Thinking Right

By Charles

May 23, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this

I think comedian Ron White (now an Atlanta resident) put it best when talking about his home state of Texas:

“Other states are trying to abolish the death penalty … mine’s putting in an express lane”.

Welcome home, Ron - let’s hope the job of completing this express lane goes faster than any GADOT project!

By TW

May 23, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this

Whether or not a candidate wears a diaper is nobody’s business but their’s.

By jbmlaw

May 23, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this

Good morning all. “Rush” is a term used as approbation by leftists, but inconsistently. Killing a killer sooner than ten years after the crime is “rushed.” Going to war against the world’s #1 mass murderer sooner than ten years after he breached the UN-brokered terms of disengagement is “rushed.” But taking a week to debate the wisdom of the welfare spending in the farm bill, or to listen to the voters back home over a scheduled-vacation break is an unconscionable delay.

The mere existence of the PSC is one of the legislature’s dumber laws; abolish it.

I would not license even physicians. Nor drug dispensation. There is no net benefit to society of keeping those fields closed. All “prescription” drugs should be available for purchase over the internet, without need for a permission slip. The last time I had a physical examination I don’t believe I even saw a physician – the nurse-practitioner did an excellent job. I’m licensed to practice law in three states, but I cannot imagine any reason that should not be all 57; my friend JK should be similarly empowered even though she lacks a law degree.

I fear the Great Speckled Bird is the future of all hard print media. My genius younger son reads no newspapers, and my older son reads nothing. We are a video society as of now, and those of us who do not digest information that way are relics of the past.

Terrible that Barbara Walters would damage the reputation of an overlord by disclosing his low personal standards. I guess that is fair play from her perspective since he was a Republican.

I offered my view on the whiny Barack (re: Michelle) yesterday. I suppose we’ll find out if Obama is made of the right stuff when the Tennessee Republicans ignore his plea. Same strategy he is using on Iran, did you notice? Everyone on the left side of common sense would agree that Tennessee Republicans are in a class with Iranian murderers. Barack can pretermit the Tennessee Republican ads with a simple act: repeat Michelle’s words for the cameras. The Tennessee Republicans could then run Barack’s words instead.

I am with Dianne Feinstein on amnesty/citizenship for illegal aliens. They live here five years industriously and trouble-free, I say teach ‘em English and give ‘em a voting card.

I yield to Glenn on standardized tests, since I did not take the state’s test. My genius does not rely on what other people say about me.

I can cure the Golan Heights problem – line it with glass, tinged with cobalt.

Thanks, Jim, for the honor roll of Georgia legislators. I know there are even some honorable democrats in other states, because I saw some comments attributed to a mid-west democrat. Why is there no bi-partisan anti-pork party? For the same reason that Willie Sutton did not frequent Goodwill stores.

By Ray

May 23, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this

Message for Michelle,

Get over it, sweetie.

By Mid-South Philosopher

May 23, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

Good morning, Jim

It turns out that, as early as July of 2007, the Georgia Department of Education knew this year’s sixth and seventh graders would likely “bomb” the social studies portion of this year’s CRCT. Now we learn that nothing was done to intervene and perhaps address the expected deficiency. Now the DOE has thrown out the test because too many failed!

What we have here is the influence of the reformist (not to be confused with the reformer) school of thought with respect to education improvement. These folks believe that the current public school system cannot be fixed; therefore, it must be proven to be a disaster and ended. Through the No Child Left Behind Act, they are planning to accomplish this when the illogical and impossible goal of 100% proficiency is not achieved in 2013-2014.

I have suspected that there were some reformists in the DOE for quite a while. I don’t believe Kathy is one, but she needs to clean the house!

On another matter, it looks as though the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services have been less than honest about the invasion of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints compound near Eldorado, Texas. The more I learn about this, the more I am convinced that this whole operation was the brainchild of a number of sexually repressed Texas bureaucrats. When the dust clears, there may be some jail time in store for some of those Texas two-steppers.

When it comes to government or government bureaucracy, “trust, but verify”!

By Redneck Convert

May 23, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

Well, Wooten, you might oughta consult jbmlaw before you write about legal things. It’s a seize and detest order. But your right about that, I don’t want to think about that wrinkly old librul Barbara doing You Know What with one of Those People. Yuck. Have a good day everybody.

By ron

May 23, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

Good morning all,Licensing?Over the years I’ve corrected a lot of unlicensed electrical work.Most of it is downright scary.There must be standards to follow.

During the hippie heyday,I was too busy working to notice what they were doing.Next time around I’ll become one.

I lump Barbara Walters in with the rest of the stuff I don’t care A rats A$$ about.

Michelle,Open your mouth and remove all doubt.Remember that one darling?

Send the illegals and Dianne away.

Sometimes when you teach to one test and pass out another, the results are not good as you would like to see them.

Syria and Israel are talking today only to decide on what to disagree on tomorrow.

Off to shoot groceries now.

By steve

May 23, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

outlaw aircondition, the yankees will go home education scores will improve.

By Fair's Fair

May 23, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

Ok, it’s only fair to make Michelle Obama’s statments and comments a campanign issue. So when do we start discussing the fact that Cindy McCain is a drug addict and a thief? To feed her drug addiction, she stole controlled substances from a nonprofit medical foundation she created. Don’t believe me, look it up.

By political arm hair

May 23, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

Yeah, but Cindy McCain is hotter. Keep your flippin’ priorities straight.

By Just Nasty and Mean

May 23, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

Good Morning, Jim.

Any Republican voting for the sugar coated, pork-laden, big-buck Farm Bill should be taken out behind the shed and given a discipline lesson on what we are about.

“Useless” (Chambliss) and “I suck some” (Isakson) should hear from all conservatives that oppose this laughable sloppy piece of legislation—even if it does fly in the face of their big buck price support farm buddies in south Georgia.

Is it any surprise that ADM, Tyson Foods and their army of lobbyists loves the farm bill?

Any sign these two senators give a damn about their taxpaying constituents?

By bill

May 23, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this

Jim and jbmlaw might like to drive over a bridge designed by just anyone. Or live below a dam built by non-beaver mammals. Or get his tap water from a source that can save a dime by using cheap contractors to design and build the system. Or buy his next home along a babbling brook without regard for potential flooding. Or…

However, home inspection is a canard of false security to the purchaser who cannot find his or her own way around the Ace Hardware Store.

Therefore, on balance and to the actual specific point of discussion the right is right.

By jbmlaw

May 23, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

Dear Fair @ 8:53, not that I would wish to interfere with the politics of personal destruction, but there is some difference between injecting oneself into the public discourse and being dragged into it.

By GeorgiaLegislatorsAreCriminals

May 23, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this

Georgia either ought to get out of the business of Registering and Banishing people (e.g. “sex offenders”) or they ought to either 1) stop lying about how it’s all for “public safety” or “protecting children” and start talking about how it is for retroactively harassing and punishing or 2) start Registering all people to which the “public safety/protecting children” argument can be directly applied. It is an indisputable fact that while Georgia wholeheartedly Registers and harasses thousands of people who have NEVER harmed a child, the state doesn’t even worry about Registering/harassing hundreds of thousands of felons who have been convicted of DIRECTLY harming children. Their crime/conviction was for harming children!! People who support that are nothing but anti-American, immoral, liars.

By jbmlaw

May 23, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

Dear bill @ 9:05, I am always charmed by a child-like faith in the competence of bureaucrats, whether we are talking about social security or the deadly- (literally)- slow FDA.

By Dave's Mother

May 23, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

“McCain fails to support the troops, again.”

That is a headline for PMSN’s Keith Olberman referring to McCain not voting for the “GI Bill.” One thing that pos a-hole liberal extremist Olberman fails to tell you, like a good little goose stepping lib, is what ELSE is on that “GI Bill” (and I quote that phrase loosely) that the liberal socialist demonrats put in it. Don’t you just love how liberal socialist demonrats toss in all kinds of additional non-“GI Bill” related spending and then when someone refuses to sign on to it, they are called out for “not supporting the troops?” Disgusting. Just absolutely disgusting. From PMSN commentator slime to Congressional slime. The liberal socialist demonrats are all the same. Drop dead, Keith.

You tell me WTF unemployment benefits have to do with “supporting the troops” out there, liberal j*******.

But don’t ever let facts like McCain’s alternative GI Bill proposal get in the way of a liberal socialist demonrat rant (one would think McCain knows just a tad more about the military and funding than Keith Olberman, that liberal demonrat sub-human trashbucket).

PS: Please forgive what my son has posted here this week. He doesn’t even have a GED (that’s a surprise I know) yet thinks he knows everything based upon being on a few leftist blogs. He blew up his Xbox in his basement apartment here in our home and hasn’t been the same since. I keep telling him to get out, but he just won’t listen.

By AmVet

May 23, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

The state has no business licensing home inspectors. Gov. Sonny Perdue was right to veto that bill.

Of the countless idiotic ideas posited by our esteemed columnist, this is certainly in his top 100.

I know someone who is an excellent licensed home inspector and he has told me MANY horror stories about the lousy job done by many who are not.

And the damage and heartache it has caused countless people.

Does anyone truly believe that “industry” cleans up after these incompetents and charlatans.

Ever?

Be sure to look for the tooth fairy tomorrow morning, if you do.

In his view, and mine, the marketplace and voluntary associations are perfectly capable of “regulating” those who inspect the homes for prospective buyers.

Ah yes, the Republican’s ever-popular “let our foxes guard the henhouse” mentality as trumpeted by the plutocrats and “free market” crooks and liars.

What a total crock.

IF the captains of industry had a track record tht wasn’t postively abysmal in this regard, perhaps. But they have consistently demonstrated a willingness to many times put the almighty dollar ahead of everything and everybody else. Including ethics and morality.

In fact, the state should be looking for every opportunity to get out of the licensing business.

No wonder Georgia is so thoroughly derided by much of the rest of the nation. And why we rank last or damn near it in so many significant categories.

The lunatics are running the asylum…

By getalife

May 23, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Yeah Jim, the gop rubber stamp Congress spent our money like drunk gop on a prostitute binge and now they are concerned about our money.

Sorry, that sh-it still stinks.

McCain lost on the new GI bill and the troops won.

The gop do not support the troops, they abuse them like they abuse all the American people.

The gop should change their name to the corporate party. They govern for the corporate world not the people’s world.

By Jim's a Cherry Picker

May 23, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Hi Jim,

Yeah, the farm bill is bad.

What I’m missing is why this selected instance of unforgivable pork is suddently so outrageous.

Why weren’t you complaining a few years ago when GW was inflating entitlements like a balloon?

At least Saxby is staying true to his party’s tradition. The rest of them are just grandstanders… heck, their fingers are still greasy. Specially Price. What a weasel. That guy gives me the creeps.

By Home Inspector

May 23, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Bill,

“However, home inspection is a canard of false security to the purchaser who cannot find his or her own way around the Ace Hardware Store.”

I am a home inspector by trade, and I have to respectfully disagree with your view on inspecting a home. Most home buyers are not prepared to crawl around in a crawlspace, cannot identify unsafe wiring in a panel, spot unsafe venting of a gas appliance, etc. I was surprise by the governor’s veto of the bill until I read his explanation. I am actually pro licensing of home inspectors, not because I believe in government bureaucracy, but because I do believe it will enhance the credibility of the profession and add a level of oversight to the industry. The governor is correct that there are numerous trade organizations such as ASHI, NACHI, and GAHI that are the stamp of quality for home inspectors. However, we say that we are “certified” by these organizations should we choose to belong to them. I do see licensing eventually, but I understand the governor’s reasoning in vetoing the bill.

By getalife

May 23, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

In a total embarrassing move, Israel is talking to Syria, Pakistan made peace with the Taliban and the world is saying screw you w.

obl won and w lost.We already knew that would happen because w is the worst pos to ever occupy the WH.

By Just Nasty and Mean

May 23, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

Jim, I am compelled to offer another comment on this morning’s remarks:

The Obama camp is working diligently to define and build fences around his weaknesses (note how he came out of nowhere swinging when Bush mentioned the word “pacification”).

Once they surround their candidate (and wife, preacher, terrorists, pacification positions, etc.), then from now until the election, McCain brings it up, it will be labeled as “racist”.

Mark my words: Obama has a racist chip on his shoulder and just looking for the opportunity to whip it out.

By Shar

May 23, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

Michelle Obama’s comments were stupid, offensive and politically indefensible. They were made in a public arena for public comsumption, and should be treated as such. Her husband appears to be trapped between her refusal to apologize and disown the remarks and his own inability to soften their damaging effect, so he’s trying to make them go away. Not a way to position himself as a leader.

The testing debacle is too significant to be dismissed with Mr. Wooten’s flippant suggestion for relaxation techniques. The math and the social studies results present two very different problems. A failure rate of 40% on the math portion of the eighth grade CRCT means that, left unaddressed, 40% of Georgia’s eighth graders are not sufficiently prepared for high school math, a critical factor in their employability and/or access to college-level education. Forty percent of the students that middle schools expected to move on and make room for entering sixth graders will be retained, forcing a huge resource reallocation in middle and high schools. Entering 11 year old sixth graders, already minute and naive in comparison to thirteen and fourteen year old eighth graders, will be shoving through hallways with sexually and physically mature fifteen year olds. Importantly, 40% of Georgia’s eighth graders will be humiliated and discouraged from further academic effort. To mitigate this, schools are scrambling to arrange sufficient summer school and tutorial serivces to try to push through as many students as possible, to the detriment of family, recreational and work plans.

And bear in mind that Georgia’s tests are among the least rigorous nationally, and that the number of test questions that had to be answered correctly to pass (the “cut score”) actually dropped this year, from 35 out of 60 to 32.

The widespread failure of sixth and seventh grade students to pass the social studies test (with an increased cut score of 32 from 23) is entirely different. A small group of state bureaucrats knew last year that the failure rate would increase dramatically but chose not to alert teachers and administrators to the dislocation between the test and the curriculum. They did nothing to change or increase teacher training, or adjust the required test preparation that must in taught in the classroom. They permitted teachers and students to spend time and resources prepping for a test that they knew didn’t exist, spent millions on the test design, administration and scoring and now are casually dismissing the results. This is primarily a bureaucratic failure, caused by a casual disregard for both taxpayer money and student effort, and many heads should roll.

The apologies and excuses being offered up by Georgia’s public education elites offer no concern or sense of urgency for the thousands and thousands of Georgia children who have been let down by both the delivery of the curriculum and the system of assessment. They are regarded as a learning experience for bureaucrats, fungible rather than unique, and their failure is not an individual betrayal but a field test with unfortunate results. That is the real problem, and firing enough to convey the need for change is the most effective solution.

By Jim's a Cherry Picker

May 23, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

AmVet (& HomeInspector)…

Nice shots on the home inspection guff.

Jim’s living in a dreamworld. If individual home owners were capable of distinguishing between trained and untrained home inspectors, they’d be able to inspect the home themselves.

If home inspectors are left to market forces to regulate quality, that means that a significant percentage of them will be unsavory, unqualified and unaccountable. And the people who fall prey to them will be the ones who are least prepared to deal with the ensuing problems.

But why should Sunni care? He’s rich. He can afford the best home inspectors money can buy. The only reason that he didn’t sign that bill is because someone paid him not to.

By I'm a cherry eater

May 23, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

Dream world, ream world. A professional association certification protecting its profession and reputation is better than one handed out by some dumb bureaucrat. It doesn’t take a blind liberal to see it, just a stupid one to ignore it. Or something like that.

By Government

May 23, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

I ain’t y’alls daddy. Go fend for yourselves sometimes you aggravating sons of bolsheviks.

By JK

May 23, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

Republicans tout the merits of “free market” over licensing and standards because it reflects their most basic core value: NO ACCOUNTABILITY. Oh sure, they’ll tell you that not being accountable to the people you share the planet with is about “Personal Responsibility” but that term really means “Responsible ONLY to what I want and need.”

Bill made some good points at 9:05 about bridges and dams. If a bridge collapses underneath a car filled with Wooten’s grandchildren, he’s on the phone to lawyers the next day wanting to hold someone accountable — but only because they were HIS grandchildren, not yours. (Hence his support for a government that borrows money to fight a war in which other people’s children die, but “can’t afford” to invest in infrastructure at home.)

Yes, the “free market” evens things out… over time… to the benefit of those who are screwing you in a “hit & run” fashion, and who’ll be long gone by the time the lawyers take your life savings pretending to seek justice on your behalf.

By Glenn

May 23, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the goulash, Jim.

• The Ag Chair is right to check Feinstein on what you’re erroneously calling “amnesty” (rather than licensed exploitation). They should strike a compromise, and do so in cooperation with the Mexican Ambassador. Something like the Bracero Program, but in the context of the rigid citizenship obstacle-course McCain is now testing with voters.

• You and Mr. Garrett of the Superintendents Association are talking about two different things, Jim; add me, and make that three different things. When Mr. Garrett says that the “failure statewide” obliges us “to go back and re-examine the test and re-examine everything associated with the test”, he’s referring, I believe, to the test development, adoption and administration process, which begins with the letting of a big, fat sweetheart contract.

Your position is that the failure obliges us to continue “matching curriculum, instruction, testing and higher standards”, an effort you call “a work in progress.”

My position, however, is that the failure represents precisely the failure of the entire chestnut in re the “matching” of “curriculum, instruction, testing and higher standards.” The reason is simply that that’s not even responsible educationese; it’s the linguistic equivalent of a trash fish.

Throw it back and go after the big lunker: education over “instruction”; demonstrably retained competencies over “testing”; no “standards” at all—-sky’s the limit.

By ghost rider

May 23, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

By Dave’s Mother

May 23, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

Dear MOMMY, You sound exactly like Dave with your uninformed rant concerning the GI Bill.

First of all McCain didn’t even bother to show up for the vote (BETTER THINGS TO DO?) I guess this was not one of his priorities (DICK CHENEY) comes to mind.

Second of all only 22 republicans voted against this bill (Chambliss and Isakson) for once in their careers actually stood with the good guys.

Third; I doubt you have any military experience nor would ever qualify for what the uniformed members of our society so richly deserve!

By Redneck Convert

May 23, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

Well, I see the other Redneck Convert that’s probly a yankee beat me to the punch this a.m. Its my birthday so I’m taking it off and I slept in this a.m.

I just feel down, down, down, like they cut off my private parts and turned me into a woman. They let this killer off late yesterday. What good is the Death Penalty if you ain’t going to use it? I was expecting to wake up and feel like a Manly Man after they put the juice to him.

Anyway, later me and the missus and little Sonny Zell George is going to Ryans for my birthday. The missus is all trim and fit at 330 lbs. after her diet and feels like she can load up again. I just stay out of the way so I don’t get a fork thru my hand while she’s at it.

Glad to see jbmlaw is in his sermon mood today. I guess his kids don’t watch Fox News, which is all you need to get the Fair and Balanced Truth in the news. Now all we need is for Sister Dusty to jump in and call everybody Trader and talk about her lunks of a son and how smart and brave they are.

Have a good one everybody. I sure hope this other Redneck Convert don’t have a buddy named Jim Earl too. I could get in real trouble if he misbehaved and I got the rap for it.

By Glenn

May 23, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

Shar, I appreciate your answer to Mr. Wooten’s flippancy.

By Marvey Marverson

May 23, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

JK wrote: “Republicans tout the merits of “free market” over licensing and standards because it reflects their most basic core value: NO ACCOUNTABILITY.”

Are you without reading comprehension altogether? Home inspectors certified by their professional associations are working to ensure compliance with standards, most of which are set by your precious government.

By Jim's a Cherry Picker

May 23, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

Jim,

Maybe I got it all wrong on the “self regulation” thing…maybe it can work.

The realtors sure seem to have a good grip on how to make things happen under the gold dome:

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/05/22/ethics_0522.html

By jbmlaw

May 23, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

Dear Shar @ 9:43, your arguments persuade me. Much of what you write sounds like a job for you and Glenn to cure. One of the rare instances where I would support a no-bid contract.

By Government

May 23, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

You know, back in the day, this used to be a good job. The Congress would come to town a few days a year. They were good guys and they would fuss some, but they were reasonable. There wasn’t that much to do. Defend the shores. Deliver the mail. You know, basic stuff.

But now? Geez. I’m force fed money like a fois gras goose. I got millions of people feeding at my man boobs. And I got more crap to keep up with than anybody ever could.

Do these Sansabelts make me look fat? Well, they should because I am, Jackass! I hate living like this.

By deegee

May 23, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

The 2008 farm bill is an extension of the 2002 farm bill that was passed by a republican congress and signed by a republican president. The 2002, $171 billion farm bill sponsored by Larry Combest, (R)Texas wiped out the entire FY 2001 federal budget surplus and increased spending by $76 billion. Where was the outrage in 2202 by the Wootang gang????

By fearless fosdik

May 23, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

By jbmlaw

May 23, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

Dear Shar @ 9:43, your arguments persuade me. Much of what you write sounds like a job for you and Glenn to cure.

Mr. LAWDOG

There you go again .. Throwing poor ol Dust Bucket under the bus again!

By HIDT

May 23, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

I’d like to stay and continue to play all day. But I’ve got a one-way ticket to paradise, aka Clearwater. Have a good holiday weekend everybody.

By AmVet

May 23, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

Jim’s a Cherry Picker, I have heard this inane argument for many years now - the government can’t do anything right except kill people and take away their money.

Complete hyperbolic rhetoric and utter rubbish.

Government, to be sure, can be one gigantic and inept clusterf&ck.

No one disputes that. Not even the bureaucrats themselves.

Excepting some of the more misguided liberals who see it as the panacea to every one of our many problems.

But they do keep an eye on the more egregious miscreants and law-breakers in the private sector. Sort of. Unless a president comes along and completely guts the agencies mandated to do so. Hint, hint…

And as painful for the faithful ostriches as it is, the reality is that white collar crime is NOT a myth. And Love Canal really did happen.

And as is sadly the case with so many other crimes in this country, for everyone who is caught, prosecuted and held to justice, ten get away Scott free.

And though the chest-pounding chickenhawks would have nary an inkling about this of course (and I really hate to be the one to burst their romanticized bubble) that includes the DoD. ESPECIALLY THE DoD! The darling, untouchable sacred cow of “conservative” spend thrifts who apparently believe there are no crooks or prevaricators in the Pentagon. And we should believe everything they tell us.

And as we have discussed here before, the neo-con ideology is an end game to pay NO taxes. Simply enjoy the innumerable benefits that the nation provides while ensuring they, themselves, pay for none of it.

The truth is that government is not a very good remedy for the disease of avarice and deadly irresponsibility that is sometimes rampant in our capitalism.

That being said, I still would not trade this system for ANY other…

By Glenn

May 23, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

I love the 10:18! Fresh & tasty! Felt life! Journalism lives!

By Taxpayer

May 23, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

I could care less about other people’s private lives. Yet, Democrats and Republicans alike just love to bring up what others do and how it will affect their performance in office. If a person’s religious views or sexual preferences, for example, are key to their suitability for public office, then I would certainly think that their education (including their grades and subject matter), military experience, work history, etc., should also be included in the final analysis. For instance, I recall an acquaintance that suffered from recurring, vivid nightmares after he returned from the Vietnam war. He would actually wake up thinking he was in combat and grab his 45. Can you just imagine the possibilities if certain people were placed in positions of power. Who knows what might happen, for example, if some religious “nut-case” were to make it to the White House. He could start threatening the wrong people, for example. I mean, in one case a Mafia leader might get upset and take action while in another case, a country’s military might could be applied in retaliation. Lots of possibilities.

Then, there’s this issue of licenses. I think I should be able to drive when I want in what I want — school bus or gas tanker or whatever. Furthermore, I shouldn’t need a stinking license to haul hazardous waste (including that stuff they call sludge) or radioactive waste. Also, why bother licensing doctors to prescribe drugs made in un-licensed facilities. Just let these facilities provide the information on what their product does and leave the rest to the educated consumer — the uneducated ones won’t be around long enough to worry about. I could go on with this train of thought for years but hopefully you are educated enough to get the point. I guess that’s enough for now.

By Disgusted

May 23, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

I worked as a director of achievement testing for nearly two decades. If the goal is to measure learning, then the first step in developing a test is to determine what knowledge is to be taught and measured. In fact, it is not at all uncommon for test developers to disseminate sample tests so that teachers as well as students can gain an idea of the nature and coverage provided by the test.

Am I wrong in assuming that the test developers made no effort whatsoever to look at the Georgia curriculum in social studies before developing the test? It certainly appears that way.

I am left with the conclusion that we boast the most stupid Department of Education in the nation. If you know a year in advance that the test is badly misaligned with what is taught, then the proper step is not to leave the preliminary test untouched. Rather, it is to align the test with the instruction.

This is the kind of thing that happens when Georgians elect an evolution-denier, Kathy Cox (please don’t confuse her with the much brighter Cathy Cox), to head one of the most important state departments. The upshot of it all is that students and teachers are left to look incompetent and that the state has wasted millions of taxpayer dollars in a useless endeavor. In private enterprise, such a disaster would leave some incumbent employees unemployed. In Georgia government, unfortunately, it is par for the course.

By Shar

May 23, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

Glenn @ 10:05: Your last paragraph is a pithy, precise distillation of our common ground in educational ideals, with the exception that I am reluctant to dismiss all “standards”. I believe that assessment events, like tests and papers and homework practice, provide valuable skills development and focus the student’s attention on mastery of material. The zillion dollar question is who gets to set what standards.

I just returned from dropping my youngest daughter off at St. Pius X for her last final, this one in theology. When she went to the school after her unfortunate situation in public middle school, she was most resistent to the required four years of religion courses, anticipating forced prostylization and memorized doctrine with which she does not agree. Instead, she found teachers who presented material in a fresh manner and who actively engage the kids in expressing their views and interpretations, and the assessments (and required community service as a hands-on expression of moral engagement) reflect that pedagogical approach. Although her pride makes it hard for her to admit it, religion is now one of her favorite classes, and she spent our trip up 85 discussing her view of the significance of the oldest Biblical fragment extant and its special relevance.

My daughter’s curiosity has been fired, her views respected and her own searches directed. The exam forced her to focus, review and question. In contrast, her class includes a child from a devout family who attended Christian school prior to high school. Her teachers had told her what the Bible says and what the “right” interpretation is, and she was so secure in those verities that she didn’t “need” to read the verses or think about their setting, author, translation or meaning. She failed the assessments until she began to read and think more independently.

To me, this is a spot-on example of your “education over instruction” and demonstrated competency over testing. The testing, as prepared and evaluated by the same person who taught the material, merely serves as the point of the blade rather than the sharp edge of the guillotine.

By Taxpayer

May 23, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

Dear Disgusted and Shar,

The “fix” in the case of the ill-gotten grades will probably be a matter of faith. Let us petition Perdue for another round of preying.

By sane jane

May 23, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

I agree that spouses are fair game. I just wonder if Woot will be singing that same tune when all of Cindy McCain’s theft/fraud/prescription pill shenanigans are the focus instead of Michelle’s idiotic comments?

By Glenn

May 23, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

Shar, thanks for posting that real and considered 10:57. Have you yet seen the 10:49? It’s written on same level—-and I daresay, to the same “standards”—-as was yours.

To have spent two decades promoting the proper application of “achievement testing” is time well spent. Especially if one considers the alternative: the kind of abstract, quick-and-dirty, quasi-scientific and vaguely neurological junk that the U.S. Gov’t used during WWII because we were IN A HURRY then. One of the progeny of that exercise is, as you know, the SAT.

And the reason why the SAT had to change is simply this: it didn’t mean anything. (Or at least not anything good; which fact may weigh in “Disgusted’s” rather pronounced hatred of racism.)

I concede your point that I hyped the “sky’s the limit” spiel while ignoring the great importance to the Republic of setting a very solid floor. But I trust that you and Disgusted know why I chose to do that.

As a Christian educator I’d love to discuss with you your contrast of proper Catholic religious instruction over against theology as taught in the “Christian schools”. (A dynamic—or even tension—which probably is more pronounced here than in any other part of the U.S.) But I doubt this blog could sustain such a conversation. I’m just happy for your daughter. So happy, I can’t even tell you.

By sane jane

May 23, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

Wow, the room got quiet.

Guess the NeoPawns are all reeling from the shock of Cindy’s misdeeds?

If you’re still hungry for more, do a little snooping to find out why she wasn’t indicted. The dirt ain’t just on Cindy - Senator McCain’s finagling is what kept her from being charged & likely going to prison.

Yikes.

By TW

May 23, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

Easy now, sane jane -

We should all take a moment to commend Cindy McCain on her sobriety. Much like our fearless leader, beating her addiction to pain pills is worthy of our admiration.

Having said this, it is also fair to question whether being in the White House is a good idea. Clearly, the pending stressful situations that go with being the First Lady will trump the Keating Five Scandal that sent her into the tank.

Again, though, she is to be admired for her accomplishment. A&E should consider airing her Intervention.

By sane jane

May 23, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Wow, the room got quiet.

Guess the NeoPawns are all reeling from the shock of Cindy’s misdeeds?

If you’re still hungry for more, do a little snooping to find out why she wasn’t indicted. The dirt ain’t just on Cindy - Senator McCain’s finagling is what kept her from being charged & likely going to prison.

Yikes.

By JK

May 23, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Marvy, do you actually belong to any “professional associations?” Haha! Yes, I’d say they’re at LEAST as trustworthy as a government agency. This difference is, of course, that the government exists to be accountable to the people (even if it’s not because you enable bad, secretive, behavior). Professional associations are accountable only to themselves, and if you think “reputation” is a strong enough incentive to put the safety of others before profit, I’ve got a bridge to sell you, certified by my association, of course.

By Dusty

May 23, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

There seems to be a disconnect here this morning. I’m all tuned in for Memorial Day weekend and Jim’s talking about everything else. Maybe some “red, white & blue” later.

Ah—but—unlicensed doctors??? No way. I’ve seen what quacks can do.

Unproven medications? I am not ready to go back to witch doctor days and “natural” remedies proven by tealeaves and tree bark.

School problems? I go to school and talk with the teachers and principal and you get a clearer idea of what is going on. If my children fail a test, they better start studying, bad test or not. As to school boards, the PTA could run the schools better and cheaper. Let’s try THAT.

The Farm Bill was the Social Giveaway Bill for food stamps, subsidy giveaways and foreign aid. The Farmers got less. The farmers feed us. The other folks loaded on that bill get free handouts.

Same for the “GI Bill”. It was supposed to be the War Funding bill which Democrats turned into something else to delay the process. They tacked on extra GI benefits so any turndown on the added “pork”to war funding would be called something else. That’s Democrats. Vote for a war. Then use GIs as “pork impediment” to stop pay for their needs in the military. The Dems knew conservatives would turn down the added “fat back.” Noble creatures, those Democratic Congress flunkies.

Would someone tell RedNeck to suck in his beer gut he got at the country club? Don’t worry about the “traders”. They identify themselves here all the time, just like Michele Obama does. And these liberals will vote for the “two for one” package Barack Obama is ready to lay on America. As to RedNeck, oould it be that he is just another Democrat? Could be!!

Please don’t tell me you will know every problem with a home IF YOU GET A BUILDING INSPECTOR. If you don’t know a nail from a screw, well, yes. You better call a bulding inspector.

See you later when Memorial Day gets mentioned. Or..who knows?..maybe sooner….

By sane jane

May 23, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

I definitely commend her sobriety - most of us have family members (or ARE the family member) who suffer from alcoholism or substance abuse.

I’m more troubled by the theft, deception and cover-up surrounding the incident, rather than the addiction itself.

It stinks of inside-the-beltway coverups.

To poorly paraphrase Jon Stewart: “Did the Straight Talk Express take a detour through Bull$h!t Town?”

By fairy god mother

May 23, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

By Glenn

May 23, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

Oh, my my … Glenn, you should be ashamed. Trying to hustle Shar on this blog…Now, dear one have a bromide and get back to your keyboard.

Dusty is having coniptions right about now over the thought of you swooning with Shar.

By Dave's Mother's Father

May 23, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

Dave’s Mother - “Don’t you just love how liberal socialist demonrats toss in all kinds of additional non-“GI Bill” related spending and then when someone refuses to sign on to it, they are called out for “not supporting the troops?”

You’re describing the exact tactics of the Republican controlled Congress over the last 7 years. Sucks, don’t it?

McSame says he’s worried about the cost and retention of soldiers. Two weeks money spent in Iraq would pay for the Web-Hagel bill. McSame’s “alternative” raises monthly benefits by $400 - whoop de freakin do - and leaves out Reserves and National Guard. Retention? I would rather soldiers leave the military and go to college than leave the military in a casket FOR NOTHING.

By jesse

May 23, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

I am a home inspector by trade. I am a certified Home Inspector, International Code Council Combination Residential and CABO. I do believe that a state license can be a good thing, but I do not believe that organizations like ASHI or GAHI, etc. should control or influence who gets licensed and who does not get licensed. The Governor was correct to veto the proposed legislation because it only wanted to allow the ‘good ole boys’ to control the field. The state should not be part of their railroading efforts. After all, it is written that the definition of a qualified inspector is one who has ICC certification.

By ray

May 23, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

did not know Cindy McCain was a drug addict. is that why John sought ‘solace’ in the blonde lobbyist?

By Glenn

May 23, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this

I thought I was trying to hustle you, you campy thang!

Have a bromide? A bromide? Why, I’m still reeling in the wake of my divorce from First Church, Bromidical of Roswell. I tried the powders-in-the-Coke thing, though. Good, but not enough. (Maybe the Extra Strength next time.)

You know, Jim tried that take-a-sip-and-get-back-to-reality condescension in his column of today, and frankly this is the first time I’ve ever suspected that Jim and you, Le Hauteur, are the same.

For shame.

By JK

May 23, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

Jesse, at 11:55,

Thanks for the useful information! I hope I did not imply that professional organizations are without merit, but rather was responding to the anti-regulation crowd. I think the government should have industry standards and oversights in place, but that the real integrity of an industry is upheld by those in it, such as yourself, who make up organizations that devise, train, and operate according to these standards. That being said, construction in Georgia is a HOT MESS.

By fairy god mother

May 23, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

By Glenn

May 23, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this

TOUCHE!!!

By Dusty

May 23, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this

Our dear “Sane Jane”…11:37,11:43,11:48

Known at Democratic headquarters as “JuJu Mama” whose job is to cook up some “scandal” from the distant past to cover current massive liberal mishaps. You know, those produced by Michele Obama, Wright and Obama himself NOW.

To offset her bad reputation, “JuJU Mama” sometimes calls herself “fairy god mother”. The pay for propaganda job isn’t good but it’s a little better than cooking hamburgers.

By ron

May 23, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

Redneck,my convert,At 330 and 4’3”,yo wife is going to take up most of the passing lane.What a honey!

By George Washington

May 23, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

Why are posts about David Einhorn’s analysis of Lehman being deleted all over the internet? The wsj has full coverage on the back page….could this be an effort to downplay the apparent fraud that seems to have been sanctioned by the FED, imho? That is how WashingAss works, release the bad news on a Friday before a 3 day weekend, and arrange for it to be on the back pages of the newspaper…I am suprised the financial blogs would go along with that kind of manipulation, but they are apparently deleting the story and comments.

By Jerry

May 23, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

To jbmlaw, I’m glad you appreciated the results with your NP. My friend in NY refuses to come to GA to practice due to the constraints put on her by the wonderful state agencies involved. She is educated and intelligent enough to prescribe in NY but not in Cowtown GA.

To the rest of you, pay your Dr. bills!

By Analchord

May 23, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

No child left behind. Standardized tests. Curriculum.

Social studies: what are the major exports of a country? The only reason Georgia children flunked out was because of one social studies question, which counted for 90 percent of their scores. It asked about the gravitational effects of the centripedal forces when you spin yellow cake uranium inside of rocket tubes to isolate isotopes necessary to build WMDs for export to Al Queda, but strangely, because it was a true false question, the only way to respond was with a show of hands.

Look no further than the adults for detention and dunce caps.

By Jerry

May 23, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

Word to the wise:

DO NOT use a home inspector recommended by your realtor.

By Taxpayer

May 23, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

I prefer pound cake over yellow cake. Tastes great — less filling. Maybe that was Angel Food Cake.

By deegee

May 23, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

Hello Cherry Pickin’ Jim! Was there some reason that you failed to mention that the AgJobs proposal is a bipartisan proposal sponsored by Dianne Feinstein and Larry “toetapping” Craig (R) Idaho? Was it just too painful for you to type the name Larry Craig?

By GMAN

May 23, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

“Bill’s fair game. So’s Michelle. If they make campaign speeches, they’re fair game. Spouses. Children. Parents. Pets. Sacred cows. All.”

Ole Jim Boy, you don’t get to make the rules to fit your candidate. If a spouse is fair game, ANY spouse is fair game, campaign speeches or not. So, tell the the flip-flop, swollen jawed, old geezer McBush that his junky sugar mamma is fair game.

By Glenn

May 23, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

Go Analchord!

By ray

May 23, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

cindy ‘white girl’ McCain as mrs. president???? how hot is that!!! OMG! how hot is that?! already smoking hot, the thought of her hitting that stuff….OMG! OMG!

By JK

May 23, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

See? There’s no accountability because some of you decided it doesn’t matter as long as Republicans are in charge.

From today’s AP News:

An internal audit of some $8 billion paid to U.S. and Iraqi contractors found that nearly every transaction failed to comply with federal laws or regulations aimed at preventing fraud, in some cases lacking even basic invoices explaining how the money was spent.

Of the money paid during a five-year period — from 2001 through 2006 — $7.8 billion in payments skirted billing rules with some violations egregious enough to invite potential fraud, warned the Defense Department’s inspector general.

By I Want My Nannystate Lib

May 23, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

“cindy ‘white girl’ McCain as mrs. president???? how hot is that!!! OMG! how hot is that?”

Cindy is white? Gee, I never noticed that before, ‘ray’. But I agree with you, ‘ray’. Too bad we can’t say the same about most Democrat’s wives - or daughters for that matter. Jenna was smoking hot on Leno last night. What a cutie.

On another topic, from the AP:

“China, Russia criticize US missile defense plan”

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080523/aponreas/chinarussia

So. So what. Who gives a damn. Those goons have sold their weapons to Iran which are now being used by Islamic terrorists against allied forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

And we’re supposed to give a damn what China and Russia says because???

I’ll bet Obambi cares about appeasing those cretin government goons. Obambi - nothing but a media created sensation - and hollow politician who can say a lot smoothly and effortlessly without really saying anything - like a used car salesman. The dumb masses like him though. Tells you a lot about them.

By ron

May 23, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

Analchord,I have it on good authority that there were other questions on the test. no.17-If it takes a day and a half to dig a hole and a half,how many flap jacks does it take to shingle a dog house roof,True or false?

no.37—Do you walk to work or take your lunch?

By sane jane

May 23, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

deegee, thanks for reminding Jim about Larry Craig’s name on the farm bill. A simple oversight, I’m sure…

All the intellectual dishonesty from partisan hacks used to make me very mad. Now it just makes me laugh. Probably because I’ve lost hope.

Dusty, sorry for the double post at 11:37. I haven’t met JuJu Mama yet, but I’ll keep my eye out for her if I ever visit the Blue Team’s HQ. (please don’t lump me in with that sad sack of losers - I’m a free agent mercenary who usually throws his vote away on silly 3rd party candidates)

Sounds like a fun job though - sort of a political “whack-a-mole”?

By Chuck

May 23, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

WASHINGTON (AP) - Two Democratic senators have asked the Treasury Department to investigate allegations that Iraqi leaders have embezzled or misspent billions of U.S. tax dollars intended for the country’s relief and reconstruction.

Good for them. That needs to be done. That said, do you think these same Democrats will have the same passion for going after the hundreds of millions that are unaccounted for in Katrina recovery, most of which supposedly went to the New Orleans area? Me neither. One thing about Democrats: they are consistent at being inconsistent. It’s all about what they are interested in (“Bush’s war” in this case), not a true end result of looking for wasted federal money from all venues. I know. It’s not surprising, is it?

By George Washington

May 23, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

Maybe Erin Callen of Lehman will end up in Martha’s old cell. Martha was a tougth old bird and could take care of herself. This little girl’s gonna be in for a hard time. The sista’s gonna be wanten some attention from dis sweet chick….she be a little long in the tooth fer me, but big momma in cell 17C likes those petite little white girls, they calls big momma “Thunder Thighs”, so ah’s suspects they will be callin Erin “Flat Cheeks Honey.” Stupid lawyers….

By MKR12

May 23, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

More from the House Of Democrats files:

The current high price of gas has led to a lot of crazy proposals from gas tax holidays to creating a tax deduction based upon energy consumption. But Rep. Paul Kanjorski’s (D-PA, what the hell else) may top them all in terms of its stupidity. From the Times Leader, Kanjorski’s plan would do the following:

• H.R. 5800 would tax industries’ windfall profits.

• The bill would set up a Reasonable Profits Board to determine when these companies’ profits are in excess, and then tax them on those windfall profits.

If anyone ever had any doubts that Liberal Democrats were socialist neocommunists, this should quell all doubt.

Once again a Liberal Democrat proves that the twisted left is against the freedoms that America has. In this case, the freedom to earn as much as you wish with unlimited income potential. And if any of you lib apologist boneheads out there believes that this a*inine idea is only for oil companies, you are even MORE stupid than you vote.

You think we’re in stagnant growth now? Wait until this idea from a jackass takes root. No more profits = no more hiring and profit sharing. Stupid, stupid, stupid. If I owned one, I’d send my company overseas faster than a deep dish pizza disappearing in front of Michael Moore and tell this idiot congressman off.

By sane jane

May 23, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

The more I learn about John McCain’s hotheadedness, the more I like him. Did you know he once publicly called his wife the dreaded “C” word? (hint: it rhymes with “bunt”) In front of reporters and aides? Wow.

Plus, he made the following joke when Chelsea was just 18:

“Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?”

“Because Janet Reno is her father.”

Misogynistic language & picking on teenagers - Moving America Forward!

By JK

May 23, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this

Nice diversionary tactic, Chuck. Instead of finding common ground with your fellow American citizens, namely the ones who think government should indeed be accountable to the people it represents, you make a point to further divide.

“One thing about Democrats: they are consistent at being inconsistent.”

I wouldn’t argue that at all. Rather, I argue FOR accountability, not free passes. But please, tell us how only Democrats (and no Republicans or friends or subcontractors thereof) benefitted from the widespread fraud that pilfered billions in the name of “rebuilding” N.O. (status: not yet rebuilt.) Surely you can offer “proof” of that which you prefer to believe, right?

BTW, on Memorial Day will you claim that no Democrats died in service to their country, or that medals awarded to Democrats were bogusly obtained? Just curious.

By bill

May 23, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

jmblaw, I do not know quite how to take your 9:19 post; so I’ll assume it was meant to be nice. Where the FDA [drugs?] came in to reference of the FEMA, Army Corps, EPA, and FHWA type of public works projects listed came from; well I’m not a lawyer.

As for the professional home inspector’s that felt insulted I do beg pardon. My point was meant to infer that if you accept, on blind faith, the inspection report you are a fool. My favorite home inspection story is the report, on fine parchment, a mega builder handed to a retired widow vouching for the unquestionable quality of her new home; the final line above his signature was that it [the document] conveyed no warranty of products or craftsmanship. Lucky for that nice lady in Hall County that her part-time employer had access to some grading equipment to fix her yard before it was completely washed away into the Legends Fall.

I am for licensing, especially if there are suspension and ultimately revocation of said license for a pattern of shoddy work or corrupt findings.

By Ray

May 23, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

Wouldn’t want anyone to think that ray is Ray on the postings. ray seems like a whining liberal and I am light years from that nonsense.

By sane jane

May 23, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

Aren’t BOTH teams consistently inconsistent?

It’s why I can’t identify with either party.

They both scream about the other’s faults while overlooking their own.

Is there a new party on the horizon? Please?

By Shar

May 23, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

Glenn @ 11:22 - Thanks for your good wishes for my girl. She’s thrilled with herself just now as her final is over (successfully, she thinks) and the summer is laying before her like a full jar of peanut butter before the first swipe is made - glistening, beckoning, seductive with promise. I just wish that 40% of Georgia eighth graders could share her sense of accomplishment and anticipation.

To that point, one of the community service projects she chose was to tutor eighth grade students in her old middle school in preparation for the CRCT. Even though she had graduated from there two years ago, it was a paradigm-shifting experience for her. She was actually shocked at the expectation of failure and the pitiful level of competence in basic skills. She was equally horrified at being asked by the kids how often she was coming back, because “you say things that I can understand.” She said, “Mom, I don’t know enough to teach those kids!” Apparently, she knows better than Kathy Cox.

By TW

May 23, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

Another day of watching remnants of the conservative voice circle about the bowl.

Only by denouncing the ‘w’ administration as a failure will the right begin to heal. Standing knee deep in American Soldier blood with political egg all over your face kind of dampens the ‘point a finger at a lib’ routine. Wouldn’t ya say? Credibility much? Denounce ‘w’ - set yourself free, save the country from what’s to come if you don’t.

The incompetence of the right will be to blame when the left turns Washington upside down in November.

Shame.

By JK

May 23, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

Sane Jane, good point. Maybe it’s up to us. You think? Maybe it’s OUR job to pay attention and hold them accountable, regardless of party. Would a “new party” be any different if we don’t? shrug

Is it beer-thirty yet? Impending summer is making me thirsty.

By Greg

May 23, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

Just what is a Super Delegate? Maybe, someone who’s better than you and me or a regular delegate? Maybe they think they were born to have a better pot to p!ss in? Or, maybe it’s just a means to rig the Democrat nominating system so that some in the Party have more power than they’d be due under a truly democratic process - anybody remember “one man, one vote?” Is this the type of “democratic” government we can expect from a Democrat president?

Sounds a lot like communism to me.

By Dusty

May 23, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

JK@1:54 In answer to your question….

There are some Democrats in the military and we appreciate their service and all others. We do NOT appreciate Democrats in Congress who try to stop funding the war in which our troops are fighting. Or Democratic politicians who want to bring home the troops IN DISGRACE because politicians no longer want to fight, although they voted for it in the beginning.

Nor do we appreciate the fact that Democrats consistenly insult the Commander-in-chief and the troops (check out some of Luckovich’s cartoons, for instance).

But,you are correct. Democrats CONSISTENTLY undermine war efforts and war funding while saying BUT….we support the military. Maybe that is the ‘inconsistent consistency’ you mean.

.

By Greg

May 23, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

Where, oh where, do Super Delegates come from? Are they made of special stuff that allows them to be “Super”? Does St. Peter recognize them at the pearly gates just because they’re “Super”? Will there be a tax deduction for them because they are Super? The more I learn about the Democrat nominating process, the less respect I have for the Democrats ability to govern without making some people “Super” while the rest of us remain regular.

Sounds elitist to me.

By Greg

May 23, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

We’re the Big Tent party - that’s us, we’re Democrats. We open our doors wide to anybody, except regular people ‘cause, you see, the tent’s not that Big.

HOWEVER, in lieu of really being the Big Tent party, we do have Super Delegates. We let Them into the tent because we “appreciate” them more than the regular people. The Super Delegates might let you regular people into the Big Tent, but you just can’t sit next to ‘em.

Something about them being Super and you not so much so…

By Dusty

May 23, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

Plain jane is a pain

Although not insane

He sits on the fence

His best defense

The old ‘do nothing’ refrain.

He points his finger

An indescriminate swinger

Not McCain not Obama

‘Cause neither is a charmer.

The old ‘do nothing’ refrain.

By Greg

May 23, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

I’ve been told on good authority that THE DEMOCRAT PARTY will nominate anyone it darn well pleases. And, to you regular people who thought your primary vote actually mattered, please stop sniveling. If your PARTY wants your opinion, it will give it to you. The SUPER DELEGATES and your PARTY know what’s best for you regular people.

“Super” is the prefix of Superiority.

By Glenn

May 23, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

Shar, I don’t know how to comment on your daughter’s vignette without sounding like I’m trying to score points. Someone made a crack this morning about GADOT. Were the same folks to run the school system (fitfully, and only when they felt like it), what else would your daughter find?

Anyway, I’m happy for her. My years of Thomism did my sorry proddybutt a lot of good, and I’m glad they’re doing well by her now. All the best to her in her kind efforts to reach back.

And congratulations to you, proud mother.

By Dusty

May 23, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

Uh oh, there are clouds on the horizon here. Have any of you read Angela Tuck lately? Here’s what she is saying:

AJC has hired a new associate editor, Andre Jackson of St. Louis. Ms. Tuck describes him as ‘moderate’. Mr. Jackson describes himself as an independent politically. He adds:I’d classify myself as center-right on fiscal and economic issues and a centrist to slightly center left on many but not all social matters.

I think he is saying that he is a Democrat but does not want higher taxes. Well, the AJC hired him, didn’t they? Cynthia Tucker approved him? That is the kiss of death if he even turns his head “right”.

But..oh..the audacity!!Ms. Tuck said that Jackson would be “company” for Jim Wooten. Yeah, I bet. Like the fox in the hen house.

Just one big happy family at AJC. Hang in there, Jim Wooten. It’s been good to know you.

By Glenn

May 23, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

Dusty, seriously: why would anyone read Angela Tuck?

By Help Him!

May 23, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

Somebody please help our next commander in chief before he does something crazy!!

By sane jane

May 23, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

Dusty’s rhymes are musty.

But thanks for the name-check…

By sane jane

May 23, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

I can’t remember the last time a chick wrote a poem for me. Are you hot, by chance?

By Jim Wooten

May 23, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

Actually, Dusty, there’s hope for Andre. I’m hearing arguments in editorial board meetings that sometimes sound similar to mine. I’m deeply shaken. I still hold out hope that, sooner or later, I’ll bring the whole board around.

By Cant stop lovin' U

May 23, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

Michele Obama was being kind when she said she was proud of America for the first time.

I would disown Cheney if he were my mother.

BTW: dusty’s right about quacks. I mean, she admits that they cause damage. Someone surely dropped her on her head when she was born, so that’s unregulated quackery of the worst kind, and it explains so many of her comments that I applaud the bravery it took for her to be so candid.

Here’s to you, Dusty, the beauty lies within and without you. (george harrison)

Dusty has every right to say she’s proud of america for the first time in her adult childhood prepubescency.

By Glenn

May 23, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

Hey, Hey Mister Wooten! Hey Mister Woo-ten! Before you go, I jusswanna askyou some’n: How come you poked fun at the “old hippies” and their Great Speckled Bird when you must know by now that everyone who calls himself a newspaper journalist is really a has-been, once-was “newspaper journalist” of olde?

By sane jane

May 23, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

I like how Mr. Wooten lurks on his own board. Where ya been, Jim?

And why did you neglect to mention Larry Craig’s sponsorship of the farm bill? You made it sound like a Pelosi Production entirely.

Seems a bit dishonest…

By Dusty

May 23, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this

Dear Jim Wooten,

Be strong, brother. Bring that board around! If Andre is any help, we’ll make him Knight of the Righteous Right. I, myself will award the golden pen of perspicuity. It is made in China but still better than a Pulitzer.

Dear sane jane @4:16

You asked if I was ‘hot’. No, jane. Unlike you, no menopause going on here. Sorry about your ‘hot flashes’. I thought you were “cool”!!

By jbmlaw

May 23, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this

Dear JK @ 1:13, you inadvertently gave some intelligent perspective to the “audit” of the Iraqi contractors: “Of the money paid during a five-year period — from 2001 through 2006 — $7.8 billion in payments skirted billing rules with some violations egregious enough to invite potential fraud…” Thus the vast majority of the “violations” are the typical leftist criminalizing of policy differences, and only some invite any potential for fraud.

By jbmlaw

May 23, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this

Dear Bill @ 2:00, I suppose where we differ is that I oppose licensing by bureaucrats except when violations by the licensee and/or clerical errors by the bureaucrats are punished by execution.

By Cant stop lovin' U

May 23, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this

The only thing our government has going for it right now is that Cheney’s daughter is gay. The only thing the AJC has going for it right now is Cynthia Tucker and Jay.

and me?

By Shar

May 23, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this

Glenn @ 3:27 - I mention the vignette only because A) a sixteen year old saw the results coming; B)the kids’ eagerness to have her back to tutor indicates that there is indeed a way to reach them if you sit down and look for it and C) its amazing what a change in perspective a kid will get if they are out of a failing pedagogy for a couple of years.

And, yes, proud, but that implies I had something to do with it. I’m mostly real, real lucky.

Hope everyone has a safe and relaxing weekend.

By Glenn

May 23, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

Oh Shar, jeezus, I know what it implies. But one of those things is you, and so, just, kudos. Great weekend to you and everyone else too (except PoFo, of course).

Remember.

By Cant stop lovin' U

May 23, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this

Dusty must be brain challenged. Her comments are actually crippled. Read this: “nor do we apreciate the fact that democrats insult the commander in chief and the troops, (check out some of luckovich’s cartoons)”.

This person is removed from america in 2008. Imagine Forest Gump saying that line. It matches as material for that movie. Like when Forest apologized for fighting during the Black Panther Party.

What is wrong with that child? What could have happened to a mind to warp it to the point where she would comment like that all day every day? “I say this and I mean what I say and I said it, I did” (sadness overwhelms me sometimes about poor Dusty)

We know what worst case scenarios for children are. Abuse, neglect, glue fumes.

Dusty, it’s too upsetting to read your comments any more. I’m begging you, if you can understand the words that are coming out of my keyboard right now, I know you’re in there somewhere, Dusty, if you can read this, stop blogging.

Just trust the love of your family, invest in them. They must miss you terribly. Go to them, Dusty. Go where you’re understood.

But go.

By alance

May 24, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

The worst part about the farm bill is the provision for continued support for ethanol production out of corn. This provision has international ramifications that will be disaster for our reputation around the world.

According to Forbes: The ethanol program is a total disaster because it pushed up the price of a bushel of corn from $4 to $6 in just one year.

The world faces food inflation because wheat and soybeans, substitutes for corn as a feedstock, key off corn futures quotes. Today ethanol accounts for 24% of corn acreage. This provision of the farm bill is insanity. Food prices are going up not just here in the US, but also in Mexico, Central America and the islands of the Caribbean. Thanks to this farm bill we will be accused of genocide in the third world.