Over the weekend, the Dallas Morning News ran a scathing editorial about Texas Municipal League’s attack on the open meetings act. TML's antics to hire lobbyists to lobby against taxpayer interests have not gone unnoticed. Now, TML has finally gone too far.
This appeared in Friday’s edition:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/DN-open_27edi.State.Edition1.2658444.html
Some choice quotes:
“For city councils and other government bodies, avoiding these [criminal] consequences is pretty simple: Don't schedule secret meetings or make decisions behind closed doors. Amazingly, the Texas Municipal League and some Texas cities have decided that's too much to ask. “
“Of course, arguing that a weak open-meetings law would somehow bolster free speech requires some tortured logic, but that's their argument, and they're sticking to it. Quite simply, these efforts aim to water down the Open Meetings Act by removing the threat of criminal penalties, rendering the law toothless and somewhat pointless.”
“Taxpayers in every Texas city have a stake in this. If open-government laws are watered down, public officials could ease down a slippery slope. Conversations among a quorum of council members could easily morph into informal votes and the opportunity to orchestrate the outcome before a public meeting commences. “
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Textbooks Matter: One Parent can make a difference - here's an example
9-23-09
Dear Commissioner Scott,
I am writing to you to file a complaint and express a concern regarding a textbook recently discovered in my child’s 5th grade history class in Ector County ISD. The information regarding the book is listed below in the format requested as per the TEA website for reporting factual errors. I believe the book that is in my son's 5th-grade classroom contains factual errors in violation of Texas Education Code, Sects. 31.023(c) and 31.151(a)(4). I am requesting that your office investigate the book, require the publisher to take steps to correct the error, and issue penalties as allowed under Texas Education Code, Sect. 31.151(b)
The essence of this concern stems from the fact that “art work” in the front pages of the book incorrectly quotes a sentence from the Declaration of Independence; “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all people (instead of “men”) are created equal…”. The artwork is an exact quotation from the Declaration of Independence, not a paraphrase, except that one word was changed from the authentic document.
I contacted the school principal who was equally concerned with this error and at the same time secured the textbook in question for further evaluation and scrutiny. It was then that I discovered that in two places in the textbook the same sentence is reprinted correctly. However the teacher continued to teach the class the (incorrect) wording located in the art work section. When my son pressed the teacher the next day as to which wording they should use he responded by saying either one was acceptable. I believe this is the very reason that historically the TEA/SBOE have been agreeable to stiff fines and penalties for any factual errors contained between the covers of any textbook. This anecdote is proof that even “art work” can and has been used erroneously.
In addition the publisher misrepresents the meaning of the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution in the appendix to the book. It notes “Citizens have the right to own and carry weapons for use in state militias.” This summary of the amendment misrepresents the current law on this topic. The U.S. Supreme Court held in DC v. Heller "... the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess firearms and that the city’s total ban on handguns, as well as its requirement that firearms in the home be kept nonfunctional even when necessary for self-defense, violated that right." 128 S. Ct. 2783 (2008). As the Court's decision states, the Second Amendment protects the right of every individual to keep and bear arms, and that its operation is not limited merely to the militia context.
Granted, the Supreme Court's decision does post-date production of this book. However, at the Nov. 2002 meeting where the State Board of Education voted to adopt the book, the law in Texas was governed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit's Decision in United States v. Emerson 270 F. 3d. 203 (5th Cir. 2001). That decision also recognizes the Second Amendment creates an individual right to keep and bear arms that is not merely limited to the militia context.
These seemingly innocuous errors, when perpetuated, become a new generation's interpretation of their founding documents. This also, in my opinion, begins the rewriting of American History.
Thank you very much for your attention to these matters. I look forward to your reply.
Jason Moore
2716 Bainbridge
Odessa, TX 79762
432-559-3443 cell
Parent of four ECISD students
As per TEA page entitled “Inventory of Known Textbook Errors: Reporting Errors in Instructional Materials Currently in Classrooms”
• Title of the textbook or instructional materials
History Alive – America’s Past
• Publisher Name
Teacher’s Curriculum Institute
• Item type (e.g. Student Edition, Teacher Edition, Workbook)
Student Edition
• ISBN (10- or 13-digit number printed near the bottom of the copyright page and on the back cover above the UPC code) 1-58371-052-3
• Media Type (Print or Electronic)
Printed
• Number of the page on which the error is found
4th page in from front cover…Publisher identifies as “Art page”.
• Location on page (e.g. top right, 2nd paragraph, section review)
Top right
• Description of error
Incorrectly quotes a sentence from Declaration of Independence; “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all people (instead of “men”) are created equal…”
• Name of person reporting the error
Jason Moore
• Teacher name (if applicable)
Mr. Wilson
• School Name and School District (if applicable)
School name: LBJ Elementary
School District: Ector County ISD
Dear Commissioner Scott,
I am writing to you to file a complaint and express a concern regarding a textbook recently discovered in my child’s 5th grade history class in Ector County ISD. The information regarding the book is listed below in the format requested as per the TEA website for reporting factual errors. I believe the book that is in my son's 5th-grade classroom contains factual errors in violation of Texas Education Code, Sects. 31.023(c) and 31.151(a)(4). I am requesting that your office investigate the book, require the publisher to take steps to correct the error, and issue penalties as allowed under Texas Education Code, Sect. 31.151(b)
The essence of this concern stems from the fact that “art work” in the front pages of the book incorrectly quotes a sentence from the Declaration of Independence; “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all people (instead of “men”) are created equal…”. The artwork is an exact quotation from the Declaration of Independence, not a paraphrase, except that one word was changed from the authentic document.
I contacted the school principal who was equally concerned with this error and at the same time secured the textbook in question for further evaluation and scrutiny. It was then that I discovered that in two places in the textbook the same sentence is reprinted correctly. However the teacher continued to teach the class the (incorrect) wording located in the art work section. When my son pressed the teacher the next day as to which wording they should use he responded by saying either one was acceptable. I believe this is the very reason that historically the TEA/SBOE have been agreeable to stiff fines and penalties for any factual errors contained between the covers of any textbook. This anecdote is proof that even “art work” can and has been used erroneously.
In addition the publisher misrepresents the meaning of the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution in the appendix to the book. It notes “Citizens have the right to own and carry weapons for use in state militias.” This summary of the amendment misrepresents the current law on this topic. The U.S. Supreme Court held in DC v. Heller "... the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess firearms and that the city’s total ban on handguns, as well as its requirement that firearms in the home be kept nonfunctional even when necessary for self-defense, violated that right." 128 S. Ct. 2783 (2008). As the Court's decision states, the Second Amendment protects the right of every individual to keep and bear arms, and that its operation is not limited merely to the militia context.
Granted, the Supreme Court's decision does post-date production of this book. However, at the Nov. 2002 meeting where the State Board of Education voted to adopt the book, the law in Texas was governed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit's Decision in United States v. Emerson 270 F. 3d. 203 (5th Cir. 2001). That decision also recognizes the Second Amendment creates an individual right to keep and bear arms that is not merely limited to the militia context.
These seemingly innocuous errors, when perpetuated, become a new generation's interpretation of their founding documents. This also, in my opinion, begins the rewriting of American History.
Thank you very much for your attention to these matters. I look forward to your reply.
Jason Moore
2716 Bainbridge
Odessa, TX 79762
432-559-3443 cell
Parent of four ECISD students
As per TEA page entitled “Inventory of Known Textbook Errors: Reporting Errors in Instructional Materials Currently in Classrooms”
• Title of the textbook or instructional materials
History Alive – America’s Past
• Publisher Name
Teacher’s Curriculum Institute
• Item type (e.g. Student Edition, Teacher Edition, Workbook)
Student Edition
• ISBN (10- or 13-digit number printed near the bottom of the copyright page and on the back cover above the UPC code) 1-58371-052-3
• Media Type (Print or Electronic)
Printed
• Number of the page on which the error is found
4th page in from front cover…Publisher identifies as “Art page”.
• Location on page (e.g. top right, 2nd paragraph, section review)
Top right
• Description of error
Incorrectly quotes a sentence from Declaration of Independence; “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all people (instead of “men”) are created equal…”
• Name of person reporting the error
Jason Moore
• Teacher name (if applicable)
Mr. Wilson
• School Name and School District (if applicable)
School name: LBJ Elementary
School District: Ector County ISD
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Cong. Brady calls for Geithner to go - way to go!
Should Geithner go?
Way to go, Cong, Kevin Brady calling on Geithner to go. In a hearing, Texas Rep. Brady placed the blame for the problems with the bailouts and as the point man for the Obama economic policies that have failed, where we were promised unemployment numbers under 10%, we missed that target.
Cash for clunkers was a disaster, the bailouts have not bailed out the taxpayers, and our national debt is reaching $12 trillion – that’s twelve thousand million dollars!
We are considering a trillion-dollar health care plan and also a cap-and-trade scheme which would further cap our economy and trade our jobs to China.
You bet, Geithner should go.
He may be just the scape goat for Obama’s failed economic policies, but someone must be thrown over the deck and clear the way for better policy advice to Obama. Clearly, our President doesn’t understand economic policy. He calls for a job summit and let’s hope he learns that jobs arecn’t created by spending more money we don’t have.
Thanks, Rep. Brady, for calling attention to the first step in correcting failed economic policy. Now, can we call for Barney Frank to step down?
Way to go, Cong, Kevin Brady calling on Geithner to go. In a hearing, Texas Rep. Brady placed the blame for the problems with the bailouts and as the point man for the Obama economic policies that have failed, where we were promised unemployment numbers under 10%, we missed that target.
Cash for clunkers was a disaster, the bailouts have not bailed out the taxpayers, and our national debt is reaching $12 trillion – that’s twelve thousand million dollars!
We are considering a trillion-dollar health care plan and also a cap-and-trade scheme which would further cap our economy and trade our jobs to China.
You bet, Geithner should go.
He may be just the scape goat for Obama’s failed economic policies, but someone must be thrown over the deck and clear the way for better policy advice to Obama. Clearly, our President doesn’t understand economic policy. He calls for a job summit and let’s hope he learns that jobs arecn’t created by spending more money we don’t have.
Thanks, Rep. Brady, for calling attention to the first step in correcting failed economic policy. Now, can we call for Barney Frank to step down?
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Global Warming Warming: Impact on Texas and Texans
Global Warming: Impact on Texas and Texans
Global warming (if you believe it is happening or induced by man’s activities) has a price. So does turning down the world’s thermostat. The question is, who pays for reducing greenhouse gases? And is the burden shared — or shifted unfairly?
Texas could lose 137,000 to 313,00 jobs by 2020 and 170,000 to 425,000 jobs by 2030 as a result of increased energy prices due to the proposed cap and trade program. The average Texas household could pay up to an extra $1,136 on household goods and services over a year with a total potential cost to Texas families of $6.9 billion.
Comptroller Susan Combs has great information on her website:
http://www.window.state.tx.us/finances/captrade/
Global warming (if you believe it is happening or induced by man’s activities) has a price. So does turning down the world’s thermostat. The question is, who pays for reducing greenhouse gases? And is the burden shared — or shifted unfairly?
Texas could lose 137,000 to 313,00 jobs by 2020 and 170,000 to 425,000 jobs by 2030 as a result of increased energy prices due to the proposed cap and trade program. The average Texas household could pay up to an extra $1,136 on household goods and services over a year with a total potential cost to Texas families of $6.9 billion.
Comptroller Susan Combs has great information on her website:
http://www.window.state.tx.us/finances/captrade/
AFP hosts two events - you don't want to miss them
On Monday, Nov. 30, AFPF will host a Health Care Town Hall to discuss the question, “What is the best prescription for healthy reform?” Speakers will also discuss the merits of the health care bill that passed through the U.S. House of Representatives and the bill now being debated in the U.S. Senate. Invited speakers include U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX 25), and two challengers for the Dist. 25 seat, Dr. Donna Campbell and George Morovich.
What: Health Care Town Hall
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Date: Monday, Nov. 30, 2009
Place: Omni Hotel at Southpark, 4140 Governors Row, Austin, TX
Then on Sunday, Dec. 6, AFPF will host a screening of “Not Evil, Just Wrong,” a film that exposes the high cost of global warming hysteria. The documentary by Phelim McAleer and Ann McElhinney reveals the deceptions about global warming that scientists, politicians, educators and the media have been telling the public for years, and which is the basis for the cap and trade legislation now in the U.S. Senate. Dr. John Dunn of the Heartland Institute will speak about the cap and trade legislation before the screening begins.
What: Screening of “Not Evil, Just Wrong”
Time: 4:30 – 7 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009
Place: Dave and Busters, 9333 Research Blvd. Austin, TX
What: Health Care Town Hall
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Date: Monday, Nov. 30, 2009
Place: Omni Hotel at Southpark, 4140 Governors Row, Austin, TX
Then on Sunday, Dec. 6, AFPF will host a screening of “Not Evil, Just Wrong,” a film that exposes the high cost of global warming hysteria. The documentary by Phelim McAleer and Ann McElhinney reveals the deceptions about global warming that scientists, politicians, educators and the media have been telling the public for years, and which is the basis for the cap and trade legislation now in the U.S. Senate. Dr. John Dunn of the Heartland Institute will speak about the cap and trade legislation before the screening begins.
What: Screening of “Not Evil, Just Wrong”
Time: 4:30 – 7 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009
Place: Dave and Busters, 9333 Research Blvd. Austin, TX
Checking out Canada’s Socialized Medicine
Steven Crowder provides us a laugh while focusing on a very serious -- life and death -- issue.
This is a GREAT video. It provides insight into what socialized medicine in Canada is really like. Is this what we want in our country? If this leaves you worried, make sure your Congressional members know we don't want government-run health care!
http://www.youtube.com/user/StevenCrowder#p/c/D4D67C0C404DCFCC/11/q2jijuj1ysw
This is a GREAT video. It provides insight into what socialized medicine in Canada is really like. Is this what we want in our country? If this leaves you worried, make sure your Congressional members know we don't want government-run health care!
http://www.youtube.com/user/StevenCrowder#p/c/D4D67C0C404DCFCC/11/q2jijuj1ysw
Monday, November 23, 2009
Update on Socialized Medicin
And some folks would call Senator Reid an idiot … Sen. Harry Reid, speaking on the floor of the Senate Saturday night, said: “Today we vote whether to even discuss one of the greatest issues of our generation - indeed, one of the greatest issues this body has ever face: whether this nation will finally guarantee its people the right to live free from the fear of illness and death, which can be prevented by decent health care for all.”
Gee, we didn't know 60 senators could accomplish all that….guaranteeing us the right to live free from death!
Texas Congressional members had input on health care legislation… but even with that, it is a bitter pill to swallow…
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/2009/11/23/1123healthvote.html
Texas doctors don’t support Reid’s Senate bill
The Texas Medical Association said the Senate bill is “bad medicine” for their patients: http://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=8201
Gee, we didn't know 60 senators could accomplish all that….guaranteeing us the right to live free from death!
Texas Congressional members had input on health care legislation… but even with that, it is a bitter pill to swallow…
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/2009/11/23/1123healthvote.html
Texas doctors don’t support Reid’s Senate bill
The Texas Medical Association said the Senate bill is “bad medicine” for their patients: http://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=8201
Friday, November 20, 2009
What Does Medicaid Expansion Mean For Texas?
Texas' Medicaid program is one of the largest and costliest in the nation; and yet, if government-run health care legislation is passed by Congress, the Texas program and its costs could get even bigger, says the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
Under Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus' still-developing plan, the "America's Healthy Future Act of 2009," the Texas Health and Human Services Commission estimates that the program's costs will rise by more than $20 billion over the next decade, and the number of people enrolled in the program will grow by more than 2.5 million.
Dumping these state and federal resources into the Medicaid program is not the right answer. Already the system consumes an enormous amount of public resources. Adding to it would only worsen the burden on states, enlarge the pool of health care recipients dependent on government aid, and worsen a growing problem of fraud, says the Foundation.
Expanding the Medicaid programs of Texas or any other state is not the right way to achieve meaningful health care reform. Rather, improving the nation's ailing health care system requires a completely different approach -- one that focuses on the doctor-patient relationship and minimizes bureaucratic interference.
Source: Talmadge Heflin et al., "State Impact: Expanding Medicaid and What it Could Mean for Texas," Texas Public Policy Foundation, September 2009.
Americans for Prosperity has written a prescription for healthy reform.
Under Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus' still-developing plan, the "America's Healthy Future Act of 2009," the Texas Health and Human Services Commission estimates that the program's costs will rise by more than $20 billion over the next decade, and the number of people enrolled in the program will grow by more than 2.5 million.
Dumping these state and federal resources into the Medicaid program is not the right answer. Already the system consumes an enormous amount of public resources. Adding to it would only worsen the burden on states, enlarge the pool of health care recipients dependent on government aid, and worsen a growing problem of fraud, says the Foundation.
Expanding the Medicaid programs of Texas or any other state is not the right way to achieve meaningful health care reform. Rather, improving the nation's ailing health care system requires a completely different approach -- one that focuses on the doctor-patient relationship and minimizes bureaucratic interference.
Source: Talmadge Heflin et al., "State Impact: Expanding Medicaid and What it Could Mean for Texas," Texas Public Policy Foundation, September 2009.
Americans for Prosperity has written a prescription for healthy reform.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
THE REAL TURKEY THIS THANKSGIVING
The Health Care Bills are the Real Turkey This Thanksgiving
Harry Reid has had his bill for 6 weeks – shouldn’t the American people have the same time period to review it and know what the bill contains? After all, 2,074 pages isn’t exactly light reading.
2) Some treatments could be deemed unnecessary – A government task force recently declared that mammograms for women younger than 50 were not recommended. The Health and Human Services Secretary quickly backed away from her task force’s declaration, but under these bills unaccountable bureaucracies would have vast new powers to coerce doctors to follow their recommendations.
3) Young people would be required to pay higher premiums – A study by actuarial firm Oliver Wyman found the restrictive new insurance regulations in both the House and Senate bills would increase premiums for young people by 69 percent.
4) Everyone would be forced to purchase costly plans – Requiring everyone to purchase expensive health care plans with high premiums – and not allowing people to choose affordable options that meet their budgets and needs – would mean lower-cost high-deductible plans would no longer be available.
5) Loads of new taxes – Nonpartisan experts at the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) have concluded that new excise taxes on medical devices would be passed on to patients, increasing insurance premiums and increasing prices on everything from wheelchairs to pacemakers. The tax increases in the Senate bill add up to almost $500 billion.
6) Expands Medicaid and shifts costs – The Senate bill would force 15 million Americans into
the flawed Medicaid program, which 4 in 10 doctors won’t accept because the program
underpays providers. Studies show that expanding the program directly increases costs
for everyone else, since doctors and hospitals must make up for their losses under
Medicaid by shifting costs to other patients.
7) Taxes “Cadillac” and union plans – The new 40 percent tax on high-end “Cadillac” health insurance plans (any plan over $8,500 for an individual or $23,000 for a family) would force companies to shift costs to employees or to reduce the value of the health benefits they provide.
Government-forced health care mandates on employers would require employers to pay up to 8% higher payroll taxes in the House bill and $750 per employee in the Senate bill. This will result in lower pay and job losses, especially for low-income workers.
9) Medicare benefits would be slashed by over $400 billion, reducing benefits for seniors and jeopardizing access to care for millions of others. If these cuts do not materialize, then the bills will dramatically increase deficits.
10) Millions will still be uninsured. Even though the whole health care system will be turned upside-down, the CBO says at the end of 10 years there will still be 24 million uninsured Americans under the Senate bill.
A survey showed 45 percent of doctors currently practicing would consider leaving the field of medicine if this health care plan is passed. Tell your senator to vote “No” on this bloated health care power grab!
www.joinpatientsfirst.com
"Patients First is a project of Americans for Prosperity® (AFP), a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization recognized by the IRS. AFP is the nation’s premier grassroots organization committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP has more than 700,000 members, including members in all 50 states, and 25 state chapters. More than 55,000 Americans in all 50 states have made a financial investment in AFP or AFP Foundation. Patients First is not affiliated in any way with Patient First health clinics. For more information on Patients First, go to www.JoinPatientsFirst.com"
Harry Reid has had his bill for 6 weeks – shouldn’t the American people have the same time period to review it and know what the bill contains? After all, 2,074 pages isn’t exactly light reading.
2) Some treatments could be deemed unnecessary – A government task force recently declared that mammograms for women younger than 50 were not recommended. The Health and Human Services Secretary quickly backed away from her task force’s declaration, but under these bills unaccountable bureaucracies would have vast new powers to coerce doctors to follow their recommendations.
3) Young people would be required to pay higher premiums – A study by actuarial firm Oliver Wyman found the restrictive new insurance regulations in both the House and Senate bills would increase premiums for young people by 69 percent.
4) Everyone would be forced to purchase costly plans – Requiring everyone to purchase expensive health care plans with high premiums – and not allowing people to choose affordable options that meet their budgets and needs – would mean lower-cost high-deductible plans would no longer be available.
5) Loads of new taxes – Nonpartisan experts at the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) have concluded that new excise taxes on medical devices would be passed on to patients, increasing insurance premiums and increasing prices on everything from wheelchairs to pacemakers. The tax increases in the Senate bill add up to almost $500 billion.
6) Expands Medicaid and shifts costs – The Senate bill would force 15 million Americans into
the flawed Medicaid program, which 4 in 10 doctors won’t accept because the program
underpays providers. Studies show that expanding the program directly increases costs
for everyone else, since doctors and hospitals must make up for their losses under
Medicaid by shifting costs to other patients.
7) Taxes “Cadillac” and union plans – The new 40 percent tax on high-end “Cadillac” health insurance plans (any plan over $8,500 for an individual or $23,000 for a family) would force companies to shift costs to employees or to reduce the value of the health benefits they provide.
Government-forced health care mandates on employers would require employers to pay up to 8% higher payroll taxes in the House bill and $750 per employee in the Senate bill. This will result in lower pay and job losses, especially for low-income workers.
9) Medicare benefits would be slashed by over $400 billion, reducing benefits for seniors and jeopardizing access to care for millions of others. If these cuts do not materialize, then the bills will dramatically increase deficits.
10) Millions will still be uninsured. Even though the whole health care system will be turned upside-down, the CBO says at the end of 10 years there will still be 24 million uninsured Americans under the Senate bill.
A survey showed 45 percent of doctors currently practicing would consider leaving the field of medicine if this health care plan is passed. Tell your senator to vote “No” on this bloated health care power grab!
www.joinpatientsfirst.com
"Patients First is a project of Americans for Prosperity® (AFP), a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization recognized by the IRS. AFP is the nation’s premier grassroots organization committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP has more than 700,000 members, including members in all 50 states, and 25 state chapters. More than 55,000 Americans in all 50 states have made a financial investment in AFP or AFP Foundation. Patients First is not affiliated in any way with Patient First health clinics. For more information on Patients First, go to www.JoinPatientsFirst.com"
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Gansta rap in history curriculum? Let's say "no"
Can “gansta rap” push Founding Fathers out of history?
On October 17, the U. S. history since 1877 review panel, by a 7 to 1 vote, included hip-hop “music”, of which gangsta rap is a major sub-genre, in the U. S. history standards.
Their justification? “It’s the culture”.
It does not take a rocket scientist to conclude gangsta rap, which promotes degradation of women, violence, profanity, racism, promiscuity, rape, street gangs, drive-by shootings, vandalism, drug dealing, and alcohol and substance abuse, is an objectionable addition to the history curriculum.
Bill Ames was that lone vote to keep hip-hop out of history standards. He is a hero to parents across the state!
Read more here: http://www.texasinsider.org/?p=18207
On October 17, the U. S. history since 1877 review panel, by a 7 to 1 vote, included hip-hop “music”, of which gangsta rap is a major sub-genre, in the U. S. history standards.
Their justification? “It’s the culture”.
It does not take a rocket scientist to conclude gangsta rap, which promotes degradation of women, violence, profanity, racism, promiscuity, rape, street gangs, drive-by shootings, vandalism, drug dealing, and alcohol and substance abuse, is an objectionable addition to the history curriculum.
Bill Ames was that lone vote to keep hip-hop out of history standards. He is a hero to parents across the state!
Read more here: http://www.texasinsider.org/?p=18207
Houston is broke
The City of Houston is broke!
The City of Houston is financially broke and it appears that the mayor who takes office in January 2010 may have to captain the City through bankruptcy procedures. (City Controller Annise Parker and former City Attorney Gene Locke - will face each other in a runoff election on December 12, 2009.)
The City’s unrestricted assets were $1.2 billion short of the already recorded corresponding liabilities these assets were needed to pay as of fiscal year end June 30, 2008, according to the City’s latest publicly available audited Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The $1.2 billion shortfall was a result of operating losses totaling $1.5 billion for fiscal years 2004-2008, applying the full accrual basis of accounting used in the private sector.
Apparently the City has no idea as to what has transpired financially since June 30, 2008 or will transpire this fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, on the full accrual basis of accounting. But Robert Lemer, president of Citizens for Public Accountability (CPA), does. Thanks for the info, Bob1
And Mayor Bill White has refused to enact the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR)which was passed in 2004 with over 200,000 Houstonians voting. If that measure had been enacted, Houston would not be facing this financial melt-down.
Thanks, Mayor White!
The City of Houston is financially broke and it appears that the mayor who takes office in January 2010 may have to captain the City through bankruptcy procedures. (City Controller Annise Parker and former City Attorney Gene Locke - will face each other in a runoff election on December 12, 2009.)
The City’s unrestricted assets were $1.2 billion short of the already recorded corresponding liabilities these assets were needed to pay as of fiscal year end June 30, 2008, according to the City’s latest publicly available audited Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The $1.2 billion shortfall was a result of operating losses totaling $1.5 billion for fiscal years 2004-2008, applying the full accrual basis of accounting used in the private sector.
Apparently the City has no idea as to what has transpired financially since June 30, 2008 or will transpire this fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, on the full accrual basis of accounting. But Robert Lemer, president of Citizens for Public Accountability (CPA), does. Thanks for the info, Bob1
And Mayor Bill White has refused to enact the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR)which was passed in 2004 with over 200,000 Houstonians voting. If that measure had been enacted, Houston would not be facing this financial melt-down.
Thanks, Mayor White!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Newspaper circulation down
Circulation Down in Texas Newspapers
The Dallas Morning News saw daily circulation drop 22 percent in the last six months.
The Houston Chronicle lost 14.2 percent of its daily circulation and 6.3 percent of its Sunday circulation in the six-month period ending Sept. 30, 2009, compared with the same six months in 2008, according to Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) figures. The Houston Chronicle retains the ninth-best daily circulation and seventh-best Sunday circulation among the Top 25 U.S. Daily Newspapers, according to the ABC.
Hardest-hit during the period was the San Francisco Chronicle, which lost 25.8 percent of its daily readership, followed by the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger saw daily circulation drop 22 percent.
Source: Houston Business Journal, 10/27/2009
The Dallas Morning News saw daily circulation drop 22 percent in the last six months.
The Houston Chronicle lost 14.2 percent of its daily circulation and 6.3 percent of its Sunday circulation in the six-month period ending Sept. 30, 2009, compared with the same six months in 2008, according to Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) figures. The Houston Chronicle retains the ninth-best daily circulation and seventh-best Sunday circulation among the Top 25 U.S. Daily Newspapers, according to the ABC.
Hardest-hit during the period was the San Francisco Chronicle, which lost 25.8 percent of its daily readership, followed by the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger saw daily circulation drop 22 percent.
Source: Houston Business Journal, 10/27/2009
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