American Public Schools did not always fit the accurate description above. . .and some schools with qualified administrators and teaching staff teach a meaningful curriculum that encourages lifelong learning and motivates students to achieve.

The Transition Team (not the President-Elect) is probably the sponsor of the Mall Concert. The Transition Team probably rented the Lincoln Memorial from the Park Service or whoever the memorial Authority is. The Transition Team probably then entered into a contractual agreement with HBO to telecast it. Because the Transition Team rented the space for the period of the concert, the memorial probably is considered to be a private space for that time period, and the Transition Team probably has the right to subcontract its television rights to HBO. They probably chose HBO because HBO would telecast the concert uninterrupted by commercials. HBO, by the way, probably reserved the right to edit the concert as it saw fit. As you probably are aware, HBO edited out the invocation, probably because HBO differed with the clergyman's point of view. HBO also failed to banner the introduction of a chorus, probably because HBO thought the name of the chorus would offend you. So, I think the trade-off was that the Transition Team opted to present the concert uninterrupted and in return HBO retained some editorial rights. I really don't see Obama's involvement in the way you probably need to.

Those who attend the Inaugural Balls pay for the tickets that run from $200 - tens of thousands. The balls that I'm aware of have never come out of taxpayer funds. I have HBO. My understanding of the entertainment industry is that HBO had exclusive rights to film - but other stations did play parts of the celebration today. You're entitled to your opinion - sorry such a wonderful celebration left such a bitter taste. I have family and friends who are there in DC - and they report that the spirit of love and patriotism abounds. . (and some of them voted for McCain!)

barry and crew obviously don't believe that all people should have equal access to things provided on government (citizen owned) property.

Take school choice for example. barry's children have a choice as to what school their parents want them to go to, however barry is himself is against school choice for us peasants. He knows that he would lose popularity with the teachers unions (otherwise known as his base) if he did. Watch - everything that barry does will be politically driven. He doesn't have the integrity to base his decisions on what is right for the American people.

His decision not to broadcast the concert to ALL people is a perfect example.

Doesn't everybody have the exact same choice that Obama has and supports?

Obama does not surport school vouchers.. although most of his supporters do... His children has not and never will attend public schools..
In other words it's ok for the masses but not his..

Obama is not using vouchers to send his kids to school. You have the same choice he does. Pay for it.

I thought all you liberals where for the poor.. Vouchers are for the less fortunate amoung us unlike Obama many can not afford to send their kids to private schools.. Don't they deserve better?

We already supply them with public schools. I can't believe all y'all conservatives wanting yet another expansion of government and more hand outs. What's next? Subsidized country club memberships?

I,ll jump on the bandwagon.. My golf game needs a bailout

I've been joshing you. I support virtually all choices for schools. It should be up to the parents and the kids. It would suit me if GM or Walmart or Microsoft or United Steel Workers or the Methodist Church sponsored a school and taught specific trades for recognized school credit. I think I may be outside the typical liberal norm on this one.

Fred. . . sometimes you just make up stuff. School Choice is a part of many public school districts in our country. Look it up. It's up to the school district to provide 'choice'. You guys will keep Obama's administration on its toes - but you can't dampen the joy felt by the majority of the country tomorrow! Geeez!

Please tie a Tourniquet on that bleeding heart... He is talking about School Vouchers.. the only choice for the schools is the curiculum as prescribed and approved by the BOE.. a Goverment agency.. Try teaching I don't know... Christian History!!! They can teach the Koran, but bring a Bible to school and it is lock down time.. call SWAT we have a right wing radical in our midst time...

One should not fear the knowledge gained by learning about others customs and culture. Learning about Islam, and other religions only made me love my Christian religion of love, tolerance, and principle more. God bless.

Did I read it right or what...?

. . are sometimes miles apart. Do you really think that good teachers are not answering questions about Islam? Do you think that students today are not looking up Islam on the 'net? Those are not rhetorical questions - answer please.

Teachers may be answering questions.. I have no problem.. My issue is when it becomes a curiculum to be taught.. but you know that already.. I believe you are intentally being obtuse..
It is a different matter to teach Religion of one faith and have another completely banned. To have students praying to ALLAH so they can be sensitive to Muslims is beyond the pale.. but GOD help us if someone mentions GOD..
I will decide what Religion I expose to my children.. not the Goverment and certainly not some far left political activist teacher.

Where in the Georgia State Curriculum is Islam taught as a subject? In what classroom are students praying to Allah? Is this being taught in Fayette County? Muslims are just as protective about who teaches their child about religion as Christians are. I insisted that my child learn about the practice of Christianity at home and at church. . as there are many different views on the practice of Christianity - as there are many different views on the practice of Islam. I'm sure you will enlighten me on where I can find in the Georgia State Curriculum the section that dictates to Georgia teachers to teach students how to pray to Allah. Since you don’t make up stuff – I’m sure you’ll give me the exact page number, etc. Thanks!

Read on:
"Public Schools Embrace Islam - A Shocker." It focuses on seventh graders in Byron, California, and says that although students in a growing number of public schools cannot wear crosses or utter the name of Jesus, they are being required to attend an intensive three-week course on Islam including mandated study of the tenets of Islam, the important people of Islam, wearing of a robe, adopting a Moslem name, and staging their own Jihad. It says that the California-required course uses a textbook that says a lot more about Islam than about Christianity and quotes a teacher who says she couldn't teach Christianity like that and can't even say the name of Jesus in the classroom, but the seventh graders are learning how to pray to Allah.

The world is larger then GA.. Never said it was in Fayette just a general topic of discussion.. Stay on track.. Nice try though..

. . .I must have forgotten that part of the state curriculum. You got that bit of information straight out of either Human Events or some other 'rightwing' periodical. Nice try on your part. Can't say the name Jesus in the classroom? Please - in many parts of California you wouldn't be able to call on many of your students - because that is their name!! You have Christian schools (Academies) where teachers are having mature students compare other religions to Christianity. This instruction is NOT teaching a religion - but exposing American students to the different cultures of the world AND the different cultures represented in America. I'm not Catholic, but it doesn't hurt me to know that the 'pastor' is called a Priest - and that he wears a robe. (I'm wasting my time here. Thanks for sharing your views. We don't agree - and we've had different experiences).

and I had no doubt you where a teacher.. with your stauch defending of the system.. It is amazing how parents say the system is flawed, but teachers and admin (Unions) say it's all good...
Actually the story comes from the San Francisican Times and very liberal paper.. It was written approx 2 years ago.. by a former New York Times Writer who discovered he was gay and moved west...
So I somehow doubt he was on the Conservatives payroll.. But stay in the state of denial.. Like you said we all just make things up...

We also have this one in New York, Khalil Gibran International Academy. PUBLIC school, financed by PUBLIC $$$. As usual, there isn't a problem with religion in schools unless it is Christianity. Personally, I don't care if any of it is taught, as long as it is taught as a subject and not a dogma.

There was a controversy about this school because it taught Arabic as a second language - not religion.

DID YOU KNOW?
Dual-language programs have existed in New York City public schools for over fifteen years. Currently, there are over sixty-five programs throughout the city, covering languages such as French, Spanish and Chinese!

OUR NAMESAKE
Khalil Gibran, a Lebanese Maronite Christian, migrated to the United States at the age of 12 with his mother and four sisters. After spending several years in Boston, he eventually settled in New York City.

I received my education outside of the Bible Belt. 'He' said 'Choice' - not 'Vouchers'. I learned about the Bible in my church. I took Bible Literature in school - which included the New Testament. In studying World History; Tudors; etc., it is difficult not to also study 'Christian History'.

Why not use the money that is budgeted for 'vouchers' to improve the public school?

I'm beginning to better understand the perspective of the ultra-conservative. Thanks.

As I understand it the vouchers are for the state's portion of the child's education only, so the money follows the kid, of course I know of no private school that will educate your kid for just the state's portion, I think it would be hard to find one that would educate your kid for the state's and the county's share.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

DM.. thanks for proving the sterotype.. It is always about pouring money into the system.. We already spend more money on education then most other Country's and we consistantly fall behind them.. Pouring more money down the drain is not the answer.. we need a competitive system where we can chose (Choice=Vouchers by the way)which school to send our kids.. WE could choose a private education or simply send them to a better qualified school.. If you have a school that is marginal at best.. then why do I have to send my kids there...? If a Doctor's office was known to mis-diagnose patients on a regular basis I have a choice to not go there.. Why force parents to send their kids to under acheving schools?
You liberals love to dumb down our kids.. it makes it easier to indoctrinate them later.. It's no wonder that educated people tend to vote Republican and less educated tend to vote Democrat.. I wonder why? NOT...

You like to make up stuff too. Taxpayers, state and federal budgets already support public education. Vouchers would need additional funds, and the districts would lose some funds for students that were not enrolled in the public system. We're falling behind because some are determined not to support a first class public school system. In districts where there are schools of choice, parents have the right to send their child there. . .they do not have to send their child to an underachieving school. (NCLB) In this economic climate, a homeowner is going to pay for the public school education AND a private education if he chooses to place his child in a private school. Most will have to opt for public school education. Voucher's go to private schools! If we are to compete in the global economy - our efforts should be focused on providing every child with an opportunity to receive a first class public school education K-12. Because of poor parenting skills, many of our students need Pre-K education - for many children enter Kindergarten without knowing their letters, colors, etc., which used to be taught at our mother's knee. We don't need to take money away from public education. We need to take steps to make our public education first class as it was 30 years ago! . .and it can be done! (and the uneducated Yale, Harvard, Princeton, etc., etc., graduates who are now about the run this country will lead the way!)

Choice is an offering within the district; Voucher is money to attend a school outside the district (private)

"You like to make up stuff too."
You have got to be kidding me.. that is the best you can do.. Everyone that you disagree with is just "making stuff up"..
I mean really... It is everybodys fault but the schools and our system.. You posted here about all the money been spent, but on a previous one you said we need to spend more.. Which is it..?
"We don't need to take money away from public education."
If it isn't working you need either to fix it or dump it..pouring more money into a system which is marginal at best is not the answer..

We don't need to take money away from public education. We need to take steps to make our public education first class as it was 30 years ago!

That's what I said. (Verbatim - read above)

Davids mom, do you believe that money, or the lack thereof, is the root of our educational woes? I believe it is more the culture in which we live, the expectations that we place on our children, and the premium in time and treasure that we put on our leisure activities. Go to any "needs improvement"-type school and you will see what the families value-- cars, clothing, technology and baubles. Ask the children what they value and how they spend their free time. That isn't going to be fixed with money. It will only be fixed when the adults in this country decide to seek responsibility and take responsibility for our actions.

School vouchers are little more than your typical wingnut mouthbreather's pipe dream to do nothing more than cripple public education.

If they were to hire a private security company to patrol their neighborhood, should that security company be paid out of the police department's budget?

If they build a private swimming pool, should the cost be billed to the Kedron pool?
_________________________
Palin-Nugent 2012

Love your Analogies none of which apply.. or even really makes sense..
First what is so great about PUBLIC education...?
Should you have to send your child to a school which has lost it acreditation and sends out students that can barely read much less write.. oh yeah.. you do. That is because you don't HAVE A CHOICE!!
Your "examples" are basically about money.. so let me explain it slowly for you..
The money is already spent.. IF a school performs below par then the parent has the "CHOICE" to remove the child and the funds that are already allocated go with them.. SO NO NEW MONEY IS SPENT.
The "Vouchers" would force systems to be competitive and like businesses produce a better product.. If they can not or will not then they lose funds.. as well as they should.. Why pour money down a black hole.. If they can not perform they should go the way of other failed systems.. AWAY

Slindsey wrote "Love your Analogies none of which apply.. or even really makes sense.."

Let's just stop right there.

I've noticed you have a rather disconcerting habit of fleeing like a stuck pig when presented with something that doesn't neatly fit into your preconceived notions, but I'm going to give you a chance to redeem yourself here. Don't blow it!

Now then:
I pointed out three separate instances of public accouterments: public education, public safety, and public recreation.

In each instance, it is up to members of the individual public as to whether or not they wish to avail themselves of these services.

Also in each instance, the public has the right to go outside of the services offered and obtain the private equivalent: a private school, a private security force and/or a private swimming pool.

Yet in only ONE of these instances do "conservatives" insist on having compensation provided by public entities for essentially a private substitute, which is of course private schools funded by public "vouchers".

Please explain in some detail as to why you think that these analogies are inapplicable.

I'll wait right here.
_________________________
Palin-Nugent 2012

Please re-read below..
My point still remains the same.. You spoke about money...your analogies where about money.. So apparently money is your issue since you fail to answer even a simple question..
First what is so great about PUBLIC education...?
Follow the money trail if you can sniff... and do you have kids.. what happens if you are disatisfied with the school system... try moving your child some where else.. OH THAT'S RIGHT YOU CAN'T BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE A CHOICE...and oh your pithy remarks are just cracking me up.. keepum coming...

Posted earlier I wrote:
Should you have to send your child to a school which has lost it acreditation and sends out students that can barely read much less write.. oh yeah.. you do. That is because you don't HAVE A CHOICE!!
Your "examples" are basically about money.. so let me explain it slowly for you..
The money is already spent.. IF a school performs below par then the parent has the "CHOICE" to remove the child and the funds that are already allocated go with them.. SO NO NEW MONEY IS SPENT.
The "Vouchers" would force systems to be competitive and like businesses produce a better product.. If they can not or will not then they lose funds.. as well as they should.. Why pour money down a black hole.. If they can not perform they should go the way of other failed systems.. AWAY

Lets be generous and say the states portion of the school funds is 5000 dollars, what private school will educate your kid for that kind of money?

I yam what I yam....Popeye

Why to go with the insults.. I guess if you Libs can't win the battle of wits you hurl insults..
I guess since my personal self-esteem has now been so damaged, I'll have seek therapy..

Uh, just for the record this is what you wrote referring to me when you were losing the battle of wits:

"...your just to screwed into the Democrats rectums to recognize it..."

Did'nt actually say you where a butthead did I...? Personal Insults and opinons on ideolgy are a little different..
and aren't we all "mouthbreathers" I mean really.. what is that anyway?

. . .have not failed. Why? Because the parents and staff in the schools have worked together to insure that the students succeed. Don't lump all public schools together. Parents who choose to send their children to private schools have that right - but they also (many of them) moved to Fayette County because of its' school system. School Choice is a method of encouraging schools to improve and compete - and many schools of choice have a special curriculum. i.e. Science Magnet; Theater Arts Magnet; Law Magnet, etc. Others here have explained the difference between 'vouchers' and 'choice'. If your child is attending a school in Fayette County - he will probably graduate knowing how to read. Read the NCLB dictates. Some of your concerns are answered in this document.

I don't have any children in the system any longer. So good luck. However, a friend of ours has three in the system and her middle schooler told her the teacher needs four reams of copy paper from each student to finish the school year.

It looks like they'll let some teachers go soon. Will the learning start suffering next? Like I said, good luck.

Vote Republican

cutting the 'bloat' would. They have other places that should be cut. Some wanting to keep their jobs, painted the teachers a misleading picture, in my eyes to get their vote when we had a write in.

After the 2nd election, against Ms File. Something similar happened to the 1st elections in July, it was 'whoops' we made a mistake.

The whole thing is sick. I think a lot of people were had.

One of the biggest problems is not so much the lack of money now, but the fact that WHEN WE HAD MONEY, some, on the BOE didn't manage it.

Start with the 2 assistant superintendents and the "chief deputy" superintendent. If Decotis snivels about having to do his job get rid of him too.

The school spokesperson and her secretary need to go. Take the assistant to the assistant principals with you, and their secretaries.

Let's clean house at the top and see how much of a savings that provides.

Stop building schools we don't need. Someone put some numbers on here that showed enrollment going down not up. I don't know if they factored in all of the illegal students or not. We obviously don't need any new buildings right now.

Also if the illustrious members of the BOE don't give up their salaries they are JERKS!! SELFISH PIGS! Give up your money for the sake of the kids.

Did you get it when I wrote.. "you previously wrote in another post"?

Guys and ladies come on, this is what the government wants us to do, stay busy fighting with each other, while leaving them free to steal the rest of our liberties away from us. Mankind holds the key to its own demise, the lord no matter who you worship will only show up after the fact. It will all end in flash anyway the question is by whom or how...PEACE...