Monday, November 28, 2011
Lessons From My Brother.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Freedom...
The 1963 U.S. Supreme Court case, School District of Abington Township v. Schempp, involved a Pennsylvania policy which allowed:
Each school...shall be opened by the reading without comment of a chapter in the Holy Bible...Participation in the opening exercises...is voluntary. The student reading the verses from the Bible may select passages and read from any version he chooses. Edward Schempp sued the school district of Pennsylvania to "save" his children from voluntary reading of the Bible, even though Mr. Schempp's own daughter had once offered to read Scripture for her fellow students. The court threw out the Pennsylvania policy. (reading of the Bible gone)
In a Kentucky Case, Stone v. Graham, that reached the U.S. Supreme Court in 1980, the court ruled against a state law that required the Ten Commandments be posted in every classroom. At the bottom of each Ten Commandments poster was an explanation of the importance of the Decalogue: "The secular application of the Ten Commandments is clearly seen in its adoption as the fundamental legal code of Western Civilization and the Common Law of the United States of America." Down came the Ten Commandments. (display of Ten Commandments gone)
Judge Samuel B. Kent of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas on May 5, 1995:
The court will allow that prayer to be typical non-denominational prayer, which can refer to God or the Almighty or that sort of thing.
The prayer may not refer to a specific deity by name, whether it be Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, the great god Sheba, or anyone
else. And make no mistake, the court is going to have a United States Marshall in attendance at the graduation. If any student offends
this court, that student will be summarily arrested and will face up to six months incarceration in the Galveston County Jail
for contempt of court. Anyone who thinks I'm kidding about this order...(or) expressing any weakness or lack of resolve in
that spirit of compromise would better think again. (mentioning the name of Jesus gone)
No student should lose rights to freedom of speech and religion when he or she walks through the school door. This blogger agrees.
From: Christian Worldview by Brannon Howse: Thank you Mr. Howse!!!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
at work...the code...
Work etiquette is a code that governs the expectations of social behavior in a workplace, in a group or a society. Work etiquette tells the individual how to behave when dealing with situations in a working environment however trivial the situation is.
Common principles
The common general codes of etiquette at the work place are:
Greeting a person well on the first meeting of the day.
In a meeting or in discussion, relevant references should be mentioned without mentioning any person by name who is closely related to the work.
Persons leading a team of people should be able to understand all the views of his/her team before concluding to a decision or making a point.
In a meeting, keeping the handphone/cellular phone in a silent/vibration mode so it does not interrupt the discussions on hand and other members of the meeting.
Likewise, the person can send a message to the calling party who requires urgent attention by excusing himself/herself from the meeting or discussion.
When a person is talking or delivering a speech, other members of the group should not abruptly interrupt him/her. If anything is to be said on the discussed topic, the questions or suggestions should be noted down and raised politely at the permitted time (mostly at the end of the speech).
In general people in higher positions or capacities would prefer to work silently in a workplace. And they expect the same kind of behavior from their subordinates or colleagues and all the people working in the same office or workplace. This helps all in concentrating on the tasks at hand by keeping the noise level down without disturbing the other colleagues or people around them.
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Thursday, June 9, 2011
Waiting...
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Connections...
It was 1978 when I first had my taste of what American politics is all about. Thanks to my first Republican friend, now deceased. He did not say much as far as the how, why, what of being a Republican, he just lived it. I observed him and I gathered a lot of pointers.
I do consider myself a very conservative democrat and I do admire a republican who is somewhat slightly liberal.
Too bad that in America we are only made to choose one or the other party.
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Relax...
It's summertime and the weather is fine. Much can be accomplished outdoors. Recently I have been very busy with projects in and around the house, and now, out of the house.
My husband says I try to do too much in so little time. I say, there is so much time and I try to do very little. He says I dont know how to relax. I say, to relax is to work, or that working IS relaxing.
But come to think of it, I can only remember one instance where I have really been so relaxed and had that great happy smile on my face. The problem is, I only vaguely remember where it was or what the occassion was. Here is a picture.
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My husband says I try to do too much in so little time. I say, there is so much time and I try to do very little. He says I dont know how to relax. I say, to relax is to work, or that working IS relaxing.
But come to think of it, I can only remember one instance where I have really been so relaxed and had that great happy smile on my face. The problem is, I only vaguely remember where it was or what the occassion was. Here is a picture.
*************************************************************
Family Values...
One can't help but admire Governor Daniels recent decision to not run for President in the upcoming 2012 election. The major reason centers mostly on family values. Family comfort, privacy, peace, and security outweigh all the other reasons logical or not.
I am reminded of my late older brother when I read the details of Governor Daniels marriage saga. I am glad of course that the family are back together and living as
normal a life as any family in America.
My late brother was not really the jewel in the family. He has made many wrong decisions all through his life. It included a drinking problem which later took a toll on his health. He was however a very good person inside and always regarded the family as the center of his well-being. He validated himself through identifying with all his sisters, mother, father, cousins, aunts, and uncles.
One thing I admire about him and still do, is that I have never ever heard him complain. He was content with the cards he was dealth with and he played those cards the best way he could.
Sadly he died at a very young age of 36. Those wrong decisions now did not seem so wrong after all. He simply packed on all that he can in the lifespan that was given him. I admire people like him.
I still do hope that Governor Daniels would pursue the presidential race, and If indeed he does I wish the public would leave his marriage issue out of the picture.
***********************************************************************************
I am reminded of my late older brother when I read the details of Governor Daniels marriage saga. I am glad of course that the family are back together and living as
normal a life as any family in America.
My late brother was not really the jewel in the family. He has made many wrong decisions all through his life. It included a drinking problem which later took a toll on his health. He was however a very good person inside and always regarded the family as the center of his well-being. He validated himself through identifying with all his sisters, mother, father, cousins, aunts, and uncles.
One thing I admire about him and still do, is that I have never ever heard him complain. He was content with the cards he was dealth with and he played those cards the best way he could.
Sadly he died at a very young age of 36. Those wrong decisions now did not seem so wrong after all. He simply packed on all that he can in the lifespan that was given him. I admire people like him.
I still do hope that Governor Daniels would pursue the presidential race, and If indeed he does I wish the public would leave his marriage issue out of the picture.
***********************************************************************************
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Good Manners and the Right Conduct.
Faith, Family, Friends...
Senate Bill 0001
take effect as early as July 2011.
Here's a synopsis of the Bill.
Senate Bill 0001
2011 1st Regular SessionLatest Information
DIGEST OF SB1 (Updated April 25, 2011 1:49 pm - DI 84) Teacher evaluations and licensing. Eliminates the advisory board of the division of professional standards of the department of education. Requires the department of education to revoke the license of a licensed school employee if the employee is convicted in another state or under federal statutes of an offense that is comparable to the felonies for which the employee's license would be revoked if committed in Indiana. Establishes an annual staff performance evaluation that categorizes teachers as highly effective, effective, improvement necessary, or ineffective. Specifies that a teacher rated ineffective or improvement necessary may not receive a raise or increment for the following year. Provides that a student may not be instructed two years in a row by two different teachers who have been rated as ineffective in the year preceding the student's placement in that class if avoidable. Requires notice of cancellation of a teacher's contract not earlier than May 1 and not later than July 1. Changes the process concerning how teacher contracts are canceled. Specifies that current teacher salaries cannot be reduced due to a new salary scale adopted to meet the requirements of this act. Allows school corporations to consider additional content area degrees and credit hours in salary scale. Modifies language concerning supplemental services contracts to allow administrators to select and pay summer school teachers. Provides for the department of education to develop a program to provide training and evaluations for school corporations in operational efficiency. Defines "attend" for purposes of the compulsory school attendance law. Indicates that attendance is excused only if it is in accordance with the governing body's excused absence policy. Specifies additional methods for the service of a notice of violation to a parent. Requires a superintendent or attendance officer to report a habitually absent child to the juvenile court or the department of child services. Repeals references to the advisory board and the existing staff performance evaluation provisions, and makes corresponding changes to related sections. |
| Ready for Enrollment |
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
the system...
There is nothing wrong with American Education that American Education can not make right. The solutions are in the issues and the issues are the solutions. Finding clarity by way of emotions is going backwards. But emotion driven solutions must pass through clear thinking and passionate execution.
Friday, March 18, 2011
the best education...part eight
FYI....
America's Standing Among Nations Relies on Teachers
Share
Minnijean Brown Trickey (left), one of the "Little Rock Nine," with Secretary Duncan. (ed.gov)
LITTLE ROCK, AR, August 25, 2010 — U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has a message for teachers: our nation's future prosperity depends on you.
At the opening of his back-to-school bus tour, Secretary Duncan cited the Asia Society Learning with the World initiative (download report), which shows how countries with high-performing education systems invest more wisely in teachers. Duncan spoke eloquently about America's own struggles toward achieving excellence and equity in education, and what kinds of promises the future must hold if America is to keep its competitive edge.
Secretary Duncan chose to start a back-to-school tour at the historic Central High School, where, in 1957, nine black students were notoriously denied entry into the school despite US Supreme Court orders to desegregate schools. More than 50 years later, Central High School is known for offering an excellent education for all students, and is one of the nation's top-ranked schools.
"Nothing is more important and nothing has a greater impact on the quality of education than the quality and skill of the person standing in the front of the class," said Duncan, who plans to travel the country honoring teachers.
But he also said "there is so much that needs to change in the way that America recruits, trains, supports and manages our teachers." Duncan said that a new shift in federal education policy will be to take the burden of failure off of schools, and instead place it on the system.
The facts are that equal access to an excellent education is still not a reality in the United States, and student achievement rates are declining as a result. In a vast international study, a report on international benchmarking finds that a nation’s economy is directly linked to the performance of its school system.
Learning with the World
It was within this context that Secretary Duncan cited a recent Asia Society report: "The Asia Society recently held an international symposium on teacher quality and they found that high-performing countries put much more energy into recruiting, preparing, and supporting good teachers, rather than on the back end of reducing attrition or firing weak teachers."
He added, "Our competitors in other parts of the world recognize that the roles of teachers are changing. Today, they are expected to prepare knowledge workers, not factory workers, and to help every child succeed, not just the [ones who are] easy to teach."
The top-performing school systems in the world have several things in common. For one, they focus on giving every child an excellent education (for instance, there are no magnet or charter schools dedicated to excellence, while regular public schools continue to fail). And another trait they share is the high value put on recruiting the best teachers--and accepting nothing less.
“It is gratifying to see that Secretary Duncan and the Obama Administration recognize the value of learning with the world’s highest performing nations to improve teaching and student performance,” says Asia Society Vice President for Education Tony Jackson. “We look forward to opportunities to continue that dialogue.”
Addressing teachers, Duncan said: “We understand that you are doing society’s most important work. We will support you in your work and we will work together with you to elevate and strengthen the teaching profession, because nothing less than America’s future rests on your collective shoulders.”
Read excerpts from Secretary Duncan's speech:
Today, more than half a century after Brown versus Board of Education and the Little Rock Nine, the promise of equal education remains unfilled for millions of low-income and minority Americans. This unfilled promise led Congress in 1965 to create a federal law specifically aimed at overcoming inherent inequities in education.
Virtually every administration has put its stamp on that law -- including Bill Clinton's and George W. Bush's. Now it's President Obama's turn. Our work has been underway for more than a year and while it may not make it to the finish line in the current session of Congress we expect it to be among the top priorities in the next one.
In any case, our approach to reforming the Elementary and Secondary Education Act is fairly straightforward and is defined by three words: fair, flexible and focused.
We want more fairness in how states, districts and schools are held accountable. We want more flexibility in how schools and districts can improve. And we want more focus on the schools and students most at risk. Essentially, we want a smarter, humbler and more effective law.
Instead of holding only schools accountable we want to hold districts and states more accountable. No school is an island operating in isolation.
Instead of prescribing specific and often impractical interventions for the vast majority of schools -- we want to offer a clear definition of success and let most schools figure out how to get there. We must better support creativity and innovation at the local level which is where the best ideas will always come from. ...
Nothing is more important and nothing has a greater impact on the quality of education than the quality and skill of the person standing in the front of the class -- and there is so much that needs to change in the way that America recruits, trains, supports and manages our teachers.
Today, there are many different approaches to strengthening the teaching profession -- both here in America and in countries that are outperforming us like Finland and Singapore.
The Asia Society recently held an international symposium on teacher quality and they found that high-performing countries put much more energy into recruiting, preparing, and supporting good teachers -- rather than on the back end of reducing attrition or firing weak teachers.
Full coverage from Ed.gov.
***************************************************************************************
........................
At the opening of his back-to-school bus tour, Secretary Duncan cited the Asia Society Learning with the World initiative (download report), which shows how countries with high-performing education systems invest more wisely in teachers. Duncan spoke eloquently about America's own struggles toward achieving excellence and equity in education, and what kinds of promises the future must hold if America is to keep its competitive edge.
Secretary Duncan chose to start a back-to-school tour at the historic Central High School, where, in 1957, nine black students were notoriously denied entry into the school despite US Supreme Court orders to desegregate schools. More than 50 years later, Central High School is known for offering an excellent education for all students, and is one of the nation's top-ranked schools.
"Nothing is more important and nothing has a greater impact on the quality of education than the quality and skill of the person standing in the front of the class," said Duncan, who plans to travel the country honoring teachers.
But he also said "there is so much that needs to change in the way that America recruits, trains, supports and manages our teachers." Duncan said that a new shift in federal education policy will be to take the burden of failure off of schools, and instead place it on the system.
The facts are that equal access to an excellent education is still not a reality in the United States, and student achievement rates are declining as a result. In a vast international study, a report on international benchmarking finds that a nation’s economy is directly linked to the performance of its school system.
Learning with the World
It was within this context that Secretary Duncan cited a recent Asia Society report: "The Asia Society recently held an international symposium on teacher quality and they found that high-performing countries put much more energy into recruiting, preparing, and supporting good teachers, rather than on the back end of reducing attrition or firing weak teachers."
He added, "Our competitors in other parts of the world recognize that the roles of teachers are changing. Today, they are expected to prepare knowledge workers, not factory workers, and to help every child succeed, not just the [ones who are] easy to teach."
The top-performing school systems in the world have several things in common. For one, they focus on giving every child an excellent education (for instance, there are no magnet or charter schools dedicated to excellence, while regular public schools continue to fail). And another trait they share is the high value put on recruiting the best teachers--and accepting nothing less.
“It is gratifying to see that Secretary Duncan and the Obama Administration recognize the value of learning with the world’s highest performing nations to improve teaching and student performance,” says Asia Society Vice President for Education Tony Jackson. “We look forward to opportunities to continue that dialogue.”
Addressing teachers, Duncan said: “We understand that you are doing society’s most important work. We will support you in your work and we will work together with you to elevate and strengthen the teaching profession, because nothing less than America’s future rests on your collective shoulders.”
Read excerpts from Secretary Duncan's speech:
Today, more than half a century after Brown versus Board of Education and the Little Rock Nine, the promise of equal education remains unfilled for millions of low-income and minority Americans. This unfilled promise led Congress in 1965 to create a federal law specifically aimed at overcoming inherent inequities in education.
Virtually every administration has put its stamp on that law -- including Bill Clinton's and George W. Bush's. Now it's President Obama's turn. Our work has been underway for more than a year and while it may not make it to the finish line in the current session of Congress we expect it to be among the top priorities in the next one.
In any case, our approach to reforming the Elementary and Secondary Education Act is fairly straightforward and is defined by three words: fair, flexible and focused.
We want more fairness in how states, districts and schools are held accountable. We want more flexibility in how schools and districts can improve. And we want more focus on the schools and students most at risk. Essentially, we want a smarter, humbler and more effective law.
Instead of holding only schools accountable we want to hold districts and states more accountable. No school is an island operating in isolation.
Instead of prescribing specific and often impractical interventions for the vast majority of schools -- we want to offer a clear definition of success and let most schools figure out how to get there. We must better support creativity and innovation at the local level which is where the best ideas will always come from. ...
Nothing is more important and nothing has a greater impact on the quality of education than the quality and skill of the person standing in the front of the class -- and there is so much that needs to change in the way that America recruits, trains, supports and manages our teachers.
Today, there are many different approaches to strengthening the teaching profession -- both here in America and in countries that are outperforming us like Finland and Singapore.
The Asia Society recently held an international symposium on teacher quality and they found that high-performing countries put much more energy into recruiting, preparing, and supporting good teachers -- rather than on the back end of reducing attrition or firing weak teachers.
Full coverage from Ed.gov.
***************************************************************************************
........................
the best education...part seven
FYI
Journal Details
Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education
Published on behalf of the Australian Teacher Education Association (ATEA) Visit the organisation site
Published By: Routledge
Volume Number: 39
Frequency: 4 issues per year
Print ISSN: 1359-866X
Online ISSN: 1469-2945
Aims & Scope
This journal promotes critical analysis of pedagogy across early childhood, primary, secondary and post compulsory education, focusing on:
- The pre-service and continuing education of teachers
- New ideas and innovative practices
- The professional development of teachers
- Teaching as work
- Social and policy contexts of teacher education
- New Technology
Disclaimer
The Australian Teacher Education Association and Taylor & Francis make every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in its publications. However, the Society and Taylor & Francis and its agents and licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness or suitability for any purpose of the Content and disclaim all such representations and warranties whether express or implied to the maximum extent permitted by law. Any views expressed in this publication are the views of the authors and are not necessarily the views of the Editor, the Society or Taylor & Francis.
**************************************************************************************
Friday, March 11, 2011
the best education...part six
Investing tax dollars on education is the only real investment. Other tax dollars spent on something else, is just that, spent. Just look at all these good looking men, all teachers, all from one family?Four through formal training and two through real-life experience. The oldest, honorable, and rewarding profession is not .......? it is teaching!!! Teachers are heroes.
the best education...part five
Did you know?
Media Advisory:Dr. Tony Bennett’s statement on CREDO study
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Media Contact:
Lauren Auld, Press Secretary
317-232-6617,
“The report released today by Stanford University’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) further demonstrates that charter schools can and do help Indiana children succeed academically.
“Opponents who criticize charter schools’ performance are missing the big picture in student achievement: academic growth. At the Indiana Department of Education, we believe all students deserve the chance to achieve at least one year of growth as a result of one year of instruction. Each day, in both charter schools and traditional public schools, great educators are helping Hoosier children gain the skills they need and grow academically. Charter schools do not provide the right environment for every student, but they do provide the right environment for some students. And they are driving growth for Indiana students—many of whom are our state’s neediest.
“As the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development considers charter legislation, CREDO’s findings highlight the need for more quality educational options for all children, and the bill’s charter accountability provisions will ensure the highest quality education for students around the state.”
****************************************************************************************lauld@doe.in.gov
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Nature naturally...
Earth Gauge Kids makes the connection between weather and the environment. Weather is part of the environment and influences it in many ways. Here are some examples:- Birds migrating south before winter begins
- Wildfires burning during dry weather and drought
- Water cycling from the ocean to the air to the ground
 |  Did you know that rain gardens help prevent water pollution? Read more fun facts. |
 Learn gardening tips and find cool online tools and activities. Learn what you can do. |  |
 |  Make a salad out of plant parts! Do the activity. |
 Hungry for more information? Visit past themes. |  |
the best education...part four
Dems stand with working Hoosiers
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
I live in South Bend and I'm proud to say that I live in the House district represented by state Rep. B. Patrick Bauer. I'm proud of the courageous steps that Bauer has taken to defend working Hoosiers and our families. He stood up to the radical agenda in the Indiana House and did what had to be done to try to stop it. It is his job to stand for principles. And if he had to use the constitutional option of denying the out of control Republican majority the quorum in order to defend those principles, then that's what he had to do.
The legislation that has been put forth is an attack on freedom and the middle class it has helped build. A lot of actions in recent years have worked against us. What happened in our legislative chambers this session threatens to set us back generations. Bauer's actions — along with other Michiana state Reps. Ryan Dvorak, Craig Fry, David Niezgodski, Nancy Dembowski and Scott Pelath — are an inspiration. We stand with them, now and in the future, just as they have stood with the working people of Indiana.
Weston
Joined: Mar 12 2008
Posts: 867
Posted: Mar 10 2011 7:33 am
Subject: Re: Dems stand with working Hoosiers
Tony Thanks for the laugh, humor is a great way to start the day. I had to read your letter twice to understand it was a joke.
8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
South Bend
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
I live in South Bend and I'm proud to say that I live in the House district represented by state Rep. B. Patrick Bauer. I'm proud of the courageous steps that Bauer has taken to defend working Hoosiers and our families. He stood up to the radical agenda in the Indiana House and did what had to be done to try to stop it. It is his job to stand for principles. And if he had to use the constitutional option of denying the out of control Republican majority the quorum in order to defend those principles, then that's what he had to do.
The legislation that has been put forth is an attack on freedom and the middle class it has helped build. A lot of actions in recent years have worked against us. What happened in our legislative chambers this session threatens to set us back generations. Bauer's actions — along with other Michiana state Reps. Ryan Dvorak, Craig Fry, David Niezgodski, Nancy Dembowski and Scott Pelath — are an inspiration. We stand with them, now and in the future, just as they have stood with the working people of Indiana.
Tony Flora
Weston
Joined: Mar 12 2008
Posts: 867
Posted: Mar 10 2011 7:33 am
Subject: Re: Dems stand with working Hoosiers
Tony Thanks for the laugh, humor is a great way to start the day. I had to read your letter twice to understand it was a joke.
8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
South Bend
the best education...part three
Local unions offer closest examples of democracy
VIEWPOINT
By ERIC BROWN
It is clear that a majority of people do not understand the relationship and structure of unions. If you have an interest in a better understanding, please read on.
Every single citizen of the United States of America is a member of the greatest union ever conceived. Our dues are the taxes we pay. If we do not pay our dues/taxes the organization cannot pay its obligations. The structure and relationship of our various levels of government are like, similar but not identical to, the structure and relationship of organized labor.
The federal government is like the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations, the AFL-CIO. State governments are like state federations of labor. County governments are like central labor councils. All of these organizations are political. The purpose of the AFL-CIO, and its sub-groups, is to bring together all labor organizations to speak with one voice on all things concerning workers. The AFL-CIO does not dictate policy to its members. Quite the contrary. The organizations that choose to join the AFL-CIO decide policy and the officers of the AFL-CIO act on that policy.
The real day-to-day work of labor unions, as it relates to members, is done by the many different national, international unions, organizations and guilds. Currently, the AFL-CIO website lists approximately 57 member organizations. Again, not all labor organizations are, nor are they compelled to be, members of the AFL-CIO. While union members may be members of the AFL-CIO, they generally refer to themselves as members of their local unions.
Local unions are like municipal governments. Local unions administer contracts, police jurisdiction, collect dues, settle disputes between members and other things related to each organization's constitution. Not all labor organizations have the same structure or constitution, but generally local unions are not micromanaged by their parent organizations. Local unions are the closest example of real democracy where each member gets an opportunity to voice his or her opinion and vote. In almost every form of government in this country the only vote we get is for those who vote in our place.
For more in-depth information, go to http://aflcio.org or select any of the organizations listed at http://aflcio.org/aboutus/unions.
Eric J. Brown is past president of the St. Joseph Valley Building and Construction Trades Council and past vice president of the North Central Indiana AFL. He lives in South Bend.
VIEWPOINT
By ERIC BROWN
It is clear that a majority of people do not understand the relationship and structure of unions. If you have an interest in a better understanding, please read on.
Every single citizen of the United States of America is a member of the greatest union ever conceived. Our dues are the taxes we pay. If we do not pay our dues/taxes the organization cannot pay its obligations. The structure and relationship of our various levels of government are like, similar but not identical to, the structure and relationship of organized labor.
The federal government is like the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations, the AFL-CIO. State governments are like state federations of labor. County governments are like central labor councils. All of these organizations are political. The purpose of the AFL-CIO, and its sub-groups, is to bring together all labor organizations to speak with one voice on all things concerning workers. The AFL-CIO does not dictate policy to its members. Quite the contrary. The organizations that choose to join the AFL-CIO decide policy and the officers of the AFL-CIO act on that policy.
The real day-to-day work of labor unions, as it relates to members, is done by the many different national, international unions, organizations and guilds. Currently, the AFL-CIO website lists approximately 57 member organizations. Again, not all labor organizations are, nor are they compelled to be, members of the AFL-CIO. While union members may be members of the AFL-CIO, they generally refer to themselves as members of their local unions.
Local unions are like municipal governments. Local unions administer contracts, police jurisdiction, collect dues, settle disputes between members and other things related to each organization's constitution. Not all labor organizations have the same structure or constitution, but generally local unions are not micromanaged by their parent organizations. Local unions are the closest example of real democracy where each member gets an opportunity to voice his or her opinion and vote. In almost every form of government in this country the only vote we get is for those who vote in our place.
For more in-depth information, go to http://aflcio.org or select any of the organizations listed at http://aflcio.org/aboutus/unions.
Eric J. Brown is past president of the St. Joseph Valley Building and Construction Trades Council and past vice president of the North Central Indiana AFL. He lives in South Bend.
| Weston Joined: Mar 12 2008 Posts: 867 | Posted: Mar 10 2011 8:40 am Subject: Re: Local unions offer closest exampl ... Eric To draw a analogy between our constitutional government and the american labor unions is really stretching the truth. Our Government has a set of checks and balances lacking in the unions. Unions have almost dictatorial rule over the locals. Unions financing the elections of the very politicians they negotiate wages and work rules with. The Union, Politician relationship is great for the for the unions, but it is nearly bankrupting many states. The unions have created a work environment that has made it imposable for many manufactures continue operate in this country. All one has to ask is why has the foreign automobile companies been so successful in this country, could it be that they are non-union. For way to long the unions have helped elect the very people that sets their wages, and have forced workers to join there union and pay dues weather they wanted to or not. The unions have flourished in this country because of the strong armed tactics, deception and ties with organized crime. The leaders of these unions give themselves enormous salaries, along with expense accounts, cars,planes and other expensive fringe benefits. The tax payers of this country are sick and tired of being forced sacrifice to pay for the high wages and benefits the unions demand and get from the politicians they own. ****************************************************************************** |
the best education...part two
Mother jailed for trying to get her kids a better education
Credit: CNN
by Cynthia Wise / KING 5 News, Senior Assignments Editor
KING5.com
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:13 PM
A 40-year old Akron, Ohio woman has been released from jail, a week after being found guilty of falsifying documents to get her two daughters into a better school.
When Kelley Williams-Bolar signed paperwork saying her two daughters lived at her father's house rather than in subsidized housing in a high-crime area of North Akron with her, she says she was only seeking to give them a chance at a better life. Her father lives about five miles away in Copley Township, Ohio, where schools are better and there is less crime.
The story has made headlines around the country since the
Neither of the schools Williams-Bolar's daughters would have attended near their North Akron home made adequate yearly progress. In fact, 25 percent of
Ironically, the girls actually spent much of their time at their grandfather's house while their mother worked and attended school. Williams-Bolar may end up losing her job over the incident. She worked as a special education teacher's aide and was taking night classes in hopes of becoming a teacher herself. Under Ohio law, felons are prohibited from teaching.
Teresa Whipple, a spokeswoman for the
The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .Comments: Displaying 1 - 13 of 13jujubeen38 said on February 8, 2011 at 3:01 PM
People are talking about if she paid property tax there then thats where her kids should go, if she lived there she could send her kids. WELL lets look at that if she rented she would not pay property tax and since the fathers dad lives in the district I would assume he pays property tax or the rental he lives at does either way he has the right to send his kids as long as the school is collectin g money from one of the parents or from the place of residence of one parent. This is just plane..... yes I am going to say it ...discrimination. The school should be ashamed, this is a parent that obviously cares about her kids and is involved enough to know that the school is not doing well where she resides and she should have a choice to send them to the school where there father resides. Whats the difference property taxes are being paid at both residences you don't opt out just because you don't have kids attending. LEAVE HER ALONE.
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The best education...
An Ohio mom has been convicted and sent to jail for lying about her address so she could send her daughters to a better neighboring school district. School officials said she was cheating the system by having her daughters receive an education she hadn't paid the taxes for. "Those dollars need to stay home with our students," said school officials. To snare her, the school hired a private investigator, who videotaped her driving the children into the district.
They confronted her with the video tape and demanded that she pay $30,000 in back tuition. She refused and they pressed charges. She was sentenced last week to 10 days in jail, three years of probation, and additional community service.
The school district admitted they wanted to make an example of her. Presiding Judge Patricia Cosgrove said, "I felt that some punishment or deterrent was needed for other individuals who might think to defraud the various school districts."
Poll: Ohio mom jailed for sending kids to a better school district. Your thoughts?
Is the mom justified for illegally sending her kids to a better school?
from ABC News:***************************************************************************
They confronted her with the video tape and demanded that she pay $30,000 in back tuition. She refused and they pressed charges. She was sentenced last week to 10 days in jail, three years of probation, and additional community service.
The school district admitted they wanted to make an example of her. Presiding Judge Patricia Cosgrove said, "I felt that some punishment or deterrent was needed for other individuals who might think to defraud the various school districts."
Poll: Ohio mom jailed for sending kids to a better school district. Your thoughts?
Is the mom justified for illegally sending her kids to a better school?
| Yes | 59.9% (367) | |
| No | ||
| unsure | 13.7% (84) |
Monday, March 7, 2011
Family...
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