Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Louisiana Prom Controversy: Have Your Say
Now that you've read the opinions of our contributors, join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Kansas City School Closings
Today we asked our contributors if they feel there can be a positive outcome from this massive change. After reading their opinions, join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Kansas City School Closings: Shaun Hautly
The education industry is just like the postal service, and just like every other business in the US right now. Every business is closing branches, reducing employees, and cutting the fat. Of course critics are having a problem with this. That's what critics do. However, the solution for the critics isn't one that we can afford right now, so we go to plan be. Now, we can either go to plan B and figure this out, OR we can go to plan B and complain about it for years, as I assume most critics will do.
Teachers and other unions have long since gotten away with grandfathering and longevity. Since the majority of teaching pay-scales are based on "experience" (time and formal education), there isn't much incentive for trying hard nor much reward for those that do. The idea of performance based incentives and pay-scales based on results isn't such a bad idea. Yes it would upset the dinosaurs, but it's time they go extinct anyway, and this economy is just the comet to do it. Our tax dollars pay for these salaries, and I wouldn't pay for some lazy mechanic to take twice as long to not fix a broken car, nor do I want to pay for a lazy teacher who is barely meeting the minimum requirements.
There is also strength for the students in larger classes. The social interaction is more comparable to the "real world." Large companies, competition, and reward for those who try harder and seek out their supervisors translate very well into larger schools. It's a tough-love situation at times, but coddling our children and not teaching them to excel and stand out is only going to hurt them as they inherit our recovering economy and job-market. Having them prepared to battle out tough competitors for a boss that appreciates it is going to be a lot better than teaching them to wait for a handout, and achieve average test scores.
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Teachers and other unions have long since gotten away with grandfathering and longevity. Since the majority of teaching pay-scales are based on "experience" (time and formal education), there isn't much incentive for trying hard nor much reward for those that do. The idea of performance based incentives and pay-scales based on results isn't such a bad idea. Yes it would upset the dinosaurs, but it's time they go extinct anyway, and this economy is just the comet to do it. Our tax dollars pay for these salaries, and I wouldn't pay for some lazy mechanic to take twice as long to not fix a broken car, nor do I want to pay for a lazy teacher who is barely meeting the minimum requirements.
There is also strength for the students in larger classes. The social interaction is more comparable to the "real world." Large companies, competition, and reward for those who try harder and seek out their supervisors translate very well into larger schools. It's a tough-love situation at times, but coddling our children and not teaching them to excel and stand out is only going to hurt them as they inherit our recovering economy and job-market. Having them prepared to battle out tough competitors for a boss that appreciates it is going to be a lot better than teaching them to wait for a handout, and achieve average test scores.
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Kansas City School Closings: Ryan John
I know drastic times call for drastic measures in Kansas City, but I'm pretty confident that those "above average" are going to quickly turn into the mediocre ones that lost their jobs. I'm not sure why KC will incur a $50 million shortfall, but if they're like most states in the U.S., cuts and changes are an inevitability. I'll assume that they could have predicted this budget problem was on the horizon if they paid closer attention in previous years. It could have been a less dramatic change if done properly.
I'm sure the overcrowding of the existing public schools will lead to an increased enrollment in charter or private schools, which could be a good thing for students. However, the ones who aren't fortunate or resourceful enough to do that, they're public school experience could be negatively affected. I hope the KC School Board will increase the number of classrooms and teacher's enough to keep the average class size relatively reasonable. They could better utilize college students or anyone seeking a state teaching certification to assist the teachers and administration in the classroom.
Although the government is increasing it's size and scope, we still need to think creatively and innovative. There is no reason why the Board can't accommodate these students sufficiently despite having to close down that many schools and fire as many teachers. These kids, as all kids in this country, share no responsibility for the recent economic decline. These were adult mistakes and now adult remedies. I hope they at least will implement changes with the students in mind. I believe it was Tim Geitner who said we shouldn't let a disaster like this go to waste. Well now is the time for a young, creative and socially responsible person to make a name for themselves in the School Board and/or the political arena.
I'm sure the overcrowding of the existing public schools will lead to an increased enrollment in charter or private schools, which could be a good thing for students. However, the ones who aren't fortunate or resourceful enough to do that, they're public school experience could be negatively affected. I hope the KC School Board will increase the number of classrooms and teacher's enough to keep the average class size relatively reasonable. They could better utilize college students or anyone seeking a state teaching certification to assist the teachers and administration in the classroom.
Although the government is increasing it's size and scope, we still need to think creatively and innovative. There is no reason why the Board can't accommodate these students sufficiently despite having to close down that many schools and fire as many teachers. These kids, as all kids in this country, share no responsibility for the recent economic decline. These were adult mistakes and now adult remedies. I hope they at least will implement changes with the students in mind. I believe it was Tim Geitner who said we shouldn't let a disaster like this go to waste. Well now is the time for a young, creative and socially responsible person to make a name for themselves in the School Board and/or the political arena.
Kansas City School Closings: David Loftus
There can be no positive outcome from this massive change . . . other than the fact that the school district will survive, a few students who were destined to succeed anyway will do so, and many others will have to scramble at little harder to find a future. Which is not to say it mustn’t be done. The district got itself into this mess and it is taking some hard choices -- and will probably take a good long while -- to get it out again.
School districts all across the country have been suffering due to economic changes, demographic shifts, and the recent recession. But the Kansas City School District appears to have distinguished itself from the rest of the nation (and not in a good way!) through decades of political infighting, racism and reverse racism (if one may coin a term for the insistence of African-American activists on putting racial identity ahead of “mere” basic education), personal attacks between rival factions on the board and in the administration, and so on. All these factors, not just “natural” population shifts and economics, contributed to the shrinkage of the district from 77,000 students in the mid 1960s to a mere 17,000 in half-empty schools today.
Now apparent go-getter superintendent John Covington has proposed a leaner, more efficient district, with the closing of 26 of the current 61 schools, and the elimination of 700 jobs, including 300 teaching positions. The Kansas City Star reported that 40 civic and religious organizations, businesses, and individuals signed an ad that supported Covington’s plan. That’s important, because those players will need to help the district carry on in the years to come, rather than wait for it to perform miracles. It’s my personal opinion that much of the decline in education in this country, real or imagined, reflects a decline in parenting; that is to say, too many parents are not preparing their children for school and the outside world, they don’t monitor or participate in the operation of the schools to which they relegate their kids, and they expect teachers to make up for everything they failed to do. Change in the Kansas City School District is not going to be pretty or painless, but it probably needs doing.
School districts all across the country have been suffering due to economic changes, demographic shifts, and the recent recession. But the Kansas City School District appears to have distinguished itself from the rest of the nation (and not in a good way!) through decades of political infighting, racism and reverse racism (if one may coin a term for the insistence of African-American activists on putting racial identity ahead of “mere” basic education), personal attacks between rival factions on the board and in the administration, and so on. All these factors, not just “natural” population shifts and economics, contributed to the shrinkage of the district from 77,000 students in the mid 1960s to a mere 17,000 in half-empty schools today.
Now apparent go-getter superintendent John Covington has proposed a leaner, more efficient district, with the closing of 26 of the current 61 schools, and the elimination of 700 jobs, including 300 teaching positions. The Kansas City Star reported that 40 civic and religious organizations, businesses, and individuals signed an ad that supported Covington’s plan. That’s important, because those players will need to help the district carry on in the years to come, rather than wait for it to perform miracles. It’s my personal opinion that much of the decline in education in this country, real or imagined, reflects a decline in parenting; that is to say, too many parents are not preparing their children for school and the outside world, they don’t monitor or participate in the operation of the schools to which they relegate their kids, and they expect teachers to make up for everything they failed to do. Change in the Kansas City School District is not going to be pretty or painless, but it probably needs doing.
Kansas City School Closings: Have Your Say
Now that you've read the opinions of our panelists, have your say by leaving a comment.
Friday, March 12, 2010
2010 ACADEMY AWARDS RECAP
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Letterman's Blackmailer Pleads Guilty
Today we asked our panelists if they feel Halderman's sentence was fair. After reading their opinions, join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Don't forget to check out Sasha's "Best & Worst" of Oscar's red carpet fashions!
Letterman's Blackmailer Pleads Guilty: Roseanne Frangione
Halderman deserves exactly what he got. While it might seem as though he is getting off easily, the fact remains that by plea bargaining not only does it prevent David Letterman having to testify (which would most likely bring up his infidelities again) but it also saves the cost of an expensive trial. Prisons are already over crowded and I believe there are many murderers, rapists, and drug dealers who need to be locked away from society before a television news reporter who got greedy.
In the long run, Halderman has already been given a harsh sentence. He's lost his job and I doubt that any reputable news organization will rush to hire him at the end of his sentence. His career, his reputation, and for the most part his life, have all been crushed. How pathetic that he lost so much just for the chance to get two million dollars.
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In the long run, Halderman has already been given a harsh sentence. He's lost his job and I doubt that any reputable news organization will rush to hire him at the end of his sentence. His career, his reputation, and for the most part his life, have all been crushed. How pathetic that he lost so much just for the chance to get two million dollars.
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Letterman's Blackmailer Pleads Guilty: David Loftus
It doesn’t sound unreasonably light to me, but then, I couldn’t care less about the fortunes of Halderman or Letterman. The former sounds like a loser perpetually on the make and the latter comes across as swell-headed celeb who abused his power, was happy to keep his private life very private until events overtook him, and then skillfully used breaking events to boost his sagging career. Since the drunk driver who killed my father got just two years in prison, anything more for what was merely conspiracy to commit a crime that didn’t end up victimizing anyone sounds extreme.
It’s not the fame of the alleged victim that should dictate the size of the sentence, but the seriousness of the crime and the likelihood that the perpetrator poses a future danger to society. In this case, the former was not particularly heinous, and the likelihood of the latter very small.
Community service that actually results in helping someone is certainly preferable to spending taxpayer dollars to house and feed a convict who is unlikely to go out threatening or assaulting another potential victim. I suspect Letterman himself is not interested in seeing Halderman receive a stiffer punishment; just that he goes away and doesn’t bother “Dave” again.
It’s not the fame of the alleged victim that should dictate the size of the sentence, but the seriousness of the crime and the likelihood that the perpetrator poses a future danger to society. In this case, the former was not particularly heinous, and the likelihood of the latter very small.
Community service that actually results in helping someone is certainly preferable to spending taxpayer dollars to house and feed a convict who is unlikely to go out threatening or assaulting another potential victim. I suspect Letterman himself is not interested in seeing Halderman receive a stiffer punishment; just that he goes away and doesn’t bother “Dave” again.
Letterman's Blackmailer Pleads Guilty: Nikki Lorenzini
This guy had a great job as a producer for CBS News. Who actually gets those types of chances, seriously? And who is actually foolish enough to screw those chances up? Seriously.
I think that the six months of prison and the community service is enough of a punishment for a guy who was stupid enough to blackmail someone like David Letterman. Granted, if he would of done this to the average Joe Schmoe, yeah, this might not be an adequate punishment. Halderman on the other hand will do the punishment, have it on his record, and also have his name thrown out in the public eye to be known as “the guy who tried to black mail David Letterman.” Who really wants that title?
Halderman lost out in the end. He didn’t get the money. He lost his job. Will be stuck in prison for 6 months then doing community service for what, 6 weeks if he does 40 hrs per week? So 7 ½ to 8 months he will be paying for this, and that’s not including all the bad publicity he’s been getting for it. I think he’s gotten what he deserves.
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I think that the six months of prison and the community service is enough of a punishment for a guy who was stupid enough to blackmail someone like David Letterman. Granted, if he would of done this to the average Joe Schmoe, yeah, this might not be an adequate punishment. Halderman on the other hand will do the punishment, have it on his record, and also have his name thrown out in the public eye to be known as “the guy who tried to black mail David Letterman.” Who really wants that title?
Halderman lost out in the end. He didn’t get the money. He lost his job. Will be stuck in prison for 6 months then doing community service for what, 6 weeks if he does 40 hrs per week? So 7 ½ to 8 months he will be paying for this, and that’s not including all the bad publicity he’s been getting for it. I think he’s gotten what he deserves.
Email Nikki
Letterman's Blackmailer Pleads Guilty: Have Your Say
Now that you've read the opinions of our contributors, join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Sasha Rates The Red Carpet
My most underdeveloped fashion eye is the male Tuxedo. I tend to think all men look great in a tux but what I have learned this award season is that it's all about the right fit of the shirt.
Best Male Dress Nominees:
George Clooney
Matt Damon
Tom Ford
Ryan Reynolds
Winner- Tom Ford (wearing Tom Ford) - Now I know what you are thinking. It's unfair to pick a fashion designer wearing his own tux but the truth of the matter is he looked the best. If I had any doubts about what a tux should look like on a man, Tom Ford has cleared all of that up.
Loser- Robert Downey Jr.- I wasn't feeling anything, the glasses, the blue bow tie and especially the sneakers. His look wasn't right at all. Even if he was at the Grammy's I would have voted him worst dress. It was just all wrong. He needs a stylist and I'm available.
Best Thick Chick Nominees:
Mariah Carey (Yes she is a thick chick)
Queen Latifah
Mo'Nique
Oprah Winfrey
Winner - Queen Latifah in Badley Mischka. She's certainly looks like a cover girl here. I'm so proud of her to represent for the big girls. Big is beautiful, even if big is always trying to be small. She gave the skinny girls a run for their money this evening. Her skin is glowing and the beaded shoulder was the right touch for her. She's been doing a great job this award season. If I can still remember her People's Choice Award dress than her stylist is doing their job.
All the thick chicks represented well and there is not going to be a loser in this category this year.
Best Actress in a Supporting Role Gown:
Penelope Cruz
Vera Farmiga
Maggie Gllyenhaal
Anna Kendrick
Mo'Nique
Winner- Vera Farmiga in Marchesa..Yes.. her dress was bold, daring and you almost wanted to hate it but you couldn't. The color was perfect on her skin and the structure was outstanding. If Cameron Diaz had has this dress on it wouldn't have worked but it most certainly did for me. Trust me.. I reviewed this dress over and over and it's a winner.
Loser - This one is very obvious to me: Maggie Gyllenhaal. Tie die does not equal Oscars.
Best Dressed Over 40
Kathryn Bigelow
Meryl Streep
Signorney Weaver
Winner - Meryl Streep in Chris March- I'm really beginning to love white on the red carpet. Now, we usually don't expect much from Ms. Streep but this might be as good as it gets so we will take it. Plus, we always want to support a Project Runway designer. They are the best!
Loser - Sarah Jessica Parker - I can't even believe my fingers are typing this but we expect so much more from our Sex and The City star. She's suppose to be a fashion icon and role model. It was just a miss for her and I guess being a new mom of twins has it's downfall on your personal style. On the upside of things. Her jewelery was my favorite of the night. She wins Best Accessories.
Best Dressed Under 30
Miley Cyrus
Gabourey Sidibe
Kristen Stewart
Vanessa Hudgens (Grammy after party dress)
Winner- Miley Cyrus in Jenny Peckham was a huge surprise for me. " I throw my hands up" on this dress. Now other fashion critique had a lot to say about it but I l-o-v-e-s it on her and as we say "If it looks good on you."
Most Disappointing Dress- Zoe Saldana in Givenchy. I loved the colors. I'm going gaga over the shoes but the bottom ruffles I couldn't get over. I've tried looking the dress in different angles and tried to be objective but I just couldn't. In the words of Khole Kardshian "not every dress is suppose to be worn straight off the runway." This is a perfect example. I still plan on catching Zoe on the cover of Essence magazine April issue though. She's still fab in my eyes.
Overall Best Dressed- Sandra Bullock in Christian Dior. It was really hard I'm not going to lie. J.Lo gave her a run for her money but Sandra was just glowing and hence the glow and shimmer coming off her dress. And a big congrats to her win. I hope she enjoyed the cheeseburger she wanted to eat after the show.
I'd love to hear who you think was best and worst dressed. Let me know by leaving a comment.
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Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Gays in the GOP?
Today we asked our panel if they believe there is room for gays in the GOP. After reading their thoughts, join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Gays in the GOP? David Loftus
Not being Republican or gay, I suppose I have no standing to offer an opinion on the question. To be honest, I might be more ashamed if I had to identify myself as a Republican than as a gay male. Just kidding. I know almost as many fine Republicans as I have gay friends. But seriously, it’s inconceivable to me that, no matter what his spiritual beliefs, a gay man could somehow believe he was doing right by God, the universe, or his karma by serving as a Republican public official and voting against gay rights.
I know, I know. Ashburn has claimed that he was voting to represent the views of the people who elected him, not his own. Personally, I’ve never agreed with this philosophy of representation. An elected official ought to make it his business to understand the complex issues that come before him better than the average person who voted for him; and if the combination of his knowledge and conscience says the best interests of his constituents diverge from their wishes, he should stand for the former. If our public officials don’t have to be any smarter or better informed than the average citizen, then we should just do away with legislators and Congressional representatives and vote on everything ourselves. But I don’t believe that. And I do digress.
Ashburn may indeed have expressed the wishes of a majority of his supporters, but he’s a liar. He lied to them (would they have elected him if they’d known from the beginning that he was gay?). More important -- one way or another -- he lied to himself. Perhaps he knew all along he was gay, but if he thought he could keep that separate from the rest of his life, if he thought the Republican Party was going to be just fine and dandy about his sexual orientation, if he thought he was on the side of the angels voting against both the civil rights of gays and his own heart . . . he was lying to himself.
Aside from that, speaking as a man whose father was killed by a drunk driver, I have to say that Ashburn should be far more ashamed of himself for driving drunk than having to admit he is gay.
I know, I know. Ashburn has claimed that he was voting to represent the views of the people who elected him, not his own. Personally, I’ve never agreed with this philosophy of representation. An elected official ought to make it his business to understand the complex issues that come before him better than the average person who voted for him; and if the combination of his knowledge and conscience says the best interests of his constituents diverge from their wishes, he should stand for the former. If our public officials don’t have to be any smarter or better informed than the average citizen, then we should just do away with legislators and Congressional representatives and vote on everything ourselves. But I don’t believe that. And I do digress.
Ashburn may indeed have expressed the wishes of a majority of his supporters, but he’s a liar. He lied to them (would they have elected him if they’d known from the beginning that he was gay?). More important -- one way or another -- he lied to himself. Perhaps he knew all along he was gay, but if he thought he could keep that separate from the rest of his life, if he thought the Republican Party was going to be just fine and dandy about his sexual orientation, if he thought he was on the side of the angels voting against both the civil rights of gays and his own heart . . . he was lying to himself.
Aside from that, speaking as a man whose father was killed by a drunk driver, I have to say that Ashburn should be far more ashamed of himself for driving drunk than having to admit he is gay.
Gays in the GOP? Austin Lee
There is room for gay leaders in the GOP. Unfortunately, the party seems to have been hijacked by the Evangelical Christian movement. The whole party doesn't hold the same views on homosexuality. I have a couple of gay friends that vote Republican. When I ask them how they get past the gay rights issues, their response: Its bigger than one issue for me.
My question is will the gay community allow someone to be gay and a republican? This is a community that vilifies the Christian community for being closed minded and yet I believe they would vilify any homosexual that decided to vote against a Democrat. I think their support of a gay candidate is determined by whether or not he or she tows the party line on gay rights.
Being gay shouldn't determine which party you belong to. For that matter, neither should race or national origin. Our political system is broken when people of all sexual orientations, races, national origins can't choose a party based on the direction of the country. It shouldn't matter. I wish more gay men and women would see the world like my friends: Bigger than one issue.
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My question is will the gay community allow someone to be gay and a republican? This is a community that vilifies the Christian community for being closed minded and yet I believe they would vilify any homosexual that decided to vote against a Democrat. I think their support of a gay candidate is determined by whether or not he or she tows the party line on gay rights.
Being gay shouldn't determine which party you belong to. For that matter, neither should race or national origin. Our political system is broken when people of all sexual orientations, races, national origins can't choose a party based on the direction of the country. It shouldn't matter. I wish more gay men and women would see the world like my friends: Bigger than one issue.
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Gays in the GOP? Nikki Lorenzini
I know I have asked this question several times before on here and in my own personal life: what is the big deal about someone’s sexuality? I know in this case that people’s beliefs do matter, and what they believe is making an uncomfortable situation for the people who do not 100% conform to it. I am not arguing people’s beliefs, it is what it is, but what I would like to argue is why must those beliefs make other people feel like they have to live a lie, then feel guilty for doing so afterward?
I know I have put this out there before: I am a Christian, and I know what I am told though the Bible about homosexuality, so I understand the where GOP is coming from with their beliefs about gay rights and the like. I understand, but I do not necessarily agree, but that is a whole different story. Back on topic though, what I do not understand is where people feel like that since they belong to one party, that party will always be the same, believe the same things, do the same thing, never part from their ways. I am starting to believe that there is no room for growth or diversity in the two major parties, that your either Republican or Democrat. After that, your then shoved into a small little box, and if you depart from those ways, your then shunned with a scarlet letter on your shirt.
Unfortunately at this point in time, I really do not think that there is any room for gay leaders in the GOP.
Email Nikki
I know I have put this out there before: I am a Christian, and I know what I am told though the Bible about homosexuality, so I understand the where GOP is coming from with their beliefs about gay rights and the like. I understand, but I do not necessarily agree, but that is a whole different story. Back on topic though, what I do not understand is where people feel like that since they belong to one party, that party will always be the same, believe the same things, do the same thing, never part from their ways. I am starting to believe that there is no room for growth or diversity in the two major parties, that your either Republican or Democrat. After that, your then shoved into a small little box, and if you depart from those ways, your then shunned with a scarlet letter on your shirt.
Unfortunately at this point in time, I really do not think that there is any room for gay leaders in the GOP.
Email Nikki
Gays in the GOP? Scott Hinkley
Not to split hairs, but I think the question is really if there is any room for openly gay leaders in the GOP. As we learn everyday, there are many gays working in all levels of the GOP. I am not suggesting that there is any culture of tolerance for homosexuality within the GOP or their religious base, but there certainly do seem to be many of actual homosexuals. In other circumstances I might see this as a ray of hope that could open the hearts and minds of those most closed to issues about sexuality (not to mention homosexuality), but in this case I find it a sad commentary on how much secrecy and self-loathing has been pressed upon gays and lesbians growing up in these communities.
It seems almost unbelievable to me how many "closet" gay leaders have emerged from the Republican ranks, and almost as unbelievable is the overwhelming number of gay republican leaders have voted against gay rights throughout their careers. Shouldn't this level of self-hatred, and the fact that is seems so at home within the firebrand politics of modern conservatism, worry us terribly, and make us doubt the capacity for those in leadership positions to behave with honesty and integrity? Our nation has been debating the military policy of "don't ask, don't tell" since it's first adoption. I think it is time we turn our focus to the GOPs policy of "we'll ask, but don't tell, or we'll destroy your life on principle." The only room for gays in the GOP is the ones they already have as high ranking leaders who are happier getting away with living a lie than with removing the culture of hate that drove them into the closet in the first place.
Email Scott
It seems almost unbelievable to me how many "closet" gay leaders have emerged from the Republican ranks, and almost as unbelievable is the overwhelming number of gay republican leaders have voted against gay rights throughout their careers. Shouldn't this level of self-hatred, and the fact that is seems so at home within the firebrand politics of modern conservatism, worry us terribly, and make us doubt the capacity for those in leadership positions to behave with honesty and integrity? Our nation has been debating the military policy of "don't ask, don't tell" since it's first adoption. I think it is time we turn our focus to the GOPs policy of "we'll ask, but don't tell, or we'll destroy your life on principle." The only room for gays in the GOP is the ones they already have as high ranking leaders who are happier getting away with living a lie than with removing the culture of hate that drove them into the closet in the first place.
Email Scott
Gays in the GOP? Have Your Say
Now that you've read the opinions of our contributors, have your say by leaving a comment.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The Oscars
Make sure to check out Sasha's full review of the Academy Awards as well as Art's take on Avatar.
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