Deer Ridge - Your Monthly HOA Fee And Special Assessment Are WRONG! | Deer Ridge Owners - Deer Ridge Mountain Resort - Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Here is an owner getting ready to file a lawsuit against an association.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Mission Viejo involvement in HOA slope would open Pandora’s box | Orange Juice
Mission Viejo involvement in HOA slope would open Pandora’s box | Orange Juice: "The above communication from Mr. Rattay was referring to a July 15th letter from Charles J. Rossi which reads in part that he is “writing to inquire whether the City of Mission Viejo has any interest in acquiring ownership of the Marguerite slope. The Mallorca Board of Directors feel that city ownership of the slope will not only benefit the association itself, but would also serve to greatly enhance the overall aesthetics of the property surrounding the lake and bring the slope up to conformity with the other City maintained slopes in our beautiful city. In essence, City ownership of the slope is a win/win proposition for all Mission Viejo citizens.”"
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Coincidentally, the slope needs $350,000 to $420,00 of rehab work and costs an estimated $31,600 to maintain every year. And it seems there are other slopes owned by other associations as well.
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Coincidentally, the slope needs $350,000 to $420,00 of rehab work and costs an estimated $31,600 to maintain every year. And it seems there are other slopes owned by other associations as well.
Friday, October 02, 2009
ICANN - Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
ICANN - Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
In case you were wondering what it is.
In case you were wondering what it is.
US relinquishes control of the internet | Technology | guardian.co.uk
US relinquishes control of the internet | Technology | guardian.co.uk: "Icann – the official body that ultimately controls the development of the internet thanks to its oversight of web addresses such as .com, .net and .org – said today that it was ending its agreement with the US government.
The deal, part of a contract negotiated with the US department of commerce, effectively pushes California-based Icann towards a new status as an international body with greater representation from companies and governments around the globe.
Icann had previously been operating under the auspices of the American government, which had control of the net thanks to its initial role in developing the underlying technologies used for connecting computers together."
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Surprising this has not attracted more attention.
The deal, part of a contract negotiated with the US department of commerce, effectively pushes California-based Icann towards a new status as an international body with greater representation from companies and governments around the globe.
Icann had previously been operating under the auspices of the American government, which had control of the net thanks to its initial role in developing the underlying technologies used for connecting computers together."
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Surprising this has not attracted more attention.
High stakes HOA dispute: tear down that house!
Judge to rule on 5 year legal feud
Wow. Tear down a million dollar house? That's what I call high stakes litigation.
Thanks to Fred Pilot for the link to this saga.
Wow. Tear down a million dollar house? That's what I call high stakes litigation.
Thanks to Fred Pilot for the link to this saga.
Chicago Loses 2016 Olympic Bid - cbs2chicago.com
Chicago Loses 2016 Olympic Bid - cbs2chicago.com: "COPENHAGEN, Denmark (CBS) ―Despite four years, millions of dollars in planning and a last-ditch pitch from President Obama, the Chicago 2016 Olympic bid ultimately fell short.
The City of Chicago was eliminated in the first round of voting, before any host city was selected."
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Quite a blow to Mayor Daley, President Obama and the First Lady, and The Oprah, although I don't think it was any mistake on their parts that led to this debacle. The way I see it, Chicago didn't deserve the Olympics because of the rancid corruption, bad public institutions, and the crime that is allowed to make many neighborhoods war zones for kids. I'm not saying Rio is better in those dimensions, but Chicago is not in an emerging nation like Brazil. There is no excuse for these problems here. The Chicago Machine should have been rooted out long ago but Daley and his cronies just refuse to change the way they do business, no matter how many of them go to federal prison. They would have stolen untold billions between now and 2016. Now they will have to find some other way to make a dishonest living. I'm not shedding any tears.
The City of Chicago was eliminated in the first round of voting, before any host city was selected."
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Quite a blow to Mayor Daley, President Obama and the First Lady, and The Oprah, although I don't think it was any mistake on their parts that led to this debacle. The way I see it, Chicago didn't deserve the Olympics because of the rancid corruption, bad public institutions, and the crime that is allowed to make many neighborhoods war zones for kids. I'm not saying Rio is better in those dimensions, but Chicago is not in an emerging nation like Brazil. There is no excuse for these problems here. The Chicago Machine should have been rooted out long ago but Daley and his cronies just refuse to change the way they do business, no matter how many of them go to federal prison. They would have stolen untold billions between now and 2016. Now they will have to find some other way to make a dishonest living. I'm not shedding any tears.
6 charged with burning Olympic banner - Chicago Breaking News
6 charged with burning Olympic banner - Chicago Breaking News: "Six people were charged with mob action today for yanking an Olympic banner from the Daley Center's Picasso statue and tossing it into the 'eternal' flame, authorities said."
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With mug shots that show this was a motley crew.
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With mug shots that show this was a motley crew.
Post-human Earth: How the planet will recover from us - environment - 30 September 2009 - New Scientist
Post-human Earth: How the planet will recover from us - environment - 30 September 2009 - New Scientist: "WHEN Nobel prize-winning atmospheric chemist Paul Crutzen coined the word Anthropocene around 10 years ago, he gave birth to a powerful idea: that human activity is now affecting the Earth so profoundly that we are entering a new geological epoch.
The Anthropocene has yet to be accepted as a geological time period, but if it is, it may turn out to be the shortest - and the last. It is not hard to imagine the epoch ending just a few hundred years after it started, in an orgy of global warming and overconsumption."
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I challenge these scientists to get away from their microscopes and watch daytime TV for a week, because I think we are already in the post-human era.
The Anthropocene has yet to be accepted as a geological time period, but if it is, it may turn out to be the shortest - and the last. It is not hard to imagine the epoch ending just a few hundred years after it started, in an orgy of global warming and overconsumption."
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I challenge these scientists to get away from their microscopes and watch daytime TV for a week, because I think we are already in the post-human era.
Pajamas Media » Why Did Bank of America Pay ACORN? » Print
Pajamas Media » Why Did Bank of America Pay ACORN? » Print: "we can just go to the Bank of America community website [3], which notes that the firm works with ACORN in more than 20 cities to provide “special mortgage products.” Or we can go to the ACORN Housing website, which describes a program [4] that produced $246 million in mortgages from Bank of America with “flexible underwriting and discounted pricing.” Or this page [5], which describes a program with low down payments, no private mortgage insurance, no cash reserve necessary, and flexibility on income requirements, such as being able to include public assistance.
Yes, ACORN and Bank of America joined forces to become the ultimate subprime lender."
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Yes, ACORN and Bank of America joined forces to become the ultimate subprime lender."
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Thursday, October 01, 2009
NFL Scientists Postulate Theoretical Down Before First Down | The Onion - America's Finest News Source
NFL Scientists Postulate Theoretical Down Before First Down | The Onion - America's Finest News Source: "NEW YORK—Citing the extremely low level of entropy present before a normal set of football downs, scientists from the NFL's quantum mechanics and cosmology laboratories spoke Monday of a theoretical proto-down before the first."
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Just a little science update.
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Just a little science update.
Candidates for Reading, Berks County offices square off at forum
Candidates for Reading, Berks County offices square off at forum: "The two candidates running for City Council's District 4 seat in northeast Reading - Democrat incumbent Stratton P. Marmarou and Libertarian challenger Donald Schwab - criticized the city's move to enter Act 47, the state's protection program for distressed municipalities.
Marmarou said the administration should have had more discussions with council before applying for Act 47 status. And, he said, the city's Financial Stability Panel in August told the city what it needed to do to solve its financial crisis.
Schwab said entering the plan says the city is basically bankrupt."
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Ah, good old Stratt. I taught at Albright College in Reading for four years and Stratton Marmarou was the head of campus security, and before that he was a Reading police officer. And always a character. Now I see he on the Reading City Council and the city is in big financial trouble. Reading has quite a history, including the famous Reading Railroad (as in Monopoly), truly legendary political corruption (my friend and colleage John Gardiner wrote a book about Reading called "The Corrupt City" and that about says it), a real Japanese pagoda, and a host of recent problems resulting from deindustrialization, demographic changes, and a shift of development to the surrounding suburbs. But they still have the Reading Phillies and a great place to watch a baseball game. And the pagoda is incredibly cool.
Marmarou said the administration should have had more discussions with council before applying for Act 47 status. And, he said, the city's Financial Stability Panel in August told the city what it needed to do to solve its financial crisis.
Schwab said entering the plan says the city is basically bankrupt."
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Ah, good old Stratt. I taught at Albright College in Reading for four years and Stratton Marmarou was the head of campus security, and before that he was a Reading police officer. And always a character. Now I see he on the Reading City Council and the city is in big financial trouble. Reading has quite a history, including the famous Reading Railroad (as in Monopoly), truly legendary political corruption (my friend and colleage John Gardiner wrote a book about Reading called "The Corrupt City" and that about says it), a real Japanese pagoda, and a host of recent problems resulting from deindustrialization, demographic changes, and a shift of development to the surrounding suburbs. But they still have the Reading Phillies and a great place to watch a baseball game. And the pagoda is incredibly cool.
Cities, HOA officials discuss common problems
Cities, HOA officials discuss common problems: "Government and community leaders from Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale and Tempe met at the Gilbert Community Center on Wednesday to discuss how municipalities and HOAs could work together more efficiently."
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How cozy. As I read the article, it boils down to the city officials suggesting that it would be just so nice if people took their problems with barking dogs and dilapidated foreclosed homes to their friendly neighborhood HOA instead of bothering the city government. It would make things so neighborly and communal-like if they did that. And now we will all sing Kumbayah.
And that pretty much sums up my sense of where CIDs are headed in this country, in general. In reality they are becoming the lowest and least supported level of local government, but this is never acknowledged, either by government or the industry. Instead we hear all this fuzzy neighbor-community rhetoric that just blurs the edges of the use of power to extract money and compliance from people.
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How cozy. As I read the article, it boils down to the city officials suggesting that it would be just so nice if people took their problems with barking dogs and dilapidated foreclosed homes to their friendly neighborhood HOA instead of bothering the city government. It would make things so neighborly and communal-like if they did that. And now we will all sing Kumbayah.
And that pretty much sums up my sense of where CIDs are headed in this country, in general. In reality they are becoming the lowest and least supported level of local government, but this is never acknowledged, either by government or the industry. Instead we hear all this fuzzy neighbor-community rhetoric that just blurs the edges of the use of power to extract money and compliance from people.
The Stresses of Buying Distressed Homes - WSJ.com
The Stresses of Buying Distressed Homes - WSJ.com: "Distressed-property buyers also often have to cope with the fallout from the ruined lives of previous owners, such as vandalized properties and liens from second mortgages, taxes, unpaid water bills, homeowner-association dues and court judgments."
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So once again, buyers are being told they can't lose if they get into the market now, but in reality they may lose their shirts. Sounds familiar.
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So once again, buyers are being told they can't lose if they get into the market now, but in reality they may lose their shirts. Sounds familiar.
City, agencies helping HOAs save water, cash | MyDesert.com | The Desert Sun
City, agencies helping HOAs save water, cash | MyDesert.com | The Desert Sun: "City staff, along with La Quinta's “green” partners — Imperial Irrigation District and Coachella Valley Water District — have had several meetings since the start of the year with homeowners association board of directors representatives from several communities.
The workshops are aimed at informing residents about water conservation and energy-efficiency programs and incentives provided by the city and utility companies.
The idea is to decrease water and energy usage while “bringing down the overall costs of the HOAs,” said Bret Plumlee, La Quinta's assistant city manager."
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I know how to help. Tell the HOAs to stop making people water their lawns.
The workshops are aimed at informing residents about water conservation and energy-efficiency programs and incentives provided by the city and utility companies.
The idea is to decrease water and energy usage while “bringing down the overall costs of the HOAs,” said Bret Plumlee, La Quinta's assistant city manager."
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I know how to help. Tell the HOAs to stop making people water their lawns.
Starbucks 'killing sense of communities | Society & Business | Sideways News
Starbucks 'killing sense of communities | Society & Business | Sideways News: "Professor Bryant Simon of Philadelphia's Temple University has claimed that the set-up of cafes run by leading chains like Starbucks is contributing to a decline in interaction between people, despite the companies' claims otherwise.
In a new book, he claims that widely-spaced tables, takeaway preferences and even free wireless internet are killing conversation between customers and creating a sense of isolation.
The Daily Telegraph reports that the publication was put together through visits to over 400 of Starbucks' 15,000 outlets worldwide, including some in the UK.
Professor Simon told the newspaper that very little interaction between customers was seen, adding: 'People immediately create their own little private, gated communities. You couldn't be more alone in public if you wanted to be.'"
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I think the gated community metaphor just jumped the shark, as they say in Hollywood.
In a new book, he claims that widely-spaced tables, takeaway preferences and even free wireless internet are killing conversation between customers and creating a sense of isolation.
The Daily Telegraph reports that the publication was put together through visits to over 400 of Starbucks' 15,000 outlets worldwide, including some in the UK.
Professor Simon told the newspaper that very little interaction between customers was seen, adding: 'People immediately create their own little private, gated communities. You couldn't be more alone in public if you wanted to be.'"
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I think the gated community metaphor just jumped the shark, as they say in Hollywood.
Gated neighborhood asks to be annexed to Seal Beach | beach, county, seal, orange, border - News - OCRegister.com
Gated neighborhood asks to be annexed to Seal Beach | beach, county, seal, orange, border - News - OCRegister.com: "SEAL BEACH– A proposal to move the Los Angeles and Orange County border in 21 areas may now affect only one small area bordered by Seal Beach and Long Beach; however a small L.A. community is seeking to be included.
About 10 residents from Island Village appealed to Seal Beach City Council members Monday asking them to consider annexing the private Long Beach community just east of the San Gabriel River."
About 10 residents from Island Village appealed to Seal Beach City Council members Monday asking them to consider annexing the private Long Beach community just east of the San Gabriel River."
Lindenhurst use beet juice/salt combo to clear ice - 9/30/09 - Chicago News - abc7chicago.com
Suburb to use beet juice/salt combo to clear ice - 9/30/09 - Chicago News - abc7chicago.com: "September 30, 2009 (WLS) -- Beet juice is going to help keep the streets of another suburb clear of ice this winter.
North suburban Lindenhurst will use a mixture of a beet by-product and salt to put on roads."
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And to think we could have had a V-8.
North suburban Lindenhurst will use a mixture of a beet by-product and salt to put on roads."
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And to think we could have had a V-8.
Dallas woman fuming over smoking neighbor at complex | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Latest News
Dallas woman fuming over smoking neighbor at complex | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Latest News: "A Dallas woman has filed a lawsuit seeking six figures from a former neighbor and landlord for damage she says was caused by cigarette smoke wafting through adjoining walls of her high-end townhome."
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Ridiculous. Check out the hilarious photo that accompanies the article. Thanks to Jeff Hammond for this link.
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Ridiculous. Check out the hilarious photo that accompanies the article. Thanks to Jeff Hammond for this link.
Survey seeks input about the financial stability of your community association - Condos and HOAs – Living with rules
Survey seeks input about the financial stability of your community association - Condos and HOAs – Living with rules: "Clearly a majority of South Florida condo and home owner associations are reeling financially from the bad economy, record foreclosure and domino-effect delinquencies. And there are plenty of lessons to be learned from them. They want and need the attention of lawmakers who can help.
To that end, a new survey by the lobbying group CALL (Community Association Leadership Lobby, which is associated with law firm Becker & Poliakoff, seeks input from membership of other associations and regional federations on the Space Coast and in Orange, Broward and Palm Beach counties."
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The story contains a link to the survey. Go there directly if you want to participate.
To that end, a new survey by the lobbying group CALL (Community Association Leadership Lobby, which is associated with law firm Becker & Poliakoff, seeks input from membership of other associations and regional federations on the Space Coast and in Orange, Broward and Palm Beach counties."
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The story contains a link to the survey. Go there directly if you want to participate.
Will tepid support in Chicago derail the city's Olympic chances? - Fourth-Place Medal - OLY - Yahoo! Sports
Will tepid support in Chicago derail the city's Olympic chances? - Fourth-Place Medal - OLY - Yahoo! Sports
I hope so. If Chicago gets the Olympics, it will be the best thing to happen to the Machine since the election of Richie Daley. It will be like a giant tick suddenly tapping directly into Chicago's aorta, and swelling up to the size of the Hindenburg. The corrupt deals and contracts will enrich every crook in Illinois politics beyond the dreams of avarice.
I hope so. If Chicago gets the Olympics, it will be the best thing to happen to the Machine since the election of Richie Daley. It will be like a giant tick suddenly tapping directly into Chicago's aorta, and swelling up to the size of the Hindenburg. The corrupt deals and contracts will enrich every crook in Illinois politics beyond the dreams of avarice.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Court to rule on gun rights, terrorism law | SCOTUSblog
Court to rule on gun rights, terrorism law | SCOTUSblog: "Taking on a major new constitutional dispute over gun rights, the Supreme Court agreed on Wednesday to decide whether to apply the Second Amendment to state, county and city government laws."
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Very big case.
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Very big case.
Anti-Graffiti Plan Raises Stakes for Homeowners | NBC Los Angeles
Anti-Graffiti Plan Raises Stakes for Homeowners | NBC Los Angeles: "All new buildings in Los Angeles -- including homes -- must have anti-graffiti coating under an ordinance approved unanimously by the City Council on Tuesday. There is an exception if the owners promise to remove any graffiti on their property soon after it appears.
The ordinance will take effect 30 days after being signed by the mayor.
The anti-graffiti coating must cover the walls and doors from the ground to a height of at least nine feet. The coating is mandated on all buildings, unless owners sign a 'Covenant and Agreement Regarding Maintenance of Building (Graffiti Removal)' with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety."
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LA's rapid descent into insanity continues.
The ordinance will take effect 30 days after being signed by the mayor.
The anti-graffiti coating must cover the walls and doors from the ground to a height of at least nine feet. The coating is mandated on all buildings, unless owners sign a 'Covenant and Agreement Regarding Maintenance of Building (Graffiti Removal)' with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety."
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LA's rapid descent into insanity continues.
State to mom: Stop baby-sitting neighbors' kids - Yahoo! News
State to mom: Stop baby-sitting neighbors' kids - Yahoo! News: "IRVING TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Each day before the school bus comes to pick up the neighborhood's children, Lisa Snyder did a favor for three of her fellow moms, welcoming their children into her home for about an hour before they left for school.
Regulators who oversee child care, however, don't see it as charity. Days after the start of the new school year, Snyder received a letter from the Michigan Department of Human Services warning her that if she continued, she'd be violating a law aimed at the operators of unlicensed day care centers."
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She isn't getting paid. She's just watching her friends' kids for an hour. And here come the regulators.
Regulators who oversee child care, however, don't see it as charity. Days after the start of the new school year, Snyder received a letter from the Michigan Department of Human Services warning her that if she continued, she'd be violating a law aimed at the operators of unlicensed day care centers."
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She isn't getting paid. She's just watching her friends' kids for an hour. And here come the regulators.
Estate agent's fail to mention the two power stations next door to idyllic cottage for sale | The Sun |News
Estate agent's fail to mention the two power stations next door to idyllic cottage for sale | The Sun |News: "An estate agents has come under fire for hiding two huge nuclear power stations in an advert for a 'traditional fisherman's cottage'."
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That's almost as bad as not mentioning that there is an HOA.
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That's almost as bad as not mentioning that there is an HOA.
Sarasota man admits he put razor blades on bushes | 10connects.com | Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater
Sarasota man admits he put razor blades on bushes | 10connects.com | Tampa, St. Petersburg, ClearwaterMan plants bushes, HOA says no bushes, man gets tired of people messin' with his bushes, and puts razor blades on the bushes to get a "squeal" out of the bush messin' people. Man gets charged with misdemeanor.
Hey, it's Florida.
Hey, it's Florida.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Phone Calls Add to Din Over Loans - WSJ.com
Phone Calls Add to Din Over Loans - WSJ.com: "The discovery that Countrywide Financial Corp. recorded phone conversations with borrowers in a controversial mortgage program that included public officials -- and that those recordings have been destroyed -- has prompted new congressional calls for more information about the program."
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That VIP program they had looks more questionable all the time.
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That VIP program they had looks more questionable all the time.
Canada: Public servants have highest absentee rate: study
Public servants have highest absentee rate: study: "Statistics Canada said health-care and social-service workers were absent the most."
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I think public employees also lead in the "leaning on push broom while complaining about overwork" category. At least they do here at UIC.
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I think public employees also lead in the "leaning on push broom while complaining about overwork" category. At least they do here at UIC.
Vallejo Police Outsource Report Writing | NBC Bay Area
Vallejo Police Outsource Report Writing | NBC Bay Area: "The reports are dictated into a digital audio file then sent via a secure connection to Nashville-McClintock, where retired law-enforcement officials write them up."
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Interesting issue. The most basic defense cross-examination technique is to use the police report and contrast it with the officer's testimony in court. But now the officer can say, "Well, I didn't write the report."
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Interesting issue. The most basic defense cross-examination technique is to use the police report and contrast it with the officer's testimony in court. But now the officer can say, "Well, I didn't write the report."
Monday, September 28, 2009
Even in Capitalists’ Bad Times, Europe’s Socialists Suffer - NYTimes.com
Even in Capitalists’ Bad Times, Europe’s Socialists Suffer - NYTimes.com: "PARIS — A specter is haunting Europe — the specter of Socialism’s slow collapse."
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Trading places?
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Trading places?
Texas: join that HOA
The Galveston County Daily News: "The revised ordinance also would put some new requirements on homeowners. Specifically, it requires all property owners of subdivisions with private streets to participate in the neighborhood’s homeowners association.
Homeowner associations have emerged in the last decade as the neighborhood enforcement authority on deed restrictions. In gated communities with private streets, they also control street maintenance procedures.
Those gate or private communities also will be required to build two separate entrances to the neighborhood. One of those entrances can be designated for emergency access only."
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I need to read this ordinance in order to understand just what they are requiring here, but it looks like more evidence that HOAs are being built firmly into the structure of local government. Thanks to Fred Pilot for the link.
Homeowner associations have emerged in the last decade as the neighborhood enforcement authority on deed restrictions. In gated communities with private streets, they also control street maintenance procedures.
Those gate or private communities also will be required to build two separate entrances to the neighborhood. One of those entrances can be designated for emergency access only."
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I need to read this ordinance in order to understand just what they are requiring here, but it looks like more evidence that HOAs are being built firmly into the structure of local government. Thanks to Fred Pilot for the link.
Council 'spies' dressed in hoodies rifle through residents' rubbish as part of 'waste analysis' | Mail Online
Council 'spies' dressed in hoodies rifle through residents' rubbish as part of 'waste analysis' | Mail Online: "The 'spies' were part of a week-long waste analysis study by the Northamptonshire Waste Partnership, a collaboration of eight local authorities working to reduce rubbish going to landfill. An external contractor was told to go through the bins of residents."
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Seems like whenever governments want to do something a little shady they hire "external contractors." Probably those Blackwater guys.
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Seems like whenever governments want to do something a little shady they hire "external contractors." Probably those Blackwater guys.
Gated areas numbers going up | hattiesburgamerican.com | Hattiesburg American
Gated areas numbers going up | hattiesburgamerican.com | Hattiesburg American: "Apparently, they're on the rise nationally. In a two-year period, the number of housing units inside communities 'secured with walls or fences' rose from around 7 million to more than 10 million.
That finding is from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Housing Surveys of 2005 and 2007. Slightly fewer than half, or about 5 million, were 'owner-occupied' in 2007; the rest were rented."
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They say it takes an average of 8 seconds to enter a gated community.
That finding is from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Housing Surveys of 2005 and 2007. Slightly fewer than half, or about 5 million, were 'owner-occupied' in 2007; the rest were rented."
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They say it takes an average of 8 seconds to enter a gated community.
Obama Proposes Longer School Day, Shorter Summer Vacation - Political News - FOXNews.com
Obama Proposes Longer School Day, Shorter Summer Vacation - Political News - FOXNews.com: "Obama says American kids spend too little time in school, putting them at a disadvantage with other students around the globe.
'Now, I know longer school days and school years are not wildly popular ideas,' the president said earlier this year. 'Not with Malia and Sasha, not in my family, and probably not in yours. But the challenges of a new century demand more time in the classroom.'
The president, who has a sixth-grader and a third-grader, wants schools to add time to classes, to stay open late and to let kids in on weekends so they have a safe place to go."
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That would make sense if the public schools were safer, more disciplined and structured, and more oriented toward learning. Most public schools are warehouses for kids and job factories for teachers and administrators.
'Now, I know longer school days and school years are not wildly popular ideas,' the president said earlier this year. 'Not with Malia and Sasha, not in my family, and probably not in yours. But the challenges of a new century demand more time in the classroom.'
The president, who has a sixth-grader and a third-grader, wants schools to add time to classes, to stay open late and to let kids in on weekends so they have a safe place to go."
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That would make sense if the public schools were safer, more disciplined and structured, and more oriented toward learning. Most public schools are warehouses for kids and job factories for teachers and administrators.
France 24 | I'd like to be, up in the tree | France 24
France 24 | I'd like to be, up in the tree | France 24: "Living in a tree is the latest environment friendly trend in France. In the last five years, about a 100 special homes have been built in treetops across the country."
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Bear Invasion! Aspen Sees Tenfold Increase in Bear Sightings - ABC News
Bear Invasion! Aspen Sees Tenfold Increase in Bear Sightings - ABC News: "Officials are now concerned that across Colorado too many wild bears have developed a tasted for human food and are getting used to people. They are now actively telling residents to be, literally, mean to the bears. Yell at them, throw rocks and if they charge you, stand up to them.
'You want to be as big, as large as possible, and you always want to fight back with a black bear,' said Hampton. Black bears tend to be timid and are generally not aggressive."
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If they charge at you, stand up to them? I see. You go first, sir. I will be right behind you, agreeing with everything you say as you stand up to the charging black bear. Until I begin sprinting in the opposite direction.
'You want to be as big, as large as possible, and you always want to fight back with a black bear,' said Hampton. Black bears tend to be timid and are generally not aggressive."
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If they charge at you, stand up to them? I see. You go first, sir. I will be right behind you, agreeing with everything you say as you stand up to the charging black bear. Until I begin sprinting in the opposite direction.
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