Rebane's Ruminations
August 2011
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George Rebane

Mr Paul Emery – KVMR news director, musical personage extraordinaire, bringer of arts, and erudite RR discussant – and I have been invited by the Nevada County TPP to engage in a moderated ‘civil discourse’ on issues of current interest as their featured special program for September.  The event will be held on the eve of 27 September in the Horseman’s Club lodge off Brunswick Road.

As readers may be aware, I am both a member of the NC TPP and a regular KVMR commentator.  However, both of us will be speaking as private individuals, neither claiming to represent the views of KVMR or the NC TPP.

The intent of the discussion and Q&A is to provide and explore today’s perspectives held by people of conservative and liberal persuasions in these contentious times.  (Paul and I are a self-declared ‘green libertarian’ and ‘conservetarian’ respectively.)  There will be no intent to make the exchange into a debate, but to keep it simply at the level of a comparative explication.

As a footnote of interest to this event, I want to draw your attention to the reaction of the local left after NC TPP announced the event and invited its attendance.  I was made aware by a regular reader that my participation in such an undertaking caused quite a dust-up on the blog of our former Union editor, Mr Jeff Pelline (here).  My correspondent supplied a copy of a comment stream from that blog which is faithfully replicated herein below.

Furthermore, I was also informed that progressives of many stripes presented themselves last week at the NC TPP’s fair booth to protest that the likes of me would be allowed to share a stage with Paul Emery.

Now what I find most interesting is that such people, who are virulently opposed to the very existence of the tea party movement and consider organizations like the NC TPP to be ‘terrorists’ and ‘hijackers’ of good governance, deign to publicly inject themselves as juries and judges of how the NC TPP may properly compose and undertake its gatherings.  Don’t get me wrong, such attempts to assess and control what is 'good, correct, and proper' in society is of a piece in the public implementation of progressive ideology.  Nevertheless, it is an illuminating confirmation to see it also being played out right here in Nevada County.

And below is the view from Mr Pelline’s blog, a left-shoulder venue that often and ardently proclaims its residence in the middle of the road.  The verbiage and vituperation is by Mr Steven Frisch, CEO of the Sierra Business Council, leading light of the county's left, and RR commenter.  The reader is, of course, invited to validate from these pages Mr Frisch’s vitriolic allegations.


Steven Frisch
Do you think Paul will ask George about:
1) his continued use of the term ‘raghead’
2) his contention that Islam is a religion of hate and thus must be resisted by American ‘patriots’
3) his contention that western civilization faces a threat the equal of the invasion of Europe by Muslims beginning in the 9th century and his comparison of modern times to the Crusades
4) his use of racial stereotypes to describe and refer to the President of the United States
5) his condoning the use of the term ‘jiggaboo’ on his web site
6) his believe in and promotion of separatism through the advancement of the concept of ‘the great divide’
7) his characterization of anyone who does not accept his radical right wing philosophy as a communist   his use of ‘dog whistle’ messages to relay one thing to true believers while appearing to be rational to the uninitiated
9) precisely what he means by “The right of a culture to endure and thrive in its homeland.”
Let me make one thing perfectly clear, I am an American, I do not have a Fatherland, I have a country that I have worked for and love, not a belief system that must predominate over others in order to cement my identity.
I fear that civil means ‘kid-glove’.
WE CAN NOT keep treating these people with kid gloves. They are promoting a radical agenda, that is antithetical to core American values, that will lead to the destruction and dissolution of our nation.
They are not Patriots. They do not own that word.
=========

Steven Frisch
I’m actually wondering why Paul would do this with George rather than a board member or officer?
Here are the board members:
Stan Meckler – President
Nancy Garcia – Vice President
Donna Burley – Secretary
Jodi Davis – Treasurer
Lou Wilson – Events
Randi Briggs – Mail/Phone
David Swift – Communications
Shelly Rose – Next Generation
Rick Briggs – Phone Tree
Sue McGuire – Volunteers
Elaine Meckler – At Large
Eddie Garcia – At Large
Jerry Cadick – At Large
My guess is that George will be able to shield the impact of his statements on the broader group, should there be a ‘macaca moment’, by stating up front that he is not speaking on behalf of the NCTPP.
In which case this is just window dressing bullshit.
I want the KVMR news director to do some old fashioned NEWS.
You know, hard news; like what is the real agenda of the TPP relative to Mark Meckler’s 40 year plan that is available on You Tube? where did the $1 million the California TPP’s get come from? What is the relationship between Don Blankenship, Massey Energy and Verizon and the TPP? How about Freedom Works?
If the Tea Party movement is all about transparency in government why do they maintain a distributed network (kind of like terrorist cells) that make it impossible to understand the relationship between the groups?
Or issues like what is their tax status and can we see their 990′s and audited financial statements? if they are a 501c-4, how can they say they are not a political organization since the intent of a c-4, or ‘social welfare organization’ is to engage in politics? if they are ‘non-partisan’ why do they only endorse Republicans? how can they say they are not a political organization when the definition of powers for a c-4 is: “501(c)(4) organizations may lobby for legislation, and unlike 501(c)(3) organizations they may also participate in political campaigns and elections, as long as campaigning is not the organization’s primary purpose.” Can they honestly say that the organizations primary purpose is not campaigning? how can we see that?
Hey Tea Party, do you share George’s desire for a culturally pure homeland?
How about a little less commentary from a wanna be intellectual and some more hard friggin’ hard NEWS?
=======

Steven Frisch
Here is good example of the attack on diversity found on George’s blog:
“British social scientists are quietly starting to ascribe the cause of the ongoing riots in the UK to multi-culturalism (gasp!). It seems that there is insufficient reason to suspect deprivation of this sort or that since Great Britain is one of the most socially generous and culture-compliant countries in the world. The rioters have been mostly black Africans who have attacked the shops and businesses of other ethnic groups in UK’s major cities. (The police shot one of their gang members.) In response, the target ethnics – Pakistanis, Sikhs, Turks, … – have coagulated into defensive ethno-centric vigilante platoons since police protection is sparse and late. Prime Minister Cameron and other European leaders have already gone public with their assessments of how mulikulti affects their respective countries. Tough reporting job for the leftwing press.”
http://rebaneruminations.typepad.com/rebanes_ruminations/2011/08/ruminations-11aug2011.html#comments
Notice there is no reference to which ‘British social scientists’ are ascribing the cause of the rioting to multiculturalism. Notice that George discounts “deprivation” as a cause, even though numerous British sources have pointed directly at the austerity plans, and anger over them, as a cause (call me on it and I will cite sources). Notice that George implies that European leaders are ascribing these riots to race, when in reality David Cameron has been quite clear that he ascribes them to criminality. Notice that George calls protecting ones property “defensive ethno-centirc vigilante platoons”; one wonders if, as a property rights advocate, he would define white middle-class residents the same way? Notice that George ignores the fact that MANY of the rioters arrested were white, middle class, opportunists, rather than people motivated by some multicultural revenge agenda.
This is once again an example of how George engages in dog whistle racist political messages.
I know a racist, a religious bigot, and an intellectually dishonest propagandist, when I see one.

Posted in , , , ,

188 responses to “An Evening with the Tea Party Patriots”

  1. Steve Enos Avatar
    Steve Enos

    I love the Tea Party for so many reasons. Look at what just happened in Ohio. It’s just one example of the Tea Party “a bridge too far” backlash that is now growing.
    I’m also very thankful that Rick Perry tossed in. Now Perry is getting shown for what he is and what he has and hasn’t done vs. what he claims. I’m also very thankful for Bachmann and Christine O’Donnell too… is this some sick joke?
    Perry, Bachmann and McDonnell are showing and exposing the Tea Party mantra’s and folks are seeing and saying that they don’t like it on many levels. McDonnell?? Bachmann??… are you kidding?? So this is what the right has to offer the average American? It’s insulting and it’s getting clear it’s no sale.
    Damn, Karl Rove seems to get it too. Rove is talking a bit about this now and many R’s (and funders too) are working on ways to distance from the Tea Party clan.
    The timing is perfect for the Dem’s. Odds are some other R will step up in a bit to take top spot for the R’s.
    The polling, the trend and “incidents” like what just happened in Ohio show the most likely future track. The right needs to listen to Karl Rove.

    Like

  2. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    I’m glad I was able to help you set the record straight
    From your source
    “Still, a plurality (43%) of all voters think the Tea Party has made things worse of the country in the budget debates in Congress. Thirty-two percent (32%) say the Tea Party has made things better for America, and 14% say it’s had no impact. Eleven percent (11%) are undecided. “

    Like

  3. Ben Emery Avatar

    Here are some the questions we all should find interesting. Ruminations regulars are living in a alternative universe when it comes to what the people of the US favor. But then again Rr don’t like democracy. When we are talking about what the status quo favors Ruminations regulars walk the line pretty tight.
    http://www.pollingreport.com/politics.htm
    “Do you think most members of Congress are more interested in serving the people they represent, or more interested in serving special interest groups?”
    People Interest
    groups Unsure
    % % %
    5/20-23/11
    13 80 7
    “Do you think [see below] has/have too much influence, too little influence, or about the right amount of influence on American life and politics today?”
    Too much Too little About right Unsure
    % % % %
    “Large corporations”
    5/20-23/11
    75 7 13 5
    “Special interest groups”
    5/20-23/11
    71 9 11 9
    “Labor unions”
    5/20-23/11
    36 30 26 8
    “The National Rifle Association”
    5/20-23/11
    28 17 41 14
    “Planned Parenthood”
    5/20-23/11
    22 30 34 14
    “People like yourself”
    5/20-23/11
    1 85 12 2

    Like

  4. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Yeah Ben. There seems to be some delusional thinking here. I’m waiting for Todd to show us his documentation that the TP is more popular than Obama.

    Like

  5. Ben Emery Avatar

    The numbers jumbled when it posted
    Here they are-
    “Do you think most members of Congress are more interested in serving the people they represent, or more interested in serving special interest groups?”
    80% of Americans believe they represent Special Interest groups
    “Do you think [see below] has/have too much influence, too little influence, or about the right amount of influence on American life and politics today?”
    Big Corporations 75%
    Special Interests Groups71%
    Unions 36%

    Like

  6. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    Paul Obamas economic number is 36% the Tea Party is 53% to the good. Math is beautiful.

    Like

  7. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    Here is what you didn’t take from the poll Paul.
    “Again, there’s a noticeable partisan divide: 53% of Republicans believe the Tea Party has made things better, while 73% of Democrats feel it has made things worse. Unaffiliated voters are evenly divided with 37% saying the Tea Party made things better and 37% worse. ”
    So why did you leave this out Paul?
    Or how about this from the same poll.
    “Just 34% of all voters in separate polling favored tax hikes as part of the deal to raise the debt ceiling. Fifty-five percent (55%) opposed including tax increases of any kind in the deal. ”
    Hmmm. Now it seems to me the democrats and Obama have been pushing tax increases haven’t they? So, if these numbers are correct it would appear to me the TPP have whipped dem butt in the polls, wouldn’t you agree? There is much more to bolster my statement, but I am going to watch the movie Sahara with Bogie.

    Like

  8. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Todd
    Can you show me the source? The last one you sent showed Obama 10% above the TP’s when asked about. I’ll show you again
    “Still, a plurality (43%) of all voters think the Tea Party has made things worse of the country in the budget debates in Congress. Thirty-two percent (32%) say the Tea Party has made things better for America, and 14% say it’s had no impact. Eleven percent (11%) are undecided. ”
    Astonishingly, barely a majority of Republicans believe the TP’s are making things better. From your source
    “53% of Republicans believe the Tea Party has made things better,”

    Like

  9. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    I look at the 32 and 14 which add up to 46 for the Tea Party. Obama is at 36 or 39 today.

    Like

  10. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    Regarding the 53% of R’s. I guess that ruins the lefts claim about them all being R’s eh?

    Like

  11. Ben Emery Avatar

    Todd,
    How about 80% of Americans think Big Corporations have to much influence? How about 75% of Americans think the representatives don’t serve them but serve special interests?
    You tell me that these opinions when I state them are only socialist lefty stuff, I argue they are populist issues that need to be addressed.

    Like

  12. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Pretty interesting math Todd. That’s proof of the failure om our education system or maybe it’s a semantic error. Here’s your original statement that I responded to
    “The TPP is more popular than Obama but the left hides from that. What a hoot!”
    As you see your statement was a general popularity statement with nothing mentioned about any specific criteria. Please show me the info you have to support THAT statement.

    Like

  13. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Kind of a naked link, but it supports my contention that the Tea Party itself has some real warts regarding diversity:
    http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/17/opinion/crashing-the-tea-party.html?_r=1

    Like

  14. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    So George, since you doth protest, how about you answer the questions I put to you, based on your statement on this blog:
    Do you believe the use of the term “rag head” is bigoted?
    Do you believe Islam is a religion of hate?
    Do you believe Islam, as a religious movement, must be resisted in any special way (by that I mean anyway not uniformly applied to ALL religions) in the United States?
    Do you regularly compare the current condition to the Crusades? and if so do you intend to inflame conflict between Christians and Muslims?
    Do you believe you have, or you have allowed your posters too, use racial stereotypes to describe and refer to the President of the United States?
    Did you remove the word ‘jiggaboo’ when it was used by a poster on this site to inflame the debate?
    Do you promote the idea of like minded people being able to band together or self select in enclaves, and if so how would you keep out people who are not like minded?
    What, precisely do you mean by “The right of a culture to endure and thrive in its homeland.”
    How would you control influences that are not part of that culture?
    The host doth protest too much, methinks!

    Like

  15. Bob Hobert Avatar
    Bob Hobert

    You folks need to get a life. What a dreary slate of comments.
    Knock yourselves out. Please.

    Like

  16. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Here’s an even more revealing poll showing the amount of disapproval of Obama. If you add the Disapprove not Liberal enough number to his approval you find 50% that will likely support him in an election if running against a TP opponent.
    USA Today/Gallup Poll. Aug. 4-7, 2011. N=1,204 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.
    8/5-7/11
    Approve 44
    Disapprove Too Liberal 36
    Not Liberal enough 16
    no opinion 4
    http://www.pollingreport.com/politics.htm

    Like

  17. Ben Emery Avatar

    Paul,
    That breaks down much like the Affordable Care Act poll that Mr McClintock misuses. 53% of Americans disapproved the law, which is what Mr McClintock states. What he leaves out that 27% of that disapproval comes from there was no “Public Option” part of it. That is why I didn’t like the law.
    I support a state program that fits each individual state accordingly.
    http://www.healthcareforall.org/

    Like

  18. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    PaulE, gothca dude. It seems my educational level trumps your as you pointed out in your post. Always go personal don’t you guys when you lose the argument.

    Like

  19. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    Oh and BTW Ben and Paul, my poll is more believable than your poll. One thing I have learned over the years is a liberal poll analysis is pretty lame. Our aren’t.

    Like

  20. Brad Croul Avatar
    Brad Croul

    Juvinall, I guess you missed it. I said I thought the word, patriot, was redundant. Patriotism is devotion to one’s country. Are TPP afraid that they will be seen as anarchist libertarians who would like to see our taxes (and our government) become non-existant?

    Like

  21. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    Croul, you have defined your post in a way no one else would be able to decipher. Besides, the word patriot means a person who loves and supports his country. It appears liberals don’t, they are citizens of the world as your boss Obama stated a few times. Can’t trust those liberals.

    Like

  22. D. King Avatar
    D. King

    Todd,
    LOL!
    MSNBC is such a joke!
    http://moonbattery.com/?p=1205

    Like

  23. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Todd, one more time. Show me the poll that shows The Tea Party is more popular than Obama, like you stated . Simple.

    Like

  24. Keachie, Bagger Extrordinaire, Aspen Grocery Avatar
    Keachie, Bagger Extrordinaire, Aspen Grocery

    Still arguing about the shape of the table, I see….

    Like

  25. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    Paul I did and you just can’t accept the poll I supplied.

    Like

  26. Kathy Jones Avatar
    Kathy Jones

    What difference do polls make at this point, except for the FACT that most Americans are not satisfied with the state of the economy.
    Blues and reds are both restless with Obama.
    The “blues” had total control for 2 full years, and did not make things better, some would argue the “blues” made it worse (i.e., employment dropped, gas cost went up, etc.). It is time for “change we can believe in”!
    The “blues” need another candidate to run against Obama, if they want to save face.

    Like

  27. Mikey McD Avatar
    Mikey McD

    Simple solution ignored by the progressives…Limit the power of government and you protect yourself from the leeches (Evil Corps, Public Unions, and Special interests).

    Like

  28. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    Kathy, you are correct. In politics polls are simply a snapshot in time anyway but we see the left always cherry picking some polls to try and disparage the R’s or the Tea Party or our candidates. I never see from our leftwing crews the same analysis of their liberal poll results in the same vein of vitriol they give the right. This makes them irrelevant because as I said, whose poll is out today (and who did they poll?)? So, many of us with a brain and patience simply don’t get our bowels in an uproar about any polls today. Today the TPP is up, Obama down, tomorrow may be the opposite.

    Like

  29. Douglas Keachie Avatar
    Douglas Keachie

    You want to fix our National Gloom?
    If you really want to improve education in this country, then improve the quality of life for all.
    Let prisoners in jails earn money by learning to read and write using fun software developed over 20 years ago by IBM, “Writing to Read.”, and then taking classes on line and passing tests for cash rewards, 1/2 of which is sent to their families on the outside, 35% is placed in savings accounts, 10% to victims funds, and 5% which is available to spend in prison.
    Pass a simple law that says the most highly compensated individual in any organization cannot receive more in gross compensation than 5,000 times what the least paid USA employee makes. Outsourcing of work cannot be done using any sub-corporation that works more than 50% of the time for the parent corp, just to stop that obvious loophole.
    If top exec makes $10,000,000 gross, then the least paid employee must make at least $20,000.
    Cut the corporate taxes, of all companies totally based in the USA, who employ 1,000 employees or more, all employees certified USA citizens, by 10%, 500 to 999, by 20%, 250 to 499 by 30%, 100 to 249, by 40%, 2 or more non related employees by 50% ( but only where 50% or more of the employees are non related).
    This would be a tax cut for corporations that would stimulate the USA economy, instead of making the mattresses of the überrich fat and lumpy.

    Like

  30. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    Actually Kathy I think that would be an excellent idea. I think the current political party structure does not serve America well in providing real choices that represent the diversity of our political philosophy. I think we are more like a four party society with: 1) a “green” and control economy left and isolationist foreign policy, 2) a center-left that supports more strict fiscal policy, disengaged foreign policy and liberal social policy, 3) a center-right that supports moderate social and foreign policy and conservative fiscal policy, and 4) right that supports libertarian fiscal policy, conservative social policy and isolationist foreign policy.
    Unfortunately we are trapped in an archaic 19th century political party system that does not reflect the diversity of our philosophies.
    I would love to see a race that looked like this: Dennis Kucinich v. Barack Obama v. Mitt Romney v. Ron Paul.

    Like

  31. stevenfrisch Avatar
    stevenfrisch

    And you are right that it is a FACT that the overwhelming majority of Americans are not satisfied with the state of the economy; but that is not an indication that the libertarian alternative would be any better. All one would have to do is study the quality of life in America under 19th century capitalism to see that limiting the power of government and freeing the private sector is not enough.

    Like

  32. Douglas Keachie Avatar
    Douglas Keachie

    QUESTION: Which came first, the Job or the worker??
    ANSWER: Neither, the consumer with a desire and the CASH to BUY the product. Without that, you are dead as a company.

    Like

  33. RL Crabb Avatar

    The real problem, as I continue to point out, is the ‘winner-take-all’ attitude of the existing parties. Both right and left are more concerned with ideological purity than solving problems. Even if the eventual Republican candidate wins the presidency, he or she will face the same kind of opposition Obama is experiencing today. The longer it takes to iron out policy, the worse the situation will get.
    Maybe next year’s contest will be so vile and ugly, reasonable people will reject both parties in favor of something that will bring about real change and stability. So far, our current politicians our polling at about the same approval level as flesh eating bacteria.

    Like

  34. RL Crabb Avatar

    Whoops…should read “our politicians are polling…”

    Like

  35. Douglas Keachie Avatar
    Douglas Keachie

    You want prisoners coming out of prison just as stupid and unsuited to work as they were when they went in?
    You are already paying $46,000 to the Prison Guard Unions to keep them in there, not using that chance to re-educate them is like taking an engine completely apart, doing nothing to it, and putting it back together again, just to change the oil.
    At what point the economy totally topple from too fewer taxpayers and too many put in jail for stealing food?

    Like

  36. Mikey McD Avatar

    Limit the power of government and you will limit the power of special interests (public employee unions and Corps) and strengthen the economy. See Declaration of Independents for actionable solutions to what ails the USA and the world.

    Like

  37. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    Ideological purity? No, if it was that, then George W. Bush would never have been President. He was a social conservative but spent like a inebriated (LOL) sailor. I would say he should be the poster boy of what RL and the mushy middle think is the cat’s meow. Obama is a liberal and if purity is the complaint, he would be more the example as is Harry Reid. Since the R’s have sent numerous budgets and bills over to Harry, the dictator of the supposed people’s Senate, has nixed them. He won’t even allow them to be debated! So, in this coming election season, yes, the primaries are where all parties, even the libertarians and the Peace and Freedom and the Greens get to send their candidates to the fore. What I don’t understand about all the complainers about party’s is how is it those other party’s never get past 3% of the vote? Could it be the American people like the two party system?
    Regarding the point about 19th century capitalism. It was reigned in by pressure from Presidents and eventually corralled into something that looked like capitalism. I say it is no longer capitalism but simply regulated endeavor by risk takers who hire employees at the regulatory rules of government. Like a branch of government.
    Regarding other forms of representation. The British have had a Parliamentary system for centuries. If a person would watch their elections they would see a land with many political parties and guess what? The English boil it down to three for governance. So maybe it is human nature to make things as simple as possible and two or three party’s seem to be favored.

    Like

  38. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Todd
    What regulations do you believe are necessary and which ones would you eliminate?

    Like

  39. Douglas Keachie Avatar
    Douglas Keachie

    Those who would have us all invest in Gold have convinced Hugo Chavez. He’s pulling his gold out of the USA and European banks.

    Like

  40. RL Crabb Avatar

    What I’m saying, Mikey, is the Repubs threw Geo. W. under the bus just like the progressos are doing to Obama right now. You think you can get a mandate for your libertarian/evangelical agenda and keep it long enough to effect any real change? Good luck with that.

    Like

  41. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Yeah Crabb
    Right now Perry is the wow oh wow for those folks. He takes a shower every morning with Holy Water and is all blissed out right now after his God Fest with the AFA. He’ll NEVER win because the Catholics (27% of the electorate) will never forgive him for his close association with the Rev Haggee. Next up is ???

    Like

  42. Greg Goodknight Avatar
    Greg Goodknight

    I’d post this on the FUE’s blog, but he made it clear some time ago that he didn’t want to face someone who can hit back.
    Peeline recently ridiculed the upcoming showing of Waiting for Superman at a TP moot. Let’s look at the STAR results for Nevada County…
    First, we’ve historically the most Euro of any county in California, and the fewest ESL students. So we must be doing pretty good in English-Language Arts, right? Well, for our 11th graders, 54% are below grade level.
    We might expect our math scores to be worse, and we would be right.
    The 6th grade is the last year before the most advanced students split away from the general track, and at that point, 45% are below grade level (Proficient) in Nevada County.
    The creme de la creme take Algebra I in the 7th grade (about one in twelve) and they do pretty well, and kids who are on track take it in the 8th grade.The county-wide Algebra I numbers show 66% are below Proficient when tested.
    More county wide totals:
    Geometry… 63% below Proficient
    Algebra II… 68% below Proficient
    http://star.cde.ca.gov/star2011/ViewReport.aspx?ps=true&lstTestYear=2011&lstTestType=C&lstCounty=29&lstDistrict=&lstSchool=&lstGroup=1&lstSubGroup=1
    Don’t blame the high schools, the problems start in the elementary schools. If the kid can’t write well or manipulate fractions without a calculator, they’re entering high school with major handicaps.
    Looking at the Grass Valley School District numbers, 48% of 6th graders are below Proficient in Math. Don’t be too hard on them, though, since when STAR testing first started, after the Jon Byerrum experiment in whole math and whole language had a few years to take hold, fully half of their 3rd graders (the first class to get whole math with both barrels) were in the bottom quartile in both math and language.
    I understand from The Union and KNCO that County Sup. of Education Holly Hermansen is studying the results to see just where the problems are in our schools, but I expect Ms. Hermansen (aka Mrs. Jon Byerrum) has her eyes wide shut as to the root causes.

    Like

  43. Greg Goodknight Avatar
    Greg Goodknight

    Here’s a good one… NU Technical High School, the school within a school at our large comprehensive high school. 93% of the 15 kids in that group (meaning all but one) are below proficient in English. Fully 53% are Far Below Basic.
    NU Tech seems to me to be a holding pen to take kids at risk of making the NUHS stats worse and putting them somewhere to isolate NUHS from that, while still allowing NU to get their daily cash for taking attendance.

    Like

  44. Mikey McD Avatar
    Mikey McD

    Goodnight…. solutions?
    Crabb, well said. I am passionate about pro-liberty change, but I am also realistic :). P.s. I didn’t ever vote for Bush. Educated/passionate people rarely get behind the mainstream candidate; for example, Ron Paul for capitalists and Denis Kucinich for the progressives.

    Like

  45. Greg Goodknight Avatar
    Greg Goodknight

    There’s nothing in local Education that can’t be improved by identifying the worst 5% of teachers every year and showing them the door. Requiring above average SATs (500+ math, 500+ verbal) of all Principals and Superintendents would probably help.
    However, no general solution is possible with the political will to do so, and Education is the 500lb. gorilla of California politics. All one can really do is rescue the kids you know and love, but while it’s never too late to make a difference, the older they are, the harder it is for them to enter college being ready and able to handle a math intensive science or engineering course of study.
    The kids at NUHS are not stupid. A full 66% are above Basic in Biology, the STEM subject that virtually all NUHS kids take, but it’s also the one “science” that doesn’t require math competence.

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  46. Mikey McD Avatar

    Paul, the list of ridiculous (unneeded, overbearing, lobbyist dreams) regulations is lengthy. Start with our basic need of food. Check out the Farmageddon documentary for a summary of how anti-liberty our governments regulations on food have become. Let me grow and eat what I please, please.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IH_my56FkuQ

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  47. Russ Steele Avatar

    I just posted this at NC Media Watch: Tea Party Patriots — Not a political party, but a state of mind
    Our local left is “going postal” as the local Tea Party gains recognition in the community. The TPP was the largest group in the 4th of July Parade.  The Tea Party Patriots are holding monthly events, including dinners, luncheons, free movies on critical issues, holding idea exchange forums, hosted a County Fair Booth, and are developing a strong presence on Facebook. They are every where, including attending BOS meetings and meeting one-on-one with Supervisors, City Council members and our local newspaper Publisher.
    For some reason, the left is upset by this expanding visibility of the Tea Party Patriots in our community.  They keep posting about polling information reported to show declining interest in the Tea Party and what they stand for:

    You can read the rest of the post HERE.

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  48. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Good one Mikey. As a Green Libertarian that one has my attention. Also let me smoke what I grow as well.

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