Critical Thought

Test post

2005-02-01T18:01:00.001-08:00

2005-02-01T18:01:00.000-08:00

No child left behind

2004-09-18T07:56:00.000-07:00

According to CNN, an important tax break for teachers in California -- one that allows them to deduct the out-of-pocket cost of school supplies -- has just expired due to budget constraints. Across the nation, teachers are losing such tax breaks resulting in a net tax increase for one of the most important jobs in the country.

What I don't understand about this and have never understood is why teachers even have to pay their own money for school supplies. And why is it that in the wealthiest nation on earth, we force parents to pay for school supplies or rely on donations for school supplies? But that's beside the point.

What happened to "No child left behind"? I guess it's yet another great example of imposing standards on people that sound great on TV and expecting something from them without giving them the means to do succeed. It's like the myth that anyone can be successful and rich if they would just "bootstrap" themselves out of poverty.

Anyway, if you want to help, adopt a local school and if you can't afford to just give them money, ask what else you can do to help ease the burden on these teachers who are being asked to bear more of the cost for the nation's education (and future) than ever. Maybe Laura Bush will visit your school to tell you how important you are.

"Far graver than Vietnam"

2004-09-17T11:13:00.000-07:00

How do we know we're winning in Iraq as Bush said this week to a National Guard convention? What measure are we using? Body counts? Amount of money spent? Even Powell admitted this week that we can't have elections under the current security conditions. Is that winning?

Most senior US military officers now believe the war on Iraq has turned into a disaster on an unprecedented scale

Meanwhile, Kofi Annan, for the first time, declared the war in Iraq as "illegal".

Woman arrested at (Laura) Bush rally

2004-09-17T09:07:00.000-07:00

A woman was arrested at a Laura Bush campaign rally, evidently for nothing more than exercising her freedom of speech. Her shirt read "President Bush you killed my son" and she was arrested and removed despite having a valid ticket to the event. This event is even more interesting if you remember that Laura Bush once killed someone, herself.

Like all of these type of events, I guess you're only allowed in if you're a supporter and you're only allowed to stay if you agree with the party line. Reminds me of the carefully constructed Bush events where you're required to sign a pledge saying you'll vote Republican if you attend.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies on Iraq

2004-09-16T01:53:00.000-07:00

Interesting read from the BBC.

Air marshals

2004-09-15T19:44:00.000-07:00

Having just returned from a trip, an article about air marshals caught my eye today. According to MSNBC, there are now fewer air marshals due to budget cuts but more flights than before are being covered. How does that work? And why are we cutting funding for air marshals at all? With more people than ever since 9/11 traveling, shouldn't there be more air marshals, not fewer, and shouldn't their budget be going up instead of down? Maybe if the administration wasn't cutting their budget, they could make their computer systems compatible (which, itself, seems odd three years after 9/11). Ah well. I'm sure someone knows what they're doing.

New video questions Bush's comments on his military service

2004-09-15T10:23:00.000-07:00

A new video named "Fortunate Son" is being distributed by democrats.org that questions Bush's comments on his military service.

Problems with the Bush nominee for CIA director

2004-09-14T10:43:00.000-07:00

"Levin noted that since Republicans took control of Congress in 1994, they have cut intelligence funding from the president's budget in seven of the 10 years."

New book examines the Bush family in detail

2004-09-13T10:25:00.000-07:00

A new book by Kitty Kelley takes a critical look at the Bush family.

Two Anti-Kerry Vets Serve on VA Panel

2004-09-04T10:32:00.000-07:00

According to a story on MSNBC, two anti-Kerry members of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth were appointed to a VA hospital advisory board by the Bush administration. The Bush administration continues to deny any connections between themselves and the anti-Kerry group.

Who's better for the US military?

2004-08-18T10:47:00.000-07:00

I keep hearing from people that the Republicans are better for national security, the US military, etc. How so? I don't get it. Anyway, here's Kerry's plan for the US military: A New Military To Meet New Threats; Fact Sheet from Kerry Campaign