Amendment One: A chance at a choice for students who today have neither
No one among us, if faced with a persistent disease and a physician who’d failed to cure it, would be content to continue consulting only that doctor — and, especially, to be told we could not seek a second opinion.
None of us believe we could live in a place with only one grocery store, selling only junk food, and be expected to maintain good health.
Nobody I know would want to learn a trade but have the opportunity to work for only one employer.
And I’m certain no American would stand for living in a country where just one name, the same name, appeared on the ballot year after year.
Yet that’s exactly the situation we expect thousands of students, parents and even teachers in Georgia to accept. We can take one small but important step toward changing that by approving Amendment One and increasing their educational choices.
This amendment, which would affirm the state’s role in creating public charter schools, is neither a magic potion nor an indictment of all traditional public schools. Many traditional public schools do a fine job educating many of their students, and nothing about Amendment One would change that.
This amendment is, however, a recognition that our system of offering a single public school to any given student, based on nothing but that student’s place of residence, has squandered the potential of too many kids who needed a different approach.
It is true that some people manage to overcome educational adversity. We rightly celebrate those parents, many of them single parents, who take on additional jobs, who drive long distances, who uproot their families — who do anything it takes to ensure their children can attend better schools. We are justifiably proud of those teachers who transcend red tape and a lack of support to help kids beat the odds.
These stories are truly extraordinary, some of them seemingly superhuman. But it defies these words’ definitions to expect the extra-ordinary and super-human of every person who faces such daunting circumstances.
In a sense, the Rev. Joseph Lowery was right when he recently warned against modern-day school segregation. What he missed is that we’ve already segregated our students — into those who have good public schools, those who have the means to escape the bad ones, and those who have neither — and that the radio advertisements he recorded placed him on the side of those who have given us that segregation.
What he missed is that, in a land where opportunity is supposed to be as close to equal as we can make it, the civil rights issue of our time concerns that third group of students, who are ensnared in a system that diminishes their opportunities.
Opponents of Amendment One have cast it as a partisan, race-based measure, when support for this measure has united Georgians of various ideologies, backgrounds and colors in a way few recent political issues have. They have conjured all manner of supposition about the motives of those who support state charter schools or would approve them (or those who would appoint the approvers), about the numbers of schools that would be created and what their student bodies would look like, about what would happen to those who didn’t attend these new schools.
What they haven’t done is advance a persuasive defense of the system they seek to protect, the one that has left so many people so desperate for another choice.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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246 comments Add your comment
Aquagirl
November 5th, 2012
5:59 am
What they haven’t done is advance a persuasive defense of the system they seek to protect
Ah, the “if you oppose MY solution, you oppose a solution” card. I wondered how you were going to blow past the AJC story on how metro charter schools serve fewer poor students than the surrounding systems. Or yet another political buddy appointment to a state board by Gov. Deal. Ignore them, double down, and accuse those who don’t favor diverting money of sitting with the status quo. Well played Kyle.
That should be effective for a state full of fake conservatives not known for their critical thinking skills. I’m pretty sure the amendment will pass so it’s really not necessary to bend yourself into any more pretzels.
Michael H. Smith
November 5th, 2012
6:29 am
By the way Kyle, how is that 70 years of Republican control doing in the State of Georgia these day?
About as well as the above misspeaking person who originally told that big lie too!?
Wonderful how these loudmouth phonies always talk about freedom of choice and the right to choose so long as the choice is the one government chooses and not the individual’s choice.
Let the public education tax dollar follow the student.
mike
November 5th, 2012
6:31 am
Actually Rev. Lowery has not missed a thing about segregated schools. There are plenty of people in this state who recognize what is being done to the students and the educational system here. The mindset is to march education back to the 40s,50s and 60s under the guise of a better education system. What is ironic of the Georgia school system is it has been and probably will remain at the bottom of the list when compared to other states. You should be proud of the fact Georgia is at least ahead of Alabama and Mississippi. Reading about and watching school business in this state is better than going to the local comedy club. It would really be funny but the only people who seem to suffer are the children of this state.
Michael H. Smith
November 5th, 2012
6:45 am
Lowery should read the AJC more frequently before misspeaking on the issue of school re-segregation. When he does at least he can then speak with some level of intelligence on the subject of school re-segregation.
Georgia can also be proud that it does not rank in the top five in the country – as like California, Texas, NEW YORK and Washington D.C. – for adult illiteracy:
Way to rebound Georgia!
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right
November 5th, 2012
7:27 am
It doesn’t matter what the institution or how badly it screws up, liberals will cling to it like Velcro.
It’s clear to see they’ve abandoned “hope and change” and rejected moving “forward”, even when their institutions fail the very people they claim to want to help.
Streetracer
November 5th, 2012
7:35 am
Aquagirl:
Think maybe the difference in poor kids attending charter schools vs traditional public schools might have something to do with parental expectation? After all, it takes some commitment to get one’s child into the charter school.
Road Scholar
November 5th, 2012
7:48 am
“Nobody I know would want to learn a trade but have the opportunity to work for only one employer.”
I did!
“And I’m certain no American would stand for living in a country where just one name, the same name, appeared on the ballot year after year.”
You mean like Georgia where all you need is an “R” behind your name (I know it is a state, but it makes my point)
“This amendment, which would affirm the state’s role in creating public charter schools, is neither a magic potion nor an indictment of all traditional public schools.”
No the elected school board system does that. Charter Schools are already permitted, but by approval of our local school board, not by a board of UNELECTED cherry picked board members by the Governor. What, he has even more friends he wants to appoint to state management positions?
@@
November 5th, 2012
7:50 am
I voted in favor of the amendment.
According to Rev. Lowery, I’ll be going to hell for being white and having done so.
schnirt
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 5th, 2012
8:05 am
The more that people are educated enough to make critical decisions and have reasoned thinking, the less they vote for dummycrats.
What’s not to like about it?
Cherokee
November 5th, 2012
8:21 am
Sounds all touchy feely, Kyle.
The results, however, are already evident in states like Florida which are farther down this road. Higher costs to taxpayers, huge benefits to the private corporations who are pushing this, and further slippage in results for the poor children who are left behind in the public schools.
But hey it’s being pushed by Republicans, so the average Georgia voter, never too worried about logic, will vote for it. And it will probably pass.
Steven
November 5th, 2012
8:38 am
I see this thing as having no way of passage. Voted NO and so did all of my constituents. I see this Charter School saga work in other states as Florida. Parents want more choices then go to a private school and PAY the tuition.
roswell mom
November 5th, 2012
8:39 am
It’s so strange when a Republican starts telling you that government control needs to be moved to a centralized location. I expect them to start calling us comrade citizens next. But, if Kyle tells us these for–profit education companies funding this amendment to the tune of over $2M are here to help, well, how could anything go wrong.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
9:00 am
Get your shovels, Cons. Landslide incoming in less than 24 hours.
Tellthetruth
November 5th, 2012
9:10 am
@Steven. So you and ALL your constituents voted no. How would you know that? What do you do–take them to lunch, tell them to vote NO, tell them you’ll be watching as they vote and they better vote NO? Or did you just stand at the polling place and each told you how they voted. Thank God I am not your constituent! What this amendment is about is parents having the first and final say about their children’s education. They are tired of having school officials and others (like you) tell them what’s good or bad for them or their children. Children having a great experience and succeeding in their current school won’t leave. But the ones who are not will finally have a chance for another public school option where they may flourish. VOTE YES FOR AMENDMENT ONE IF YOU ARE TIRED OF BEING TOLD AS A PARENT WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR CHILD. VOTE YES BECAUSE YOU KNOW BEST.
Streetracer
November 5th, 2012
9:13 am
Tellthetruth:
AMEN!!!!
ByteMe - Got ilk?
November 5th, 2012
9:13 am
Opponents of Amendment One have cast it as a partisan, race-based measure
Strawman alert! Strawman alert!! Whoopp… Whoooppp…
I cast it as a partisan, campaign coffer-filling measure that once again takes away local control and moves it to appointees of the plantation owners who aren’t going to be beholden to the citizens of the district where these schools will be inflicted.
roswell mom
November 5th, 2012
9:15 am
tellthetruth – what makes you think that state sanctioned charter schools are going to be better than locally sanctioned charter schools? We’re talking about changing the constitution here and the money supporting the change is coming from out-of-state, for-profit “education” companies. I guess they think our pols can be bought cheaply and our money can be taken easily. They may be right.
independent thinker
November 5th, 2012
9:20 am
If someone can promise me that Tagg Romney and his company that owns private for profit schools and the Romney family will not make a dime along with other Republican vulture capitalists, I will vote for it. Of course it is really funny to see cons pushing for a bigger state agency in a Southern state to supplement local control so that the white kids do not have to be contaminated with the minorities and local riff raff . I guess that is how you end up with elitists like Mitt who could not give a flip about the little folks and the 47% who have never had to rub shoulders with them . Mandatory public service should be required to avoid such results
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
9:20 am
“Parents want more choices then go to a private school and PAY the tuition.”
I’m fine with that, Steven. Are you fine with giving me back my school taxes since I’m not going to use your failing system?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
9:23 am
This from our God-loving conservatives:
http://www.wtsp.com/news/watercooler/article/280771/58/NC-officials-investigate-hanged-Obama-effigy
Yeah, that’s what Jesus would do.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
9:24 am
Are you fine with giving me back my school taxes since I’m not going to use your failing system?
No, I think you ought to play by the rules like everyone else and stop looking for special treatment.
rwcole
November 5th, 2012
9:24 am
So Kyle is in favor of a bigger gov’t bureaucracy that takes control away from local officials and gives our tax dollars to out of state corporations. Typical Kyle.
Aquagirl
November 5th, 2012
9:25 am
They are tired of having school officials and others (like you) tell them what’s good or bad for them or their children.
Those parents don’t seem to have a problem accepting others’ money now, do they? Imagine that when you take someone’s tax dollars they get a say in how that money is spent. That’s really radical, someone should write it down somewhere. We could call it a “constitution.”
People who want my money without my input are called thieves.
commoncents
November 5th, 2012
9:25 am
roswell mom-
And you think doing nothing is going to have better results?
rwcole
November 5th, 2012
9:25 am
How many kids will receive a better education in GA because of this law. Or more importantly, how many millionaires will my tax dollars be subsidizing?????
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
9:26 am
I’m not sure that anyone on this blog has managed to type so much incorrect information into one post as not independent non-thinker has done @ 9:20.
Cutty
November 5th, 2012
9:26 am
If you really trust Deal, Chip Rogers, Ralston and the rest of the republicans to truly do what’s best for your child then vote yes for this farce.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
9:29 am
“I think you ought to play by the rules like everyone else and stop looking for special treatment.”
So according to Finn, “special treatment” is having my money taken from me with no benefit to me whatsoever, to pay for people I don’t know in order for them to receive benefits.
Got it.
Whatever
November 5th, 2012
9:30 am
This is flat out a lie. We have the choice to go to the ballot box and elect local board members who will approve charters. It’s a great system that all conservatives should love because it’s based on local control.
I don’t need an appointed board that I have no say over having this kind of control. Sounds like something Obama would come up with.
I guess cons only like local control when it suits their needs. That’s why I started being more of a moderate con.
BenDaho
November 5th, 2012
9:31 am
wondered how you were going to blow past the AJC story on how metro charter schools serve fewer poor students than the surrounding systems.
Liberal logic: lets deny choices and chances to students of wealtier families using the government to deny them the availability of an alternative. It’s only “fair” that they have the same options as poor people.
FairLady
November 5th, 2012
9:31 am
If many of us Georgians were not DESPERATELY wanting a change in education in GA, this vote would never have happened!! I’m so tired of GA continually being in the BOTTOM three in the Nation in Education. Anything that gives parents (ultimate local control ) unique and quality education options is a step in the right direction. Charter Schools will not replace district schools; they just give parents other options that may be better suited for their children. Charter Schools just need the opportunity to grow and flourish in GA, and without this amendment they will ultimately wither and die.
I voted YES for Amendment ONE, and to more charter schools in GA. This is a step forward away from the status-quo of being in the bottom of education in the Nation.
carlosgvv
November 5th, 2012
9:33 am
This ammendment is a real chance for fundamentalist parents to finally get themselves on school boards and stop those evil schools from teaching evolution and science and bringing education back to where it belongs, the unerring literal truth of The New Testament.
Cutty
November 5th, 2012
9:33 am
This will pass because the second type of republicans (suckers) will feel like the first type of republicans (the rich) in sending their kids to a charter school. Until they realize how much money is being made off of them. Of which Kyle has yet to write an ‘article’ on the financial aspect of amending the constitution.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
November 5th, 2012
9:34 am
End the bureaucrat-enforced system of educational apartheid. YES on Amendment 1. YES for change.
commoncents
November 5th, 2012
9:36 am
So glad I don’t have kids right now… the only way to not be seen as some sort of racist/bigot/elitist/republican snob by this group would be to willingly send my kid(s) to a failing school where they can get the same sub-par education as those kids with parents who don’t care about their own children’s future.
Question Man
November 5th, 2012
9:37 am
Isn’t Amendment One simply a way for the state officials to gut local control? Isn’t this Republican initiative the exact opposite of what Republicans supposedly stand for?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
9:39 am
“Isn’t Amendment One simply a way for the state officials to gut local control?”
No.
“Isn’t this Republican initiative the exact opposite of what Republicans supposedly stand for?”
No.
Thus ends this episode of ‘One-word Answers to Stupid Questions’.
Cutty
November 5th, 2012
9:39 am
Know commoncents, you can send ur kids wherever you want. I just don’t want to pay for it while you yell and scream about ‘those’ moochers.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
November 5th, 2012
9:40 am
Question Man, don’t libs support “choice” and “access”?
commoncents
November 5th, 2012
9:40 am
Cutty- blah blah blah “Until they realize how much money is being made off of them.”
Why again is making a profit a bad thing? Usually, making a profit means means having success. If someone has to make a profit in order for kids to receive a good education, then so be it.
The current education budget is more than enough to get quality results, yet we aren’t seeing them.
Aquagirl
November 5th, 2012
9:40 am
“special treatment” is having my money taken from me with no benefit to me whatsoever
Tiberius doesn’t understand why it’s to his benefit that we attempt to educate all children, instead of living in a society filled with illiterate dopes.
This doesn’t surprise me in the least.
BenDaho
November 5th, 2012
9:41 am
commoncents
November 5th, 2012
9:36 am
So glad I don’t have kids right now… the only way to not be seen as some sort of racist/bigot/elitist/republican snob by this group would be to willingly send my kid(s) to a failing school where they can get the same sub-par education as those kids with parents who don’t care about their own children’s future.
In a liberal’s mind this is only fair. Never mind that as a nation we get less bang for the buck than other nations on education.
CharterStarter, Too
November 5th, 2012
9:44 am
Kyle –
I just posted this on Maureen’s blog… thought you might find it …. interesting.
Indeed, billions ARE at stake… which is why the opposition is fighting so hard.
Take a look at this….
$1,638,888,503
That, my friends, is the amount of money we spend in this state on school district bureaucracy.
If anyone is wondering why the districts and their affiliate organizations are fighting so hard, it is because they are protecting THIS – they KNOW charters can do it more efficiently, and that scares them to death. They fear the public will catch on and demand this same efficiency.
Think about it.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
9:45 am
So according to Finn, “special treatment” is having my money taken from me with no benefit to me whatsoever, to pay for people I don’t know in order for them to receive benefits. Got it.
It’s called living in a society and contributing to that society. You don’t want to contribute? Move out.
commoncents
November 5th, 2012
9:47 am
Cutty- “Know commoncents, you can send ur kids wherever you want. I just don’t want to pay for it while you yell and scream about ‘those’ moochers.”
When I have kids, I will.
In the meantime, I am already paying for the horrible education of others. Paying for the education of others doesn’t fall under the “moochers” category, either. But it is a shame I’m being taxed to pay for the horrible education of others, when better alternatives are possible.
**Maybe if kids received a better education, we could also reduce the “moochers,” as you call them. I’d consider that a win-win
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
9:55 am
I’m all for contributing to society, Finn and Aquagirl (and my taxes – you know, those things you aren’t familiar with since you sponge off of society – more than “contribute”), but if I have school taxes taken out and I don’t use them, especially if I have kids of school age and my schools are as bad as they are in Georgia, why can’t I just get back what I pay in taxes to pay for their private education?
In case you missed it, it IS my money, you know.
And if my kids are no longer in that school system, the expense to have my kids in school is no longer needed as well, right?
I know this logical argument is lost on you two, but try to keep up, OK?
yuzeyurbrane
November 5th, 2012
9:56 am
Kyle, as pointed out by one poster, you nicely avoided talking about recent AJC investigative report that knocked the legs out from one of your most prominent arguments—namely that charter schools rescue poor kids from failing traditional public schools. Your silence resonates. Instead, you ask us the voter to take radical action out of your frustration with the current system. Not a true conservative’s philosophy. At most, the current state of education calls for continued experimentation and careful well-thought actions to reform the system. For me, I go by the walks like a duck philosophy and therefore I think it is fair to attribute selfish and ideological motives to many of the proponents of the Amendment. It seems like many of the proponents are engaged in an obvious push to emasculate and eventually destroy public education. What will replace elected county school boards? Who will set standards? Who will be hired? Who will fire? What will parents’ groups do to run schools? Answer: hire for profit companies whose main interest is the bottom line. Or maybe it will be such chaos that proponents will next propose vouchers good at both charter and private schools? Folks, think. A revolution (even a right-wing one) is easier to make than actually running something. Careful, well-thought reform is always the preferred alternative.
ragnar danneskjold
November 5th, 2012
9:57 am
Well argued, wish I had written that essay. Compliments.
zinc
November 5th, 2012
10:02 am
@ CharterStarter, Too
Maybe if the state loosened the strings & rules on public schools, they too could do a better job. I think it is silly to create another set of schools. Especially ones that get to play by different rules and then compare them to the public schools. If you want a choice…send your child to private school.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
10:04 am
This is like the Con argument about getting rid of illegals. Most con voters don’t understand that that group of people’s labor is in demand by those who run businesses and, by employing that group of people at low wages, allows them to keep their prices down.
You educate all the children as best you can. Some will go on to become doctors and lawyers, some will go on to become criminals, some will go on to become janitors. Even a limited education improves the employability of an individual and an employed individual spends money (ie, participates in our economy.)
Why do Cons have such an inability to understand the long game?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
10:06 am
In case you missed it, it IS my money, you know.,/i>
NO, it’s NOT your money. It is society’s money now. That is the amount you contributed to society so you can continue to work and prosper within its benefits, laws and protections.
JDW
November 5th, 2012
10:07 am
Well I for one am glad this will be over tomorrow…this is nothing more than a Republican led state level power grab designed to circumvent those local school boards that don’t toe the party line. It will dilute both funding and parental involvement in local schools and opens this state to excesses seen from charter explosions in other states.
Come on folks wake up and smell the coffee…there is a process for approving charters and a state level appeal ALREADY…this is a Trojan Horse.
Dusty
November 5th, 2012
10:11 am
Well, folks, have at it! I have already voted.
I read about this school issue. I thought about it.. I made up my mind. I voted. on it.
I hope you do the same.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
10:11 am
Private schools are there for those who believe they can “buy” a good education.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
10:12 am
“You educate all the children as best you can.”
And the funny thing is that this amendment doesn’t change that argument one tiny bit.
But again, logic escapes you, Finn.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
10:13 am
Here is info on the profit side of the Charter School scam:
http://www.alternet.org/dont-be-fooled-investors-charter-schools-are-cash-cows
Daily Headlines for November 5, 2012
November 5th, 2012
10:14 am
[...] Amendment One: A Chance At A Choice For Students Who Today Have Neither Atlanta Journal Constitution, GA, November 5, 2012 No one among us, if faced with a persistent disease and a physician who’d failed to cure it, would be content to continue consulting only that doctor — and, especially, to be told we could not seek a second opinion. [...]
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
10:15 am
Aquagirl, please do not parse my posts in order to make a point. If you cannot make a point against the ENTIRE argument, I suggest your time is best spent over at Bookman’s where that policy is excelled at.
Why can’t you defend the WHOLE truth?
Answer: Because you know that will expose a government institution of gross incompetence and mismanagement, and you can’t find yourself willing to admit that such a thing occurs each and every day.
And you didn’t answer my question on seniors. Go figure.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
10:15 am
Actually, most of the studies have shown the opposite: charter schools consistently rank at even or worse – sometimes much worse – than traditional public schools. For example, the Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) at Stanford University found that students in every single Pennsylvania cyber charter school performed “significantly worse” in reading and math than their peers in conventional public schools. That’s a 100% failure rate .
same link
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
10:16 am
“That is the amount you contributed to society so you can continue to work and prosper within its benefits, laws and protections.”
Really, Finn?
What “benefits” are my kids receiving if they are in a bad educational system, and I now not have to pony up extra money for them to get a better one, but still have to pony up my money to educate someone else’s kids?
Are you sure YOU graduated from an accredited school system? Because with “logic” like that, I’m not so sure.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
10:16 am
Aquagirl, please do not parse my posts in order to make a point. If you cannot make a point against the ENTIRE argument, I suggest your time is best spent over at Bookman’s where that policy is excelled at.
Why can’t you defend the WHOLE truth?
Answer: Because you know that will expose a government institution of gross incompetence and mismanagement, and you can’t find yourself willing to admit that such a thing occurs each and every day.
And I noticed that you didn’t answer my question on seniors. Go figure.
CharterStarter, Too
November 5th, 2012
10:17 am
@ Aquagirl –
On a small scale (i.e., 1 person’s whims), I can see your point… HOWEVER….
We have 60,000 kids sitting in start up charter schools right now. Keep in mind that only 4 school districts in this whole state have more than 60,000 kids.
We have 5,000 kids sitting on waiting lists right now. And you should know that 119 of our districts have LESS than 5,000 students.
We’re not talking about individual parent whims for their little Suzy Sunshine. We’re talking about massive amounts of parents who are demanding better from public education.
sneak peak into education
November 5th, 2012
10:19 am
You only have to look around the country to see the election battles, whether it is for the congress or all the way down to the school board, to see the millions being funneled into the campaigns supporting those who are running on the platform the privatize education through the policies of the right-wing group ALEC. And who is behind these groups that are buying these campaigns? In some instances they hide behind ambiguous names like “Americans for Responsible Leadership” and their real donors are not revealed and can remain in the dark, murky corners, all the while pumping millions into these campaigns to push their “privatization” agenda. Don’t be fooled into thinking they are workimg on your behalf; they are only interested in lining their pockets with tax payer money. kind of makes you think about what has happened with the out if state donors funneling huge money into the state to pass this amendment.
Vote smart and vote NO in NOvember for amendment 1.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
10:19 am
Looks like they changed the time on the server hosting this blog. Comments are now appearing before others made at a time that is now considered “later”.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
10:19 am
Yinzercation / By Jessie B. Ramey 5 COMMENTS
Don’t Be Fooled: For Investors, Charter Schools Are Cash Cows
In Pennsylvania and across the nation, investors are making big bucks off of charter schools, and donating huge sums to the politicians who protect their interests.
Continued from previous page
“Well, probably the charter school business. We said it’s our highest growth and most appealing sector right now of the portfolio. It’s the most high in demand, it’s the most recession-resistant. And a great opportunity set with 500 schools starting every year. It’s a two and a half billion dollar opportunity set in rough measure annually.”
Brain also told a nice whopper when the anchor asked him if there was any investment risk due to some public backlash against using taxpayer money to pay for charter schools. He claimed, “Most of the studies have charter schools at even or better than district public education.” Actually, most of the studies have shown the opposite: charter schools consistently rank at even or worse – sometimes much worse – than traditional public schools. For example, the Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) at Stanford University found that students in every single Pennsylvania cyber charter school performed “significantly worse” in reading and math than their peers in conventional public schools. That’s a 100% failure rate .
With such dismal results, investors really ought to be asking why Gov. Corbett’s administration keeps approving new charter school applications. Cyber charters in particular are charging taxpayers far more per student than it actually costs to educate them – to the tune of one million dollars per day sucked from our public coffers into the pockets of charter school operators. Pennsylvania already has 16 cyber charter schools – including four approved just this past summer – giving us one of the highest concentrations in the country. Yet the Department of Education just scheduled hearings on eight new cyber charter school applications.
Gary Miron, an education professor at Western Michigan University who studies charter schools, told the Post-Gazette, “Pennsylvania, as far as I know, has the most lucrative funding for virtual schools. It’s very favorable. It doesn’t surprise me more companies and entities want to come there for virtual schooling.”
Indeed. This is not about doing what is best for students. Charter schools have become investment opportunities for the wealthy and their portfolio managers, businesses that must be protected with favorable legislation bought by strategic campaign contributions. As these charter school operators feed at the public trough, they strip our public schools of desperately needed resources. It’s time to fight back. Public education is a public good, not a cash cow.
ouch!
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
10:20 am
Finn, get with the program. alternet and thinkprogress are BIASED and inaccurate sources of information, ‘kay?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
10:20 am
oops, sorry about that last long post.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
10:21 am
Tib, we all choose info sources we agree with.
Aquagirl
November 5th, 2012
10:24 am
I know this logical argument is lost on you two, but try to keep up, OK?
You’ve confused “logical argument” with “Randian fantasy.” .The greedy self-centered aspect of modern “conservatism” is well demonstrated by your attitude. That happens a lot with you, Tiberius.
In forty years or so when people are trying to understand how things got so bad they can read your comment in some dusty archive and see what folks were thinking. Or more accurately not thinking.
We pay for public education because we need an educated populace. Despite your claims of rugged independence, you enjoy the benefits of widespread education available to all children. It’s called modern civilization. It’s to your benefit someone you’ve never met can handle dispatches for Georgia Power, or fix a technical problem at a sewer plant, or read a set of blueprints and e-mail a contractor. Those people don’t fall out of the sky. You pay for their basic education. In return you get citizens capable of building and maintaining a civilization instead of planting corn and signing their name with an X.
The fact your thought process runs from A to A is noted, though. BTW that’s not logic, it’s just stunted thinking where you can’t draw inferences.
commoncents
November 5th, 2012
10:24 am
LBB
I think the “Trojon Horse” the liberals are touting was actually built by the children our education system failed… but, for lack of knowledge and history that should have been taught in our schools, they left it empty.
CharterStarter, Too
November 5th, 2012
10:24 am
@ Yuzeyourbrane – The AJC’s “investigative” report included both system and conversion charters, neither of which do open enrollment – they keep kids from their zoned schools. If you pull out start up charters that do open enrollment and compare it to the districts they serve, the charters serve a higher population of minority and economically disadvantaged kids.
@ Zinc – Actually, since 1993, districts have had the opportunity to use this flexibility through conversion charter schools. Recently many of these have not been renewed because they have not been autonomous enough for the district and aren’t USING the flexibility they have. Also, every single month the state BOE approves waivers from districts. These too are not maximized. Truth is, the districts want everything “even Steven.” It’s easier to manage.
The state dictates the WHAT, usually not the HOW – most of the nonsense teachers and administrators deal with is from local school district central offices.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
10:25 am
Note that if you see improprieties at voting locations tomorrow, use your cell phones to shoot video and that video can be posted at:
http://www.videothevote.org/
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
10:26 am
ALEC is the new boogeyman for the left.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
10:27 am
wow, some people appear to posting 30 minutes into the future. Nice software.
Don't Tread
November 5th, 2012
10:30 am
Opponents of Amendment One want to preserve the monopoly and throw more of our money at it. (Not for the kids’ benefit of course.)
CharterStarter, Too
November 5th, 2012
10:32 am
Enter your comments here….hmmmmmm…. thought I pressed submit, but it’s not showing up, so I’ll try again.
Aquagirl,
I understand what you are saying about individuals catering to individual children, but let me put it to you this way:
There are more than 60,000 students in start-up charter schools in the state. Only 4 school districts in this state have more than 60,000 students.
Over 5,000 students are sitting on waiting lists for start up charter schools. 118 school districts have less than 5,000 students.
We’re not talking about one or two parents catering to their Suzy Sunshines… we are talking about massive amounts of parents demanding quality public school choice.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
10:34 am
ok, go to any major newspaper site from Pennsylvania or Florida and do a search on “charter schools” and read through the articles. Go see what these other states are dealing with.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
10:34 am
Nice argument, Aquagirl, but this amendment doesn’t change your argument one bit.
You want stunted thinking? Look to your own response.
I have never stated that I do not want an educated society, nor that I am unwilling to pay for it. In fact, I am more than willing to pay for it. But if MY kids are not getting the value I perceive my tax dollars are paying for, then all I want is to take my kids and my money out of the system until such time as my kids have been educated.
You don’t care about the education of my kids one bit; all you want is MY MONEY.
Once again (and pay attention this time please), if my kids aren’t in the public school system as an expense, why should the public school system have the need for my money? Shouldn’t their expenses drop as kids are removed from the system, and if not, why not? How are they any different than a greedy corporation who finds a way to reduce the price to make a product, and refuses to pass along the savings to consumers?
Thomas hetward Jr
November 5th, 2012
10:37 am
A charter school is still a government school.
.
This whole effort was a huge misallocation of resources.
.\
The rational course is to advocate for personal tax deductions for private schools…………………….or nothing..
A great quote———
.
“when a society must ask permission from the state ………and INDEED…does so willingly, with eyes cast down…………… on how to eduacate the children , then you will know that your society is doomed”.
Thomas Heyward Jr.
St Simons
November 5th, 2012
10:42 am
Your obsession with this most heinous, sneaky, nasty, ALEC backed,
attempt to sneak this by the people of Georgia is disappointing.
If it was so great, why do you have to be so sneaky about it?
Why didn’t you word the “amemdment” truthfully?
Shall the Constitution be amended to take tax money from the People
to form private for-profit businesses to teach children that the earth is
6000 yrs old and Jesus rode on a dinosaur, and these schools will
have no standard curriculum accountability?
Russ Moore
November 5th, 2012
10:43 am
Kyle, you are channeling Ralph McGill – just as eloquent and memorable. Dr. Lowery shocked me the other day. You are speaking for his people – and any student and family – better than he is. I think it’s all been said now, and it’s in the hands of the voters. I’m voting YES!
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
10:44 am
Well put, St Simons. hehehehe
Aquagirl
November 5th, 2012
10:45 am
f my kids aren’t in the public school system as an expense, why should the public school system have the need for my money?
To educate children in general. Duh.
Once again, you show the shortsighted, self-centered thinking that if YOU PERSONALLY are not using a service at any given time, well, it’s just not needed.
You pay the same amount in taxes whether you have children in school or not. Or for that matter if you never have children, have twenty children, or build an entire self-financed school to serve thousands of kids.
If your tax money was specifically meant for YOUR kids, only parents of school age children would pay taxes. If you want to restructure the tax base that way, give it a shot. Let me know how you like cr@pping in your yard and doing your own surgery.
CharterStarter, Too
November 5th, 2012
10:45 am
http://www.econ.gatech.edu/files/papers/CharterSchools_0.pdf
Economist Christine Ries from Georgia Tech debunks claims made by the school districts…
Logical Dude
November 5th, 2012
10:46 am
Kyle: They have conjured all manner of supposition about the motives of those who support state charter schools or would approve them
Can you be more specific and try to handle each criticism? I know, I know, I saw the previous column, but it didn’t actually handle the major criticism.
This amendment is for money. Huge amounts of out of state money coming in to support this amendment so that those “in the know” will get huge amounts of money back.
We really don’t need a change in the constitution just for another government handout, now do we?
Russ Moore
November 5th, 2012
10:46 am
And sometimes I think it’s too bad that these blogs allow comments. It’s like I came into a showroom and looked at a priceless Rolls, and suddenly it’s surrounded by rusty cars on blocks covered in mud and weeds. Thank you for being there.
St Simons
November 5th, 2012
10:46 am
This is the most corrupt insidious thing ever attempted in Georgia, the
most corrupt state in the Union. and that’s saying something, buddy.
teaching taxpayer
November 5th, 2012
10:48 am
True CHOICE would mean we, the people, would ELECT the members of the state board that would spend OUR tax dollars. But no. Nathan Deal will APPOINT his CRONIES if this amendment passes. Say “No” to Deal’s cronies, and demand a better amendment in 2014. I am in favor of SCHOOL Choice and VOTER choice!
Streetracer
November 5th, 2012
10:50 am
As I have said before, money does not create great schools. Compare expenditures and outcomes for DC and South Dakota (or other plains states, for that matter). Educational outcomes depend ptimarily on parental expectation/ student desire and student work ethic. If parents or guardians don’t care and if students won’t do the work, it doesn’t matter how much money one throws at the school system.
bluecoat
November 5th, 2012
10:50 am
This is not about allowing charter schools.Which we now do have,and can continue to have.It’s about the state creating more government.So that it can appoint and decide where the schools are located,and how much more taxes you pay for these schools.What % money will go to these schools.This amendment is not about the mule,but who loads the wagon,and pays the freight.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
10:50 am
“If your tax money was specifically meant for YOUR kids, only parents of school age children would pay taxes. If you want to restructure the tax base that way, give it a shot.”
So I take it that you’re against seniors having their taxes eliminated for schools once they turn 65, Aquagirl?
‘Cause that’s what’s happening all over the state as counties get those breaks passed locally.
And nice of you to completely ignore my question, Aquagirl. If the school no longer has my kids in it, shouldn’t the EXPENSE to teach my kids be gone as well? So in your world, I not only have to pony up for my own kid’s education outside of the system, I have to pay for the crappy one others get, AND I have to continue to pay for expenses no longer being incurred by the school system?
Are you REALLY that dumb?
BenDaho
November 5th, 2012
10:52 am
Public education is setup for the common good for ALL in our state so that we can educate children and develop them into good citizens who will, in turn, keep the wheel turning to ensure that we all live in a civilized society
Really? I thought the children were in school to learn math science and proper grammar. Shouldn’t it be the parent’s responsibility to develop them into good citizens? If that’s what kids are being taught in school, no wonder Georgia is sucking hind t!t nationally in education.
CharterStarter, Too
November 5th, 2012
10:56 am
@ Teaching Taxpayer – You are a teacher? Good heavens! You DO know that the State Board of Education is established as an APPOINTED body UNDER OUR STATE’S Constitution?
If you want that changed, then do what we did, get 2/3 of the House and Senate to pass a resolution to put a question on the ballot for all Georgia’s voters to consider.
St Simons
November 5th, 2012
10:57 am
man up, cons. Pay it forward.
Somebody before you had to pay for YOU, but you shirk that
responsibility.
Typical cons.
JDW
November 5th, 2012
10:58 am
@Tiberius…”Are you REALLY that dumb?”
Actually the proper question is directed at you and goes like this…Are you really that selfish, self-centered and short sighted?
Yes you should pay school taxes so long as you are a member of society, seniors included. It’s called furthering civilization and it is everyone’s, you included, responsibility.
Matz
November 5th, 2012
11:00 am
Really? Another one, Mr. Wingfield? Dang, they must really have you in their pocket…. along with the tens or hundreds of millions they plan to milk from public schools into their corporate coffers if this ruse passes. Hope you held out for a good price. Once you give it up cheap, they’ll never pay you what you’re worth.
Streetracer
November 5th, 2012
11:04 am
Tiberius:
Don’t expect aquqirl to actually answer anything. She hasn’t responded to my response from early this morning.
sneak peak into education
November 5th, 2012
11:04 am
I cannot understand the blinkered approach by some who talk about THEIR tax money going to educate other children in our state when THEIR tax money should follow THEIR child. Public education is setup for the common good for ALL in our state so that we can educate children and develop them into good citizens who will, in turn, keep the wheel turning to ensure that we all live in a civilized society. If we don’t want to pay for schools, you WILL be paying for more prisons. Don’t be so short sighted.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
November 5th, 2012
11:04 am
The amendment isn’t about not paying for public schools. It’s about getting the most from the schools. If they weren’t so bad, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.
bluecoat
November 5th, 2012
11:04 am
Pony,mule,trojan horse,and jacka&&.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
November 5th, 2012
11:06 am
I don’t get the leftards wingnuts’ Trojan horse analogy. What’s inside it? We’ve already documented that it isn’t any of the things the defenders of the failed status quo are claiming.
Vote American.
Aquagirl
November 5th, 2012
11:08 am
So in your world, I not only have to pony up for my own kid’s education outside of the system, I have to pay for the crappy one others get
Yes. I realize this comes as a shock to someone whose concern begins and ends with their wallet, even if they benefit from other people’s wallets. You benefit from educating other people’s children. If you think your tax dollars are being misspent, you complain to the school board, which disburses your tax dollars.
If you don’t like your local roads, you contact your elected representatives. You don’t demand tax-free gas so you can build your own roads. (Unless you’re insane, and let’s not go there.
) If you maintain your own driveway you still have to pay for public roadways. And even if you never own a car you still pay for public roads, because without them you’d be living in a log cabin and eating whatever you could find within walking distance.
Are YOU really that dumb? Actually I don’t think so, I think your main impediment is sheer selfishness and inability to reason past yourself and your immediate environment.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
11:11 am
Answered your post earlier when the time changed on the server, Aquagirl, but the bottom line is that if you cannot answer my questions fully, and have to parse my words to make your point, you’ve lost the argument.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
11:12 am
And the same goes for you as well, JDW.
Junior Samples
November 5th, 2012
11:22 am
Tell me Kyle,
How committed are you to this amendment?
Are you willing to compromise, on say… your view on the failed t-splost tax?
How about, for the sake of your kids, letting Marta receive state funds (like other large cities), without state control, without privatization?
Or maybe increasing taxes to reduce the deficit?
After all, it’s for the children. Right?
JDW
November 5th, 2012
11:24 am
@Tiberius…”And the same goes for you as well, JDW.”
I have parsed nothing. I find your entire argument, as posted, selfish and short sighted. Schools are a function of society at large and should be supported by the entirety of society. It makes no difference if you have kids, don’t have kids, send your kids to private school, are a senior or any other perceived loophole.
teaching taxpayer
November 5th, 2012
11:31 am
Gotta love that Charters Starter Too’s reasoning: Since we already have one unelected body spending taxpayer dollars on education, we must also vote to approve another. And unless I can somehow conjure 120 state house members to propose an amendment making the State Board of Education an elected body, I can’t oppose Amendment 1.
The State Board of Education is not on the ballot this year. Nathan Deal’s CRONIES being appointed to GIVE TAX DOLLARS to their well-connected friends is. Vote “No” to unelected, unaccountable cronies, and demand a better amendment in 2014!
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
11:34 am
No, JDW, you’ve parsed nothing. You’ve just AVOIDED the questions you don’t want to answer.
Just as bad.
But entirely expected.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
11:35 am
Where is the Tea Party?
OWS support for those affected by Hurrican Sandy:
• Thursday, Nov. 1. Meals: 5-6,000. Volunteers: 400. Cars: 25.
• Friday, Nov. 2. Meals: 10-11,000. Volunteers: 700. Cars: 50-60 (including several bio-diesel buses).
• Saturday, Nov. 3. Anticipated meals: 15-16,000. Anticipated volunteers: 1,500. Anticipated cars: 80-100.
The numbers were astounding; the group was nearly doubling every day. By Friday night, Occupy Sandy had set up 37 pickup/dropoff locations all over the city where people could leave supplies, food, water, or clothing to be brought to one of three distribution centers: St. Jacobi church in Sunset Park, the Red Hook Initiative in Red Hook and a community center in Gerritsen Beach. By Saturday morning, the group expected to add three more distribution denters: one in Clinton Hill, one in East New York, and a second, with a massive kitchen, in Sunset Park.
Tea Party?? Hello?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
11:36 am
oops, here is the link:
http://www.alternet.org/occupy-wall-street/how-occupy-sandys-relief-machine-stepped-post-superstorm-void
CharterStarter, Too
November 5th, 2012
11:41 am
@ Teaching Taxpayer –
Perhaps since it is 11:35 and you’ve been on here more than an hour, perhaps you should, TEACHER, go do your job and teach. Anyway, I digress…
Actually HR 1162 (which is the amendment and the ballot language) ONLY deals with giving the state shared authority to approve charter schools. It does not define who or how.
HB 797, which was drafted by ELECTED OFFICIALS – LOCALLY – actually sets up the Commission.
southpaw
November 5th, 2012
11:42 am
St. Simons @10:42
Which species of dinosaur was it? A thesaurus?
I guess if the amendment should be re-worded the way you suggest, then the answer to “Who cannot start a charter school in Georgia?” in the link below should be re-worded as well. Since the topic is schools, you may want to educate yourself.
http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/External-Affairs-and-Policy/Charter-Schools/Pages/Frequently-Asked-Questions-for-New-Petitioners.aspx
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
11:42 am
Tea Party members were busy:
A) Donating money to relief efforts as they actually earn money (OWS people don’t)
B) Taking care of their own problems instead of waiting for government to fix them
C) All of the above.
JDW
November 5th, 2012
11:49 am
@Tiberius…”You’ve just AVOIDED the questions you don’t want to answer.”
What is it you think I have missed…or did you use invisible type?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
12:01 pm
Oh, just the stuff about why you and Aquagirl think that I shouldn’t get MY money back from the government if I think their crappy school system isn’t going to educate my kids properly.
And why, if my kids aren’t causing an expense to educate them in the school system, why the school system still needs that money?
Are you saying that schools can’t be run efficiently? If the amount of kids are reduced the expense to run the schools shouldn’t be?
teaching taxpayer
November 5th, 2012
12:03 pm
CharterStarter, Too, I have to give you credit for making one true point: “I digress.” Anyone who doesn’t believe Nathan Deal will APPOINT cronies rather than allowing us to ELECT the members of the Charter Board is deluded. Vote “No” to Deal’s CRONIES, and demand a better amendment!
question
November 5th, 2012
12:08 pm
So is this what the states in the top 3rd of the educational rankings are doing? If not, then what’s the point? Seems like we should be following the model of the states that provide the best education, which seems to be happening somewhere in this country. Being ranked 47th means that we need to look past the liberal / conservative name calling and start figuring out how to improve our situation.
mike
November 5th, 2012
12:13 pm
Again! with the charter school amendment! Can you say T-SPLOST?
If you:
* want to take control of your schools away from your local county and hand it over to some state bureaucracy
* want to see your property taxes rise to fund private Christian schools for the rich
* want to see the quality of education diminish as for-profit “education” companies squeeze out profits by hiring unqualified, uncertified, part-time teachers with high turnover because of low pay and benefits
then, by all means, vote for Amendment 1 the “Charter Schools” amendment.
You get what you pay for!
JDW
November 5th, 2012
12:14 pm
@Tiberius…”Oh, just the stuff about why you and Aquagirl think that I shouldn’t get MY money back from the government if I think their crappy school system isn’t going to educate my kids properly.”
What you get is the opportunity to get off your butt and down to your local PTA to be part of the solution rather than someone that just whines. You also get the opportunity to elect your local school board and encourage them to create solutions.
“And why, if my kids aren’t causing an expense to educate them in the school system, why the school system still needs that money?”
In case you haven’t noticed more kids come along every year. Your responsibility to our society is continue to participate…yes that means pay you taxes even if your kids aren’t in school.
“Are you saying that schools can’t be run efficiently? If the amount of kids are reduced the expense to run the schools shouldn’t be?”
Nope not saying that at all. In fact I think they can be run a great deal more efficiently and better than they currently are. That’s why between my wife and I we probably spend 20 to 30 hours a week on school related activities. As for the number of kids…its not really going down…if it were to decline then then variable costs should as well.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
12:21 pm
“If you:
* want to take control of your schools away from your local county and hand it over to some state bureaucracy”
Already debunked many times. Control remains with the local school system. This is just an appeals board if the local system denies an application. Why must you continue to lie?
“* want to see your property taxes rise to fund private Christian schools for the rich”
Already debunked numerous times. These are STILL public schools and cannot teach religion. Why do you continue to lie?
“* want to see the quality of education diminish as for-profit “education” companies squeeze out profits by hiring unqualified, uncertified, part-time teachers with high turnover because of low pay and benefits”
Already debunked numerous times, mike. Why do you continue to lie?
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 5th, 2012
12:24 pm
Five hundred retired generals and admirals are running an ad in Monday’s editions of The Washington Times calling on the country to elect Republican Mitt Romney on Tuesday.
Any questions?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
12:24 pm
Yes, Tiberius, you can debunk a lot of that with this one measure. The problem is, this isn’t the final goal. This is just a step on the way to making fat cats rich with taxpayer dollars while diverting money away from public schools where it is needed..
mike
November 5th, 2012
12:25 pm
Tiberius: I think the good people of Georgia have more common sense than you give them credit for. Amendment 1 will go down to humiliating defeat just like T-SPLOST did. You cite that the points I have made have been debunked but you don’t post any link or quotes from links to back it up. Why is that?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
12:25 pm
“What you get is the opportunity to get off your butt and down to your local PTA to be part of the solution rather than someone that just whines.”
A non-answer, otherwise known as a deflection. Always used when one cannot anser the question without looking like a fool.
And I never whine.
“In case you haven’t noticed more kids come along every year. ”
As do more parents and more tax dollars. Are you sure you’re in business?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
12:26 pm
“The problem is, this isn’t the final goal. This is just a step on the way to making fat cats rich with taxpayer dollars while diverting money away from public schools where it is needed..”
Your opinion, no matter how mistaken, is noted, Finn.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
12:27 pm
Any questions?
It’s not the military’s place to try to persuade voters to either direction. The military is supposed to serve the commander in chief with disregard for any party. These guys have stepped out of bounds so why would I even consider their choice?
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 5th, 2012
12:27 pm
MICHELLE: ‘Imagine what Barack can do in 4 more years’…
I did.
Why do you think I’m voting for Romney?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
12:28 pm
“You cite that the points I have made have been debunked but you don’t post any link or quotes from links to back it up. Why is that?”
Because anyone can simply go to the side of this blog and re-read Kyle’s evisceration of your points over the past couple of weeks by clicking on previous columns, mike.
JamVet
November 5th, 2012
12:29 pm
Kyle, what the hey?
No 11th hour expose on how Morphing Mitt and Lyin’ Ryan have gaffed their way to another embarrassing White House loss for the neocons?
But then maybe unicorns do exist and these frauds will win!
KEEP HOPE ALIVE!
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
12:34 pm
“It’s not the military’s place to try to persuade voters to either direction. The military is supposed to serve the commander in chief with disregard for any party. These guys have stepped out of bounds so why would I even consider their choice?”
Spoken like someone who has never actually served in the military, Finn.
Here’s the deal, Finn – these are RETIRED military, not active duty. Once retired, they may engage in any activity protected by the very Constitution they swore to defend (something you never bothered to do).
Of course, defending this nation from enemies both foreign and domestic is simply above your pay grade, so your judgement on THEIR judgement really doesn’t matter.
Darwin
November 5th, 2012
12:34 pm
Incorrect Kyle. They have a choice today from the local school boards. Interesting how the right wing always talks about local control, eh?
Rush
November 5th, 2012
12:35 pm
Let’s have a shout out for JDW and the explanation on variable costs….Woo Hoo
Aquagirl
November 5th, 2012
12:41 pm
Your responsibility to our society is continue to participate…yes that means pay you taxes even if your kids aren’t in school.
Y’all don’t get it. When Tiberius pays education taxes, that’s HIS money. When other people pay education taxes, that’s also HIS money to be spent educating HIS kids in HIS preferred style.
If you think it’s other people’s job to pay for your child’s education (but the reverse doesn’t apply) then you need some WIC voucher cheese to go with that whine. They pair so well.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
12:44 pm
Where is CC today? Did he not buy a cable long enough to receive teh interwebs in his bunker?
Hopefully, he is at his DR office getting a prescription for anti-depressants. It’s gonna be a long 4 years. (err, 8 years if you ask Newt.)
Rush
November 5th, 2012
12:45 pm
Watergirl:
Why don’t senior citizens have to pay for education on their local taxes? It’s for the good of the group, right? How do they avoid these payments to benefit society? What makes them so special?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
12:46 pm
“When Tiberius pays education taxes, that’s HIS money. When other people pay education taxes, that’s also HIS money to be spent educating HIS kids in HIS preferred style. ”
Liar. If you can’t make the case without lying, I suggest Bookman’s.
I have already stated I merely want the school portion of my taxes given to me for my children’s education while they are in a private school. Not before or after, just during their educational years.
Why can’t you stay on topic, Aquagirl, instead of lying to try to make a phony point?
Oh, that’s right – you’re a liberal. That’s all you’ve got.
JDW
November 5th, 2012
12:46 pm
@Tiberius…”non-answer, otherwise known as a deflection. Always used when one cannot anser the question without looking like a fool.”
You mean an answer you don’t like…much easier to whine than to work…it is an answer just the same.
“And I never whine.”
Just to limit myself to the last 10 minutes…
WHINE—”my kids aren’t causing an expense to educate them in the school system, why the school system still needs that money”
WHINE–”I shouldn’t get MY money back from the government if I think their crappy school system isn’t going to educate my kids properly”
Now for this gem…”As do more parents and more tax dollars. Are you sure you’re in business?”
Really I missed the tide of rising revenue lately…must be why Fulton County has slashed spending per child from $9943 in 2008 to $8784 in 2012…maybe you want to rethink that slight error in the obvious. While you are doing that you might contemplate your own mortality because along with the new taxpayers coming in there is an exodus as well.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
12:46 pm
What makes them so special?
They already paid their dues to society?
Rush
November 5th, 2012
12:48 pm
Finn:
Careful poking fun at others…..try the spell check in Word before sending your posts….and the 4 year comment….do you really think zero bama will win? If so, what will he do different than the prior 4 years that will improve upon the past 4 years?
Aquagirl
November 5th, 2012
12:52 pm
Why don’t senior citizens have to pay for education on their local taxes? What makes them so special?
They aren’t exempt everywhere, sounds like you live in Deadbeatville. If you want to suck up those extra taxes so grandma can go on a cruise that’s between you and your elected officials.
Rush
November 5th, 2012
12:52 pm
Nice attempted dodge….What is the $ threshold for paying your dues to society? Or is it a % of your lifetime earnings? Or is there a certain group of people that decides at what point you have paid enough of your dues irrespective of $ amount or % of earnings? Just curious to understand the rational.
JamVet
November 5th, 2012
12:55 pm
If so, what will he do different than the prior 4 years that will improve upon the past 4 years?
Great question, meat!
I voted against him last time and will do so again tomorrow.
And I told my lib friends in November 2008, “prepare to be disappointed. This guy is NOT who you think he is”.
His first administration was MUCH too similar to the loser who preceded him. Pro-war and pro-corporations uber alles.
Chances are slim, but maybe, just maybe, the liberal BHO will show up in the next four years.
Then your already insane teeth gnashing will grow exponentially.
Which would be even bigger and better entertainment…
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
12:59 pm
Only in JDWville does asking questions (that remain unanswered, btw) constitute “whining”.
Streetracer
November 5th, 2012
1:00 pm
JDW:
If Fulton County is spending 8700+ per student, don’t you think that ranking 40something in the country is less than optimal?
Rush
November 5th, 2012
1:04 pm
Glad to return the amusement, Jam. Tell us again how you dutifully served “our” country and that you deserve no question about your interpretation on what this country needs. As stated in a previous posts….you will be on a street corner with a tin cup in your hand (if not so already).
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
1:04 pm
Rush,
first of all, don’t tell others how to blog, lose some weight, lay off the oxycontin.
Now, I expect Obama to:
1) address immigration reform
2) put liberal judges on the supreme court
3) Maybe reform the tax code
4) continue implementing ACA Obamacare
That’s a start
Rush
November 5th, 2012
1:06 pm
$8700 per student, Streetracer? Are you sure that number isn’t much higher? Either way an excellent point is raised about what we are really paying for and the results derived.
Rush
November 5th, 2012
1:09 pm
Study hard, Finn. Study hard. As you age the liberalism disease currently infecting you will subside. Appears you may be afflicted with delusional thoughts at this point also.
Aquagirl
November 5th, 2012
1:11 pm
I have already stated I merely want the school portion of my taxes given to me for my children’s education while they are in a private school. Not before or after, just during their educational years.
You’ve clearly stated you don’t want to pay taxes, we get that. Again, not surprising. If school taxes aren’t for YOUR child, why should you be exempt? Aside from your grandiose feeling of entitlement? Lots of men today seem to feel like they should get all sorts of butt-kissing for supporting their own children. My dad set a different standard so I consider it normal behavior and it’s what I expected of my husband. The men in my life have thought it routine and not reason for a parade or government kickbacks.
If you go to the grocery store and *don’t* use a SNAP card you don’t get a special award cookie either. You’re choosing not to use taxpayer funds to support your child. If that makes you feel special and massively important and entitled to tax breaks then it’s your god-given right to puff your ego out. I’m not even bothering for a golf clap.
Of course if you do use a SNAP card to feed your kids you’ll take a large ration of judgmental yakking from folks who resemble yourself. In that case taking taxpayer money to spend as you see fit on your child makes you an unAmerican parasite worthy of derision.
Mmmmmm, I love me some conservative hypocrisy, as long as it’s a way downwind.
Rush
November 5th, 2012
1:12 pm
Finn:
Forgot to compliment you on using spell check for those tough words like oxycontin. Well done and you are a quick learner. Kudos.
Rush
November 5th, 2012
1:15 pm
Men in your life? That’s rich.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
1:17 pm
Study hard, Finn
It never ends.
JDW
November 5th, 2012
1:19 pm
@Streetracer…”If Fulton County is spending 8700+ per student, don’t you think that ranking 40something in the country is less than optimal?”
I think you need new data…according to the ALEC Report Card on American Education Georgia ranks 27th which is roughly equivalent to where we rate on the spending scale as well.
http://www.alec.org/publications/report-card-on-american-education/
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
1:23 pm
Rush, have you located your shovel?
You’re gonna need it to get out from under the Obama landslide tomorrow.
Aquagirl
November 5th, 2012
1:23 pm
Men in your life? That’s rich.
Of course I keep men around. You think I make my own sammiches? Last time I tried that I broke a nail.
teaching taxpayer
November 5th, 2012
1:31 pm
Rush, I’m afraid you walked right into Aquagirl’s delicatessen with the “Men in your life” comment. Is that egg or mustard on your face?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
1:32 pm
Me; “I have already stated I merely want the school portion of my taxes given to me for my children’s education while they are in a private school. Not before or after, just during their educational years.”
Aquagirl: “If school taxes aren’t for YOUR child, why should you be exempt?”
You lady, are an idiot. Read above. Are you being deliberately dense, or is this your normal mode of operation?
JDW
November 5th, 2012
1:37 pm
@Tiberius…”“I have already stated I merely want the school portion of my taxes given to me for my children’s education while they are in a private school. Not before or after, just during their educational years”
What you can’t tell us is why…is it ’cause you just want to? Why should you get a refund? If you choose to abdicate your responsiblity to the public school system and pay for private education fine…but there are no tax refunds.
JamVet
November 5th, 2012
1:38 pm
Rush thinks all women are sluts, prostitutes and FemiNazis.
And he has the videos to prove it!
Long Live the War on Women!
Dusty
November 5th, 2012
1:42 pm
Aquagirl,
You don’t make your own sammiches?? I do. My husband cured me of dependency with a sammich of cold bread with one smear of mustard and a dried up cold cut.
But, when I “cook” dinner, he opens all the cans. For a reward, there’s the occasional Banquet frozen dinner fresh from the microwave.
When Cordon Blu opens their charter school, I may attend. The family has already voted for that.
Aquagirl
November 5th, 2012
1:46 pm
You lady, are an idiot.
Temper, temper Tiberius. I’ve paid school taxes all my life and support learning for ALL children.The fact you don’t understand those taxes aren’t for YOUR child personally isn’t my fault. If you don’t understand this simple concept I’m not the reason for your blown gasket.
Aquagirl
November 5th, 2012
1:58 pm
My husband cured me of dependency with a sammich of cold bread with one smear of mustard and a dried up cold cut.
Let me guess: the first time he had to do laundry he “mistakenly” mixed the whites with six or seven unwashed bright red towels.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
2:07 pm
“What you can’t tell us is why…is it ’cause you just want to? Why should you get a refund?”
Because as you libs love to parrot – because it’s the fair thing to do. If the public school system is as bad as this is (enough to get me to consider going elsewhere to get a better education for my children), the fair thing to do is to at least let me have the money being taken from me to use for that better product.
“If you choose to abdicate your responsiblity to the public school system and pay for private education fine…but there are no tax refunds.”
I am NOT abdicating anything, JDW. No one parent can change an inadequate school system. It is morally wrong to continue to take taxes to pay for something that is substandard when something better is available, especially given that the cost to educate my kids are now reduced because they are not in the system.
Rush
November 5th, 2012
2:09 pm
Good one Jam. You are a great American. We know what I am but tell us when you stopped beating your wife?
Dusty
November 5th, 2012
2:09 pm
I am really getting a bit tired of people trying to condemn Governor Deal. Of course, it is mainly those who prefer a Democrat in any office. So we can ignore them
Then there are those who think an honest politician was never born. We can ignore them too
So our governor had accusations hurled at him in Congress, that place of fairness and equaliy. But there are no indictments, no jail time, on the record of our Georgia governor.
Now the misfits are howling because the governor appoints people he knows who just happen to be the most prominent citizens in Georgia. They come out of outstanding places like Georgia Tech, Emory and many others. They are often leaders in business and expert in work.
So Governor Deal appoints outstanding people from Georgia for state positIons . Where do you think he will look for experts? CHICAGO?? .When he’s got them in Georgia?
Then the trashy “tributes” go on to vilify Govenor Deal for saving his daughter from bankruptcy at his own expense. Yeah, that don’t mean nuthin!!!
So relax, fellow Georgians. Governor Deal is quietly going about tending the business of the state and doing it quite well. If you don’t like it, you know what you can do. Here’s my version of an old favorite: Greyhound is going in all directions and they are ready to ride when you are..
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
2:09 pm
“The fact you don’t understand those taxes aren’t for YOUR child personally isn’t my fault.”
Right. The taxes taken from me by force while my kids are supposed to be in the school system aren’t for teaching them.
Got it.
Is there any wonder, with beliefs such as Aquagirl has, that we need to greatly improve our educational system in this nation?
Count Down
November 5th, 2012
2:14 pm
Dusty
Are you unable to comprehend that people do not have to have the same opinion as you do? Not having that opinion doesn’t mean they have to leave the state.
I assume you do not like Obama. I’m sure you are blogging from the US and have chosen not to leave.
And as for you being tiered of this or that, who cares?
Count Down
November 5th, 2012
2:15 pm
“tired of this or that…….”
Aquagirl
November 5th, 2012
2:16 pm
The taxes taken from me by force while my kids are supposed to be in the school system aren’t for teaching them.
Got it.
Finally, he gets it. Those taxes come out of your pocket irregardless. They’re not for your precious snowflakes because the entire universe doesn’t revolve around you and your kids. Now was that so difficult?
Next week: Tiberius joins wingnut militia, demands rebate from the DOD.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
2:16 pm
The taxes taken from me by force
Who is forcing you? You can choose to not pay taxes. It is your right. And we will even put you up in one of our federally-owned institutions – at taxpayer expense – for as long as you would like to stay.
And you are guaranteed to make lots of new friends in our facility.
Dusty
November 5th, 2012
2:17 pm
Aquagirl,
OOPS! You mean you don’t mix reds and whites in the laundry? Honest?……. Drat!.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
2:18 pm
Is there any wonder, with beliefs such as Aquagirl has, that we need to greatly improve our educational system in this nation?
Yes, because you can’t comprehend what she is talking about.
Rush
November 5th, 2012
2:18 pm
Finn:
The shovel is ready to throw some dirt on the corpse of the past four years….the bell tolls for thee libtards.
JDW
November 5th, 2012
2:19 pm
@Tiberius…”because it’s the fair thing to do”
Except that it is not…for example you might as well say:
I live in a low crime neighborhood, I think you should rebate the portion of my taxes that go to Police protection because I don’t need it.
I really did not need military protection this year could you rebate the portion of my taxes that went to the military?
I pay my taxes and don’t cheat so could you not charge me for the IRS this year?
I could go on and on but the argument doesn’t hold water no matter how you use it.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
2:20 pm
Rush, this studying is making me hungry. Can you add some fries to my burger order? Snap to it.
JDW
November 5th, 2012
2:21 pm
@Tiberius…”I am NOT abdicating anything, JDW. No one parent can change an inadequate school system.”
That is where you are doubly wrong…by not participating in the education system you ARE abdicating and one person most certainly can change a school…if they try.
Aquagirl
November 5th, 2012
2:22 pm
OOPS! You mean you don’t mix reds and whites in the laundry? Honest?……. Drat!.
LOL….taking a page from the menz’ book. I never thought I’d say this but…well played Dusty.
Rush
November 5th, 2012
2:24 pm
I think watergirl most likely mixed bleach and ammonia together and enjoyed the fumes…..may explain some of the various blogs.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
2:29 pm
“I live in a low crime neighborhood, I think you should rebate the portion of my taxes that go to Police protection because I don’t need it.”
Your point? If I choose to defend myself and pledge to never call the police, why should I pay for them? I realize you don’t understand the concept of personal responsibility, JDW, but even that should be obvious to you.
“I really did not need military protection this year could you rebate the portion of my taxes that went to the military?”
Wrong. The military is actually one of the few expressed roles of government, therefore, I have no problem with that.
“I pay my taxes and don’t cheat so could you not charge me for the IRS this year?”
Wrong. Cheating has little to do with the costs for the IRS. Administration in collecting does. Here’s a hint, JDW – don’t try to out logic me – you’re not capable of that.
“I could go on and on but the argument doesn’t hold water no matter how you use it.”
And I’m sure you will, but you’ll still be wrong.
Dusty
November 5th, 2012
2:29 pm
Count down
Do you have a guilty conscience or something? You assume too much. I ‘m not depriving anyone of their freedom of speech, just wasted speech.
I do dislike those who accuse others of dishonesty when there is none.
Now go vote for whomever you like just as I have already done. I will support whomever is elected, I doubt that you will. Just my opinion, dear heart.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
2:31 pm
“one person most certainly can change a school…if they try.”
Please cite five school systems that have been demonstrably improved by the actions of one person, JDW.
I figure that with 50 states to choose from, this should be easy for you.
Dusty
November 5th, 2012
2:32 pm
Thank you, Aquagirl, I’m pink with joy.
Count Down
November 5th, 2012
2:32 pm
Dusty
Quit being a hypocrite. Your post speaks of others leaving the state. You be the example and leave the country.
If you actually believe what you posted and you are still in the US, you are a hypocrite.
Stop being a sheep and become a leader. If you advocate for others to so something, be willing to do it yourself or have already done it.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
2:33 pm
Aquagirl, your arguments are precisely what I’ve come to expect from people with years of government education.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
2:42 pm
Well, it’s not an improvement, but the single person who was head of the Atlanta Schools during the cheating scandal was a single individual who affected an entire system.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
2:45 pm
Warning, arguing with Tiberius is like arguing with a 2-year old. Before you know it, he will be saying the sky isn’t blue cause, in his world, the sky is orange.
Streetracer
November 5th, 2012
2:45 pm
Rush @ 12: something:
I don’t owe any dues to soceity. Neither does anyone else. I owe help to my family. friends, neighbobors The idea here is that folks take care of esch other; it’s not governments job.
JDW
November 5th, 2012
2:48 pm
@Tiberius…”Please cite five school systems that have been demonstrably improved by the actions of one person, JDW.”
Pick any existing school that has been converted to a charter…they all started the process with the action of ONE person that subsequently involved others. That would be one person that DID NOT go to private school, DID NOT sit home and whine about paying taxes and DID get off their butt and participate.
As for your Police, Military and IRS “rationale” OMG do you really believe that trash?
mike
November 5th, 2012
2:51 pm
Finn: “Warning, arguing with Tiberius is like arguing with a 2-year old. Before you know it, he will be saying the sky isn’t blue cause, in his world, the sky is orange.”
I’m convinced he and all the other cons on this blog have a “black box” where they pour in your posts, pull the handle and out pops a nonsensical, illogical, meaningless reply.
If the “black box” jams, they simply call you a liar.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
2:55 pm
The idea here is that folks take care of esch other; it’s not governments job.
LOL. That is the VERY definition of government.
Junior Samples
November 5th, 2012
2:55 pm
Apparently, Tiberius has a problem with society.
Let’s pray he’s not writing his own manifesto.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
2:59 pm
Anyone have a deserted island they can offer to Tiberius to live and educate his kids with no interference from any other kids, teachers, or society in general?
Aquagirl
November 5th, 2012
3:01 pm
If I choose to defend myself and pledge to never call the police, why should I pay for them?
Well, that clears that up. U NO LIKE? U NO PAYS!!!!!
A lot of so-called conservatives prance around in their tricorn hats pretending they’re oppressed. In reality, they’re just sore losers. Your personal feelings about public services can be expressed at the ballot box. If you’re on the losing side—like the T-SPLOST yes voters—you suck it up. Or at least that’s what grownups do. YMMV.
And Tiberius, my parents paid for my education up to high school. Unlike you their primary concern was me, not their wallet. My government education was courtesy of the Army. And strangely enough I didn’t get a deduction for defense costs.If you’d bothered to get a real education like that you probably wouldn’t whine as much when you don’t get your way.
So please, call your county and announce you’re the Police Force of One. They’ll send a cop…who also pays county taxes for police services and is presumably capable of defending himself…to escort you to a comfy room on a mental ward. Taxpayers will happily foot the bill.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
3:01 pm
“Pick any existing school that has been converted to a charter…they all started the process with the action of ONE person that subsequently involved others.”
I accept your surrender, JDW.
You do NOT get to change the rules to make your argument.
“As for your Police, Military and IRS “rationale” OMG do you really believe that trash?”
And yes, I do believe it, because it is not trash. The Founding Fathers would have disagreed mightily with you, but since you wouldn’t recognize their wisdom or achievements, it would be lost on you.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
3:05 pm
“Apparently, Tiberius has a problem with society.”
Apparently, Junior Samples has a problem with reading comprehension.
And English in general.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
3:07 pm
“And Tiberius, my parents paid for my education up to high school. Unlike you their primary concern was me, not their wallet. My government education was courtesy of the Army.”
I’d ask for a refund, Aquagirl. On BOTH counts.
Just goes to show that money can’t buy intelligence.
Streetracer
November 5th, 2012
3:08 pm
Finn @ 2:55:
NO!!! Governments job is to provide national security, public safety, and a stable economic system. Nothing more. Read the Constitution. In your world, I guess, if I make bad decisions, the government should fix it for me?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
3:11 pm
Kyle should charge Tiberius rent. Dude lives on here.
mike
November 5th, 2012
3:12 pm
Tiberius, don’t you let all these libs “get your goat.” You do have a goat, don’t you?
Aquagirl
November 5th, 2012
3:13 pm
The Founding Fathers would have disagreed mightily with you, but since you wouldn’t recognize their wisdom or achievements, it would be lost on you.
Yep, out comes the tricorn hat. The Gadsden flag is next, then it’s on to KEEP YER GUB’MINT HANDS OFF MY MEDICARE!!!111!!!
The one true heir to the Founding Fathers is gonna blog his way across the Delaware just like George Washington.
Peadawg
November 5th, 2012
3:16 pm
Amendment One: A chance for the well off to send their kids to a sudo-private school on the taxpayers’ dime.
Um…no.
Dusty
November 5th, 2012
3:18 pm
Count down,
You just want to pick a fight. I suggested an alternative to those who do not like Glovernor Deal. That is not a command.
I love Georgia. You should hear Ray Charles and me singing “Georgia on my mind” all around the house. Nothing like it!!
BW
November 5th, 2012
3:18 pm
Kyle
Nah…there are still too many questions about accountability for me to pull that lever yes
Count Down
November 5th, 2012
3:21 pm
Finn @ 3:11
Don’t begrudge the him. Probably all he is in terms of family and friends.
Dusty
November 5th, 2012
3:23 pm
I want you to know
That school is a “sudo”!
And if you didn’t know,
Peadawg said so.
Count Down
November 5th, 2012
3:23 pm
Dusty
Stop being a hypocrite and demonstrate that you are willing to do what you suggest others do.
No need to cry and moan as you usually do.
It is a new day. Make a new start and lead by example.
mike
November 5th, 2012
3:25 pm
“If President Obama wins re-election on Tuesday, the historical memory of the race might turn on the role played by Hurricane Sandy.
Already, some analysts are describing the storm as an “October surprise” that allowed Mr. Obama to regain his footing after stumbling badly in the first presidential debate and struggling to get back on course. Some Republicans seem prepared to blame a potential defeat for Mitt Romney on the storm, and the embrace of Mr. Obama by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and other public officials.”
http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/
Yeah, that’s it! It was that doggone hurricane that did him in! Poor old Romney didn’t stand a chance against a hurricane.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
3:28 pm
“Dude lives on here.”
Pot – meet Kettle.
JamVet
November 5th, 2012
3:29 pm
The faux conservative pre-election meltdown is in full swing here at Kyle’s, I see.
In 30 hours or so, I’m expecting a full-on tsunami of neocon crocodile tears for their candyass candidate.
Then let the excuse making begin in earnest!!
JDW
November 5th, 2012
3:31 pm
@Tiberius….”I accept your surrender”
I am beginning to think your golden years will be spent in a nice comfy padded room where reality is not an issue.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 5th, 2012
3:32 pm
The nice thing about a potential Romney win is that we won’t see anything different from AmVet.
He’ll still be the biggest a$$ on any blog.
JamVet
November 5th, 2012
3:35 pm
Oooooh,
tibs willfully violates Rule #1 at Mr. Wingfield’s!!! Yet again. And again. And again.
Bailiff, whack his pee pee!
And Mr. Wingfield, send this serial miscreant to the blogging Land of Nod where he can no longer hurl his hurtful and endless unprovoked insults at the other children!
Schnort…
Aquagirl
November 5th, 2012
3:38 pm
He’ll still be the biggest a$$ on any blog.
Dang, I better up my game.
mountain man
November 5th, 2012
3:41 pm
“You educate all the children as best you can.”
But you aren’t. You keep the better students locked up and TRAPPED with the discipline problems and the socially promoted, far-behind students. So the better kids (of whatever color) lose. With a charter school option, these students might get the opportunity to excell, rather than be held back. There is NO downside to the remaining problem children.
As I said on Maureen’s blog – you seem to want ALL the passengers of the large ship EDUCATION to drown together since we only have a lifeboat big enough for 10% of the kids.
Dusty
November 5th, 2012
3:41 pm
Dear JamVet
You are so full of .. tacos.
Did you tear youself away from Bookman’s to give us your words of wisdom?
We were awaiting beathlessly on shield and dagger alert!! Yes!!
Do me a favor, please. Do have a fight with Count Down.
He’s itching for a fight and I don’ t feel like slinging mud today.
Must be the cool weather. But you and earnest can warm his lil’ heart.
mike
November 5th, 2012
3:42 pm
People who come onto the blog with personal attacks and little to nothing of substance to say will be subject to a permanent ban.
Is this the rule you’re talking about, Jam? If Kyle were to ban Tiberius, the whole thing would shut down.
JDW
November 5th, 2012
3:43 pm
@Mike…”Yeah, that’s it! It was that doggone hurricane that did him in!”
I for one can’t wait to here the range of excuses that are made by the Republicans to escape the central reason for the loss it seems is about a 90% certainty at this point.
Until the Republican Party escapes the clutches of the Tea Party/Neo Cons they are doomed to defeat. When the party of Eisenhower and to some extent Reagan returns they will be competitive again.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 5th, 2012
3:44 pm
a potential Romney win
Where is the confidence? And the reality begins to set in.
Count Down
November 5th, 2012
3:47 pm
Dusty
No fight. You are a light weight for sure.
Merely demonstrated your hypocrisy.
Hopefully JamVet will come back and you two can converse.
Enjoy.
mike
November 5th, 2012
3:48 pm
You just can’t give up, though. There’s always 2016 and Newt’s Nutty Moonbase. Or maybe Ricky will cut off our sex and contraception. Or maybe Michele will enjoy another Corndog. But, most of all, maybe Donald Combover will shave his head!
Whew! I was having the strangest dream there. I dreamt that…naw, it’ll never happen.
Dusty
November 5th, 2012
3:51 pm
Tiberious hasn’t broken any rules. He plays a nice game of chess and the losers do hate the game.
Too bad the homeless have to join us in our merry game. Those troublemakers far from their cowering crowd!
Adiios amigos! May you find your way home and shed your tears there. We’lll miss you .. sorta…a lil bit…kinda…maybe…yeah…you betcha!!.
Count Down
November 5th, 2012
3:56 pm
Some want to be the boss so bad they can’t stand it. So funny to read.
Dusty
November 5th, 2012
3:56 pm
JDW
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch (’cause your eggs are cracked not to mention your friends)!
Dusty
November 5th, 2012
3:59 pm
mike
I suggest your stop eating those black bean burritoes before bedtime. You might sleep better.
Rush
November 5th, 2012
4:01 pm
Another rich one…….Finn stating someone else lives on Kyle’s blog.
Rush
November 5th, 2012
4:03 pm
Looks like the libtards want to shut down any thinking that dissents from their own drivel…..don’t you libtards have Bookie man for that? He seems to enjoy banning any dissenting thoughts.
mike
November 5th, 2012
4:05 pm
Dusty: “I suggest your stop eating those black bean burritoes before bedtime.”
That’s how I fill up the car with “bio-gas!” Donchaknow?
BTW, what a great Falcons game last night. Dallas is a much-improved team than what they were at the beginning of the season.
Count Down
November 5th, 2012
4:06 pm
Rush
Did he shut you down?
JamVet
November 5th, 2012
4:13 pm
Tiberious hasn’t broken any rules.
You lie!
As mike noted – in bold, no less – personal attacks are expressly forbidden in Kyle’s rules of engagement.
The other kids were arguing with tibs earlier this afternoon. I made a post not directed at him or about him in an any fashion whatsoever. Then without provocation and in a most malicious manner imaginable (faux outrage, here!), he called me the biggest ass on this blog!
He is an unapologetic repeat offender and needs to pay his debt to blogging society! (Notwithstanding you soft on crime Republicans and assorted, ethically challenged cover-up specialists like Dusty.)
Off with this head!
Schnort…
Del
November 5th, 2012
4:16 pm
I say it would be unAmerican to vote for Obama.
Count Down
November 5th, 2012
4:19 pm
“I say it would be unAmerican to vote for Obama.”
And you have that right to say it, but it doesn’t make it so.
Same applies when the left says stupid things. Saying it, doesn’t make it so.
Dusty
November 5th, 2012
4:19 pm
What?
The Falcons won last night? Really?
I did see a “gentleman” running through my front yard yesterday waving a UGA banner and screaming “Bulldogs! Bulldogs! Bow wow wow! We won and how!”. He was youngish, red headed, carried a baby bottle, and had AJC tatooed on his forehead.(I think it was a baby bottle.) I haven’t seen much of him today.
Just a guess but I don’t think he’s a Falcon fan.
teaching taxpayer
November 5th, 2012
4:20 pm
The increasingly shrill tone of Amendment 1 supporters, especially Nathan Deal (with his remarks about “political arsonists”), suggests they are very worried about this amendment’s fate. If it fails, it will not do so because of liberals. It will fail because enough small-government conservatives and tea party members see Amendment 1 for the blatant power grab it is and vote “No” to Deal’s crony capitalism. Give us a clean amendment with a CHOICE over the charter commission!
JamVet
November 5th, 2012
4:35 pm
Well, at least tibby has been reduced to lurking status again…
On topic, this amendment is just more big Republican state government bureaucracy run amok. (”Government is not the solution to our problems, government is the problem.”)
Which is exactly why I expect that it will pass handily here in Georgia.
Look no farther that the phraseology of this dud…
Provides for improving
student achievement
and parental
involvement through
more public charter
school options.
House Resolution No. 1162
Act No. 762
Ga. L. 2012, p. 1364
“Shall the Constitution of Georgia
be amended to allow state or local
approval of public charter schools
upon the request of local
communities?”
Just say no.
Dusty
November 5th, 2012
4:38 pm
Yes yes! The rules! The rules! My kindgom for a rule!
Absolutely!
We should all REPORT JAMVET TO THE HIGEST COMMISSAR for claimiing some innocent is telling a lie! Me! Oh the horror of it all!! Where is the fainting couch? And then to admonish Tiberious for telling the truth!!
The Dracula of Doraville is loose again and the moon is full! Oh my! Beware! He will even steal your CocoCrispies and your Strawberry streudel in the dark of the night.! There must be justice!
JamVet
November 5th, 2012
4:42 pm
Save the histrionics, D.
You lie and you lie and you lie.
(It’s the Christian thing to do!)
Dusty
November 5th, 2012
4:52 pm
So JamVet
(It’s the Christian thing to do!)
How would you know?
Jack Moore
November 5th, 2012
5:10 pm
You are a liar. You KNOW what you are saying is not true. This whole amendment was conceived in deceptive language, funded by out of state for profit companies, and enforced by thugs in the governor’s office, the attorney general’s office and the courts. I dare you to write a column one year from today if this amendment passes and answer this: (1) how many schools did the new commission charter in Clayton County? (2) how many in the City of Atlanta? (3) how many “private” public academies in the suburbs? (4) how many are run by the for profit companies that funded this campaign? (5) what contributions did these companies make to Governor (let’s make a) Deal? (6) how much more funding was cut from the public schools in 2013?
oldfart
November 5th, 2012
5:48 pm
It is beyond comprehension how someone could consider themselves a “conservative” and vote for adding more bureaucracy to siphon off more tax dollars to add literally a “nanny state” commission to override locally elected and already constitutional school boards If you don’t get your charter school through the 2 methods already available there is still a third one. You VOTE THEM OUT. There is no such recourse for this proposed commission.
Dave
November 5th, 2012
5:53 pm
“What they haven’t done is advance a persuasive defense of the system they seek to protect, the one that has left so many people so desperate for another choice.”
And what you and the other supporters haven’t done is advance a persuasive argument that the misleading proposal will fix our educational system. This one doesn’t work, let’s do something different that excludes most of the kids in the system, is supported by out of state, commercially biased support and is run by people appointed by Governor Deal, who never met a friend or supporter that shouldn’t be appointed to a position paying six figures. No thanks.
Dave
November 5th, 2012
5:55 pm
And what Jack Moore said at 5:10, other than the name calling.
itpdude
November 5th, 2012
6:19 pm
This is just another phase of starving-the-beast. Simple as that.
ABSOLUTELY NO WAY, NO HOW........
November 5th, 2012
6:19 pm
There is absolutely no way, no how that I will vote for this amendment, period…….if they live in a bad school area, TOO FREAKING BAD…..they can move……and if not, when they turn into criminals, they can go to jail – if for life…..oh boo hoo…..
School Mom
November 5th, 2012
6:32 pm
Your statement, “This amendment is, however, a recognition that our system of offering a single public school to any given student” is uninformed. House Bill 251 passed by the GA legislature provides choice for any school within the district that has space available. Parents must provide transportation and register for this as set by local school districts. Senate Bill 10 allows for any student with an IEP to choose any school within the school district that offers services needed for the child. Either of these requires parents to provide transportation as does the charter amendment. Choice is available and a process is in place for charter schools to be approved by local school districts and by the state. The amendment is about state control of schools and money. Vote NO if you care about all students having quality educations.
aj
November 5th, 2012
7:17 pm
Have any of the people attended or visited public schools recently? They are usually segregated with either token numbers of minorities or token amounts of whites and people are not represented in proportion to their number in the general population of this State.
Irrespective of whether the amendment passess charter schools will exist and continue to exist. Although the amendment might provide an additional choice I feel that proponents are failing to inform the public that if a local school board turns down a charter school there is a means by which parents can appeal to the state instead of to the commission which is contemplated. This I suspect is why the state superintendent is at odds with the governor who is a member of his own party. This is a classic turf dispute and the superintendent does not want to give up this turf.
The potential problem with the amendment is in the implementation. In theory local school board officials are accountable to voters and parents; and the state legislators and state school superintendent is accountable to voters. However, there has been some discussion about this amendment being administered by a commission that would consist of appointees. This could result in favortism or cronyism.
Perhaps this is balanced out by the fact that if performance goals aren’t met the charter can be revoked and thus some accountability is retained by the system.
This however, highlights the fact charter schools in some or many instances will be experiments. On one hand, Is this fair to the students? On the other hand maybe it will force us to give up on the idea of one size fits all education. Some students need hands on learning experiences. Some students learn better when in an all boy or all girl environment. I think some parents are simply seeking a better deal or a more perfect union between the school, the student, the parents and the community instead of being handed the standard educational rental contract.
But be careful of asking for the deluxe luxury upgrade. It may cost more to maintain that luxury ride. A charter school is not a magic wand Charter schools that suceed often have longer school days for students and teacher and shorter, if any summer vacations. Students will take home more homework; your child will spend some doing doing research at the library in addition to research online. Parents are also required to work harder and volunteer between 10-30 hours of helping out around the school (e.g., helping with a book fair, chaperoning field trips, loading and unloading band equipment, maintaining athletic fields, staffing the nurses station). Which basically means you have to roll up your sleeves and work harder. Why can’t these changes be implemented on a wider basis? Herein lies the fallacy behind the level playing field and the purported giving equal dollars for teachers, equipment and books to impoverished students and schools. Well to do neighborhoods generally put more sweat equity into their schools whether they are public or private. Generally, students who excel are those in whom more than just mere dollars have been invested. They are the students for who have been exposed to more tthan just the curriculum offered at the school.
Although public education is free you cannot get something for nothing. You have to put in the sweat equity.
Master (de)Bater
November 5th, 2012
9:40 pm
Aquagirl @ 9:25 am
“People who want my money without my input are called thieves.”
Holy crap! Aquagirl is a conservative after all! Who knew?!