Cryptowit Quote Puzzle by William W. Lawrence Sr.
Mfuud Fssnajwxfwd, Rtr fsi Ifi
Answer to yesterday’s puzzle:To hold a man down, you have to stay down with him.
Booker T. Washington
Paul Caron Keeps IRS Scandal Alive
Obama IRS Scandal kept alive by Pepperdine prof Paul Caron
Kudos to Paul Caron of Pepperdine University School of Law whose TaxProf Blog is not letting Barack Obama’s use of the IRS against political opponents be forgotten.
Caron is a member of the Law Professors Blogs Network.
His site can be found at http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2013/09/the-irs.html
Paul Caron Keeps IRS Scandal Alive
Visit BillLawrenceOnline.com
Washington Faces Unexpected Reality
Washington Faces Unexpected Reality — Here’s some good news — an unexpected political reality is being imposed on Washington. The American people are realizing they don’t need government as much as those in government claim they do, according to Scott Rasmussen writing for Real Clear Politics.
Rasmussen cites Nicco Mele’s book, “The End of Big” which claims: “The devices and connectivity so essential to modern life put
unprecedented power in the hands of every individual — a radical
redistribution of power that our traditional institutions don’t and
perhaps can’t understand,”
Rasmussen points out that is demonstrated in the reaction to the minor budget trimming known as the sequester. Those in The Beltway were certain it would inspire outrage among the populace. Most Americans, however, considered it “a baby step in the right direction.,”
Hopefully, this bit of info gives some of our squishier Republicans some spine.
And here’s a link showing a perspective on education that you aren’t going to get in the establishment media. Paula Bolyard writing for PJMedia.com shows the surprising way homeschooling leads to healthy, happy and well-educated children and families. Any family that could homeschool would be nuts not to, if what she writes is accurate.
Washington Faces Unexpected Reality
Republican Circular Firing Squads
Republican Circular Firing Squads
By Cathy Craddock
Senator Cruz made this observation:
“If 41 Republicans stand together in the Senate or 218 Republicans stand together in the House, we can win this fight; we can defund Obamacare in its entirety,”
The clock is ticking and to date 14 Senators and about 80 House members are on board.
“But the only way that’s going to happen is if the American people stand together and demand it.”
The Kaiser Poll shows 57 percent of Americans oppose defunding it. While ObamaCare is not popular, people feel that the budget process should not be used as a tactic to circumvent a law. I am on board with this philosophy because I really resent when Executive Orders are used to bypass legislation.
Both Sen. Pat Toomey and Congressman Pat Meehan claim they can pass legislation to dismantle Obamacare apart bit by bit. They say they have the votes (bi-partisan) to repeal the tax on medical instruments and to get rid of the death panel (IPAB ). There is agreement on other aspects as well. They don’t want Obamacare to survive any more than we do.
Recently I have started to cringe when I hear “hold’em accountable”. Heritage and other groups pressure us to hold lawmakers “accountable” if they fail to heed our DEMANDS. Just how do you hold someone accountable for something he never PROMISED to do? Will Toomey and Meehan be marked with scarlet TP letters since they obviously don’t intend to comply with the Cruz/Lee ill-fated scheme?
On the other hand, YES WE CAN and should hold them accountable if they don’t follow through on their proposed brick-by-brick delay tactics.
Honestly, “Defund Obamacare” is DOA (dead on arrival). Probably won’t pass the House. If it does, Harry Reid won’t bring it up in the Senate. If he does and it passes, Obama will veto it and there aren’t enough votes to override the veto. What’s the point??????
We have met the enemy and it is us. Circular thinking and circular firing squad.
So sick of it! I am sick of all the national groups like Heritage and Freedom Works acting like “thought herders”. Tired of us being sock puppets (lemmings?) when they issue a call for collective action accompanied by the big DONATE button to click on for the cause.
Maybe we’re really hamsters – running endlessly and getting nowhere for a losing strategy that seriously jeopardizes any hope of winning the Senate in 2014.
We might even lose the House because “our” people will turn on incumbents like Toomey and Meehan if they don’t toe the line. You know who they are … the ones who see themselves as “hammers” and the incumbents as “nails”.
I can just imagine the Democrats doing a little jig as they plan their 2014 campaign ads against the mean-spirited, racist Obama-hating Republicans who don’t want little Timmy to get his asthma treatments, along with all the other tear jerking personal stories they’ll plaster on TV.
We never win the PR war – nor do we understand it. We just trust that low-information voters across America will be impressed with our principled stance.
Well, how’s that been working out so far?
Bush Beats Obama 11 Ways
Bush Beats Obama 11 Ways
Bush Beats Obama for sure.
So did you know that under Obama the top 1 percent captured 93 percent of all income growth in the country? Under Bush, the one-percents got 65 percent of the income growth.
How about the 74 percent of all U.S. deaths in Afghanistan happen under 0? Or that Obam, too, has been giving no-bid contracts to Haliburton subsidiaries?
Or that unemployment averaged 5.27 percent under Dubya but 8.8 percent under Obama?
Or that the average yearly deficit under Bush was $250.7 billion compared to Obama’s $1.273 trillion.
Here are 11 Ways Barack Obama is Way Worse Than George W. Bush.
Bush Beats Obama 11 Ways
Common Core Not Dead Pennsylvania Wise?
Joanne Yurchak has expressed skepticism regarding claims made by State Rep. Bill Adolph (R-165) to a contingent from the Delaware County Patriots, Aug. 28, about the death of Common Core in this state. Below is here letter to State Sen. Mike Folmer (R-48)
In our view skepticism is a very good thing and Common Core should be watched until it is buried with a stake in its heart
Thank you, Joanne.
Common Core not dead Pennsylvania Wise? Keep watching the banks of the Susquehanna.
West Chester, PA 19380
August 29, 2013
Senator Mike Folmer
Chair, Senate Education Committee
400 S. 8th Street
101 Municipal Building
Lebanon, PA 17042
Dear Senator Folmer:
I spoke to you briefly before the hearing on the Keystones at the
Valley Forge Middle School, expressing my extreme concern about the
implementation of Common Core in Pennsylvania. I told you that Iíd done a
great deal of research on this issue and you asked me to send you my
information. I am attaching some of my writings here. Please let me know
if you would like digital copies and I will send them to you.
Before continuing, I wish to express my genuine gratitude at the fair
and transparent manner in which youíve conducted the hearings. I
attended both the May 15 Common Core Senate hearing and the August 26
Keystone Senate hearing and was tremendously impressed with your
professional manner and respectful treatment of all presenters and
senators. The exceptionally well-organized hearings enabled me to
understand so many features of this complicated issue that I never would
have known had I not attended them. I also appreciate having the
opportunity to view the proceedings in their entirety on your web site.
Although I feel that I now am quite knowledgeable about Common Core, I
continue to be confused and extremely disturbed by information and
opinions that are continually bandied about. For instance, just today,
the following report was stated on a reputable local blog: BillLawrenceDittos.com
Bill Adolph (R-165) told a† contingent from the Delaware County Patriots , this morning, Aug. 28,† that Common Core is likely dead in Pennsylvania.
He said that a draft of Pennsylvania academic standards being
considered by the State Board of Education will specifically include the
wording ìThere will be no required reading lists and curriculum will
remain strictly a local decision by our school boards.
He noted the name of the standards will be changed to PA Core
Standards. He distributed a memo from State House Education Committee
Chairman Paul Clymer (R-145) that in the standards ëthere will be no
national tests or assessments, except if one is deemed necessary for
special education students and then only in consultation with parents,
teachers and other interested parties.
My understanding is that there were stipulations tied to the Race to the
Top money that we received from the Feds when the State Board of
Education, bypassing the State Legislature, signed on to the CCSS
initiative. Are we giving the money back? What is going on? Personally, I
think that whoever dreamed up changing the name to PA Core Standards
did it to confuse CCSS opponents. (Iím sure you weren’t involved in what
I think is likely a Machiavellian scheme.) As far as I’m concerned, a
pickle by any other name would taste as sour!
I speak from the perspective of a parent and grandparent who is a
firm believer in public education and also as an educator who has taught
in a public high school and also for decades in several local colleges
and universities. My two children were educated in the Rose Tree Media
School District and my four grandchildren currently attend elementary
and middle schools in Delaware County.
As more information comes to light regarding the CCSS, many
knowledgeable individuals believe that its implementation will
unquestionably have deleterious consequences, both fiscally and
educationally. Far more disturbing to me, however, is the fact that the
rightful influence of parents, teachers, and local school boards in
formulating educational decisions will be supplanted by bureaucrats in
WashingtonÖ an incontrovertibly egregious assault on individual
freedoms! It is essential that our legislators act IMMEDIATELY to put a
STOP to this federal power grab before its mandates become so entwined
in our educational system that we cannot disentangle ourselves from it.
With your ìpower of the purse,î you have the ability to STOP this. I
respectfully urge you to do so.
On its face, setting ìrigorousî educational standards and attempting
to hold students and teachers accountable by tying assessments to these
standards SEEMS like a positive effort. However, as always, the ìdevil
is in the details.î In the attachments included with this letter, I have
provided some information that has been helpful to me in understanding
this complicated and crucial educational issue. These include:
A summary of basic facts about the CCSS, including concerns of its opponents and my personal commentaries.
An eight page summary of basic information of the CCSS with personal commentary included.
A copy of an opinion article by Frances Fulton that was published in the
York Daily Record entitled: “Common Core State Standards: A Threat to
Our Values.”
This article mentions a letter that the CEO of Exxon-Mobil wrote to
Governor Corbett, “reminding him of the money that Exxon-Mobil brings in
to PA.” I have attached this letter as well. I find it reprehensible
that someone in Mr. Tillerson’s position would attempt to interfere in
PA’s educational system and hope that Governor Corbett is not influenced
by this inappropriate pressure. It makes one wonder what OTHER unknown
forces are pushing the Common Core agenda and WHY they are doing so.
A copy of an E-Mail that I sent to all West Chester School Board members
that contains information that indicates that implementation of Common
Core in PA will result in lessening or eliminating the influence of
parents and local school boards on the education of Pennsylvaniaís
students.
It is unfathomable that our legislators would be so short-sighted and
fiscally irresponsible as to allow the implementation of a massive and
costly federally controlled educational initiative such as the CCSS when
there is no empirical evidence that it will improve our educational
system and student learning outcomes, and when there is almost a 100%
certainly that it will result in massive unfunded mandates and huge
fiscal burdens for our taxpayers at a time when PA is on the verge of a
fiscal crisis. I strongly urge you to do everything within your power to
reject the CCSS for PA, and stop its implementation indefinitely — not
just change the name! I also urge you to return the money that weíve
received from the federal government so that we are not obligated by
their mandates and regulations. Local districts and parents should be in
charge of our studentsí education — not bureaucrats in high places!
Very truly yours,
Joanne Yurchak
Common Core Dead, Pennsylvania Wise?
With State Rep. Bill Adolph (second from right) are Delaware County Patriots Bill Lawrence, Regina Scheerer and Maria Heider.
Common Core Dead Pennsylvania Wise?
State Rep. Bill Adolph (R-165) told a contingent from the Delaware County Patriots , this morning, Aug. 28, that Common Core is likely dead in Pennsylvania.
He said that a draft of Pennsylvania academic standards being considered by the State Board of Education will specifically include the wording “There will be no required reading lists and curriculum will remain strictly a local decision by our school boards.”
He noted the name of the standards will be changed to PA Core Standards.
He distributed a memo from State House Education Committee Chairman Paul Clymer (R-145) that in the standards “there will be no national tests or assessments, except if one is deemed necessary for special education students and then only in consultation with parents, teachers and other interested parties.”
He said the action was prompted by House Resolution 38 which passed unanimously.
Adolph, echoing earlier remarks by state Sen. Ted Erickson (R-26) said liquor-sale privatization will likely occur albeit the likely result will not be as strong as he had hoped.
He said he expects the legislature to vote next June to change the state’s pension system to a 401K-type defined contribution one from its present defined benefit one.
He said he expects, unfortunately, to see a transportation bill pass that will feature either gas tax increases or more roads tolled. He said the state roads and bridges are in that bad of shape.
Adolph said he had some confidence in the passage of reform to the state’s prevailing wage law — namely raising the exemption level of work from $25,000 where it has been since the law was passed in 1961 to $185,000 which is today’s equivalent taking into account inflation.
It’s a relatively minor reform but it’s progress.
He said Medicaid expansion will not happen unless Gov. Corbett can negotiate a lesser cost-per-recipient with the Obama Administration. As of now, Pennsylvania pays about $7,500 per recipient which is one of the highest in the nation. He said the state can’t afford to accept the expansion at that rate. He said hospital administrators have been lobbying hard for the governor to accept it.
He said he supported paycheck protection legislation that would end union dues be involuntarily deducted from workers paychecks, and that he supported bills banning teacher strikes.
Adolph said legislation will be presented calling for the impeachment of Attorney General Kathleen Kane, who has refused to defend the Pennsylvania’s law restricting marriage to members of the opposite sex. He said the action has her worried. He pointed out that her refusal to enforce a law with which she disagreed is subverting the rule of law.
Visit BillLawrenceDittos.com for another story on Common Core Dead Pennsylvania Wise?
Does She Chew Slippers Too?
Does She Chew Slippers Too?
By Jim Vanore
I like dogs.
I’ve had seven over the course of my lifetime—two as a kid and five as an adult—two German Shepards, two Dachshunds, Irish Setter, Beagle, Cocker Spaniel.
I trained (or attempted to) all the dogs I had as an adult. For more than 30 years now, I’ve chosen to live without pets. I have neither the wherewithal, the time, nor the inclination to have a dog in my home. Those days are over, much the same as my days of owning a motorcycle (I’ve only had six of those).
Dogs are wonderful animals, and I heartily believe they have earned their sobriquet as “Man’s Best Friend.” They are loyal, funny, interesting, protective, and often looked upon as a part of your family. That seems reasonable, since it’s widely believed that dogs look at humans as…well, just another dog!
As much as I like our canine friends, there is a noted separation in the acceptable behavior for each of our respective species.
• Humans eat (predominantly) at a table, and more often than not we use utensils (even while enjoying a hoagie, I usually use a knife to plunge the contents down into the roll).
•Dogs eat and drink by plunging their faces into a bowl.
• Humans relieve themselves (again, predominantly) in private at appliances made specifically for that function.
• Dogs let it fly in public.
• Humans share intimacy (porn stars and Hollywood pigs notwithstanding) with the one they love—in private.
• Dogs will fornicate on the municipal common and hump any available human leg when the mood strikes.
None of these activities is to the dogs’ detriment; they are not human, and hence do not have our powers of judgment, nor our sense of propriety. We appreciate them, respect them for what they are, and our affection for them is renowned.
We do think it’s funny though, how they so often act like people, almost mimicking us as they join us in the family car, saunter down the sidewalk with us, whimper when they want something, or lean against us with a sad face when they know we are feeling blue.
It’s outright charming when a dog acts like a human. It’s what endears them to us.
The converse however, is untrue. It’s outright nauseating when a human acts like a dog.
Does She Chew Slippers Too? is excerpted from Good Writer’s Blogspot
Establishment Wants Two Americas
Establishment Wants Two Americas — That the establishment wants two Americas is the only explanation. One would be poor, frightened and dependent, the other would be themselves and living safe and at leisure.
Christopher Orlet, who spent two years living in the inner city, wrote a wonderful yet painful to read article for The American Spectator about the culture of poverty. He says:
The culture of poverty is many things. Actually it is an accumulation of things. Having one of those things doesn’t necessarily mean you are part of that culture. One characteristic of the culture of poverty is the single-parent household. But there are many middle class and even upper class (though fewer) single-parent households that are doing just fine. That is because they have resources unavailable to the poor. Like savings. Lawyers. Reliable transportation.
But if you are a single parent with multiple children by multiple fathers, and a high school dropout, with a record, then chances are you are part of that culture. If you move to a new rental every six months, yanking your kids out of school after school, and if you do drugs in front of your children, and sell your food stamps for cash, then chances are you are part of that culture. If you are 20 years old, living with your grandmother, with no interest in ever getting a job, or getting married, or doing much of anything, chances are you are part of that culture. If you do not have a kitchen table, but you do have a big flat screen TV, and when the social worker comes to visit someone yells, “The social worker is here, go get the light bulb,” then chances are you are part of that culture.
See anybody trying to change it? Sure, but they are the Sarah Palins of the world and the Ted Cruz’s and the Rick Perrys and the Rush Limbaughs. The people who are actually care about these people are the ones the establishment attacks as uncaring. It’s the ones who don’t see skin color as an impediment to success and happiness but rather culture and mores who are attacked as racists.
Persons of any skin can end up living lives of permanent despair, it should be noted. Maybe that’s the intent. It should scare you.
And who is this establishment anyway? Some guy who owns a car dealership or a pizza shop? An accountant who goes to work in a suit? The local lawyer or doctor?
Don’t be silly. The ones that set the agenda are the ones that control the old media, the entertainment industry and the educational system. They’re supported by those who run places like Goldman Sachs and Brown Brothers Harriman.
It wouldn’t be that hard to change the culture. Once upon a time the vast majority of black kids were born into two parent households.
But rather than being condemned, the ghetto is romanticized in music and film. “The dawg” with a lot of ladies is praised as is the single sassy mom who needs no man. The drug dealer is just a businessman. About the only taboo is to be a “snitch”.
The establishment tells white boys that all you need is tat to make you worthy of approval. White girls get to watch their one-time Disney heroes become sex jokes all while being encouraged to emulate them.
Without love, nobody cares. Without anybody caring there is none to challenge those who lust for power.
Those that do care have a fight on their hands. May God grant us strength.
Hat tip Ed Driscoll at PJMedia.com
Establishment Wants Two Americas
Pennsylvania First West Nile Virus Cases
Pennsylvania First West Nile Virus Cases — The Pennsylvania Department of Health has reported the likely first West Nile virus cases this year in Montgomery and York counties, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129)
The departments of Health and Environmental Protection are urging residents to minimize their exposure to mosquitoes.
The mosquitoes that transmit the virus breed in areas with standing and stagnant water. These areas can include catch basins, clogged gutters, discarded tires, poorly maintained swimming pools, flower pots and other types of plastic containers.
Simple steps to eliminate standing water around the home include:
- Removing tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, discarded tires or any object that could collect standing water.
- Having roof gutters cleaned every year, particularly if the leaves from nearby trees have a tendency to clog the drains.
- Turning over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
- Aerating ornamental pools or stocking them with fish.
- Cleaning and chlorinating swimming pools and removing standing water from pool covers.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) conducts regular surveillance and control to manage mosquito populations around the state. So far, DEP has detected West Nile Virus-infected mosquitoes in 36 counties.
For information on West Nile Virus and how to prevent its spread, click here.