Charter-school amendment would set off gold rush

Reading the list of out-of-state contributors to the campaign to pass Amendment 1, the state charter-schools amendment, you get the sense that an old-fashioned gold rush would begin in Georgia the moment the amendment is approved.

J.C. Huizenga, founder of Michigan-based National Heritage Academies, a for-profit charter school operator, has contributed $25,000; his company contributed a matching $25,000. Charter Schools USA, based in Florida, contributed $50,000 as well. D.A. Davidson, a financial services firm based in Great Falls, Montana that touts itself as “a recognized leader in charter school financing,” has so far given $5,000. And K12 Inc., a for-profit provider of online classes and “full-time online public schools,” has kicked in $100,000.

Those account only for contributions made through Sept. 21; the final campaign-disclosure reports may include additional big-dollar donations from companies eager to enter Georgia’s public-school marketplace.

Now, there’s nothing inherently wrong about for-profit companies operating in the education sector. However, despite the fervor of those who preach that competition solves all problems, there’s nothing inherently good about it either. None of the countries that outperform the United States in education, for example, do so through the for-profit model.

In addition, the overall shoddy performance of for-profit colleges and universities here in the United States provides stark evidence that when the profit motive conflicts with academic standards, profit takes precedence. A Senate report released this summer found that tuition at for-profit colleges averages six times that of community colleges, while the education provided is greatly inferior. Only a small fraction of students who enroll at for-profit colleges actually graduate, and those who do get degrees usually find their diplomas aren’t worth much. That explains in part why students at for-profit schools account for almost 50 percent of student-loan defaults, even though they make up just 10 percent of the nation’s student body.

And why are for-profit colleges generally inferior? In short, the $32 billion industry has found it more lucrative to compete on grounds other than education quality. According to the Senate report, the nation’s 30 largest for-profit schools spend just 17 percent of their revenue on student instruction, while spending 22.7 percent on marketing to keep fresh bodies coming in.

There’s every reason to worry that similar dynamics will play out in k-12 education. Take K12 Inc., the company that has so far contributed $100,000 to opening up the Georgia market. In Florida, where the company operates in 43 school districts, a typical K12 high school teacher may have as many as 275 online students per class, which enhances profitability if not education. Last month, Florida officials launched an investigation into charges that K12 also uses teachers uncertified for the classes they teach and that company officials asked employees to cover up that fact.

It’s also important to consider the ethical culture in which the Georgia education gold rush would take place. On Sunday, the AJC reported that the State Properties Commission — headed by Gov. Nathan Deal — decided that the best place to locate a new, $13.6 million State Poultry Laboratory was in a Hall County industrial park. In what was clearly just a happy coincidence, the park turns out to be owned in part by Deal’s close friend and campaign manager.

If an appointed commission is given the power to create state charter schools run by private enterprise, I suspect the potential for many more such happy coincidences would increase. It’s interesting, for example, that under Amendment 2, also on the November ballot, the State Properties Commission would for the first time be given constitutional authority to sign real-estate leases of up to 20 years.

There are good arguments in favor of that proposal. However, it’s also true that if one were contemplating a spate of new state-authorized charter schools, the ability to sign long-term leases with developers would be very useful in getting the necessary facilities built. Again, just a coincidence I’m sure.

– Jay Bookman

420 comments Add your comment

Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...

October 24th, 2012
10:33 am

RIGHTWING

Interesting position from Alan Dershowitz re: Media Matters…btw, their show on POTUS radio is a blast to call…admittedly, they are too easy a target..kinda like calling Limbaugh on the right..

http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/02/alan_dershowitz_says_media_matters_could_cost_obama_the_election.html

Mary Elizabeth

October 24th, 2012
10:33 am

Erwin’s Cat, 10:12 pm

“I’d say being educated in public schools is experience enough to determine it’s adequacy…how arrogant huh?”
———————————————————-

There is a big difference in one student’s experiences, within one school setting, and the experiences and extensive educational training of professional educators, whose educational experiences span decades in many different school settings and working with thousands of students from many different cultural/economic backgrounds.

Moreover, every school setting is different and every classroom teacher’s expertise is different – even within the same school setting. We should try not to generalize to the extent that we would overturn a complete educational delivery model based on simply one student’s experiences, although of course all experiences should be heard.

They BOTH suck

October 24th, 2012
10:34 am

Ben

Speaks of others being “intellectually bankrupt” then does his usual crying antics when he gets a dose of his own medicine.

Thanks for the laughs little boy Ben………. The big money maker

:-)

Thulsa Doom

October 24th, 2012
10:34 am

I wonder where Obama stands on charter schools? Oh. That’s right. He sends his kids to the prestigious sidwell school while keeping inner city DC kids stuck in failing schools. I don’t think this amendment is the answer. But I do know the opposition to charter schools by liberals is quite irrational. With some of these people like doggone it seems to be about having control over other people and using tax payer money as an excuse to justify that control. Nevermind all the other crap we all pay for via taxes that we all disagree with.

TaxPayer

October 24th, 2012
10:35 am

Ben obviously believes that it is God’s will when a rapist impregnates a woman.

Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...

October 24th, 2012
10:35 am

KAMCHAK

Help me understand how a simple press conference that he still has 2 weeks to have just to close the loop on discrepancies is indicative that I should start my own blog?

I’d be heartbroken since I know you wouldn’t visit…

curious

October 24th, 2012
10:35 am

Education is probably the single most important thing this Nation can concentrate on. Without it, we’ll soon resemble Afghanistan.

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

October 24th, 2012
10:38 am

TaxPayer:

“Are you trying to suggest somehow that God preordained rape, no I don’t think that,” said Mourdock, according to The Associated Press. “Anyone who would suggest that is just sick and twisted. No, that’s not even close to what I said.”

http://news.yahoo.com/gop-senate-candidate-god-intended-pregnancies-rape-061057785–abc-news-politics.html

P.S.

From yesterday ………. be careful ! You do know that Bookman’s parents were both Hessians I hope.

TBone

October 24th, 2012
10:38 am

Much like TSPLOST this charter school initiative is designed to place as many of Gove Deal’s backers in well paying government jobs that they are more than likely not qualified to hold but will greatly benefit for a long time. I am a dreaded conservative that tries to live his life based on the example of my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. Deal is no conservative but merely a commited statist.

catlady

October 24th, 2012
10:39 am

Smart people vote NO on every amendment, because they have seen, repeatedly, for the last 10 years that EVERY amendment to our state constitution is a means of self-agrandizement for the state “elected officials”, their families, and campaign contributors. If you vote YES for either of these, you are voting to raise your taxes in order to give monies to those friends and family members. Open your eyes, people! You don’t have to be JUST SHEEP!

TaxPayer

October 24th, 2012
10:39 am

Democrats must take an oath to profit immensely from all attempts at educating Republicans. It’s the only way Republicans will accept education. Don’t fight it.

Donald Trump's Important Announcement

October 24th, 2012
10:41 am

bob

October 24th, 2012
10:41 am

The new APS super is another reason to vote for charters. He lied to the parents of NAHS when he said that NAHS was going to be taken over by the state.

Paul

October 24th, 2012
10:41 am

Morning, Brosephus

Kinda tugs at the old heartstrings, doesn’t it?

http://tinyurl.com/927qwqf

Fred ™

October 24th, 2012
10:43 am

Doggone/GA

October 24th, 2012
8:54 am

“The libs are getting their britches jacked up because something might go private!”

So you’re Ok with the government “confiscating” your money via taxes and then using it to pay for the education of someone elses kids in what amounts to a private school? And here I thought the mantra was LESS GOVERNMENT. Learn something new every day.
+++++++++++++++++++

he’s ok with whatever the hell Neal Boortz TELLS him to be ok with………

Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...

October 24th, 2012
10:43 am

TAXPAYER,

Agreed…I misunderstood you previous comment…JCI is a exceptionally well run company and it appears they may be able to reduce the cost of purchase to $8 million with DOE support…good article…unfortunately DOE expected sales of 175,000 electric cars this year…appears demand for 25,000 is a stretch…

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121016/AUTO01/210160393/A123-Systems-files-bankruptcy-will-sell-assets-Johnson-Controls?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

TaxPayer

October 24th, 2012
10:43 am

Scout,

In your Republican candidate’s own words:

“The only exception I have to have an abortion is in the case of the life of the mother,” said Mourdock, the Tea Party-backed state treasurer. “I struggled with it myself for a long time, but I came to realize life is that gift from God. I think that even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen.”

Rightwing Troll

October 24th, 2012
10:45 am

Stevie,
It gonna be close, my gut says Mittens wins. That’s how it feels right now,and Obama hasn’t been strong enough to change it, as a matter of fact he seems a bit angry and acrimonious these days (I can’t blame him, based on the magnitude of the lies, but it’s not very presidential).

I’m fine with it. I hope Mittens can do all he’s promised, but I seriously doubt it.

I say even if Mittens wins, the recovery will continue to grind along slowly gaining steam, we’ll be lucky to see 3-4% growth by 2016 (if nothing in the world blows up). 3 years ago there were 5-6 vacant subdivisions within a mile of my house, where the land was cleared, streets were laid, then all was abandoned. As of the last 6 months all of those have new houses going up. There are help wanted signs out everywhere in the Marietta/Kennesaw area, have been since last spring when I decided to “help” my college freshman find a job (he found a great job at Publix).

So, regardless of the spin and lies during this election cycle, things are better, and will contniue to be so regardless of who we call president Jan 20.

Also, I think wingnuts got punked during the primary season. Punked by Philo Bedoe and his chair, and by the “severely conservative” Mittens…

Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)

October 24th, 2012
10:45 am

Where is Fred? We need his insight on this.

Well, what I want to know is, how come nobody ever says, Where is Redneck? We need his insight on this? How come it’s always Fred or somebody else and never Redneck? I mean, I got insights. I got lots of insights.

Anyhow, I sure wish they’d hurry up and pass this amenment so that little Nathan Zell George won’t have to go to school with Those People can benefit from a charter school. Maybe one that specializes in chain saws and truck driving and stuff like that, instead of learning all this useless stuff like history and math and such.

Have a good Hump Day everybody.

They BOTH suck

October 24th, 2012
10:46 am

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

October 24th, 2012
10:47 am

Help me understand how a simple press conference that he still has 2 weeks to have just to close the loop on discrepancies is indicative that I should start my own blog?

Help me understand that you cannot discern that this is a thread about a charter school amendment in Georgia and not Obama.

Help me understand why you cannot cease your incessant whining about Obama on a thread that has nothing to do with him.

Help me understand why you cannot create your own blog so you can pick and choose the topics that you want to whine about.

Rightwing Troll

October 24th, 2012
10:47 am

Ooooohhh…

We’re up to 8 Watergates… and Trump’s gonna tweet a gamechanger today… it’s a BANNER wingnut day!!!

Erwin's cat

October 24th, 2012
10:48 am

ME – There is a big difference in one student’s experiences, within one school setting, and the experiences and extensive educational training of professional educators, whose educational experiences span decades in many different school settings and working with thousands of students from many different cultural/economic backgrounds.

True if you are talking about me the individual, but the voting public is a collective experience of what you describe. I was educated enough in public schools to be able to think on my own, from my own experiences and education. I have no problem with charters and don’t summarily dismiss them as ill-equipped because of local influence or needs…Just because you’ve been taught to believe you know everything about education doesn’t necessarily make it true and shouldn’t limit anyone’s choice

Fred ™

October 24th, 2012
10:48 am

Thulsa Doom

October 24th, 2012
10:34 am

I wonder where Obama stands on charter schools? Oh. That’s right. He sends his kids to the prestigious sidwell school while keeping inner city DC kids stuck in failing schools. I don’t think this amendment is the answer. But I do know the opposition to charter schools by liberals is quite irrational. With some of these people like doggone it seems to be about having control over other people and using tax payer money as an excuse to justify that control. Nevermind all the other crap we all pay for via taxes that we all disagree with.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oh horse crap Doomy. This isn’t about “charter schools” at all. We HAVE charter schools, and can have more at anytime right now. What this is about is a Republican driven money grab. As it stands right now Deal can’t steal the money from Dekalb County to give lucrative contracts to those who bribe him best to open lucrative ’schools.”

pull your head out of that warm dark place and for ONCE look at an issue for what it IS not as “something the *libs* are against.” There is not one single advantage to education by stealing local control and money away from communities and giving it to unelected secret committees.

This is just flat out wrong and anyone who argues otherwise is either extremely stupid and brainwashed or part of the scam to steal our money, there IS no middle ground.

Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...

October 24th, 2012
10:49 am

SIGN THE APOCOLYPSE IS UPON US…

We all wait with baited breath some big announcement by an irrelevant blow-hard…Donald Trump…perhaps re-runs of Honey Boo Boo are on at that time?

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

October 24th, 2012
10:51 am

TaxPayer:

I am aware of that but he explained that was not what he meant.

Just like Obama explains all the time “that’s not what I meant”.

Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...

October 24th, 2012
10:52 am

KAMCHAK

Give me your address and I will send you a crying towel..

Another example of your great powers and mastery of deflection and the shoutdown..brilliant…I guess you haven’t noticed that most all of Jays posts (even Friday’s music) end up in the election…you sure seem protective of the incumbent….just saying..

Steve-USA

October 24th, 2012
10:54 am

“We all wait with baited breath some big announcement by an irrelevant blow-hard…Donald Trump…perhaps re-runs of Honey Boo Boo are on at that time?”

If I worked for Romney I would ask Trump, The Bush’s and Dick Cheney to disappear for the next 2 weeks, Actually the next 2 decades might be a better idea.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

October 24th, 2012
10:55 am

Give me your address and I will send you a crying towel..

5678 Blow My Neighbor’s Dog Blvd.

East Cobb RINO, Inc. (LLC)

October 24th, 2012
10:57 am

I wonder where Obama stands on charter schools? Oh. That’s right. He sends his kids to the prestigious sidwell school while keeping inner city DC kids stuck in failing schools.

There is choice in education. It is called private schools and those that can afford the cost (in this case around 33k per year) have the freedom of choice to do so without expecting any taxpayer help. Sidwell Friends School (SFS) is a PK-12, co-educational Quaker day school with campuses in Washington, D.C., and Bethesda, Maryland. Founded in 1883, the School is a nonprofit, tax-exempt institution governed by an independent Board of Trustees.

Unless you have direct proof this school receives government dollars that should otherwise be directed to those poor inner city schools, your point is meaningless. That is the core difference here. The ballot initiative in Georgia would result in money being taken away from public schools and given to a for profit company.

Fred ™

October 24th, 2012
11:00 am

Preach it East Cobb RINO, Inc. , Preach it.

Just a money grab to steal the cash from already cash strapped school districts. SHAME on you fools supporting it, SHAME.

Brosephus™

October 24th, 2012
11:01 am

Another ad hominem attack from Brofeces. Anybody surprised?

Ummm… what’s that old saying about Liberalism 101???

Liberalism 101 – When the facts are against you, resort to name-calling

When you have to resort to name calling, you’ve conceded that you have already lost the debate. Liberals like you are boring, Ben.

Thulsa Doom

October 24th, 2012
11:02 am

Fred,

You must have missed the part where I said I don’t support this amendment. It is because it takes control away from local that I don’t support it. That and I think Jay is right about community colleges being much better than places like strayer or bauder college. In the larger context of charter schools though I think liberal opposition is often completely irrational and is more about power and control than the kids welfare.

Fred ™

October 24th, 2012
11:02 am

I have no problem with charters and don’t summarily dismiss them as ill-equipped because of local influence or needs…

But we aren’t talking about charters here, we already HAVE charters and the ability to have more. We are talking about STEALING MONEY here. An unelected secret “board” will make all the decisions of who to steal the money from and who to take the bribes from, I mean who to “award” the charters to.

TaxPayer

October 24th, 2012
11:03 am

Just like Obama explains all the time “that’s not what I meant”.

He was pretty clear with his words and then he tried to backtrack but it’s not working.

Brosephus™

October 24th, 2012
11:03 am

Dammit Paul!!!! You gotta put a warning up before you do something like that. I just burned the hell out of my lip with my coffee….

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

btw… G’morning.

diddy

October 24th, 2012
11:04 am

At first I was going to vote yes on this but after doing research on National Heritage Academies (one of the big donors metioned above) I’m not sure now. I looked up some of their schools in Ohio and they are underperforming. Both of the ones I researched in Ohio failed AYP. One is on academic watch and only me 2 of the 10 Ohio standards. I read some reviews and people said the students, not the teachers, are controlling the classrooms and that there are behavior issues. I’m not sure about this.

Fred ™

October 24th, 2012
11:05 am

Doomy: Sorry, I didn’t read the back pages. I thought you were saying this money grab amendment was a good thing.

Don’t even get me started on the “for profit” University scam that has already cost tax payers 10’s of billions of dollars. I have plenty of insider info on that crap.

Brosephus™

October 24th, 2012
11:09 am

They BOTH

I had not seen that one yet… Gonna give it a read though. Thanks.

Thulsa Doom

October 24th, 2012
11:10 am

East Cobb rino,

You completely missed my point. I’m simply starting the irony that when o came in that while he himself had the choice and means to afford a good private school the choice for DC kids to attend charter schools was being opposed. Seems to me that the only answer dems have for education is to simply throw more money at it. Choice for people of lesser means doesn’t seem to be an option for them.

USMC

October 24th, 2012
11:10 am

Keep Up the Good Fight!

October 24th, 2012
11:12 am

Doom: I think liberal opposition is often completely irrational and is more about power and control than the kids welfare

Submitted as Exhibit 78921 of a complete inability of the poster to frame rational intelligent thoughts. You might have Pompous assenisia. It is a FTD (Faux Transmitted Disease).

Butch Cassidy (I)

October 24th, 2012
11:13 am

I can see the rush to get Obama out of office. We certainly wouldn’t want to continue the practices of the past 4 years would we.

“NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. oil output is surging so fast that the United States could soon overtake Saudi Arabia as the world’s biggest producer.

Driven by high prices and new drilling methods, U.S. production of crude and other liquid hydrocarbons is on track to rise 7% this year to an average of 10.9 million barrels per day. This will be the fourth straight year of crude increases and the biggest single-year gain since 1951.”

Paul

October 24th, 2012
11:13 am

Sorry, Brosephus…

But it was worth it, wasn’t it?

Ben Shockley

October 24th, 2012
11:13 am

“Ben obviously believes that it is God’s will when a rapist impregnates a woman.”

At 10:21 I said Mourdock’s comments were ridiculous. Try to keep up sweetie.

Thulsa Doom

October 24th, 2012
11:14 am

Fred,

Indeed. The for profit universities do seem to be a scam. Not all of
Em but enough of them.

Paul

October 24th, 2012
11:14 am

Brosephus

I’ve one in reserve for him – or HUH???? – or both next time they’re feeling needy -

Brosephus™

October 24th, 2012
11:15 am

Paul

And then some. I really needed a good laugh this morning. I would have just preferred to not have it come with hot coffee. One of these days, I’m gonna stop poking at Mr. Attention Seeker, but I had way too much fun yesterday.

Paul

October 24th, 2012
11:16 am

Brosephus

Kinda leaves you with that same feeling after watching a multi-car pileup, doesn’t it?

Ben Shockley

October 24th, 2012
11:16 am

Liberals are so funny. Brofeces, Paul, and Taxpayer….combined IQ 100. LMAO

East Cobb RINO, Inc. (LLC)

October 24th, 2012
11:16 am

Below is an excerpt from the Get Schooled AJC blog. The rest can be found clicking the link.

http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2012/10/17/guest-column-charter-schools-could-become-cash-cows/

Under a federal program known as EB-5, wealthy foreigners can in effect buy U.S. immigration visas for themselves and their families by investing at least $500,000 in certain development projects. In the past two decades, much of the investment has gone into commercial real-estate projects, like luxury hotels, ski resorts and even gas stations. Lately, however, enterprising brokers have seen a golden opportunity to match cash-starved charter schools with cash-flush foreigners in investment deals that benefit both.

Thulsa Doom

October 24th, 2012
11:17 am

Riddle me dis
Riddle me dat
Why do keep up
Yak yak yak?

Ben Shockley

October 24th, 2012
11:18 am

“Charter-school amendment would set off gold rush”

Fear mongering at it’s best.

Regnad Kcin

October 24th, 2012
11:19 am

Apparently “LMAO” is Ben-speak for “I have no point”. :)

They BOTH suck

October 24th, 2012
11:20 am

Paul

It didn’t take long for one of the culprits to feel needy……

Go figure

:-)

Kamchak - "Socialism" is just a code word for "fear," the monster under you bed ~ Kamchak

October 24th, 2012
11:20 am

Fear mongering at it’s best.

Socialism — BOO!

Ben Shockley

October 24th, 2012
11:21 am

Apparently “Regnad Kcin” is lib-speak for “Bookman’s water boy.”

Brosephus™

October 24th, 2012
11:21 am

Liberals are so funny. Brofeces, Paul, and Taxpayer….combined IQ 100. LMAO

Ben Shockley
October 23rd, 2012
3:55 pm

Liberalism 101 – When the facts are against you, resort to name-calling and ad hominem attacks

Ben

Why are you hating on yourself??? Libs like you ARE funny indeed… :lol:

Ben Shockley

October 24th, 2012
11:22 am

Kamchak, unless you’re willing to debate socialism, maybe you should stick to unicorns and skittles.

Just a thought, world of gor Boy……………

Brosephus™

October 24th, 2012
11:23 am

It must really be sad to be a liberal hating liberal…

Paul

October 24th, 2012
11:24 am

Ben Shockley

Just for you, from me, Brosephus, TaxPayer and They BOTH suck

(apologies to anyone else who wanted to be included)

http://tinyurl.com/9z7ptja

Ben Shockley

October 24th, 2012
11:24 am

Brofeces, you sure quote me and cite me a lot for a guy you supposedly dismiss as silly.

LMAO

East Cobb RINO, Inc. (LLC)

October 24th, 2012
11:24 am

Thulsa Doom, perhaps I did mis-interpret. But I do not see this as something that would give choice for people of lesser means. If a school is considered to be superior to others, I am confident the ones who would get preferential treatment for enrollment would be those who could afford the private schools themselves. That is just the way these things tend to work out. The when the money gets sucked away form the public schools, the children of people of lesser means are stuck in an even worse school.

Ben Shockley

October 24th, 2012
11:24 am

Paul, you know that no one clicks on those silly links, right?

Thomas

October 24th, 2012
11:25 am

Driven by high prices and new drilling methods, U.S. production of crude…..

A little confused here- so we desire high prices, more drilling on private property, and less on gov’t property on US gov’t land? If I am not mistaken that would lead to private individuals and institutions profiting on the backs of the little guy simply due to “increased demand” which is really wrapped in a weak $. See, the problem is, the WH is frustrated as it can print a lot of $ that stimulates the crack addict economy but it does weaken the greenback which in turns creates a bubble in commodities.

Anyway- back to name that tune

USMC

October 24th, 2012
11:27 am

Brosephus™

October 24th, 2012
11:27 am

They BOTH

That link was interesting indeed. It makes me wonder about something else I read about earlier this year.

http://news.yahoo.com/us-really-experience-violent-upheaval-2020-162332158.html

the cat

October 24th, 2012
11:28 am

Ben Shockley

October 24th, 2012
11:24 am
Paul, you know that no one clicks on those silly links, right?

We ALL do and we ALL are laughing at you!

Paul

October 24th, 2012
11:28 am

Ben Shockley?

No one clicks on those links?

Give it a minute. You may just hear from some people who did.

I seem to recall last time you used that line, it was a link to something that many others read that directly contracted your big point of the day. You, true to form, refused to click on it.

But this link – doesn’t really matter if you click on it or not. It was mostly for everyone else’s benefit.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

October 24th, 2012
11:29 am

Debate socialism?

Socialism is just a code word for fear.

The monster under your bed.

Fred ™

October 24th, 2012
11:29 am

Paul: Hilarious. I want a MALT girl lol.

Obama Kills

October 24th, 2012
11:29 am

The AJC sucks, Bookman you suck even more that the AJC, When will you idiot liberals admit that your president is a failure and a murderer.
Bengahzi should be the topic on everyones mind.
Just cause you libs don’t want to talk about it does not mean it did not happen.
The democrats of this country all have blood on their hands and only the truth will make them clean again.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

October 24th, 2012
11:30 am

Paul, you know that no one clicks on those silly links, right?

We’re not laughing with you, we’re laughing at you.

Brosephus™

October 24th, 2012
11:30 am

Paul

I sat the cup down this time… :lol: :lol:

————————-

Ben Shockley

I only quote you for two reasons:

#1 If you are right (which I highly doubt), you are calling yourself a liberal, and self hating at that, by resorting to name calling.

OR

#2 You’re basically a worthless, lying, sack of sh*t who basically comes here attention whoring.

So, are we to believe the words you post or not?

Thulsa Doom

October 24th, 2012
11:31 am

East Cobb Rino

There in lies the fine line we have to straddle. How to give poor kids more choice and opportunity without making the public school they left even worse.

Paul

October 24th, 2012
11:34 am

Brosephus

Awww, nuts….. I was holding a bottle of Bosch’s Screen Cleaner ransom for you -

Benghazi Suspect Held in Tunisia: Report

October 24th, 2012
11:36 am

One of the first clues the intelligence community had about the perpetrators of the Sept. 11 assault on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi was when a Tunisian national posted an update on social media about the fighting shortly after it had begun.
The post from Ali Ani al-Harzi, who is now suspected of participating in the attacks, was what helped U.S. intelligence locate him and track him down after he fled Libya for Turkey, according to four U.S. officials familiar with the unfolding investigation.

http://news.yahoo.com/benghazi-suspect-held-tunisia-084500046–politics.html

Ahem

October 24th, 2012
11:36 am

BENGHAZIGATE

BENGHAZIGATE

BENGHAZIGATE

Unfortunately, the ambassador and three others are dead. The Oblunda administration has blood on its hands. They sat by and watched. They sent no help. It was a calculated political decision to let them be killed. It is criminal malfeasance. It is deriliction of sworn duty. It is shameful.

Mary Elizabeth

October 24th, 2012
11:37 am

Erwin’s Cat, 10:48 am

I have been in support of charter schools that will work in harmony with traditional public schools, not against them. I do not support Amendment 1 because I believe that this amendment is more politically based than educationally based.

I wrote, in my last post to you, that every voice should be heard, and that means your voice, my voice, and the collective voice of the people of the state. The last poll done, about a week ago, showed that there is only about a 4% point variance in the public’s opinion on this issue. I believe that there has been a concentrated propaganda thrust to undermine public schools in Georgia over the last few months and years, by forces which have wanted to privatize public education for profit motives. They have highlighted – in their intense propaganda mission – the few public schools that need improvement in order to dismiss the many public schools that do an excellent job with students. Thus, they have deliberately skewed the public’s impression of traditionally public education toward the negative.

Don’t be fooled. Don’t supplant our traditional public educational delivery model for one that is profit-based, using children for the self-interests of profiteers. People who would do that have no problem with being stealthy in their tactics. Vote NO to Amendment 1.

Morality?

October 24th, 2012
11:37 am

Jay opposes Charter School Amendment ’cause his bros is all Labor Union. Putting the Union afore the children just don’t seem right do it?

Benghazi Suspect Held in Tunisia: Report

October 24th, 2012
11:37 am

BENGHAZIGATE

____

Can you say similar to Fast and Furious? Bunch of noise from the Rightwingers.

Brosephus™

October 24th, 2012
11:38 am

Ahem

Bless you!! That sneeze sounds pretty bad. You might need some government run healthcare to get that looked at. :)

USMC

October 24th, 2012
11:40 am

“Debate socialism? Socialism is just a code word for fear. The monster under your bed.”–Kamspam

What an absolute Moron. He spouts Socialist ideals then like a foolish child acts as thought it does not exist. Talk about clueless. Blogs are fun.

Yes, I believe the correct term is USEFUL IDIOT! :-)

Regnad Kcin

October 24th, 2012
11:41 am

“Jay opposes Charter School Amendment ’cause his bros is all Labor Union.”

Link or lie?

getalife

October 24th, 2012
11:41 am

” It is impossible to look at the G.O.P.’s behavior in the last four years — from its unwillingness to consider Obama’s jobs bill, which was praised by independent economists, to the unwillingness of its presidential candidates to consider a $1 increase in taxes for $10 of spending cuts, to the time it spent on sheer lunacy such as questioning the president’s birth certificate — and not conclude that many in the party just wanted Obama to fail in the hope that they could pick up the pieces. Too many Republicans, particularly moderate business types, don’t want to admit how much their party has been led around of late, not by traditional conservatives, but by a radical Tea Party base that has driven decent, smart conservatives — like Bob Bennett of Utah, Bob Inglis of South Carolina, Richard Lugar of Indiana and Olympia Snowe of Maine — out of office.

What I’d say about Obama’s domestic and Middle East policies is that, given the messes and political constraints he inherited in both arenas, he did about as well as anyone could. He kept the homeland safe, prevented us from getting drawn into any sinkholes and killed bad guys. It is not the stuff of foreign policy legend, but it was not bad. I’d say the same at home. He stanched the bleeding in the economy and initiated some smart reforms in education, energy and health” Friedman.

Intellectual honesty.

Butch Cassidy (I)

October 24th, 2012
11:43 am

Ahem – “It is criminal malfeasance. It is deriliction of sworn duty. It is shameful.”

When is your Mother coming for you?

Ahem

October 24th, 2012
11:44 am

Bob Woodward: Obama ‘mistaken’ on sequester

Bob Woodward says President Barack Obama got some of his facts wrong on sequester at Monday night’s debate.

Woodward’s book “The Price of Politics” has been the go-to fact check source for the president’s answer, in which he claimed the idea of using deep, automatic, across-the-board domestic and defense spending cuts to force Congress to address the nation’s burgeoning federal deficit originated from Congress, not from the White House.

“What the president said is not correct,” Woodward told POLITICO Tuesday. “He’s mistaken. And it’s refuted by the people who work for him.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1012/82772.html#ixzz2AEQ9s7Wo

Fred ™

October 24th, 2012
11:46 am

Guess what the main topic on the Neal Boortz show was today? Anyone guess Benghazi? Of course that’s why all these asshats keep coming here to rehash the Boortz show.

Yo dummies, I listened to the show too. you do a really poor imitation of Boortz so stop it already with your Boortz spam. Think for yourselves for a damn change.

Ahem

October 24th, 2012
11:47 am

When is your Mother coming for you?

That is not a possiblity. My Dad won’t be coming either. Neither will Ambassador Stevens.

godless heathen

October 24th, 2012
11:47 am

What I’d say about Obama’s domestic and Middle East policies is that, given the messes and political constraints he inherited in both arenas, he did about as well as anyone could.

With that ringing endorsement from Friedman, I’d say it’s time to give someone else a chance.

Doggone/GA

October 24th, 2012
11:48 am

“With that ringing endorsement from Friedman, I’d say it’s time to give someone else a chance”

“as well as anyone could” means no one else could do better

getalife

October 24th, 2012
11:48 am

mitt has another rape problem and he endorsed the con and made an ad for the con.

mitt lost the women vote.

Doggone/GA

October 24th, 2012
11:49 am

“mitt lost the women vote”

Well…those who can think for themselves anyway

Ahem

October 24th, 2012
11:49 am

“Bless you!! That sneeze sounds pretty bad.”

Ambassador Christopher Stevens won’t be sneezing anymore. Ask Obama why.

Keep Up the Good Fight!

October 24th, 2012
11:50 am

Ahem must be one of them paid campaign spammers doing the blog rounds :roll:

Ahem

October 24th, 2012
11:51 am

“Bunch of noise from the Rightwingers.”

Ambassador Stevens makes no noise. He died while Obama slept.

Doggone/GA

October 24th, 2012
11:51 am

“Ambassador Christopher Stevens won’t be sneezing anymore.”

Evidently you don’t believe in life after death

Steven

October 24th, 2012
11:51 am

@MiltonMan….If you have the best of both worlds, get off this site and go enjoy your world! You’re sickening!

Paul

October 24th, 2012
11:51 am

USMC

From a column this week.

I had no idea you’d begun attending parties so early in the season!

“DEAR MISS MANNERS: The U.S. elections and my quadrennial quandary draw closer. I am an expatriate, living where “communist” is a political position, rather than an insult. At social events, other Americans ask for whom I will vote. I have tried being humorous and evasive, but when pressed I tell them that I support neither candidate because I am a communist.

I am then treated to a summary of 50 years of Cold War propaganda….

MISS MANNERS: to your questioners who are visitors to the country where you live, it might be worthwhile to interrupt by saying gently, “While you’re here, you should look into what this means — it’s not at all what you think.” This should at least leave them embarrassed to be caught in critical ignorance of the place they are visiting. ”

Or of the subject they are discussing on a blog.

Thomas

October 24th, 2012
11:51 am

Really telling and predictable going through the major online “news” sources regarding gotcha emails re: Libya

Headline on Fox and “all the more reason to throw out the corrupt WH”
NY Times- completely ignore
ABC/CBC etc story plus WH response

Interesting one was CNN which, to me, has become interesting as the WH dissed CNN for releasing the diary. I think CNN has since become more neutral which has hurt the WH.

We all know where Jay would stand “this is not news”