Vincent Carroll of the Rocky Mountain News reports that the Referendum C campaign has hired radical activist LeRoy Lemos as a consultant. As Carroll aptly describes him: Here's a fellow who can hardly open his mouth without accusing authorities somewhere, anywhere, of bigotry, coverup or some other lurid offense and whose October recreation includes joining the likes of Ward Churchill in suppressing the constitutional rights of those who march in the Columbus Day parade. I don't think your average, shrewd, middle-of-the-road tax hike supporter wants Lemos to be the face of his cause. Of course, though, he's not there to appeal to the independent or moderate voters who the pro-C campaign should be targeting at this point for support. … [Read more...]
Pigs in a Poke
The release of a new report from the Independence Institute (formerly known as Piglet) detailing wasteful government spending, and an emotionally-charged rally at the State Capitol yesterday featuring a large, pink papier-mache pig, have taken the campaign over the forever tax increase to a new level. Yesterday, pro C & D spokeswoman Katy Atkinson, a self-described "homegrown flack," made some inappropriate personal attacks against gubernatorial candidate Marc Holtzman for his televised opposition to the "pork"-laden measures. Atkinson set the model for others who have taken the pig reference personally. Officials' scare tactics have frightened people into believing that without C and D, legislators' hands will be completely tied as … [Read more...]
In Rep. Larson’s Own Words
Yesterday, in a larger post about the attempt of moderates within the Colorado GOP to flex their political muscle, I highlighted a caustic reaction from State Representative Mark Larson ("Colorado is not a right-wing, neo-con state," he said). Today The Durango Herald has more on the intraparty debacle surrounding Larson's sudden withdrawal from the state senate race, which includes a harsh email exchange with a local GOP leader. The battle brews over Larson's alleged refusal to make amends for his 2004 endorsement of U.S. Senator Ken Salazar. As he weighed a decision to run for the State Senate back in May, Larson sought to explain himself in a local Cortez Journal news story: "I imagine I would get some Democratic votes and Jim … [Read more...]
Stengel Leads Colorado Toward “First Class Education”
While most of Colorado's political observers have their eyes fixed on this year's fight over Referendum C or towards next year's gubernatorial race, a highly important new development was scheduled to emerge at a press conference this morning at the State Capitol. House Minority Leader Joe Stengel (R - Littleton) and several of his Republican colleagues have unveiled an initiative they are promoting to put on the ballot in the November 2006 general election. "First Class Education for Colorado" would encourage every school district in the state to spend 65 cents on every dollar (excluding capital construction projects) in the classroom. Most people may be startled to learn how little of their designated K-12 education tax dollars … [Read more...]
Outrages and More
Some of you may have noticed the dearth of extensive writing and posting here of late. Let's just call it "outrage fatigue." Everything from the Michael Jackson verdict to the obnoxious posturing over the Gitmo affair and more has caused my blood to boil in recent days. But frankly, I haven't had much to add to the conversation, and I haven't wanted to dwell on it anyways. Just in case you were wondering.... Meanwhile today, the news reports emerged from the Terri Schiavo autopsy. Her death by dehydration has not stifled the debate.... … [Read more...]
Gas Pump Observations
Perhaps I'm giving away my youth and inexperience, but I don't remember the long gas lines that accompanied the oil shortages of the late 1970s. Not to say that now is in any way comparable to those days, but I witnessed a renewed clarity of consumer consciousness at the gas station on my way home tonight. Knowing the Buick's tank was lagging in the fuel department, I've been putting off the necessity for the past few days, burying my head as the cost of gasoline skyrockets. Nevertheless, the car was nearing empty, so I planned a stop this evening at a Wheat Ridge gas station noted for its relatively low prices. Of course, if the numbers posted on their sign tonight had been there even two weeks ago, the scene would have been much … [Read more...]
Underpaid Union Picketers
This story in the Las Vegas Weekly has some of the richest irony I have ever seen: The shade from the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market sign is minimal around noon; still, six picketers squeeze their thermoses and Dasani bottles onto the dirt below, trying to keep their water cool. They're walking five-hour shifts on this corner at Stephanie Street and American Pacific Drive in Henderson—anti-Wal-Mart signs propped lazily on their shoulders, deep suntans on their faces and arms—with two 15-minute breaks to run across the street and use the washroom at a gas station. Periodically one of them will sit down in a slightly larger slice of shade under a giant electricity pole in the intersection. Four lanes of traffic rush by, some drivers honk … [Read more...]
Your Bucket of Cold Water
I'm probably not the first one to tell you to read Mark Steyn's new article, "It's the Demography, Stupid." Reading it may be the equivalent of having a bucket of cold water splashed on you while you're lying asleep in bed. But you may be glad you woke up when you did. Simply a must-read. … [Read more...]
No Surprises Here: A “Can’t-Do” Reaction to First Class Education
Yesterday I asked to see what the CEA's reaction would be to the "First Class Education for Colorado" proposal that would put 65 cents of every dollar of current education expenditures into the classroom. Well, the Rocky Mountain News got the scoop on that one this morning: "The Colorado Education Association, the union of teachers, views the proposal as more political than educational, spokeswoman Deb Fallin said. "What is valuable for kids is a lot bigger than what Rep. Stengel is proposing," Fallin said. "It includes counselors, school nurses, teacher training and curricular development. "School counselors are very key to student achievement and success and to reducing the dropout level." Interesting analysis. Ask the … [Read more...]
One-Way Teacher Exchange Program
Stories like this from the Washington Times - an account of Virginia school districts hiring more foreign nationals as teachers - points to some bigger issues going on in education today. Questions that need to be asked (and hopefully explored in future posts): Are our schools of education adequately preparing teachers for the profession? What incentives could be introduced to overcome shortages in hiring educators qualified to teach math, science, foreign language, or special education? What do we do about the single salary schedule, that pays all teachers in a district according to the same rate (by advanced degrees and seniority)? Is offering teachers "performance bonuses" even feasible, and how would you measure that? The … [Read more...]
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