It is not racism to try to help DeKalb students

Actually Jay, race IS at play. The 6 members being removed were very racially motivated. The FIRST qualification THEY looked for in a candidate was skin color. Which is why they deadlocked and were ineffective.

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The NAACP stood by for years and watched the school system crumble. Not once did they show concern for the many black kids in the system. As test scores plunged, they remained silent. Now that the spot light is on the system they decide to join the action by supporting an incompetent board. So much for the advancement of black people. The NAACP should have been all over that board years ago supporting the students. Enjoy the spot light, that’s what your mission is all about these days, right?

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A Republican did something right? Jay you are slipping.

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“Last week, leaders of the Georgia and DeKalb County chapters of the NAACP stood on the steps of the Capitol to condemn the governor for daring to intervene on behalf of DeKalb’s students, and went on to suggest that his actions were motivated by racism”

Everything’s racism to those idiots. The NAACP’s time passed a loooong time ago.

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Jay, I have to give you credit for going against the grain on this and writing an article that doesn’t criticize a republican just because he is a republican. I disagree with the decision by Deal though. I don’t believe in removing elected officials. Dekalb county voted them in and the citizens/parents of that county won’t learn anything because Deal has bailed them out.

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It’s a damn shame really. When you look at Dr. Walker’s qualifications on paper one would think him to be an excellent choice. While I’m glad they are gone I’m not as convinced of Deal’s altruistic motivations as you Jay. But you make an excellent point about him doing it now rather than later. I had never thought of it like that.

I also am still uncomfortable about ONE elected official nullifying the votes of 6 districts to appoint whom HE wants to appoint. In the next election there is nothing to stop the meat heads who elected these 6 to returning them back to the board. I was very disappointed in the districts that re-elected their useless incumbents. In my District and two others we the voters did our jobs and booted the useless dead wood out.

I still think this will be tossed in a Constitutional hearing for the reasons DDR stated yesterday. Although what will happen then will be a cluster as new members will already be sitting and ruling.

I also think that any of these 6 who carry legal action further need to pay for it. Hell let the NCAAP bring suit if they are so sure it’s racially motivated……….

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Fred ™

March 5th, 2013
8:03 am

Hate to admit it Fred but your second paragraph is masterful…too bad this is what it took. It seems in retrospect that thats what it takes to bust up self serving collusion…

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I’m thinking this approach to punishment of these idiots holds some merit..

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/7-saudis-sentenced-to-death-by-crucifixion-firing-squad-appeal-for-help-to-stop-executions/2013/03/04/2b01c6b6-850b-11e2-a80b-3edc779b676f_story.html?tid=pm_world_pop

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“The FIRST qualification THEY looked for in a candidate was skin color”

That’s not racisim, it’s bigotry

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I have to disagree strongly with this. So the governor replaces school board members on the recomondations of the state Board of Education, whose members are appointed by ……….
the governor.

And who is overseeing the acreditation agency? This is not a national acreditation agency, it is a southern acreditation agency. How are members appointed ?

This isnt about racism . Its funny that people who are concerned with government overreach in Washington have no problem with it coming from Atlanta.

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These members will be replaced by black members so it will be hard, at the end of the day, to call it racism. Conservatives love to think the middle and left are all about an agenda that waters down the end product. Democrats have never been about tokenism. Nothing token about Obama, can’t say the same about Clarence Thomas. Democrats understand the heart and it hasn’t turned cold for love of money.

This reminds me of the events in Detroit. The Republican governor coming in the city and taking over a bankrupt situation, state actually claiming responsibility of a city and its citizens in a monetary situation. What a great time for Republican to show they are not the dysfunctional bigots of the last election. Let see how it plays out. It will be interesting to see if we get Herman Cain or Horace Reed types.

The grassroots not the government is destroying the American economy. We have lost community in too big to fail. You see failure in community all the time, and help in that community to get back on its feet. We were a great country when we had it, let’s see if the Republicans can understand that.

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Jay, good blog. Continue to turn up the broiler!

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If the good people of DeKalb county have a problem with their school board, recall them. The 6 members of the school board , their term ends in 2014. Vote them out.

This is yet another screw up by the state legislature, giving whole and absolute power to a governor.
Be it Republican or Democrat, it is just wrong and i am suprised the judge didnt rule it unconsititutional.

And yet people called Roy Barnes , King Roy? King Nathan!!

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Fred, great comment. People always assume racism from whites only. So wrong! As long as the world keeps turning racism and wars and disagreements are here to stay. Sad but true.

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I love how my stalker keeps his/her head up their rearend in the attempts to attack me and fails to fully read or comprehend what I write.

Mr. no name cowardly stalker (probably the same one from Maureens blog): I never said there weren’t white people removed from the board. You know why? Because, unlike YOU I knew what I was writing about.

If you will carefully peruse my post and then use some powers of observation and deduction you will see that by stating that their 1st qualification being skin color they created DEADLOCK any reasonably intelligent person could assume there must be more than one color represented. You can’t have DEADLOCK if everyone agrees on something you annoying little stalker.

Please get your facts correct in your pathetic attempts to discredit me. If I have to have a stalker, I would prefer one intelligent enough to do a good job. I don’t want some half assed incompetent stalker. Do a better job please.

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Uh, Fwed…

March 5th, 2013
8:16 am

Careful. I’m a ‘79 graduate from Chamblee High…

If those dopes are not doing their jobs, shoot them. It really doesn’t matter to me how….

Jay, is this appeal friendly? If so, I’m not taking odds in favor of it being upheld…

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I have to admit I don’t know the skin color of the school board member I helped to elect.

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Students are the customer

Students come first

Taxpayers come second

Teachers come third

Politicians come last

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Something’s wrong with the “system” when the Governor has to step in to remove duly-elected, fully incompetent, minor officials.

The DeKalb and Forsyth school problems, and a host of other local administrative fiascos across Georgia and the nation, have a common root cause: too many elective offices. Voters are faced with multipage ballots to elect everybody from President, Congressmen, members of the legislature, members of the city/county councils, members of school boards, judges, the coroner, and the dogcatcher, as well as decide a bunch of amendments and resolutions. Who knows, or wants to know, the scores of jerks on the ballot? Who wants to research the amendments and resolutions that the Legislature should decide?

Sensible voters don’t select a candidate for an office if they don’t know anything about the contenders. Others choose at random. Worse, many choose according to the political affiliation of the candidate. Wonder how a Republican coroner or dog-catcher differs from a Democrat one?

The notion that there is anything “democratic” about voter choice in filling minor state and local offices is deception. Americans are no good at choosing the best candidate for an elective office. We are a quarrelsome lot: half of us will always disagree with the other half. Our strong suite is the criticism, stalking, and hounding of elected officials.

We need a few elective office with broad accountability, rather than lots of elective offices with diffuse responsibility and accountability. Let’s have a unicameral Legislature with only 12 members. Let’s have County and City Executives with powers to manage all local issues, including appointment of school superintendents, tax collectors, coroners, and dogcatchers. Then, we’ll be able to hold elected politicians responsible for successes and failures. Then, we won’t have to endure the fiasco of the Governor removing duly elected minor officials.

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I don’t think anyone wants to see their elected official removed from office without a majority vote, however, I feel this was necessary. The children are suffering, and the school board wanted to play politics about it and not take any correctional action.

While Deal is at it, Clayton has a criminal sheriff who should be in jail. And he was re-elected…

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Jm

March 5th, 2013
8:27 am

I suggest you stop starting you mornings with hallucinogens… you must be tripping to suggest that priorities will ever align as such in our lifetime…

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I agree with the previous posters. As a man of color, I think that the NAACP has basically out lived its usefulness. Or maybe the leadership in the NAACP needs to be changed to reflect a younger changing demographic to better serve people of color.

I can say that the one problem that is very evident here is that most people, regardless of race supports people of their race even when they know that they are not deserving of their support.

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Good morning to all y’all…

I don’t have a dog in this hunt, but I have always wondered why there isn’t an “educator” qualification in order to be eligible to run for the position. In short, to be on the School Board, you must have been a teacher or educational administrator. Most teachers I have know have always had the best interest of the students at heart.

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Stevie Rae Probably right

At least nowadays

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Its funny how things have changed in Dekalb county.. the Politicians, schools, church all Greed. This is what they teach the kids. But most importantly what are the parents teaching the kids at home, You want to look good wear tennis shoes, but dont strive to put something in that brain… thats where the questions should be asked… Get invovled in the community in the school system removed these people that are stealing money and dont want to really help the community and the familys and the children. REMOVE THEM… dont just sit around and do nothing.. people are really trying to move out of dekalb county, claiming it is going down.. with section 8 who are teaching these kids to be thugs where are the fathers??? I grew up in dekalb county.. I think eventually at the black people get finished tearing it up, the white people will come back and take it over.. look at kirkwood, moreland ave… why dont we have pride…teach our kids so they are able to take care of themselves.. it just becomes a circle and no one gets ahead…why do you think Dunwoody parted ways with Dekalb county.. I WOULD TOO.!!!

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Georgia has had 10 Constitutions since 1777.

The current Georgia Constitution was adopted in 1983 and has been amended 70 times.

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” In short, to be on the School Board, you must have been a teacher or educational administrator.”

Bad idea.

I know lots of good school board members who were never teachers. On top of that the job then becomes about providing a monetary benefit to only one constituency, the teachers.

How many other bad ideas will be posted here today I wonder?

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One important manifestation of racism is apathy — the malign neglect of struggling minority communities by a majority that cannot be bothered to care.
===========
Isn’t this a situation where the “MAJORITY” is actually a minority? They can’t seem to get it right. Clayton county has the same problem with electing a school board.

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As a property owner in Dekalb County with two children attending Dekalb County schools and a spouse teaching in the district, I am in complete agreement with Jay. The precedent of removing elected officials does cause discomfort, but desperate times call for desperate measures and our children do not have time to sit back and hope the currently elected board members experience some sort of harmonic convergence and finally get things right.

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Actually, the state Board of Education has only 13 members currently instead of 14.

I wonder, who appoints them ? Hmmmmm….

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I find myself somewhat perplexed by your stance on this issue. It is difficult for me to believe that you would axe the “democrat progressive battle cry of racism”. None-the-less I applaud your effort to take the high road on this one.

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Harmonic convergence

That was funny

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So Jay now gets a taste of what it’s like to be called a racist when racism has nothing to do with it. Ironic.

His next column, of course, will include accusations (and probably a poll) indicating how racist Republicans are, involving a debate that has absolutely nothing to do with race.

Dims are not very good at recognizing double-standards or irony.

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Normal: Two of the six WERE educators and on paper look like they would be ideal board members. Of the others, all but one have impressive resumes and again one would think they would be excellent board members. But they aren’t. They put self ahead of the kids.

I think Stevie Ray ought to toss HIS hat into the ring lol. You still live in Delkalb County SR? Or Oscar. I KNOW he lives around here.

LOL or Maureen and Jay. How about you two Jay?

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JAY,
Not trying to hijack the topic here, but tomorrow is the 156th anniversary of the Dred Scott Supreme Court case. If you look at the make up of the SC then, as afar as political activists go, and look at the make up of the SC today, who will rule on voting rights for minorities, the similarities are…well, you decide. A good topic for tomorrow maybe?

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Frog

Property values matter if you want to keep a diversified school system

An ineffective school system plus collapsing property values equals white flight

And a death spiral for the school system

Since property taxes fund schools and a diverse student body improves education quality

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Jm
An ineffective school system plus collapsing property values equals white flight
……………………………………………………………………
and that is not necessarily a bad thing…..

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“When civil responsibilities become as importand to the Black community as civil rights, we might just start to get fairly close to that “perfect outcome”.”

Case in point.

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And yes, I know city:school management is not an apples:apples comparison, but there are similar issues of autonomy and potentials for grotesque corruption to occur.

I have seen reports about what is going on in Michigan and its pretty bad up there. That governor is power hungry. I guess thats why his approval rating is around 30% or less.

Deal is trying that in this case. And no one should trust his judgement at all.

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but maybe it’s just me, but I never had a teacher I thought was bad.

Wow. I did.

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Maybe lower school property taxes IS the goal.

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Would we even be having this discussion of all of the school board members were white?

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Frog

An I’ll add: it would really be a prosperous smart people flight

It would be a mix

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Also, the makeup of the Democratic Party – 19% black, 11% Latino, 6% other, 64% white.

Call me crazy but that looks a WHOLE lot closer to the racial makeup of this melting pot, doesn’t it?

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kayaker,

Yes.

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And i wonder if she is a Democrat?

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This whole thing stems from a lack of respect for education in this state. We need to get as dramatic about our children’s education as we do about drugs and war and illegals. I’d like to see more cameras in the schools, more reporting bad and good going on. Make heroes out of math majors; introduce them in church along with the uniforms. Honor and aw ourselves with great minds not violent behavior and bullies. Pointing them out may make some feel inferior which I think is the problem now. Dumb down our heroes and we all feel like heroes, make the bar higher and we all feel stupid. Who wants to feel stupid?

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If the DeKalb County school system has their authority taken away by the governor for any reason(s) perceived by the Governor and the Federal Court, when will the court make a decision about the “public voucher system” GA has in place currently.

We are using public money to pay for private schools that those same failing minority students can not take use for their education.

Where is the so-called outrage by the Governor?

http://www.edchoice.org/School-Choice/State/GA.aspx

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“So, the Crooked Deal is not such a Bad Deal after all? Whodda thunk it?”

Let’s wait to see how he handles replacing the board members first.

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Wow, a Bookman opinion article I agree with!!!! The four horseman must be on the way……..

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Re: “One important manifestation of racism is apathy — the malign neglect of struggling minority communities by a majority that cannot be bothered to care.”

You also have the apathy of the minority communities. They impatiently wait on the working majority to supply them with their “entitlements” and, once received, waste them and take no responsibility in taking care of what they have received. As evidence, look at the cost of school maintenance in Dekalb. I am witness to several years of MLK Day projects. We always clean up and fix the same things at the same school. As long as a thing is supplied at no cost without an expectation of reciprocal responsibility, then the receiver places no value on it. We see that here in the Dekalb school system. To paraphrase, it is the soft racism of lowered expectations.

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Good commentary, Jay! We hear “racism” so much these days, that the word has lost it’s power.

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Nancy Jester may have had some good ideas, but operated in a manner that made Ted Cruz’s brief Senatorial term seem conciliatory. As such, she had become part of the problem and will not be missed.

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“and in fact take a risk by reaching across partisan and racial lines on such a potentially emotional issue”

Isn’t that redundant in a place like Georgia?

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Jay,
Nice post….tough call. The elephant in the room is that by and large, the system is going to remain largely minority. Folks are not gonna move in and send their kids to one of these nightmares. Even most of the crusaders have kids on the fringe schools, not the inner-city ones. So, the culture is going to have to change.
The right to vote does not mean the ability to do so. This board is a blatant demonstration of that. The parents need to value an education (many do, just not enough) and at some point, and I do not know how, actually, the CULTURE OVER ALL must change. Truthfully, since the system will largely be much more black than white, the opportunity exists to try and show that the people will elect competant members, instead a bunch of self-serving folks guilty of nepotism and everything else. Despite all the mistrust and wrong-doing in the past, voting in buffoons will not solve any problems.

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“You also have the apathy of the minority communities. They impatiently wait on the working majority to supply them with their “entitlements” and, once received, waste them and take no responsibility in taking care of what they have received”

Case in point, part two.

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obstinance is the o in gop….

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Nice read Jay….Good job

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Peadawg — “Let’s wait to see how he handles replacing the board members first.”

Indeed. Any shade-tree mechanic can pull a transmission. Only a few of them are able to fix the thing and put it back in the truck in working order, though.

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The essential problem centers around attitude, especially that of the NAACP. I think these buffoons would support Dennis Rodman for the school board just because of his race. Education never came into the mix when they discussed the issue. It has, and always will be with them, protecting even the incompetent, just because of their race. Cynthia Tucker was right. They belong in the dust bin of history.

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Personally, I feel it is racist of someoen like Dr. Walker to assume there aren’t competent African-Americans that could be appointed in his place. It seems Walker assumes anyone meeting the criteria to be nominated as a replacement must be of some other race.

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As usual you and the AJC are “top shelf” on local issues.

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It appears the major problem facing the DeKalb County school system was based on lack of funds to adequately educate the students and maintain the physical structures. A forensic audit did not seem to satisfy the accreditation agency.

Their first complain was legal bills exceeding $10 million dollars above the budgeted amount. Wonder if other school systems have legal bills exceeding the budgeted amount(s)?

http://www.examiner.com/article/dekalb-county-schools-accreditation-placed-on-probation

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Careful, Bookman. They’ll tar and feather you as a racist too if you keep talking like this.

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kayaker,

Pot meet kettle? Like how you buffoons elect other incompetent buffoons simply because of the R after their name?

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democracy does not insure that people will make the
right decision but it does insure that it is their decision…

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…is that you Neal?

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“Don’t criticize Obama….to do so is….RAAAAA-CIST”

We get on one idiot here who makes that claim…and 100 idiots who complain about it for weeks afterwards

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Backwards Nick: While many of us here in Dekalb question the method the board was axed or the legality or the constitutionality or the motivation………… in the end we are pretty much ALL glad it was done. Those folks needed to go. Is it cowardly of us to allow that in this instance the ends DOES justify the means? Probably. But I can live with that. They had to go and they sure as hell wouldn’t step down voluntarily.

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Thog,

And where has anyone called racism for criticism of Obama? Again, that’s only a myth in the minds of twisted cons.

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This does set a scary precedent, even more so in light of the fact that DeKalb is primarily Democratic and the school system primarily black while the governor was not supported by either constituency.

However, its scarier to think of the consequences of inaction. Capable, experienced teachers and administrators fleeing (a loss that takes years to recover from), students failing to learn and leaving the system (with or without a degree) utterly unprepared to participate in today’s economy, much less that of ten years from now (losses that take a generation or more to recover from) and a system so resentful and at odds that the bills already introduced in the Legislature to permit splitting the district get passed and the southern part of the county is permanently cast off economically.

The governor was elected because he had an R after his name, and lazy voters did not bother to learn about his ethics problems, his financial issues or his track record. The DCSS board members were elected because they had a D after their names and their skin color was presumed to tell all the voters needed to know about their competency, character and intentions, regardless of their performance in office. Lazy voting is a cancer on our democracy. It may be time to remove all party affiliation information from the ballot.

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barking frog

March 5th, 2013
9:32 am

Sounds like a good idea to me!

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…you actually posted something worthwhile – “in the end we are pretty much ALL glad it was done. Those folks needed to go”.

Thanks…

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indigo

March 5th, 2013
8:48 am

Thanks for the thoughtful response. We clearly see eye to eye on your first point…of course as long as suggesting responsibility by individuals (al a Bill Cosby) is deemed racism or bigotry, nothing will change…or at least it would seem difficult.

As respects a color blind society, I’m not optimistic that will occur in the means I think you suggest….at least not here and not in our lifetime…As you mentioned, change must come from both sides…not just laws that punish or protect…

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@joe

Sounds like you voted for the current Governor and Mitt Romney.

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This is exactly what happens when an electorate puts a person in office who has no business being there…they voted on skin color instead of qualifications. Am I talking about the DeKalb school board? No, I’m talking about the idiots who voted for Obama.

_____

How would you feel if President Obama had the power to remove Mayors and Governors? You are bending over a little too far. If he removed Nathan Deal that was elected by a majority of “White” voters, would he be wrong?

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Remember, you sleep with dogs, you get fleas…

Sounds like you need a dip.

http://www.colleyvilleanimalclinic.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Colleyville-DogBath-250×347.jpg

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JAY

Racism occurs more on right than left as far as I can tell. Bigotry is an absolute draw…even on this site. At least in terms of the definition that is not limited to race….bigotry to consider anothers opinion is quite common…not to pick nits..

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The real sad part of all this is that cities like Dunwoody are attempting to leave Dekalb county schools and form their own school system. This is a terrible idea. A rising tide raises all ships, I care about ALL the children of dekalb county. Sadly, the current board doesn’t seem to be interested in the ABCs of education. I have been struggling for years to eliminate the “Block Schedule” which does an incredible dis-service to the students, and costs the county millions of dollars a year (yes I did that analysis). Block schedule is sad in so many ways, and yet this board continues to stand by it. This is the main reason I am happy they have been fired. Let’s get some good educators in there who can fix ALL the problems in Dekalb and keep the county system together, not fragment into a “have” and “have not” model. I could care less about the race in all this, but I do care passionately about the students in this. And THEY are not being served.

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“The ballad of the Dekalb School Board”
or
“How to make the Dee-troit School system look competant.”

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Four out of the top ten high schools in GA are located in DeKalb County.
If their incompetence is so bad, why does the schools rank head and shoulders above the rest of GA?

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/georgia

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jackie, 9:36,

You can put a racial tag on most anything you please, and, unfortunately, many do. My ‘myopic” look at this whole situation boils down to this…… We have a predominantly black school board that is not doing their job, elected by a bunch of people who are more concerned about the racial makeup of the board than the education of their children. We have an outmoded, outdated black organization entering into the mix and criticizing those who are trying to do their job in a competent manner and calling these decisions “racist”. This seems pretty clear to me, no matter whose sunglasses I might have on. There have been many more comments today about the “unfair”, “racist”, “bigoted” people who are trying to correct a bad situation than about the children that they are doing it for. This should be about students, education, competency…… instead, it seems to center on asinine comments about someone’s racial prospective. Liberals…….

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And it is certainly interesting how these things inevitably revert to ” …. but, but Obama!”

It might’ve been interesting four years ago. Now, not so much.

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IT WAS RACISM

RACISM RUNS RAMPANT IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY…….. ITS JUST LIBERALS BURY THEIR HEAD IN THE SAND

THURBERT BAKER WAS AND IS A BETTER MAN AND PUBLIC SERVANT THAN ROY BARNES

HOWEVER, THE WHITE RACIST DEMOCRATS PUT ROY ON THE TICKET AND DISCRIMINATED AGAINST THURBERT (WHO WOULD HAVE BEAT DEAL- ANOTHER CROOKED AND SLIMY WHITE GEORGIAN)

DEMOCRATS WILL NEVER MOVE FORWARD UNTIL THEY PURGE THE PARTY OF THESE WHITE DEVILS HIDING BEHIND THE PARTY TALKING POINTS

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With a reach like that, you make Dikembe Mutombo look like Kevin Willis.

Not in my house… ha ha ha…

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@kayaker

If it were not such a specious and disingenuous position that you hold, I would say more to refute your claims. However, your own words fully explain your positions and it requires no explanation.

Did you read the post about the ten best high schools in Ga with 4 of those 10 being in DeKalb County?

Incompetence?

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/georgia

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GT @ 8:16

So you can only be truly black and not a token if you are a Liberal. What sheer idiocy. Does your mother know you are on the computer?

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Dr. Walker and the Board are sincere in their belief that racism is behind the effort to remove them; that’s because they are incompetent to recognize that they are incompetent.

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K71 — “This should be about students, education, competency…… instead, it seems to center on asinine comments about someone’s racial prospective. Liberals…….”

Except that first, K71 finds it necessary to complain about:

“predominantly black school board that is not doing their job”

“elected by . . . people who are more concerned about the racial makeup of the board than the education of their children”

” . . . outmoded, outdated black organization”

“. . . calling these decisions “racist”.

For someone who’s ostensibly bemoaning the ‘racist’ comments and motivations of others, K71 sure does seem tightly wrapped about the issue himself when it comes down to it. Maybe that’s why I hear Bobcat Goldthwait’s voice every time I read one of his posts.

Conservatives . . .

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Not in my house… ha ha ha…

[golf clap]

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“Yes, racism does still exist, and it does still affect governmental policy and action, from health care to education to transportation”
Expound on this a little more Jay………

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Sorry (as in, my mistake) if your dictionary (which you don’t name) shows “obstinance” as a standard form. Merriam-webster.com gives a one-word definition of “obstinance”: it’s “obstinacy.” Since the word comes from the Latin “obstinantia,” obstinance actually makes more sense. But “obstinacy” has a good 500-year history in English, so I’ll, um, obstinately stick with obstinacy.

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Jay,

Perhaps the DeKalb School Board issue isn’t with racism – but with party affiliation? The question is, “Of the six dismissed DeKalb School Board members how many are Democrats; and how many are Republicans?”

I don’t know the answer, but I’ll bet almost all are Democrats. That is not to say that anything would be any different – if they are Republicans.

In StarWars, Episode III, Revenge of the Sith, Senator Palpatine tells Anakin Skywalker that the Sith Lord, Darth Plagueis, was so powerful that all he feared was – “losing his power”. In that respect, the dethroned DeKalb school board members are the just same as the Sith Lords of StarWars! Isn’t it amazing how life emulates fiction? And hat it doesn’t matter if you are a Democrat or a Republican. Politicans are the same as Sith Lords. They only want to hold on to their power!!!

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I agree that under the present law the Governor made the right decision for the students because SACS was going to come in and pull the accreditation of the school system.

As a conservative, I also agree with a part of Dr. Walker’s argument. I have a major problem with a law written that allows one elected official to come in and remove another elected official for any other reason then have committed a crime.

Incompetence in office is a decision that should be made by the voters that placed an official in office and they should be the only ones to fire such an official. Everyone will have a different definition of incompetence and I could see some huge problems in the future with expansion of such an idea.

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“that” it doesn’t matter

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A RACIST WILL NEVER ADMIT THAT RACISM IS THE PROBLEM. HE DOESN’T REALIZE THAT IT WILL BE HIS ULTIMATE DOWNFALL.

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Hold on here Jay. You actaully wrote something that makes sense? But if you think a little harder though Jay you’ll understand why Georgia is a bright red state. The dem party uses the racism tact at every turn which has completly turned off the white voter. Sooner or later it will happen on the national level with Hispanics joining whites in voting Republican.

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dB @ 9:40

Looking at Dekalb’s last election, their BOE elections take place on the primary ballot. That, in itself, will lead to lower turnout as primaries never have the turnout as the general election in November.

I looked at the vote totals, and while it’s not exact due to the geographic nature of the districts, here’s what I saw.

BOE total votes:
District 2: 12,969
District 4: 15,184
District 6: 12,973
District 8: 46,792

Total votes: 87,918

In that same election, there were 126,221 votes for and against T-SPLOST. The lobbyist question, carried on both ballots, received a total of 115,634 votes. It appears, on the surface, that many share the same sentiments as those expressed by The Thin Guy. I’m not picking on him personally, but when you have apathetic voters, you put yourself into situations like this.

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I have not heard anyone argue that DeKalb County has a great public education system or that the elected board members are highly competent, hardworking, dedicated public servants. However, when governors (here in Georgia, Michigan’s Governor in Detroit) start usurping the authority of the people to elect who they want to public office, then where does it stop? I suppose President Obama might consider Governor Deal incompetent and unable to fulfill the requirements of his office. Does he have the authority to remove him? With an increasingly authoritarian philosophy, one ends up with the result – Dictatorship.

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” Vote For Obama Because He’s Black ”

March 5th, 2013
9:55 am

What color was Sonny Perdue and Nathan Deal? Which state do they represent? Would you say that this state has gone down because of two “White” governors?

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All of these comments about race are going viral. Is prejudice raising its ugly head. Always perk up a slow news day with a little racial wrong doing. Oberlin College, Oh. has had a smattering of racial bias according to the morning news. Someone on campus was walking around with a KKK robe on.
And the water fountain had a sign, whites only.
Oberlin Officials are on the issue and procalim to the universe that they are getting to the bottom of these dastardly deeds. Why all the fallderall after the emancipation praclomation 150 years ago?

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Rev. Quantavian Hiawatha Jackson – Are you a bigot. Is it possible to take care of the kids without it being a (insert race, color, creed)centric solution. Are there not “white” citizens in the county as well, or have you discounted them because of their color.

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It appears, on the surface, that many share the same sentiments as those expressed by The Thin Guy. I’m not picking on him personally

Nor I. I think he’s like a lot of people throughout the sociopolitical spectrum–just not well connected to school board politics, even though they control a budget that eats (oftimes) the lion’s share of an individual’s taxes.

I think the (deliberately?) obscure manner in which these elections are held–why AREN’T they always part of the general or mid-term election ballot, anyway?–certainly plays a role, as you suggest. But it doesn’t account for everything.

Maybe at the root, it’s just human nature to bitch and moan about resulting problems, rather than taking steps to actually learn about root causes and rectify them, within the existing political structure. Call that a hunch.

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Maybe Deal will appoint Sons of Confederate Veterans to
the board.

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“It is not racism to try to help DeKalb students”

When are we going to get this “racism” thing correct ?

It’s not “racism” unless someone honestly believes some of the board members are genetically inferior as a race.

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@’VOTE”
I live not far from Macon, and unfortunately you are right. Macon is the shining example of how a school system can truly be a cluster. First Presbyterian, Tatnall Square, Stratford, and Mt. Desales (all private) are all doing well, and Windsor and others are growing. Many of these parents work extra jobs….they are no all the so-called “elite”. More and more black students are attending these schools, by the way, and there are a growing number of black teachers and coaches. The race factor in Macon is glowing, and the school system is hurting. There is no easy answer, but the school system in Macon/Bibb is a real mess. If anyone asks questions, yeah, the race card comes up. But, when you have a large minority (black) population and then do not vote in competant people, what problem are you solving. Folks are running away from these schools by the drove. You cannot blame folks for not wanting to send their kids to these places.

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@Doggone

You have answered the question in a manner that those who criticize the schools try to make everything a “one size fits all.”

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Rev. Quantavian Hiawatha Jackson

Mr. Bookman,
“I typically agree with your thoughtful insight and perspective. But not today ! An Afro-centric solution should have been applied to the situation in DeKalb County, an enclave of African-American thought, sensibility and conscience. Interference by the Republican governor is solely political and will cause harm to the African-American children of DeKalb County. African-Americans are the root cause of this mess, It should be left to African-Americans to find a suitable solution to the problem.”
Is this sarcasm ? If not, why should the problem be left to solve by the people who created it ? While the African Americans try to solve the problems they made, your words, the children, African Americans and American Americans will be the ones that suffer.

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There are plenty of affluent,educated people of color,whether they come from Nigeria,Ethiopia,Kenya,Ghana,or 2 generations off the southern slave plantation that are raising their children in Cherokee,Gwinett,Fayette,and other metro counties that have qualified leadership.
They are too smart to buy real estate in South Dekalb,Atlanta,Clayton.
Doesn’t matter what color,they have bigger brains than the other slackers who have the same pigment,hair texture.

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more sock puppets today than votes for the Dekalb BOE

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It’s not “racism” unless someone honestly believes some of the board members are genetically inferior as a race.

I know we could argue this back and forth, but to me “racism” only exists when that belief is combined with a leveraged effort to disenfranchise someone, based primarily on such stupid beliefs.

Yes, I imagine blacks are occasionally capable of doing this institutionally to white folks here in the USA but such opportunities are pretty dang rare. It’s not like we’re talking about white farmers having their land appropriated from them simply because the black majority can, or suchlike.

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How does GA compare to the rest of the nation?

http://www.msubillings.edu/caer/quality_rankings_of_education_in.htm

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Wow, I must now admit, I am now a believer in climate change..

http://www.politico.com/politico44/2013/03/obama-job-approval-tumbles-158422.html?hp=r1

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decibles:

I hear you. This would be correct.

It’s not BIGOTRY to try to help Dekalb students.

If people would just use the right words it would help a lot.

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@ Funny,
Because that might actually make sense, which is not what that organization is about any more.
It is culture…..period! Anybody who went to college with black African (I mean from Africa) students realizes that the problem can’t be intelligence, or lack of. Good Lord, I had classes with several who had to learn english and then attend UGA, and they were kick-aZZ! I do realize that with past discrimination, there is no easy solution. That being said, STILL, most are not going to send their kids to these places if they can avoid it. So, a solution will have to come from leaders and parents, and neither seems up to the challenge right now.

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Peach02

March 5th, 2013
10:12 am

I really don’t know. I do know that that keeping tax dollars local was a key consideration of the latest rash of municipal incorporations…I live in Johns Creek and I’m still not sure if this was a good development. But the idea of sending money 50 miles away as a result of Fulton bailing out Milton county years ago is more and more difficult to swallow…of course the southside gets screwed.

I guess we are suffering from poor prior decisions that now have come to roost..

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Peadawg

March 5th, 2013
10:06 am

Great news! How exactly is it that the presidents favorability ratings seem to be tanking?

IMO the market is being driven by self produced steriods and we will see a grand adjustment within the second term

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To everyone who has gone “RACIST!” a la our dear departed “RACIST!” parrot, Cynthia Tucker:

NAACP stood on the steps of the Capitol to condemn the governor for daring to intervene on behalf of DeKalb’s students, and went on to suggest that his actions were motivated by racism.

One important manifestation of racism is apathy — the malign neglect of struggling minority communities by a majority that cannot be bothered to care. If racism was the governor’s motivation, the easy thing to have done was absolutely nothing.

This may at first seem confusing simply because detection of apathy is especially difficult when you are a democrat or liberal very guilty of it–yes, President Obama / Rahm Immanuel, we mean you, especially regarding the murder-fest that is Chicago.

When there is “no evidence” of racism playing a role, either Jay (who fairness demands I say isn’t really near the race-baiter that Tucker was, nor that many of you are) knows that the race card can be worn out until it is useless as a tactical tool of liberals. I’m forced to admit that what he may be saying is, “cool it folks”; let’s pull it out when we really need it; like calling Obama’s political opponents racial whack-jobs just for spite.

As a resident of Clayton County I am wondering why Governor Deal did not remove Victor Hill, given that he is interested in intervening in DeKalb. Maybe the two issues are unrelated, and maybe the Gov has his hand on the executive order just in case Hill begins acting like the abject idiot he is. Whatever, the case, based on Bookman’s logic alone, it seems that there is an argument to be made that racial concerns may be an issue for the Gov where I live, maybe more so than DeKalb. Unlike DeKalb which is quite black, Clayton has an even greater population of black people. The question is, would Deal have anything to gain by axing Hill in a County he lost by 60 points, just because he is a Republican?

Maybe not. If that is true, then VOILA!, we have racism, you race-master-baiters! But simply because Deal did not act (and consequently have the NAACP on his back for booting Hill), he had more credibility and clout to act for kicking out the DeKalb School Board.

Deep, isn’t it?

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Normal @ 10:30

Did you see his meeting this morning after he got that news?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTEtbuR0VZ8

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“It’s not BIGOTRY to try to help Dekalb students”

It’s not racism either

Yep. Both statements are true.

(now, the manner in which some might endeavor to pretend to help such students, out of greed or some other deadly sin, could be said to be bigoted and/or racist; but that is a case where the burden of proof is on the accuser, methinks.)

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Why did this turn into a debate on the definition and application of racism?

probably because there isn’t much debate on the validity of what Jay’s posted.

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Rev. Quantavian Hiawatha Jackson

“Dr. King and the others that started the NAACP are probally turning over in their graves to” – Funny
Funny, Dr. King did not start the NAACP. He started SCLC. You obviously attended a Euro-dominated school of instruction”

I don’t know if you are a bigot or clueless but you finally got one right, King did not start the NAACP, two white republicans did, they obviously attended a Euro-dominated school system.

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“probably because there isn’t much debate on the validity of what Jay’s posted.”

And because so many people use “racism” when what they mean is “bigotry”

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Geez… This place has become the Center for Puppetry Arts. Just damn!!!

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I found it funny this weekend watching Raul Labrador (R) Idaho, whine about the president going around the country and setting the tone for the sequester failure to fall at the feet of the Republicans, thereby setting the stage for pain at the polls in 2014. He claimed how unfair it was for the president to play this game when he should have been helping to move the country forward.

This from the same group who staked their future on the goal of making Obama a “one term President.”

Fascinating!

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Erwin’s cat
I don’t understand either as I have found plenty of reasons to dislike someone on individual merits
………………………………………………………………………………………
it’s an efficiency thing, you can dislike so many more
people at once with bigotry and racism..

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stands 1039,

Unfortunately, the DeKalb School board had or has some of its own greed in mind apparently, which may be one of the sins driving their irresponsible and unethical behavior.

I agree that there isn’t much debate about what Jay is saying, but the failure of the board, which thankfully, has little to do with the day-to-day education of the children is just the last hole holding back a torrent of failure indicative of the loss of faith in public education in this country. If not for SACS (a private / semi-private enterprise), who would have found fault with DeKalb? Surely not the government.

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Well, I just learnt that DeKalb County School Board members get $18,000 per year in salary for a part-time job. They get another 4-5,000 bucks for travel and they can travel more than that if they first pay for it and then file to get paid back.

That kind of money just paves the way for ne’er-do-wells looking for a little more household income and some travel perks. For their meetings they’re drawing about $1,000 per hour. Too many of them are in it for theirselfs and not for the neighborhood or the kids. Heck, we don’t even pay our state legislaters that kind of money.

Take the money out of it. Give school board members about 200 bucks a month for their service. Then we’ll see who’s serving for the good of the citizens and the kids. None of these people are Norman Einsteens. They got staff to do all the grunt work for them and all they got to do is say yes or no when they show up every couple weeks.

That’s my opinion and it’s very true.

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” “Promoting” one race over another is a form of racism – plain and simple”

No, it isn’t. Racism would be holding down “the other race” There’s no difference in promoting racial pride than there is in promoting academic pride, or sports pride, or any other form of “rah rah” promotion.

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Brosephus — “Geez… This place has become the Center for Puppetry Arts. Just damn!!!”

I LOLed.

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African Americans need to understand, that for the most part, the NAACP does not always work in the best interest of their communities. It’s all about maintaining power, much like present-day politicians. Also, J Jackson and A Sharpton seldom, if ever, work for what is right, but, more for what will make the biggest splash in the headlines. They have made their fortunes on the back of those they claim to protect.

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I, a deeply rooted Georgian, have been out of the state for a number of years and returned recently. In going to college through graduate school, I went to school with students from DeKalb County, and they did well in school. I also have had relatives and friends who finished from the DCS System and have two words. What happened? OK, the school system was not perfect, but I did not consider it bad either. Now, I only read bad news.

I do not feel that having Black members of the board is the problem. Across the state most of the elected and appointed officials are White, and I do not think that any reasonable thinking person will feel that education in this state is all right. I think that most will feel that it has severe problems.

I do not know enough to have a good opinion on whether they should be removed. I am still trying to read more about the story but will say this. I do not trust Nathan Deal, one of the 33 southern republicans to vote against the extension of the Voting Rights Act, at all. (I know someone who marched across the bridge on Bloody Sunday.) I am not too fond of the General Assembly either. Or let me say that I very little trust in him. This is not the only reason.

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willie lynch

March 5th, 2013
10:46 am

Did Raul Labrador state that he was going to make O a one-termer? Or are you just painting with a very broad brush?

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So many light people, so informed about the needs of dark
people and so able to fill those needs. Awesome.

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looks like you opened up a good one to-day. how is th elbow? keep it up get there minds opened up

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The right thinks they are fooling people, the racist thought has never hit their heads. Well the redneck thought keeps hitting mine, which I guess is wrong too. The right is a think tank I keep forgetting and this education thing in this state has such a long fine history.

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I don’t really know how this is spun into a racism issue when the over lords of public schooling do this very same thing (maybe to a lesser degree than Dekalb) to all students. Program after program is dredged up and rolled out “for the students”. Rubbish!! Follow the money and you’ll find who the beneficiaries are. Get rid of the federal DOE and greatly reduce the state DOE function if you want to see improvement.

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Your neighbor can thank the Blacks that were hung, marched and had no rights. They are the reason that she was able to come to America and live as a “free” African American. She was able to ride their backs all the way across the Atlantic!

I have known several Junior Klansmen who relish telling stories about this ACTUAL AFRICAN IMMIGRANT in their circle of gated acquaintances who actually–hold on to your seats–has some ethnic prejudice of his/her own! and who doesn’t happen to think much of American-born blacks of African ancestry. Really!

It’s a depressingly familiar tale, actually, an “I can’t be bigoted since I know this colored person” inoculation and bigotry-by-projection all in one, and I’ve learned to scroll past lest I engage and get myself red-carded.

Not telling you how to live your life, but y’know, it’s rather short, and wankers gotta wank anyway, is all I’m sayin’.

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The issue with me is not about saving the jobs of the board members, race or anything else. Main big problem is with removing elected officials by ANY MEANS other than what got them into office – recall election.

Recall them! Otherwise, you have the slippery slope argument. Don’t b—h and moan when you create a precedent, which is exactly what people are doing now about the Federal government. They were okay with everything when THEIR boys were in power. But oh….when it’s the OTHER boys…”faux outrage”

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DownInAlbany

March 5th, 2013
10:57 am

If I remember correctly it was the Republican leadership that made this claim. Now Mr. Labrador was certainly able to distance himself from that stance and show himself to be of a different mind. I don’t recall seeing or hearing that happen.

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The government lawyers should submit this blog to the Supreme Court as proof that the voting act has not out lived it usefulness nor has psychiatry.

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Bro’ @1037

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The once proud NAACP is now one of the most useless organizations in America. Have you ever seen them hold rallies or support a Asain, Hispanic, or even a black women who is the victim of black violent crime!?? I sure have not!
A perfect example of what im talking about is when the skinny teen was stomped to death by 3 or 4 unknown men in Douglasville a year ago, who did the NAACP come out and stand behind? The perps!! They showed no concern for the victim or his family.
Isnt the NAACP supposed to stand up for ALL minorities… not just black men!?? Ive never seen them stand up for women, mexicans, asains, indians, and ive sure as heck never seen them organize a rally for one!

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Jay – you are a great journalist – I mean that.

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drive by

You have “driven by” this blog so many times you might get charged with stalking…

Different names, but same game is nothing but an attention whOre in drag

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A perfect example of what im talking about is when the skinny teen was stomped to death by 3 or 4 unknown men in Douglasville a year ago, who did the NAACP come out and stand behind? The perps!!

Typical kneejerk reaction showing dismal awareness of reality. Witnesses were taken by bus to the sheriff’s office which provoked a response from the NAACP. A spokesperson for the NAACP queried whether investigators followed proper procedures in questioning the witnesses and whether they were allowed to call their parents.

In other words, it appears that the NAACP may have been concerned that witnesses may have been coerced. Why I am sure we have never seen police coerce witnesses into testifying falsely or convicting the wrong people.

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I kinda agree with Jay, however I feel that Governor Deal seems to be much more interested in this than Atlanta & Clayton so he can play the Republican Dunwoody Card. Soon they will probably have their own system and DeKalb will be resegregated. Even though some of the board members are the problem, it is very dangerous that the Governor can just appoint who he wants. This was a guy who was nearly indicted himself. We will see how many other boards he becomes interested in.

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“Sounds fair to me. Ridiculous but fair”

Why is it ridiculous? People do it all the time. Ever seen the banner signs: “My child graduated from ???? High School”

There’s nothing wrong with promoting pride in “your team”

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“where students can take their tax money to any school that wants them.”

That would be fine, if ALL they took was their PARENT’s tax money. But then what happens to the tax money of people like me, who have no children? When do *I* get to say where MY money goes?

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TBS 11:21 a.m.: I’ve posted here exactly 3 times in as many months. Jay can confirm this for you.

FYI, I am the court reporter who reported the 14-hour hearing at the SBOE and I personally placed each and every one of those “administrators” under oath. And Nancy Jester-s 45-minute rambling “testimony” damn near caused me to throw my steno machine at her head about 30 minutes into her remarks.

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Gov. Deal should have stayed out of the cesspool known as DeKalb. Residents elected these bozos to the BOE & should have to live with their decisions.

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“I do not have a dog in this fight but just wanted to mention the Dow hits a record high under President Obama.”

Good grief. Libs like this clueless one never thought there would be a real estate bust either. The Dow Jones is being propped up by the Treasury issuing gobs of money by QE & keeping the interest rate very low. This will not last forever.

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Refreshing take on some important local news, JB. Even a brief cap doff for the Governor. You have potential.

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Maybe we all should just carry a sign saying “Im proud to be a humam”.
………………………………………….
any relation to an imam ?

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Jay, I never thought I would say this but, I agree with you.

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The misinformation from that ignoramus at 11:45 must not go unchallenged. Further it must be called out for the racist stupidity that it is…

While primarily focused on the civil rights of African Americans in the U.S., LDF states it has “been instrumental in the formation of similar organizations that have replicated its organizational model in order to promote equality for Asian-Americans, Latinos, and women in the United States.” LDF has also been involved in “the campaign for human rights throughout the world, including in South Africa, Canada, Brazil, and elsewhere.”

And..

NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous and the Monterey County Branch of the NAACP have joined the North Monterey Chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the Civil Rights Coalition to condemn a string of racial profiling episodes in the coastal California county.

At a December 26th press conference, the organizations decried a recent countywide anti-gang crime sweep that targeted Latino families, allegedly injuring and harassing a number of law-abiding citizens in the process. In response, LULAC filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice, and on December 29th, the Monterey County Branch of the NAACP filed a letter of support of LULAC and asking, among other things, for an official investigation into the alleged misconduct and racial profiling.

And…

The Texas State Conference of the NAACP and the Mexican American Legislative Caucus of the Texas House of Representatives (MALC), along with the Justice Department and others, presented evidence showing the law would make it unnecessarily hard to vote — potentially disenfranchising hundreds of thousands of minority voters at a greater rate than the white electorate. The federal court agreed, finding Texas’s law violates Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. This means Texas cannot enforce its photo ID law for the 2012 election in November.

There are many more examples.

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Dow at an all time high.

Imagine where it would be if Obama werent a communist. LOL

Your welcome

Forward !!

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“Dow at an all time high.”

BENGHAZI!!!!

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“Dow at an all time high.”

Not bad for a Kenyan, Marxist, socialist, commie that hates the wealthy.

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getalife
did you put your gun money in stocks ?

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Jay is correct on a lot of points,however a lot of minorities(black folks in general) feel a sense of loss in the face of real world truths.The fact remains that yes,racism does exists and probably always will.The challenge now is being able to move spiritually forward and not look back.Hopefully,we all can learn from the missteps and move in a more harmonious course.

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It’s good that so many people are starting to see the NAACP for the racist organization it is.

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Deal did the right thing by identifying a serious problem and acting to change it. Funny that the tenthers, and the anti-TSPLOSTers by and large haven’t come to the defense of the ousted school board members.

I thought that y’all were for local authority that supersedes a central executive authority.

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“One guy (Mitch McConnell?) says it and it now is a Replican mantra!”

When someone in a leadership position like his says “WE” will do something, then yes, it becomes that groups mantra.

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It saddens me that the venerable National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People that has contributed and contributes
so much to freedom in this country is not given the respect that
it deserves. They have talked the talk and walked the walk
with dignity and aplomb through difficult times. Long may they abide.

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Charter schools are an alternative to school controled by the board of education. They may play an increased role in counties where the board is corrupt, incompetent and fail to function to maitain the school’s accreditation.

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They have. The question is, will they continue to…or will they let their “reputation” override their mission. Think “the Catholic Church” here.
…………………………………………………………….
The Catholic Church has lost its way, the NAACP not so much.

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frog

They will endure. Reactionaries, such as those present on this blog, will give them ample opportunities to rise to meet the needs of those who seek their service.

————–

On a completely different note, I think the doomsday clock has moved one minute closer to midnight for the current GOP.

House Republican centrists are furious that GOP leaders are considering abandoning their pledge not to change Medicare retirement benefits for people 55 years and older.

After agreeing to write a budget resolution that will balance the budget over the next decade, Ryan conceded that he might have to adjust the age to as high as 59.

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They will be screaming racism as well when Obummer is removed for doing a shotty job.

Start holding your breath.

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F paul ryan, he’s a weasle.

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“F paul ryan, he’s a weasle.”

Please stop insulting weasles, at least THEY serve a good purpose in the world.

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My apologies to Jay, but this I just had to share…

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/kincaid-soros-obama-allies-trying-pick-next-pope

Laughter IS the best medicine…

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Granny Godzilla
Who Framed Bob Menendez? and why?
………………………………………………………
seems like a case of she said-she said but unlike
the Secret Service it seems both hookers were paid.

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Please stop insulting weasles, at least THEY serve a good purpose in the world.

Doggone shoots… scores!!!! And the crowd goes wild…

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You’re certainly right, Jay. And a lot of other things are not “racism,” either…but that’s always the knee-jerk “first reaction” because it often works.

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Thanks Bro! Can you tell I’m not a fan of Ryan’s?

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“But crying racism as a political tactic, with no evidence that it is playing a role, cheapens the problem. It also ends up encouraging the very attitude that it supposedly condemns.”- Jay, I am really impressed that you would boldly speak a truth. Black or white, Atlantans-Georgians-Americans are tired of racism being used as a platform from which to launch a defense, argument, or offense. Clearly this is about children and the basic right of education in a quality environment. Thank you Jay

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Medicare benefits have to be changed. Costs are well past what we can afford to pay. In ten years the forecast is very bleak if wedon’t make real changes.

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Dekalb County used to have the best school system in the state.

Why caused it to drop?

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Oscar
Diapers have to be changed. Medicare benefits, not so much.

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Frog – Have you looked at the CBO’s ten year budget forecast lately. Not good news for the future unless major changes made in a number of areas. Defence and health care top the list, plus an increase in tax revenues.

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And we need to teach people to type and spell. See deficiencies in those areas.

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Wanna play a fun ” Where is Waldo ” game.

Try and find a link to the DOW hitting all time high on Fox News.

Fox News. Not Fox business news.

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Ryan’s is a good place to eat. Not any close by so have not been to one in years. We heed one near Tucker or Decatur

Well, come on up here to Cumming. Just not when I take the missus there. It gets a little dangerous then.

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Well,I don’t know about all this racial stuff but something doesn’t seem right about the Governor having the power to fire elected officials.

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Oscar
words are messengers, if you get the message, don’t be
too concerned about the messengers clothes….

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Doggone/GA – 11:40

There are some things, like Black pride, that sound reasonable until they’re carried to a logical conclusion.

Your answer indicates that, like so many, you’re either unable or unwilling to accept logical thinking on this issue.

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Tuesday is RACE CARD day!

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Doggone — you have no say where you school tax money goes now. The only choice is too move, and that goes for all of us.

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Wow – Bernie’s all fired up.

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“There are some things, like Black pride, that sound reasonable until they’re carried to a logical conclusion.”

I suspect YOUR “logical conclusion” would look a LOT like a “slippery slope” to reasonable people.

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You offend, my very being and millions of other African Americans in this Great Nation with such OBTUSE ARROGANCE.

I love me some good parody

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“Is it cowardly of us to allow that in this instance the ends DOES justify the means? Probably. But I can live with that. They had to go and they sure as hell wouldn’t step down voluntarily.”

Fred & Ecat – sorry for the long gap between posts. Ecat, I agree that we’re all better of without the buffoons.

But this is a blow at democracy, with the government saying “your vote doesn’t count, because we disagree with whom you voted for.” If the eletorate didn’t want them, they could recall them.

Are American voters not allowed to make bad decisions (can anybody think of any bad decisions the electorate has mad? *sigh* )? Where are the limits to this new power of the government to invalidate your vote? Are we still a democratic republic if the government can decide they didn’t like who you voted for?

Anyway, enough ranting. I am passionate about democracy, and this seems like a move towards tyranny.

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“Doggone — you have no say where you school tax money goes now. The only choice is too move, and that goes for all of us”

but if parents are allowed to use THEIR tax money to pay for private schooling, then THEY DO get to say where THEIR tax money goes. I want the same right that they are asking for.

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As much as I believe the Dekalb school board to be ineffective, the notion that a “big brother” knows better and can replace elected officials because they don’t like how business is conducted is frightening. Either the voters of Dekalb have the right to elect officials or they don’t. They deserve any success they get as well as the failures. What this move says is that Dekalb can elect anyone they want unless we don’t like them, then we’ll replace them with who we think should have been elected.

An NO…The POOOOOOR Children of Dekalb’s education does not trump the right to self govern.

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Anyway, enough ranting. I am passionate about democracy, and this seems like a move towards tyranny.

Yeah and the next thing you know is they are going want your guns!

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“Yeah and the next thing you know is they are going want your guns! ”

I’m confident that americans will never let that happen. Americans will never give up their guns, but appear willing to give up the right to elected representation.

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75% or more of “business” travel is unnecessary. Just drives up costs and contributes to global warming.

You may want to look into Kia/Hyundai management and the supplier companies that are springing up between Montgomery and Atlanta. In another 3-5 years, I-85 will probably be renamed the Incheon Expressway. I know about Gotomeeting, and you can’t do hands-on inspection and such by internet.

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So, Bernie, you think the buffoons should have stayed in at Dekalb? Racism, bigotry, whatever don’t get tripped up over facts.
1. This area (the southern part) is going to STAY MINORITY….PERIOD. So, the culture must change.
2. Despite past injustices, the problem needs to be dealt with culturally…..and YES GOD D*MMIT there is a problem with that in many of these areas whether it is racist and bigoted or not!
3. Blame white folks for it alll….that is fine, hell earned in some cases, but IT STILL AIN’T GONNA CHANGE SOUTH DEKALB.
4. Realize that even with all the bad stuff, having a board like this, elected by (in many, but not all cases) folks who are more interested in seeing buddies get in to look after them is an abomination. Yeah, it goes on other places, but the damge done here is the worst, and at a fire you go after the hottest spots first.
It is not all about all black people. It is about the southern part of the county where the schools and educational system for whatever reason are awful. So instead of hatin’ on folks, this community is gonna have to tough it out…..the demographics are not going to change. Folks sure as hell are not gonna move in and put their kids there. This, however, does mean the problem must be compounded by folks who cannot pour p*ss out of a boot being put into office. Hard words……not meant to be offensive, but I’m sure they will be.

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How did racism become part of the failing Dekalb schools. It must have been the white man’s fault!

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYzlVDlE72w

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“You may want to look into Kia/Hyundai management and the supplier companies that are springing up between Montgomery and Atlanta.”

Yeah, that makes Detroit a ghost town. I love it.

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75% or more of “business” travel is unnecessary. Just drives up costs and contributes to global warming.

cite please?…
I do international 4-6 times a year because it’s necessary. Business protocols are different in every region…personal relationships in business relationships overcome these difference

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Just another example of what liberals call power within the hands of “good ol’ boys.” Only difference is “boy” cannot be used when referring to blacks. Liberals deem it racist.

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pssst…..Danny…..did you mean “skewed polls”? :0

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Al and Jesse should be left out…..they will not go and adress the real problems unless there is $ or publicity involved. I vote (except he does not live in the area, I do not think) for Bro to be on the board. It is apparant that he has some sense.

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Jay this is the second article I have read of yours that I liked. You must be turning conservative in your waning years.

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When you look at your 401k’s thank President Obama

I don’t know if it is Obama’s fault or not but if it is I would like to shake his hand getalife.

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“I don’t know if it is Obama’s fault or not but if it is I would like to shake his hand getalife”

Now that was funny……….

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the CEO of Yahoo is making people come back to the office to work instead of telecommuting.

some of the telecommuters weren’t even logging in much less working…all it takes is a few people to screw up a good thing for everyone else

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cite please?…
65% of all statistics are just made up on the spot.

Most business travel is just an excuse to get out of town and go to strip clubs and pick up hookers.

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EC

I kinda figured that was the primary motivation. Personally, I would have replaced them with people who want a job. That’s just me though.

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Most business travel is just an excuse to get out of town and go to strip clubs and pick up hookers.

You should see some of the business reviews at http://www.thenastykitty.com

*it’s not a real site..

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“Most business travel is just an excuse to get out of town and go to strip clubs and pick up hookers”

Shhhh, your wives might be reading.

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I have to take your con card for that

This one from getalife was even funnier TBS!!!!!

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Obama administration has already been busted twice for lying on the sequester

Don’t buy their crap get

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jm,

The cuts are for ten years.

Do you have a crystal ball or just running your mouth.

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“There’s lots of fat in government”

Speaking of excessive government what the heck is the state doing getting involved in the religion business with these “In God We Trust” license plates? Let’s even this out a bit and make available a plate that says “It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God.” Thomas Jefferson.

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You will see drip, drip, drip of people losing their jobs.
Lets add up the total jobs the gop killed with cuts

which GOP cons signed this legislation into a reality?

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“which GOP cons signed this legislation into a reality?”

All of them voted for it.

Proceed cat.

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“Lets add up the total jobs the gop killed with cuts.”

Sorry

Sequester is copyright Obama

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Bro,
WTF?? I am the old salesmen all the jokes are about! (You musta been following me around to know how we, er, salesmen do on the road!! lol

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Get

Google politico doofus

I’m not your research service

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ryan bragged about it and is still attacking SS and Medicare.

Stay the course gop.

Our President needs the house.

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There’s lots of fat in government

Brocephus is a primo example unfortunately

Smells of public sector worker envy to me, but please continue on…

————–

skipper

I used to work in retail before joining the feds. I’ve done my share of business travel.

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Google politico doofus

Politico = Tiger Beat D.C.

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The cycle in 10 was about ObamaCare and the gop lied about jobs and failed to pass one jobs bill.

This cycle is all about the cuts so the dems will do much better.

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Sequester is copyright Obama

John Boehner says “What? I got 98% of what I wanted.”

Jay Carney say WHAT? It was the presidents idea.
Arnie Duncan says WHAT? I misspoke when i said teachers were getting pink slips.
Obama says WHAT? I lied in the debate when

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Kamchak

Does Disney schedule an afternoon A$$hat Parade. I see a few of the floats showing up early today.

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I think part of the problem is that the board members are restricted to former teachers or educational administrators…
Put a project manager on the board who has construction background or had to manage 10 MM to 100MM dollar project budget. You would see a better handling of the public funds..
this need not be on the job training, but proven track of financial responsibility, scheduling among other things.

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A fine example of the vast difference between fiscal conservatism and religious conservatism…

Texas governor Rick Perry, a religious right water boy, signed legislation that as of January 1st, 2013 prohibits state dollars from going to pro-choice health organizations – in other words Planned Parenthood. So what will be the result? The estimates are in, there will be 24,000 unintended births in Texas in 2014-2015 and cost Texas taxpayers $273 million. And of course there will be costs to federal taxpayers for 18 years – welfare, Medicaid, food stamps, etc etc etc.

You can be a fiscal conservative or a religious conservative but you cannot be both. It’s time to kick the religious conservatives right the hell out of the republican party.

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” It’s time to kick the religious conservatives right the hell out of the republican party.”

They are the gop base but good to read the gop are divided and conquered.

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Bookman,

I have never liked you or your prospective on anything and probably won’t ever again, but I can admit when I agree with you. I am in total agreement with you on this issue. I firmly believe this country has become too sensitive when it comes to race relations, and when you’re dealing with instances like this you can’t help but realize that racism is a major fact in this situation. Our children are the most precious and innocent individuals this world could offer, and helping them achieve success should be our number one priority, not furthering an agenda based on skin color bias or even using skin color to try and maintain your top flight position to only further hurt those that can’t speak or defend theirselves. Politicians at all levels get too ingrained with their position, and they feel they are owed things and have the power to do whatever they want. It’s nice to finally see where skin color and position aren’t going to continue to be the sole reason they are kept in office. I want all children to grow up with an education that is twice as good as the ones we are getting ourselves, and I want them all to succeed. Hopefully this will be a wake-up call to every other politician that is underachieving yet using their position to push their agenda around.

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@keith

You may want to read this to make a determination as to who lied about sequestration and how did it actually start.

http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/ROHO/projects/debt/1985grammrudmanhollings.html

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I guess we can call him king deal now.

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It would be helpful if Dekalb would fire the “Edumacators” and hire some TEACHERS. You cannot properly teach students unless they have parents that actually want their children to succeed and support their children with their TIME. Turn off “Housewives of Atlanta” and take an interest in educating your child.

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How did the sequestration become part of the political landscape without the Congress voting for it?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2012/09/14/the-sequester-explained/

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That “reverend” was having sexual relationships with several women in his congregation.

Earl Paulk Jr. says, “What?”

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For the blogger named tim…

WORCESTER, Mass. – The NAACP’s newly revived Worcester chapter elected a 28-year-old openly gay black man as its president this month. In New Jersey, a branch of the organization outside Atlantic City chose a Honduran immigrant to lead it last year. The chapter in Aiken, S.C., named a white man as its leader earlier this year. And in Mississippi, the Jackson State University chapter recently turned to a 30-something white man.

in recent years NAACP chapters in New Jersey, Connecticut and Georgia have elected Hispanics as president. A white man, Philip Howell, was picked to lead the chapter in Aiken in January. And two years ago, NAACP members in Hamtramck, Mich., a Detroit suburb, selected a Bangladeshi American to revive their long-dormant chapter.

The push for diversity troubles some members of the NAACP’s old guard, who worry that problems in the black community may get short shrift. But some social scientists say the new diversity is merely a return to the group’s roots as a biracial organization.

Whadyaknow? Looks like the monochrome GOP could learn a thing or three from them…

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Jackie, are you seriously blaming the GOP for supporting obamas sequester plan? If you voted for obama, and im certain you did, then YOU also voted for seqestration. Are you going to condemn yourself now for voting for it?

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In other news, the NRA is sponsoring a car in the upcoming Texas NASCAR race. Vroom, boom.

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jm — “Get Google politico doofus I’m not your research service”

Translation — I got nothin and I’m too lazy to look up what the GOP Blast Fax already done told me.

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In other news, the NRA is sponsoring a car in the upcoming Texas NASCAR race. Vroom, boom.

I think they are sponsoring the race not a car…maybe both?

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If you listened CAREFULLY, you would have heard the President say “he wanted to stop sequestration because it would harm the recovery.”

I know- everyone listened carefully when Bush and Cheney said they really didn’t want to invade Iraq but they had to.

Are folks really that gullible?

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Jackie, i just posted a link where king barry was threatening to VETO any bill that would stop sequester. I know obama contradicts himself all the time but you seem to only hear what you want to hear. those were obamas words: I will veto any bill stopping these automatic cuts. FACT PERIOD

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“Vroom, boom”

Preety witty I must say. I read where they sponsored the Nationwide race here in Atlanta last year. I didn’t know that.

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Obamas Sec of State John Kerry had you in mind when he called Americans stupid.

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getalife continues to be lost in the false glow of Obama winning reelection. If you want to give credit to a person for the stock market being up, then praise Bernanke for continuing to print money.

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One last observation on the bizarre conspiracy theory that the NAACP is a “racist organization”…

Founded in 1909 partly in response to race riots in Springfield, Ill., NAACP begin as a coalition of black and Jewish activists with whites serving in leadership position in many chapters, and it was only later that it became a predominantly black organization. Sullivan also noted that the NAACP spoke out against the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

“The group has shown it is fighting for civil rights for all minorities,” said David Alcantara, 52, president of the Pleasantville-Mainland chapter in New Jersey.

Put that in your White Power pipe and smoke it War Eagle…

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KEITH,

I’m sorry but you are an idiot. That you tube post was about defense spending which is just one part of the sequester. You are one lock stepped con, son. That kind of narrow mindedness is bad for your sanity.

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@keith