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Tuesday Morning Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 10:33:18 AM EST
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Some of my legal work has stirred some deeper thoughts on the law and I expect to be writing some lengthier pieces at Talk Left this week on the law.

I just don't have much to say about GOP politics and debates right now, and nothing new to add about President Obama's moves of late. I'm a little more optimistic than Jeralyn on where he is headed these days. I'll try to explain why in a post later today.

For now, an Open Thread.

< AP Analysis: Obama's Job Plan is an IOU | Texecutions: Rick Perry's Willful Blindness to Injustice >

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    Tuesday Morning Open Thread | 64 comments (64 topical)

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    I look forward to the piece on Obama. (5.00 / 3) (#1)
    by observed on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 10:38:04 AM EST
    Re-reporting from yesterday:
    Today I have gone from "39" to 50.
    Also, I got word that my visa was approved; I assume I will be leaving within the week, but I will let you know when I have  a date.
    Happy Birthday (none / 0) (#2)
    by sj on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 10:46:41 AM EST
    What a nice birthday present!  I hope it works out just the way you want it to.

    Parent
    Silly me, it's just another step (none / 0) (#3)
    by observed on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 10:52:35 AM EST
    (although a positive one).
    I think there's just one more level of paperwork left.


    Parent
    a little more optimistic? (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by Edger on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 11:03:12 AM EST
    You're thinking he might not run? ;-)

    Bystanders lift car off of man ... (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by Yman on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 11:30:15 AM EST
    ... trapped under a burning car after an accident.  Caught on video.

    Saw That Earlier (none / 0) (#10)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 11:44:58 AM EST
    Great, except the guy pulled out didn't react at all.  How one ends up under a car...

    I ride a bike and that scares the F out of me.

    Parent

    Looked like he was unconcious (none / 0) (#11)
    by Yman on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 11:58:19 AM EST
    What kills me the guy in the suit/purple tie who stood right aside of the group the entire time but never tried to help - he even leaned on the car briefly.

    Good to know there are people out there who aren't afraid to risk themselves to help a stranger, though.

    Parent

    Students and construction workers (none / 0) (#13)
    by MKS on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 12:16:13 PM EST
    are the ones who helped.

    The guy in the suit could have just been at a loss of what to do.....

    Parent

    Could be that too (none / 0) (#30)
    by MKS on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 02:23:32 PM EST
    And, I have my suspicions about his profession......

    Few wear suits except lawyers.....

    Parent

    Many professionals wear suits (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by Yman on Wed Sep 14, 2011 at 09:41:52 AM EST
    Yes, casual attire is becoming more common, but many professionals still wear suits - bankers, business managers, finance professionals, doctors, politicians and staff, etc.

    Parent
    "Few wear suits except lawyers..... " (none / 0) (#49)
    by CoralGables on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 04:38:03 PM EST
    Morticians?

    Parent
    Undertaker in a suit stand by (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by oculus on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 05:56:35 PM EST
    unconscious man lies beneath burning vehicle.  Worse than an ambulance chasing lawyer.  But not widely reported.

    Parent
    Trying to Figure Out if the Joke was... (none / 0) (#33)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 02:29:42 PM EST
    ... about Perry or Mittens, it did happen in Utah, yet the hair looks pretty presidential.  Looks like he, wants to make a cell phone call, but decides not to.

    The cop isn't exactly helpful either.

    Parent

    Projecting a bit...? (none / 0) (#71)
    by jbindc on Wed Sep 14, 2011 at 09:58:08 AM EST


    Parent
    You can see him move later in the video (none / 0) (#34)
    by nycstray on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 02:35:16 PM EST
    he's in critical condition ATM.

    Parent
    It's the little things :) (none / 0) (#68)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 14, 2011 at 08:00:02 AM EST
    Take a minute, lend a hand :)

    Parent
    Bullying and Suicide (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 11:39:17 AM EST
    Why are bullied kids all of a sudden committing suicide in huge numbers.

    People were bullied back in my day and no one committed suicide.  I don't know if I would call it bullying, but I got a beating at least once a week by kids far older then me.  It sucked, but that's the cost of being a smart A I always figured.

    After reading many of these stories, the only common thread seems to be social media.  I am not on Facebook, but I wonder if we had had that would public shame of it all be too much.  I got beat, but it was always in the locker room with my older psycho neighbor and whatever crew crew he could gather.  It wasn't broadcast, and it was never about my character or something I couldn't change.

    It's disturbing to hear about so many suicides due to bullying and these school districts that seem so nonchalant about all of it.  What is the difference from 20 years ago to today.  I rarely read of someone being physically bullied, it's mostly through social media it seems.  And I am not trying to say it social media, just pointing out that seems to be the only real difference.

    Worst of all, in regards to gay kids, which seem to dominate the suicide stats, it's more important to keep right wing anti-gay crown happy then to protect our kids and teach all people that there isn't anything wrong with being gay.

    Much like.... (5.00 / 3) (#18)
    by kdog on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 12:43:07 PM EST
    domestic violence, child abuse, etc...I'm not sure if suicide is more prevalent or just that we hear about more cases, from all over the country.

    Social media does make it worse though...back in the day when ya got home from school you had an escape from the bullies, now if the kids go home and turn on the computer there is no escaping it.  And if the kids stay off the computer, they become outcasts because they don't have a facebook page.  Catch-22...I don't think it has ever been tougher to be a kid.

    Parent

    There was a girl in my high school (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 14, 2011 at 08:02:59 AM EST
    who was bullied a lot.  She killed herself.  Still haunts me, not that I hurt her...but that I let others hurt her and I said and did nothing.

    That event changed me though.  I say things now.  I cannot be relied upon to "not notice".

    Parent

    Huh? (none / 0) (#29)
    by Robot Porter on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 02:12:30 PM EST
    People were bullied back in my day and no one committed suicide.

    I don't know when you were a teen, and I know you're being somewhat hyperbolic, but the highest overall suicide rates were in the mid-eighties. And at that time teenagers also topped the list.

    Hmmm ...

    What do the mid-eighties and the last few years have in common?

    Hint:  I.T.E.S.!

    Parent

    YesI (5.00 / 1) (#56)
    by Robot Porter on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 07:43:17 PM EST
    What's also important to note is that suicide rates across the board usually spike during periods of economic distress, such as at present. Kids living in households where parents are under financial duress are far more likely to kill themselves than those living in affluent communities.

    Yup, this was my point about the similarity between the eighties and now.  Which apparently was missed by others.

    Parent

    less therapy (none / 0) (#32)
    by jondee on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 02:26:34 PM EST
    and more emphasis on getting them on the definitive pharmie cocktail?

    Parent
    My dad helped me solve my... (none / 0) (#37)
    by kdog on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 02:39:32 PM EST
    short-lived bully problems in 6th grade...he taught me how to box, and also taught me that if a "fair fight" failed go for the junk or the eyes, no rules in street fights.

    It was hard for me to do always being the peaceful sort, but once I stood up for myself and held my own in a donnybrook the bullying stopped.

    Parent

    Maybe Using My School Wasn't... (none / 0) (#40)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 03:21:19 PM EST
     ...typical.  No one committed suicide when I went to school, and only one I can think of who was in school with my brother after I was long gone, and bullying had nothing to do with it.

    ~1500 in my graduating class in 1988 so had to be around 5000 people.

    I guess I just figured that was the norm, apparently not.

    Not sure what your riddle means but I will bite, what do they have in common.

    Parent

    I.T.E.S. (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by cymro on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 10:32:35 PM EST
    It's the economy, stupid ?

    Parent
    Bingo! (none / 0) (#63)
    by Robot Porter on Wed Sep 14, 2011 at 01:34:41 AM EST


    Parent
    I Don't Know... (none / 0) (#46)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 03:54:48 PM EST
    ... I see parents on the edge, they have contacted the schools, the parents, and being very proactive and you can tell they seem to be legitimately concerned.

    Remember that Irish girl, her mom was calling parents and it didn't do any good.  It's hard to tell who is good and who's not, but I have seen enough parents that are doing the right things and it doesn't work.

    Trying to convince bullied parents to take some responsibility seems like a losing battle.  Great plan, but realistically, these kids are probably products of abuse and they aren't going to change.

    I later found out that one of the cruelest people that used to get me from time to time was at home getting beat regularly with a garden hose. Really put it into perspective for me.  

    How do help someone like that, call his parents and he gets a beating which probably just made him more cruel.  That's probably an endless legacy, and in order to fix the kid you have to fix the parent which isn't likely.

    Parent

    Sign of the times. (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by MO Blue on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 12:54:07 PM EST
    Census: US poverty rate swells to nearly 1 in 6

    WASHINGTON (AP) -- The ranks of U.S. poor swelled to nearly 1 in 6 people last year, reaching a new high as long-term unemployment woes left millions of Americans struggling and out of work. The number of uninsured edged up to 49.9 million, the biggest in over two decades.

    The Census Bureau's annual report released Tuesday offers a snapshot of the economic well-being of U.S. households for 2010, when joblessness hovered above 9 percent for a second year. It comes at a politically sensitive time for President Barack Obama, who has acknowledged in the midst of his re-election fight that the unemployment rate could persist at high levels through next year.

    The overall poverty rate climbed to 15.1 percent, or 46.2 million, up from 14.3 percent in 2009.
    46.2 million people ... hmm ... (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by Robot Porter on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 01:33:07 PM EST
    that's a pretty good base for any politician who wants to seize them.

    Unfortunately ...

    Parent

    Yes, we are (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by Towanda on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 02:36:34 PM EST
    with voter ID laws.  The debacle continues in my former state, where voters without driver's licenses have to go to DMV's to get IDs.  This is not a state with a lot of DMV offices.  So many elderly, disabled, etc., have trips -- if they can find someone with a car who can take off work for a day -- of six hours round trip plus hours in line.

    Legislators did include in the law a clause that IDs for voting purposes, for those without driver's licenses, would be free.  But the state ordered staffers to not advertise that info and only provide the ID free if the recipient stated knowledge of the freebie clause.

    And just a few days ago, a state worker who actually volunteered the info was fired.

    Parent

    NPR report on voter id. statutes (none / 0) (#55)
    by oculus on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 06:00:24 PM EST
    stated a college student in Wisconsin cannot rely on student id.  No expiration date.  Something lie 300,000 college students in the state of Wisconsin, many of whom helped Obama win the presidency.  

    Parent
    So either (none / 0) (#57)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 08:42:41 PM EST
    the State of Wisconsin issues student ID's without any date at all or they have a year (2011)/range of years (2010/2011 or 2011/2012) on them.  If it is the latter, would not that be an expiration date--either the EOY or the end of the school year?  

    I'm pretty sure I can't use my old ID to score a student discount at the theater down the street since it expired decades ago.  That would be cool if I could though, since I'm not quite senior discount eligible.  

    Parent

    Nope, not the way the law was written (none / 0) (#58)
    by Towanda on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 09:22:16 PM EST
    if you look at it.

    Latest this week, I read, is that Wisconsin is pondering having stickers printed with the required verification for campuses to put on, oh, about 300,000 student IDs.

    That will hike the cost even more of this great plan by the Republicans that already is estimated in the millions of dollars to quash that voter fraud in the state, which found four cases.  Four.

    And the stickers on the campus IDs, what a foolproof plan!  No one ever had a fake ID in college, right?

    Parent

    Even worse (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by MO Blue on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 02:10:32 PM EST
    Both the number and percentage of people living in "deep poverty" -- with incomes below half of the poverty line -- hit record highs, with these data going back to 1975. Some 20.5 million Americans had cash incomes below half of the poverty line (below $11,157 for a family of four, and below $5,672 for a non-elderly person living alone) last year.

    ...
    Meanwhile, in an alternate universe:

    For the billionaire who has everything, sometimes a superyacht just isn't enough -- that's why the world's wealthiest are buying "gigayachts."

    These boats are the ultimate status symbol -- a sign of eminence, power and a seemingly limitless supply of cash. And when it comes to showing off wealth and status it seems the rule is "the bigger the better."

    link


    Parent
    The income levels used to determine (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by caseyOR on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 04:42:50 PM EST
    if someone is living in poverty are ridiculously low. Who really thinks that a family of four making $24,000/yr. is living in anything but dire circumstances?

    If we used honest measures to determine poverty I think the nation would be shocked at how many Americans are living in poverty. In much the same way that we manipulate numbers to make unemployment appear to be less than it really is, we misrepresent poverty.

    The country is in crisis. Will the political leaders of this country ever confront our problems with ideas and programs that could actually help people?  Yeah, don't hold your breath.

    Parent

    CIA investigates itself (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by MO Blue on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 03:49:31 PM EST
    WASHINGTON (AP) -- The CIA inspector general is investigating whether the agency broke the law by helping the New York Police Department build intelligence-gathering programs that monitored life in Muslim communities, the agency said Tuesday following an investigation by The Associated Press. Separately, the U.S. government's top intelligence official conceded that it looked bad for the CIA to be working with city police departments.

    "It's my own personal view that that's not a good optic, to have CIA involved in any city-level police department," said James Clapper, the U.S. director of national intelligence. "But I think CIA is going to address that."
    ...
    A CIA officer, Lawrence Sanchez, helped create and guide these programs. From 2002 to 2004, when these programs were being built, Sanchez was on the CIA payroll and maintained an office at both the NYPD and the CIA's offices in New York. The programs have continued with at least the tacit support of President Barack Obama, whose administration has repeatedly sidestepped questions about them.
     link
    Eliszabeth Warren is entering the Senate race (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by ruffian on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 04:03:39 PM EST
    against Brown. Even if she does not win, I look forward to hearing someone intelligent on the campaign trail and my TV.

    Something (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 05:04:58 PM EST
    to think about:
    A Democratic strategist said Obama has become such a problem for down-ticket Democrats that he was wary of encouraging candidates to run next year. "I'm warning my clients -- `Don't run in 2012.' I don't want to see good candidates lose by 12 to 15 points because of the president," said the strategist.
    OPTIMISM (none / 0) (#5)
    by Robot Porter on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 11:28:18 AM EST
    The doctrine, or belief, that everything is beautiful, including what is ugly, everything good, especially the bad, and everything right that is wrong. It is held with greatest tenacity by those most accustomed to the mischance of falling into adversity, and is most acceptably expounded with the grin that apes a smile. Being a blind faith, it is inaccessible to the light of disproof -- an intellectual disorder, yielding to no treatment but death. It is hereditary, but fortunately not contagious. -- Ambrose Bierce

    Or more simply:

    OPTIMIST, n. A proponent of the doctrine that black is white.-- Ambrose Bierce, again.
    optimists vs. pessimists (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by The Addams Family on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 11:34:37 AM EST
    optimists fear their fear, pessimists fear their hope

    Parent
    An optimist (5.00 / 2) (#16)
    by Edger on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 12:27:58 PM EST
    is a person who says we live in the best of all possible worlds.

    A pessimist is a person who says the optimist is probably right.....

    Parent

    Troy Davis (none / 0) (#9)
    by lentinel on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 11:40:03 AM EST
    appears to be about to be executed.

    His case, in which several witnesses recanted their testimony, was heard again recently.

    From what I read, his legal team really screwed it up.

    They did not call any witnesses, and Mr. Davis did not take the stand.

    His appeal was denied and it looks as if there is no hope for him.

    It is possible, of course, that what the judge said is true - that Mr. Davis' case was all "smoke and mirrors".

    I have, however, been inclined to accept the notion that Mr. Davis is innocent - or at least that the case against him did not meet the standard of being beyond a reasonable doubt.

    I really hate having this death watch as part of the American landscape.

    I should know more about this (none / 0) (#12)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 11:58:28 AM EST


    Parent
    If you're going to write about it (5.00 / 2) (#14)
    by NYShooter on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 12:20:10 PM EST
    You might start by commenting on some of the rules, especially in capital cases, that seem so capricious and arbitrary, not to mention, final. Rules relating to time limits for newly discovered evidence, recanted testimony, and filing appeals should have some flexibility when a person`s life is at stake.  

    I can understand time limits in contract law, or tort cases, but Capital cases? Its just so obscene, almost bloodthirsty.


    Parent

    I'm not (none / 0) (#15)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 12:26:47 PM EST
    I know very little about criminal law.

    Parent
    You can start reading here on TL (none / 0) (#51)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 05:00:26 PM EST
    J has written extensively about the case.

    Parent
    Some day (none / 0) (#17)
    by Edger on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 12:29:31 PM EST
    this society will grow up.

    Hopefully...

    Parent

    Would be interesting (none / 0) (#20)
    by jbindc on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 12:57:38 PM EST
    On a criminal defense site to read about the harm in cases caused by ineffective assistance of counsel in cases like these. The fact that Mr. Davis' attorneys based at least one of his numerous appeals based on the alleged confession of someone else and then didn't subpoena that person until the last minute (if they did at all - I don't remember) and then complained when they couldn't use hearsay testimony of the confession seems like it should border on malpractice. They had to know they'd need his testimony, especially as 5 other witnesses stand by their original story and fingered Mr. Davis as the murderer.

    Parent
    Built in "incompetence of counsel" (none / 0) (#54)
    by oculus on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 05:58:35 PM EST
    on appeal.  Apparently quite common in death penalty cases (anecdotal).  

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#65)
    by jbindc on Wed Sep 14, 2011 at 07:32:58 AM EST
    But not filing paperwork properly? Relying on the judge allowing hearsay testimony of a supposed confession of another?

    Death penalty appeals lawyers are usually a liittle more experienced and definitely should know better.  Even if they weren't experienced, you'd think with the seriousness of the subject matter, they would be extra diligent about housekeeping matters.

    Parent

    Representatives of the people? (none / 0) (#21)
    by MO Blue on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 01:27:43 PM EST
    No so much.

    Yesterday, in a 53-33 vote, Senate Republicans successfully blocked a $7 billion disaster relief package for victims of recent climate disasters. Needing 60 votes to consider the bill that would also replenish FEMA's disaster fund, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid slammed Republicans for "playing around the edges of what really needs to be done." link
    Should be decried long and loud (5.00 / 0) (#23)
    by sj on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 01:33:32 PM EST
    But will probably go down with a whimper.  Please let me be wrong.

    Parent
    And where were the other 14 members? (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by ruffian on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 01:57:56 PM EST
    I hope this vote gets some publicity.

    Parent
    Finally passed Tues. night (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by MO Blue on Wed Sep 14, 2011 at 07:12:39 AM EST
    Senate Democrats were successful the second time around Tuesday, narrowly advancing a $7 billion disaster aid package that Republicans blocked a day earlier.

    On a 61-38 vote, all 53 members of the Democratic caucus and eight Republicans from disaster-afflicted states agreed to move forward on legislation that would help areas of the country hit by Hurricane Irene and recent tornadoes, flooding and wildfires. Sixty votes were needed.

    Republicans who cast an "aye" vote were Sens. Roy Blunt of Missouri; Scott Brown of Massachusetts; John Hoeven of North Dakota; Dean Heller of Nevada; Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania; David Vitter of Louisiana; and Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, both of Maine. In Monday's failed 53-33 vote, Toomey had voted no, while Sen. Dan Coats of (R-Ind.) had voted yes.
    ...
    Senate Republicans, who have objected to the bill's price tag and the fact that it doesn't include an equal amount of savings, have said they'll back a separate, smaller disaster bill that the GOP-led House plans to attach to legislation needed to avert a partial government shutdown by Oct. 1. link
     

    House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) has been outspoken is his demand for the offsets so I guess we will see just how little they will be willing to spend and how costly they will make providing for the needs of the average citizen.

    Skys the limit for corporations and the rich but meager crumbs for everyone else. To say that we have a major problem in this country would be an understatement.  

    Parent

    More bad news for Obama from AP poll (none / 0) (#31)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 02:24:33 PM EST
    NCC19. Do you think the Federal Government should have the power to require all Americans to buy health insurance, and to pay a fine if they don't or do you think the Federal Government should not have that power?  82% No, 16% Yes.

    Not too surprising.  Folks that consider themselves to be a "free people" don't think their role is to be ordered around by politicians that claim to be public servants.  When a pol acts as though you are a minion rather than a citizen it can't be good for that pols reelection chances.

    .

    .

    Too bad (none / 0) (#35)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 02:36:28 PM EST
    the GOP believes the same thing. After all, Rick Perry made little girls get a cancer shot and they want government mandated religion. The rubes must be "controlled" according to the GOP. That or die quick is their mantra.

    Parent
    I don't know... (none / 0) (#42)
    by lentinel on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 03:34:36 PM EST
    Your proposed question, "Do you believe the government should require Americans to carry health insurance?"

    isn't as loaded as the reality which is...

    "Do you believe the government should require Americans to BUY health insurance?"

    "Carry" is a little vague imo.

    Parent

    Romney supported a state mandate also (none / 0) (#45)
    by ruffian on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 03:53:16 PM EST
    as do other GOP'ers when confronted with trying to actually govern a state.

    I suspect that in a debate between Obama and Romney, Obama will handle a question about mandates just fine.

    Parent

    And.... (none / 0) (#48)
    by jbindc on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 04:17:00 PM EST
    A judge in the Middle District of PA just shot down the individual mandate.  What's the tally for and against again?  I lost count.

    Rather, this case concerns the precise parameters of Congress's enumerated authority under the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution. Specifically, the issue is whether Congress can invoke its Commerce Clause power to compel individuals to buy insurance as a condition of lawful citizenship or residency. The court concludes that it cannot. The power to regulate interstate commerce does not subsume the power to dictate a lifetime financial commitment to health insurance coverage. Without judicially enforceable limits, the constitutional blessing of the minimum coverage provision, codified at 26 U.S.C. §5000A, would effectively sanction Congress's exercise of police power under the auspices of the Commerce Clause, jeopardizing the integrity of our dual sovereignty structure.


    Parent
    Josh is cracking me up tonight (none / 0) (#60)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 10:46:25 PM EST
    He had to write a 500 word essay praising natural gas, but he is my child and he has seen the documentary Gasland too.  SEAGD is having an essay contest though, and a sixth grader will win $250 and so will his/her teacher to use on classroom supplies...which comes out of the teacher's pocket now in broke ass Alabama.

    Josh's teacher was typing everyone's essay up this afternoon for the competition but Josh had to have his arm checked by the ortho again so I said that I would type it up tonight.  As we were going over it he said that his teacher read his last paragraph and asked him if he could come more from the heart.  His forehead wrinkles up then, he looks at me and says that he doesn't even think this natural gas push is a good idea so he doesn't know how to come from the heart.  He sighs and says that he is having to pretend and lie in order to get a good grade.  I grabbed him up and snuggled him, and told him the truth that this isn't going to be the last time he will probably be doing that :)  If only getting an education could mean also getting the teachers that you want demanding full belief of the things you want to believe in.

    Teacher is taking a huge chance letting (none / 0) (#61)
    by oculus on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 11:06:47 PM EST
    you type this thing!  Wonder how it will all turn out?

    Parent
    Just a secretary this time (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 14, 2011 at 07:52:59 AM EST
    I feel for him though, and shocked how at the same time by sixth grade we are already having to be momentarily dishonest about our stances on social issues in order to all get along and hopefully win some classroom supply money.

    I was thinking about going back to school for two years a few years back before Josh's scoliosis worsened. And I ran across a pretty generous scholarship, rightwing funded, available for writing a great essay about Atlas Shrugged.  I could soooooo do that, and laugh all the way to the bank.  And just think, after it was all said and done and I was finished using them I could write a second "essay" about laughing all the way to the bank and post it on Daily Kos and inspire others needing college funds :)  It's a great world :)

    Parent

    GOP takes Weiner's seat (none / 0) (#62)
    by The Addams Family on Tue Sep 13, 2011 at 11:18:51 PM EST


    F word (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 14, 2011 at 07:53:25 AM EST


    Parent
    Tuesday Morning Open Thread | 64 comments (64 topical)

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