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G_j
G_j's Journal
G_j's Journal
December 26, 2012
& now as even more military style weapons fly off
the shelves in America, I really don't feel good about living in a country with so many arrogant, dangerous people who own and worship military style weapons (killing machines). What is the future of a country awash with anger, ignorance and weapons? The guns scare me but the people who think they need them really scare me!
December 18, 2012
so all of a sudden our politicians have a 'revelation'
that these multiple ammo gun clips or whatever the f&@k they are called, are a danger to society.. DUH ...both Democrats and Republicans, a bunch of spineless, hypocritical cowards.. Where were you when Gabrielle Giffords and so many others were shot? 
December 12, 2012
Five CEOs Who Prove That Lower Corporate Taxes Don't Equal More Hiring
Meet Lowell McAdam, CEO of Verizon. From 2009-2011, he paid an average effective federal corporate income tax rate of -3.3%. As in negative 3.3%. Meanwhile, Verizon has laid off 30,000 workers since 2007. Are we supposed to believe that if we just lowered his tax rate even more this "job creator" would start creating some jobs?
Meet 4 more CEOs who pay ridiculously low taxes and are still laying off workers: http://bit.ly/Z0ayBz
Meet Five CEOs Who Prove That Lower Corporate Taxes Don't Equal More Hiring
George Zornick on December 11, 2012 - 5:34 PM ET
<snip>
Never mind for a moment the obvious problem with lowering tax rates as a means of fixing the long-term debt. Would allowing corporations to pay less taxes really mean more hiring?
Luckily we have some interesting case studies. Several of the CEOs pushing this idea actually run companies that pay extremely low corporate tax rates, well below the statutory 35 percent rate—or pay none at all. So, via the invaluable Institute for Policy Studies, let’s see what kind of job creation these folks did while enjoying very low corporate tax rates:
~~~
December 12, 2012
December 10, 2012,
Mourning an Alpha Female
By NATE SCHWEBER
As I reported on Sunday in The Times, Yellowstone National Park’s best-known wolf was shot and killed last week outside the park’s borders. A large gray alpha female known as 832F, she had been fitted by researchers with a GPS collar that allowed them to track her movements.
The wolf wowed scientists and tourists alike with her size and a strength so great that she could “take down animals on her own,” said Daniel Stahler, a park wildlife biologist.
She also led the pack in Yellowstone’s northeastern Lamar Valley, an area rich in bison and elk that has a road offering vantage points for wildlife watchers equipped with cameras and spotting scopes. The Lamar Canyon pack could be counted on to roam the valley near dawn and dusk, allowing scientists and tourists to observe wolf behavior at a level of detail rarely seen outside National Geographic specials.
(Wolf 832F, named thus by the park biologists who collared her, has also been known to wolf watchers as 06 — oh-six — because 2006 was her birth year.)
Marc Cooke, a member of the advocacy group Wolves of the Rockies, said he was moved by the way that 832F had cared for her pups, bringing them food and snarling ferociously at any animals that posed a threat to them.
“She was an amazing mother,” Mr. Cooke said. “When I heard she died, I felt like I lost a family member.”
..more..
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http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021946313
Another collared, and very famous Yellowstone wolf killed in Wyoming’s hunt
http://www.thewildlifenews.com/2012/12/07/yet-another-collared-and-very-famous-yellowstone-wolf-killed-in-wyomings-hunt/
Briefly noted wildlife news stories. Dec. 5, 2012..
Yet another collared, and very famous Yellowstone wolf killed in Wyoming’s hunt.
By Ken Cole On December 7, 2012 ·
Wolf “06?, the alpha female of the Yellowstone’s Lamar Canyon Pack has been shot in Wyoming by a hunter.
Wolf “06? was probably the most famous wolf in Yellowstone and had been viewed by thousands of Park visitors. She was also part of the ongoing study of wolves that has been conducted in Yellowstone since the time they were reintroduced in 1995. So far there have been 8 collared Yellowstone wolves killed this year and an unknown number of uncollared Yellowstone wolves have likely been killed as well.
The ongoing study of wolves and their interactions with other species is responsible for the huge amount of information gained since the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone and Central Idaho. The number of collared wolves lost to the hunt in the surrounding parts of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming could only be described as crippling to understanding the role that wolves play in the ecosystem. The wolves in Yellowstone also draw millions of tourist dollars to the area each year.
Several conservation groups have petitioned to ask that a buffer zone be created around Yellowstone National Park so that wolves that primarily use Yellowstone National Park have some level of protection when they move out of its boundaries.
A Conservation Icon in the Crosshairs
http://www.defendersblog.org/2012/12/conservation-icon-in-the-crosshairs/
It's just unfair. Hunters and outfitters are picking off the wolves of Yellowstone National Park. Call upon officials to create a buffer zone to protect them: http://wg.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?em_id=10181.0
Reform the Federal Wildlife-Killing Program
Urge Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to reform Wildlife Services from the federal government's top wildlife killers to a program that can truly resolve wildlife conflicts.
http://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=2443&fb_action_ids=4602717198872&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582
~~
http://www.wolfcenter.org/pdf/Benerfits-Wolves.pdf
Mourning an Alpha Female
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/10/mourning-an-alpha-female/December 10, 2012,
Mourning an Alpha Female
By NATE SCHWEBER
As I reported on Sunday in The Times, Yellowstone National Park’s best-known wolf was shot and killed last week outside the park’s borders. A large gray alpha female known as 832F, she had been fitted by researchers with a GPS collar that allowed them to track her movements.
The wolf wowed scientists and tourists alike with her size and a strength so great that she could “take down animals on her own,” said Daniel Stahler, a park wildlife biologist.
She also led the pack in Yellowstone’s northeastern Lamar Valley, an area rich in bison and elk that has a road offering vantage points for wildlife watchers equipped with cameras and spotting scopes. The Lamar Canyon pack could be counted on to roam the valley near dawn and dusk, allowing scientists and tourists to observe wolf behavior at a level of detail rarely seen outside National Geographic specials.
(Wolf 832F, named thus by the park biologists who collared her, has also been known to wolf watchers as 06 — oh-six — because 2006 was her birth year.)
Marc Cooke, a member of the advocacy group Wolves of the Rockies, said he was moved by the way that 832F had cared for her pups, bringing them food and snarling ferociously at any animals that posed a threat to them.
“She was an amazing mother,” Mr. Cooke said. “When I heard she died, I felt like I lost a family member.”
..more..
[IMG]
[/IMG]
[IMG]
[/IMG]
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021946313
Another collared, and very famous Yellowstone wolf killed in Wyoming’s hunt
http://www.thewildlifenews.com/2012/12/07/yet-another-collared-and-very-famous-yellowstone-wolf-killed-in-wyomings-hunt/
Briefly noted wildlife news stories. Dec. 5, 2012..
Yet another collared, and very famous Yellowstone wolf killed in Wyoming’s hunt.
By Ken Cole On December 7, 2012 ·
Wolf “06?, the alpha female of the Yellowstone’s Lamar Canyon Pack has been shot in Wyoming by a hunter.
Wolf “06? was probably the most famous wolf in Yellowstone and had been viewed by thousands of Park visitors. She was also part of the ongoing study of wolves that has been conducted in Yellowstone since the time they were reintroduced in 1995. So far there have been 8 collared Yellowstone wolves killed this year and an unknown number of uncollared Yellowstone wolves have likely been killed as well.
The ongoing study of wolves and their interactions with other species is responsible for the huge amount of information gained since the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone and Central Idaho. The number of collared wolves lost to the hunt in the surrounding parts of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming could only be described as crippling to understanding the role that wolves play in the ecosystem. The wolves in Yellowstone also draw millions of tourist dollars to the area each year.
Several conservation groups have petitioned to ask that a buffer zone be created around Yellowstone National Park so that wolves that primarily use Yellowstone National Park have some level of protection when they move out of its boundaries.
A Conservation Icon in the Crosshairs
http://www.defendersblog.org/2012/12/conservation-icon-in-the-crosshairs/
It's just unfair. Hunters and outfitters are picking off the wolves of Yellowstone National Park. Call upon officials to create a buffer zone to protect them: http://wg.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?em_id=10181.0
Reform the Federal Wildlife-Killing Program
Urge Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to reform Wildlife Services from the federal government's top wildlife killers to a program that can truly resolve wildlife conflicts.
http://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=2443&fb_action_ids=4602717198872&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582
~~
http://www.wolfcenter.org/pdf/Benerfits-Wolves.pdf
December 12, 2012
More trouble in Michigan (for wolves)
An urgent update from our Great Lakes Team: SB 1350 will be up for third reading this morning in Michigan's Senate. We are opposed to this bill because there is no scientific evidence that supports the need for designating the wolf as a "game animal" and a recreational wolf hunting season in Michigan.
Please call TODAY and tell MI senators that you OPPOSE S. 1350
For Michigan residents: Contact your senator via http://www.senate.michigan.gov/fysenator/fysenator.htm
Even just a two line statement like, "I oppose because..." will be so very helpful to the cause! If you live in an area where there are wolves, you should highlight there are ways to co-exist with wolves and why you value wolves on the landscape.
Out of state residents - 517-373-2400 You do NOT need to be a Michigan resident to comment, though it would be helpful if you can mention a connection to Michigan as a tourist or as a strong supporter of Michigan goods (Whirlpool, Amana products, GM, Chrysler, Ford, Kellogg’s, Comstock Fruit).
FACT SHEET ON S.1350 can be found at: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B7xYnjjogLTJdHc1M3Y0ejBqNmM
More information at: http://wolfwatcher.org/news/all-news/michigan-wolf-alert/
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December 10, 2012
Bill Moyers Essay: The Truth Behind Grover Norquist’s Pledge
December 7, 2012
In an original broadcast essay, Bill says there’s more to Grover Norquist’s anti-tax pledge than ideology or principle — it’s also about Norquist’s efforts keep taxes low for his donor base of billionaires.
~~~
BILL MOYERS: Don’t you wonder just who is this Grover Norquist who has such a maniacal hold on the Republican Party? Mickey Edwards isn’t the only conservative who would like to see the party free itself from his grip. Writing in the "Financial Times" last week, the conservative journalist Christopher Caldwell describes the Norquist Pledge as a “partisan document,” “a ratchet driving taxes down to unsustainable levels,” and it “symbolizes a political system short on legitimacy.” Norquist claims the pledge is something politicians make to their constituents, not to him. But Caldwell wonders “who authorized him to collect politicians’ signatures on their constituents’ behalf.”
Even this misses the main point. Norquist’s efforts – keep taxes low for his donor base, billionaires like the Koch brothers and the plutocrats secretly clustered around Norquist’s comrade, Karl Rove. This past election, Norquist’s group, Americans for Tax Reform, spent nearly $16 million to support his favored candidates; that’s according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Where did that money come from, and what did it buy? Back in the 1990’s it was the tobacco industry backing Norquist’s fight against cigarette taxes; now it’s the pharmaceutical companies, among others. Not long ago, this same Grover Norquist was using his organization to launder money for the notorious lobbyist Jack Abramoff. How about that for tax reform!
Check it out yourself in the documentary "Capitol Crimes" on our website BillMoyers.com. You’ll see the story of how the man who has the Republican Party under his thumb came to Washington to start a revolution and wound up running a racket. Now he’s the proxy for the powerful interest groups that finance him. So, not only does the Norquist Pledge symbolize a "political system short on legitimacy," as Christopher Caldwell wrote, it isn’t even about principle or ideology. Conservatism my foot, it’s all about the money.
Bill Moyers Essay: The Truth Behind Grover Norquist’s Pledge
http://billmoyers.com/segment/bill-moyers-essay-the-truth-behind-grover-norquists-pledge/Bill Moyers Essay: The Truth Behind Grover Norquist’s Pledge
December 7, 2012
In an original broadcast essay, Bill says there’s more to Grover Norquist’s anti-tax pledge than ideology or principle — it’s also about Norquist’s efforts keep taxes low for his donor base of billionaires.
~~~
BILL MOYERS: Don’t you wonder just who is this Grover Norquist who has such a maniacal hold on the Republican Party? Mickey Edwards isn’t the only conservative who would like to see the party free itself from his grip. Writing in the "Financial Times" last week, the conservative journalist Christopher Caldwell describes the Norquist Pledge as a “partisan document,” “a ratchet driving taxes down to unsustainable levels,” and it “symbolizes a political system short on legitimacy.” Norquist claims the pledge is something politicians make to their constituents, not to him. But Caldwell wonders “who authorized him to collect politicians’ signatures on their constituents’ behalf.”
Even this misses the main point. Norquist’s efforts – keep taxes low for his donor base, billionaires like the Koch brothers and the plutocrats secretly clustered around Norquist’s comrade, Karl Rove. This past election, Norquist’s group, Americans for Tax Reform, spent nearly $16 million to support his favored candidates; that’s according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Where did that money come from, and what did it buy? Back in the 1990’s it was the tobacco industry backing Norquist’s fight against cigarette taxes; now it’s the pharmaceutical companies, among others. Not long ago, this same Grover Norquist was using his organization to launder money for the notorious lobbyist Jack Abramoff. How about that for tax reform!
Check it out yourself in the documentary "Capitol Crimes" on our website BillMoyers.com. You’ll see the story of how the man who has the Republican Party under his thumb came to Washington to start a revolution and wound up running a racket. Now he’s the proxy for the powerful interest groups that finance him. So, not only does the Norquist Pledge symbolize a "political system short on legitimacy," as Christopher Caldwell wrote, it isn’t even about principle or ideology. Conservatism my foot, it’s all about the money.
December 8, 2012
Briefly noted wildlife news stories. Dec. 5, 2012..
Yet another collared, and very famous Yellowstone wolf killed in Wyoming’s hunt.
By Ken Cole On December 7, 2012 ·
Wolf “06?, the alpha female of the Yellowstone’s Lamar Canyon Pack has been shot in Wyoming by a hunter.
Wolf “06? was probably the most famous wolf in Yellowstone and had been viewed by thousands of Park visitors. She was also part of the ongoing study of wolves that has been conducted in Yellowstone since the time they were reintroduced in 1995. So far there have been 8 collared Yellowstone wolves killed this year and an unknown number of uncollared Yellowstone wolves have likely been killed as well.
The ongoing study of wolves and their interactions with other species is responsible for the huge amount of information gained since the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone and Central Idaho. The number of collared wolves lost to the hunt in the surrounding parts of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming could only be described as crippling to understanding the role that wolves play in the ecosystem. The wolves in Yellowstone also draw millions of tourist dollars to the area each year.
Several conservation groups have petitioned to ask that a buffer zone be created around Yellowstone National Park so that wolves that primarily use Yellowstone National Park have some level of protection when they move out of its boundaries.
A Conservation Icon in the Crosshairs
http://www.defendersblog.org/2012/12/conservation-icon-in-the-crosshairs/
It's just unfair. Hunters and outfitters are picking off the wolves of Yellowstone National Park. Call upon officials to create a buffer zone to protect them: http://wg.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?em_id=10181.0
Reform the Federal Wildlife-Killing Program
Urge Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to reform Wildlife Services from the federal government's top wildlife killers to a program that can truly resolve wildlife conflicts.
http://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=2443&fb_action_ids=4602717198872&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582
~~
http://www.wolfcenter.org/pdf/Benerfits-Wolves.pdf
[IMG][/IMG]
Another collared, and very famous Yellowstone wolf killed in Wyoming’s hunt
http://www.thewildlifenews.com/2012/12/07/yet-another-collared-and-very-famous-yellowstone-wolf-killed-in-wyomings-hunt/Briefly noted wildlife news stories. Dec. 5, 2012..
Yet another collared, and very famous Yellowstone wolf killed in Wyoming’s hunt.
By Ken Cole On December 7, 2012 ·
Wolf “06?, the alpha female of the Yellowstone’s Lamar Canyon Pack has been shot in Wyoming by a hunter.
Wolf “06? was probably the most famous wolf in Yellowstone and had been viewed by thousands of Park visitors. She was also part of the ongoing study of wolves that has been conducted in Yellowstone since the time they were reintroduced in 1995. So far there have been 8 collared Yellowstone wolves killed this year and an unknown number of uncollared Yellowstone wolves have likely been killed as well.
The ongoing study of wolves and their interactions with other species is responsible for the huge amount of information gained since the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone and Central Idaho. The number of collared wolves lost to the hunt in the surrounding parts of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming could only be described as crippling to understanding the role that wolves play in the ecosystem. The wolves in Yellowstone also draw millions of tourist dollars to the area each year.
Several conservation groups have petitioned to ask that a buffer zone be created around Yellowstone National Park so that wolves that primarily use Yellowstone National Park have some level of protection when they move out of its boundaries.
A Conservation Icon in the Crosshairs
http://www.defendersblog.org/2012/12/conservation-icon-in-the-crosshairs/
It's just unfair. Hunters and outfitters are picking off the wolves of Yellowstone National Park. Call upon officials to create a buffer zone to protect them: http://wg.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?em_id=10181.0
Reform the Federal Wildlife-Killing Program
Urge Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to reform Wildlife Services from the federal government's top wildlife killers to a program that can truly resolve wildlife conflicts.
http://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=2443&fb_action_ids=4602717198872&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582
~~
http://www.wolfcenter.org/pdf/Benerfits-Wolves.pdf
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November 29, 2012
Preview: United States of ALEC
September 25, 2012
This week’s show explores a scheme involving state politicians and powerful corporations to remake America, one state house at a time.
Moyers & Co. United States of ALEC
http://billmoyers.com/episode/preview-the-united-states-of-alec/Preview: United States of ALEC
September 25, 2012
This week’s show explores a scheme involving state politicians and powerful corporations to remake America, one state house at a time.
November 29, 2012
Hyperbole? Hair on Fire? Sky is Falling?
Absolutely.
If you or anyone you know and care about live in Michigan, or if you care whatsoever about the public school system in this country--or, for that matter, education of our children in general--I urge you, in the strongest possible terms, to read up on Michigan State House Bills 6004 & 5923, and State Senate Bills 1358 & 620.
If you think I'm over-hyping this issue, read the following letter, posted earlier today on the Bloomfield Hills School District website by superintendent Rob Glass. I repeat: This was posted by the superintendent of the BLOOMFIELD HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT.
As in, one of the wealthiest and most Republican areas in Michigan.
As in, Mitt Romney's home town, also the home town of Cranbrook.
Believe me, Rob Glass is NOT known for panicking or over-hyping issues, and I guarantee you that he's gonna catch a lot of flack for speaking out so strongly on a political issue--especially speaking out against a series of bills being pushed--HARD--by Republican Governor Rick Snyder and the Republican-held state legislature.
An urgent call to action from Superintendent Rob Glass
Posted: November 28, 2012
Dear Parents and Citizens: This is an urgent call to action affecting your Bloomfield Hills Schools and public education in Michigan. A package of bills designed to corporatize and dismantle public education is being hastily pushed through this current ‘lame duck’ legislative session. If we do not take immediate action, I believe great damage will be done to public education, including our school system. We have just three weeks to take action before it’s too late. The bills are:
House Bill 6004 and Senate Bill 1358: Would expand a separate and statewide school district (the EAA) overseen by a governor-appointed chancellor and functioning outside the authority of the State Board of Education or state school superintendent. These schools are exempt from the same laws and quality measures of community-governed public schools. The EAA can seize unused school buildings (built and financed by local taxpayers) and force sale or lease to charter, non-public or EAA schools.
House Bill 5923: Creates several new forms of charter and online schools with no limit on the number. Bundled with HB 6004/SB1358, many of these schools could be created by the EAA. Public schools are not allowed to create these new schools unless they charter them. Selective enrollment/dis-enrollment policies will likely lead to greater segregation in our public schools. This bill creates new schools without changing the overall funding available, further diluting resources for community-governed public schools.
Senate Bill 620: Known as the ‘Parent Trigger’ bill, this would allow the lowest achieving 5% of schools to be converted to a charter school while allowing parents or teachers to petition for the desired reform model. This bill will not directly affect our district, but disenfranchises voters, ends their local control, and unconstitutionally hands taxpayer-owned property over to for-profit companies. Characterized as parent-empowerment, this bill does little to develop deep, community-wide parent engagement and organization.
I’ve never considered myself a conspiracy theorist—until now. This package of bills is the latest in a yearlong barrage of ideologically-driven bills designed to weaken and defund locally-controlled public education, handing scarce taxpayer dollars over to for-profit entities operating under a different set of rules. I believe this is fundamentally wrong. State School Superintendent Mike Flanagan and State Board of Education President John Austin and others have also expressed various concerns, as has the Detroit Free Press.
We embrace change, innovation and personalization.We’re passionate about providing choices and options for students. We compete strongly in the educational marketplace. We must never stop improving. This is not a laissez faire plea to defend the status quo. This is about making sure this tidal wave of untested legislation does not sweep away the valued programs our local community has proudly built into its cherished school system. If you are concerned about these bills, please do the following:
--Attend one of the following grassroots legislative meetings.
--Stay informed by registering for updates through ‘Capwiz.’
--Call and e-mail your legislator and respectfully ask them to OPPOSE these bills (see contact information below).
--Enlist ten others to do the same, and please remain active.
Public education in Michigan can and must remain strong, but it will only happen if we act NOW.
Sincerely, Rob Glass, Superintendent
Legislative Contact information:
Governor Rick Snyder
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, MI 48909
Email Address: Rick.Snyder@michigan.gov
Tel: 517.335.7858 (Constituent Services)
41st State Rep District (Troy) Representative Marty Knollenberg (R)
N0890 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909
Email Address: MartyKnollenberg@house.mi.gov
Tel: 517.373.1783
13th State Senate District (City BH) Senator John Pappageorge (R)
1020 Farnum Building
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Email Address: SenJPappageorge@senate.michigan.gov
Tel: 517.373.2523
40th State Rep District (Blfld. Twp/City) Representative Chuck Moss (R)
S0889 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909
Email: ChuckMoss@house.mi.gov
Tel: 517.373.8670
15th State Senate District (West Bloomfield) Senator Mike Kowall (R)
305 Farnum Building
P.O. Box 30036 Lansing, MI 48909
Email: SenMKowall@senate.michigan.gov
Tel: 517.373.1758
39th State Rep District (West Bloomfield) Representative Lisa Brown (D)
S0888 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Email: lisabrown@house.mi.gov
Tel: 517.373.1799
Update x3: MICHIGAN: HOLY F*CKING SH*T.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/11/28/1165527/-MICHIGAN-HOLY-F-CKING-SH-T-Spread-the-word-on-this-NOWHyperbole? Hair on Fire? Sky is Falling?
Absolutely.
If you or anyone you know and care about live in Michigan, or if you care whatsoever about the public school system in this country--or, for that matter, education of our children in general--I urge you, in the strongest possible terms, to read up on Michigan State House Bills 6004 & 5923, and State Senate Bills 1358 & 620.
If you think I'm over-hyping this issue, read the following letter, posted earlier today on the Bloomfield Hills School District website by superintendent Rob Glass. I repeat: This was posted by the superintendent of the BLOOMFIELD HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT.
As in, one of the wealthiest and most Republican areas in Michigan.
As in, Mitt Romney's home town, also the home town of Cranbrook.
Believe me, Rob Glass is NOT known for panicking or over-hyping issues, and I guarantee you that he's gonna catch a lot of flack for speaking out so strongly on a political issue--especially speaking out against a series of bills being pushed--HARD--by Republican Governor Rick Snyder and the Republican-held state legislature.
An urgent call to action from Superintendent Rob Glass
Posted: November 28, 2012
Dear Parents and Citizens: This is an urgent call to action affecting your Bloomfield Hills Schools and public education in Michigan. A package of bills designed to corporatize and dismantle public education is being hastily pushed through this current ‘lame duck’ legislative session. If we do not take immediate action, I believe great damage will be done to public education, including our school system. We have just three weeks to take action before it’s too late. The bills are:
House Bill 6004 and Senate Bill 1358: Would expand a separate and statewide school district (the EAA) overseen by a governor-appointed chancellor and functioning outside the authority of the State Board of Education or state school superintendent. These schools are exempt from the same laws and quality measures of community-governed public schools. The EAA can seize unused school buildings (built and financed by local taxpayers) and force sale or lease to charter, non-public or EAA schools.
House Bill 5923: Creates several new forms of charter and online schools with no limit on the number. Bundled with HB 6004/SB1358, many of these schools could be created by the EAA. Public schools are not allowed to create these new schools unless they charter them. Selective enrollment/dis-enrollment policies will likely lead to greater segregation in our public schools. This bill creates new schools without changing the overall funding available, further diluting resources for community-governed public schools.
Senate Bill 620: Known as the ‘Parent Trigger’ bill, this would allow the lowest achieving 5% of schools to be converted to a charter school while allowing parents or teachers to petition for the desired reform model. This bill will not directly affect our district, but disenfranchises voters, ends their local control, and unconstitutionally hands taxpayer-owned property over to for-profit companies. Characterized as parent-empowerment, this bill does little to develop deep, community-wide parent engagement and organization.
I’ve never considered myself a conspiracy theorist—until now. This package of bills is the latest in a yearlong barrage of ideologically-driven bills designed to weaken and defund locally-controlled public education, handing scarce taxpayer dollars over to for-profit entities operating under a different set of rules. I believe this is fundamentally wrong. State School Superintendent Mike Flanagan and State Board of Education President John Austin and others have also expressed various concerns, as has the Detroit Free Press.
We embrace change, innovation and personalization.We’re passionate about providing choices and options for students. We compete strongly in the educational marketplace. We must never stop improving. This is not a laissez faire plea to defend the status quo. This is about making sure this tidal wave of untested legislation does not sweep away the valued programs our local community has proudly built into its cherished school system. If you are concerned about these bills, please do the following:
--Attend one of the following grassroots legislative meetings.
--Stay informed by registering for updates through ‘Capwiz.’
--Call and e-mail your legislator and respectfully ask them to OPPOSE these bills (see contact information below).
--Enlist ten others to do the same, and please remain active.
Public education in Michigan can and must remain strong, but it will only happen if we act NOW.
Sincerely, Rob Glass, Superintendent
Legislative Contact information:
Governor Rick Snyder
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, MI 48909
Email Address: Rick.Snyder@michigan.gov
Tel: 517.335.7858 (Constituent Services)
41st State Rep District (Troy) Representative Marty Knollenberg (R)
N0890 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909
Email Address: MartyKnollenberg@house.mi.gov
Tel: 517.373.1783
13th State Senate District (City BH) Senator John Pappageorge (R)
1020 Farnum Building
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Email Address: SenJPappageorge@senate.michigan.gov
Tel: 517.373.2523
40th State Rep District (Blfld. Twp/City) Representative Chuck Moss (R)
S0889 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909
Email: ChuckMoss@house.mi.gov
Tel: 517.373.8670
15th State Senate District (West Bloomfield) Senator Mike Kowall (R)
305 Farnum Building
P.O. Box 30036 Lansing, MI 48909
Email: SenMKowall@senate.michigan.gov
Tel: 517.373.1758
39th State Rep District (West Bloomfield) Representative Lisa Brown (D)
S0888 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Email: lisabrown@house.mi.gov
Tel: 517.373.1799
November 29, 2012
War on Wolves: Reform the Federal Wildlife-Killing Program
It's just unfair. Hunters and outfitters are picking off the wolves of Yellowstone National Park. Call upon officials to create a buffer zone to protect them: http://wg.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?em_id=10181.0
Reform the Federal Wildlife-Killing Program
Urge Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to reform Wildlife Services from the federal government's top wildlife killers to a program that can truly resolve wildlife conflicts.
http://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=2443&fb_action_ids=4602717198872&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582
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http://www.wolfcenter.org/pdf/Benerfits-Wolves.pdf
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