests for under 16s (none / 0) (#2)
    by HK on Sun Jun 10, 2007 at 02:41:00 PM EST
    In the UK today the government rejected calls from the well-respected General Teaching Council (GTC) to scrap tests for the under 16s.  Research has shown that they place added stress on teachers, parents and pupils for little gain.  The department of Education said that the tests would remain because

    "parents need and greatly value the information they get from performance tables."

    I really resent the implication that I as a parent value any information a league table could possibly give me above the welfare and mental health of my children.  I am actually furious about this.  Any fool can appreciate the benefits of exam-type testing for children nearing their end of schooling exams, but to put 7 and 11 year olds through this is wrong.  The government should be doing what is in the interests of the children and not what they (in some cases wrongly) perceive to be what parents want.

    I know that this may not be relevant to those of you in the US (I don't know what tests children are required to do over there) but I needed to rant, so thanks for the open thread Jeralyn!  BTW  Hope you are having fun in Aspen - I'm jealous as Hell...

    What happened to childhood? (none / 0) (#3)
    by dutchfox on Sun Jun 10, 2007 at 02:54:25 PM EST
    Independent (UK) A major study of British children obtained by the 'IoS' before its submission to the UN, makes disturbing reading. They are materially wealthier than ever, but poorer in health and well-being, and demonised by Asbos. By Sophie Goodchild and Jonathan Owen

    The health and well-being of an entire generation of children are at risk because the Government is failing to uphold their rights to privacy, safety and equality.

    A dossier of evidence from 380 campaign and welfare groups, the most extensive ever into children's rights, obtained by The Independent on Sunday reveals that more than 40 child-protection safeguards are being breached in the UK.

    The Children's Rights Alliance for England (CRAE), which represents the groups, is to hand over the evidence to the United Nations and accuse the Government of "wilful neglect" over its repeated failure to implement the international treaty protecting under-18s, the Convention on the Rights of the Child.


    What happened to childhood? How we are failing the young

    Parent
    Thanks for that info dutchfox (none / 0) (#4)
    by HK on Sun Jun 10, 2007 at 03:54:45 PM EST
    It makes you wonder how the government can justify this excessive testing when this is the case:

    the gulf in academic achievement between rich and poor is greater than ever before. Children from the richest 20 per cent of families are about five times more likely to acquire a degree by the age of 23 than those from the poorest 20 per cent.

    Devising and perpetuating stressful testing regimes throughout schooling is pointless, especially in poor areas.  What we need is a shift towards a more effective and worthwhile education system in which children learn at a pace they are comfortable with, being properly supported yet given something to aim for, whilst gaining essential skills and all being given opportunities to make use of their individual talents as they progress into adulthood.  I really couldn't care less how my children perform compared to other children; what is important is that they are happy and whatever skills they have are valued and reflected in the options open to them, regardless of our wealth or lack of it.

    Parent

    Multi-jurisdiction Narc TFs: 5 year extension? (none / 0) (#5)
    by Ben Masel on Sun Jun 10, 2007 at 08:01:50 PM EST
    The Senate May 25 passed by unanimous consent a Feinstein/Chambliss bill authorising Byrne Grants to fund Muti-jurisdictional Drug Task Forces for 5 years at $1 billion per.

    Previously, these units were authorised year by year.

    The measure heads to the House Judiciary Committee where I've convinced Representative Baldwin to seek only a 1 year re-authorisation, as the groundwork for killing these grants outright has not been laid.

    Constituents of other Judiciary Dems are  urged to make contact.

    Even if one accepts the overall premise of the DrugWar, these units are the wrong way to go.
    Lack of oversight from any elected body is an invitation to abuse and corruption. When the task force screw up, ie wrong house raids, it's the municipalities that get sued, yest the federal role leaves the local govts with no way to prevent improper police work.

    According to Rep baldwin, County Sheriffs are complaining that they'd prefer to handle drug enforcement trhemselves, but are forced to consolidate due to the grant structure.

    hmm (none / 0) (#6)
    by skippybkroo on Sun Jun 10, 2007 at 10:14:08 PM EST
    tommy chong was here yesterday. here's a picture of him and me...

    this is an open thraad.

    "thraad"?  did tommy bring samples?

    actually (none / 0) (#7)
    by skippybkroo on Sun Jun 10, 2007 at 10:16:34 PM EST
    actually i am hoping to be the first to (admittedly prematurely) wish jeralyn a happy 5 year blogiversary (and yes, you coined that phrase!), which i believe happens two days from now.

    jeralyn, along w/her co-bloggers, provides some of the more reasoned and balanced content in blogtopia, and yes, i coined that phrase!

    here's to five years more!

    tommy was great (none / 0) (#8)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Jun 10, 2007 at 10:28:39 PM EST
    he even played guitar with the band.

    The picture will be up soon. It's on a different computer.

    Paris Hilton has found God, etc., (none / 0) (#9)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Jun 11, 2007 at 01:52:31 PM EST
    and is serving her time in a medical wing instead of her cell:
    NEW YORK (Reuters) - Imprisoned hotel heiress Paris Hilton has said she believes God has given her a new chance and she plans to stop acting dumb and put her influence to good use.

    Hilton called television journalist Barbara Walters on Sunday from the medical wing of a Los Angeles jail, where she is being held for violating probation in a drunken-driving case, and Walters recounted the conversation on her ABC television show "The View" on Monday.

    Sounds good. I have nothing against her, I hope she follows through.

    Blogging from Aspen | 9 comments (9 topical)

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