Congratulations to the Edmonton Eskimos who won the Grey Cup yesterday in a thrilling fashion over the Montreal Alouettes in overtime.
If you are fan of the Esks and an American, then I suggest that you quickly order some RP Vintage Euro cigars from Cigars International. Why? Just because of this write up in their catalog:
"For the most part Europeans are an odd lot aren't they? Those wacko clothes, wormy personalities and anti-America crap they spew forth..." Yes, the rest of the review is about a cigar!
Monday, November 28, 2005
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Price Gouging!
I cannot believe it! I just found out that I was gouged when I went to fill-up the other day... at McDonald's! Those jerks make 13.8 cents for every dollar in sales; and those jerks at Coke make 21.2 cents for every dollar in sales.
Sheesh! All this time the likes of Boxer and Feinstein have been worried about the 9.8 cents per every dollar in sales made by the American oil industry. Where are their heads?!?!?!?!?
Sheesh! All this time the likes of Boxer and Feinstein have been worried about the 9.8 cents per every dollar in sales made by the American oil industry. Where are their heads?!?!?!?!?
Monday, November 21, 2005
The Question of Tookie
Stanley "Tookie" Williams faces execution in California on December 13. Many lefties are making a plea to Governor Schwarzenegger to grant him clemency and commute his sentence to life in prison. The common thread in these pleas, including Earl Ofari Hutchinson's piece in Sunday's Los Angeles Daily News, is that Williams is a reformed man. What is also common about these pleas is a complete lack of focus on the murders for which he was convicted. Hutchinson, and others, think that the question that should be asked now is "is Williams worth more to society alive than dead?" Hutchinson is wrong.
The question that needs to be asked is "Does Stanley Williams pose a threat to society?" As the co-founder of the violent Crips gang, society should be concerned as to whether or not Williams intends or has tried to exert influence on the Crips that would harm society. All the evidence is that he has not, nor that he will in the future. His life should be spared, but not for the reasons typically given.
The question that needs to be asked is "Does Stanley Williams pose a threat to society?" As the co-founder of the violent Crips gang, society should be concerned as to whether or not Williams intends or has tried to exert influence on the Crips that would harm society. All the evidence is that he has not, nor that he will in the future. His life should be spared, but not for the reasons typically given.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Destroying Glendale
First, there was Councilman Bob Yousefian's salivating endorsement of the Americana at Brand project that will dramatically increase the congestion and pollution in the southern business section of Glendale. Now the man who has no concern for quality of life issues is advocating more building in the transitional residential area of north Central Avenue.
"In this particular area it is pretty much all built out with the exception of two or three lots that are underutilized," stated Yousefian recently. He argues that since there are only a couple of lots that have not been converted to apartments or condos in the small area that they are underutilized. But what does underutilized mean?
Is Brand Park underutilized? Nibley Park? Verdugo Park? Where he lives?
Yousefian's blatant disregard for the quality of life of Glendaleans will continue until he is forced out of office. If you live in Glendale, please urge him to change his mind or resign.
"In this particular area it is pretty much all built out with the exception of two or three lots that are underutilized," stated Yousefian recently. He argues that since there are only a couple of lots that have not been converted to apartments or condos in the small area that they are underutilized. But what does underutilized mean?
Is Brand Park underutilized? Nibley Park? Verdugo Park? Where he lives?
Yousefian's blatant disregard for the quality of life of Glendaleans will continue until he is forced out of office. If you live in Glendale, please urge him to change his mind or resign.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
The Next Step
(I apologize for any typos, but I am in a hurry)
So, what went wrong on Tuesday? More precisely, what wrong before Tuesday?
The governor of California made three tactical errors: 1) he allowed some incompetent fool to circulate an initiative on pension reform that contained one section that could be legally construed as denying beneifts to the widows and widowers of dead firemen and policemen. By doing this, he appeared to be insensitive to some of the greatest people in the state; 2) he held a special election that no one wanted. People focused their hatred of the special election on his initiatives; 3) his initiatives were poorly thought through even though some of the issues addressed are critical to the state's future.
So what next? Scharzenegger has decided to play ball with the Democrats in Sacramento. I am not sure that this will really work, nor will it excite the Republican base during his re-election campaign. Although it may seem distasteful to suggest it, I would suggest that he include some popular initiatives to be included on the primary and general election ballots.
First, he should come out with a simple teacher tenure plan that is not an ex post facto law like the one recently proposed. Advocate that "permanent status" be granted after three years which is the common practice in most states. Arnold was unable to prove that a plethora of bad teachers existed and, hence, were the cause of bad schools and test scores. He should leave the firing process alone so that the CTA might actually be enticed to support him the next time around.
Second, and this one is more controversial, he should propose a constitutional amendment that eliminates all mandatory spending in all fields. Thus, future legislators and governors will have to balance the budget every year based on forecasted revenue. This initiative makes legislators do their job. Currently well over 60% of the budget is "locked in" and untouchable. By focusing on Proposition 98 in his attack, the governor looked like he was anti public education, and he came off as a rich Republican who did not care about the masses. If he sells the new initiative as one that makes the legislators and himself accountable every year in a very public way, the voters should be easy to convince.
Now, the CTA will most likely attack my second initiative, but the counter to the CTA is quite obvious. Since the state legislature will be dominated by Democrats for the foreseeable future, and since the Democrats are the allies of the CTA, it is highly unlikely that education will be negatively affected to any substantial degree. The governor should state that education will be the #1 priority in any budget that he is presented, and so long as the legislature presents him with a balanced budget, he cannot be blamed by reasonable people if the education budget doesn't grow at the rate it may have grown under Proposition 98.
I have other ideas, but in the game of politics, you need to play the right cards at the right time. Arnold did not do that this week. I hope he does so in the near future.
So, what went wrong on Tuesday? More precisely, what wrong before Tuesday?
The governor of California made three tactical errors: 1) he allowed some incompetent fool to circulate an initiative on pension reform that contained one section that could be legally construed as denying beneifts to the widows and widowers of dead firemen and policemen. By doing this, he appeared to be insensitive to some of the greatest people in the state; 2) he held a special election that no one wanted. People focused their hatred of the special election on his initiatives; 3) his initiatives were poorly thought through even though some of the issues addressed are critical to the state's future.
So what next? Scharzenegger has decided to play ball with the Democrats in Sacramento. I am not sure that this will really work, nor will it excite the Republican base during his re-election campaign. Although it may seem distasteful to suggest it, I would suggest that he include some popular initiatives to be included on the primary and general election ballots.
First, he should come out with a simple teacher tenure plan that is not an ex post facto law like the one recently proposed. Advocate that "permanent status" be granted after three years which is the common practice in most states. Arnold was unable to prove that a plethora of bad teachers existed and, hence, were the cause of bad schools and test scores. He should leave the firing process alone so that the CTA might actually be enticed to support him the next time around.
Second, and this one is more controversial, he should propose a constitutional amendment that eliminates all mandatory spending in all fields. Thus, future legislators and governors will have to balance the budget every year based on forecasted revenue. This initiative makes legislators do their job. Currently well over 60% of the budget is "locked in" and untouchable. By focusing on Proposition 98 in his attack, the governor looked like he was anti public education, and he came off as a rich Republican who did not care about the masses. If he sells the new initiative as one that makes the legislators and himself accountable every year in a very public way, the voters should be easy to convince.
Now, the CTA will most likely attack my second initiative, but the counter to the CTA is quite obvious. Since the state legislature will be dominated by Democrats for the foreseeable future, and since the Democrats are the allies of the CTA, it is highly unlikely that education will be negatively affected to any substantial degree. The governor should state that education will be the #1 priority in any budget that he is presented, and so long as the legislature presents him with a balanced budget, he cannot be blamed by reasonable people if the education budget doesn't grow at the rate it may have grown under Proposition 98.
I have other ideas, but in the game of politics, you need to play the right cards at the right time. Arnold did not do that this week. I hope he does so in the near future.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Liberty Leading the People
Eugene Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People shows the united masses of France rising against the corrupt government of 1830. Although today's French government may seem corrupt and/or ineffectual, Liberty is not rising against it. Rather it is the "disaffected" youths of the country.
Or is it?
In reality, the problem today is the unassimilated masses of Muslim who the French have been appeasing who are uprising. Coupled with a broken economic engine, the world is seeing the failure of the type of government so admired by John Kerry and his brethren.
What can we learn from all of this? Perhaps reading Patrick Buchanan's latest article will open your eyes.
Or is it?
In reality, the problem today is the unassimilated masses of Muslim who the French have been appeasing who are uprising. Coupled with a broken economic engine, the world is seeing the failure of the type of government so admired by John Kerry and his brethren.
What can we learn from all of this? Perhaps reading Patrick Buchanan's latest article will open your eyes.
Monday, November 07, 2005
Real Reform
Dan Walters is exactly right when he writes that Californians really do not know what they want from the government. He is also dead on when he states that we have a real budget problem that needs to be fixed.
Is Governor S.'s plan the right way? It appears that he needs to rethink and reorganize himself first. Walters' has an interesting view on Schwarzenegger:
Schwarzenegger bears some blame for that political disassociation. He made nice during the first months of his governorship - raising spending while cutting taxes - and inferentially proclaimed that he had mastered the Capitol, that everyone was singing from the same hymnal, and that everything was "fantastic." And then, having had an epiphany of some sort, he abruptly shifted gears, proclaimed the Capitol to be dysfunctional and launched his crusade to change its balance of power.
Instead of truly challenging Californians to confront their contradictions and resolve them, Schwarzenegger embraced them, sending as many mixed messages to voters as they were sending to him, setting himself up for demonization by public employee unions and other defenders of the status quo - and perhaps squandering a unique opportunity to transform the recall into a restoration of governance.
Perhaps he will focus and get better information before launching more initiatives. The reason for his initiatives, the budget problem, is real; however, his solutions are muddled at best.
I honestly hope that he comes back with better thought out ideas in the near future that I can whole heartedly back.
Is Governor S.'s plan the right way? It appears that he needs to rethink and reorganize himself first. Walters' has an interesting view on Schwarzenegger:
Schwarzenegger bears some blame for that political disassociation. He made nice during the first months of his governorship - raising spending while cutting taxes - and inferentially proclaimed that he had mastered the Capitol, that everyone was singing from the same hymnal, and that everything was "fantastic." And then, having had an epiphany of some sort, he abruptly shifted gears, proclaimed the Capitol to be dysfunctional and launched his crusade to change its balance of power.
Instead of truly challenging Californians to confront their contradictions and resolve them, Schwarzenegger embraced them, sending as many mixed messages to voters as they were sending to him, setting himself up for demonization by public employee unions and other defenders of the status quo - and perhaps squandering a unique opportunity to transform the recall into a restoration of governance.
Perhaps he will focus and get better information before launching more initiatives. The reason for his initiatives, the budget problem, is real; however, his solutions are muddled at best.
I honestly hope that he comes back with better thought out ideas in the near future that I can whole heartedly back.
The Propositions
Proposition 73 - YES
Proposition 74 - NO
Proposition 75 - NO
Proposition 76 - NO
Proposition 77 - NO
Proposition 78 - NO
Proposition 79 - YES
Proposition 80 - NO
Proposition 74 - NO
Proposition 75 - NO
Proposition 76 - NO
Proposition 77 - NO
Proposition 78 - NO
Proposition 79 - YES
Proposition 80 - NO
Saturday, November 05, 2005
I like you Bob, but don't hold my hand!
Hey, Bob!
The difference is to choose to focus on the horizontal and protestant mentality or the vertical and traditional Roman Catholic position during Mass. I choose the latter.
A return to Latin, should it happen, does not mean a return to the old rite. Every indication is that it would be a return to the language of the church while celebrating the Novus Ordo. Latin is the universal language of the Catholic = universal church. It trumps any gestures of holding hands like at a protestant service. The GIRM is under review again with a target date for release of 2006. Early indication is that it is solely focused on proper translation of prayers from Latin, implying that for the last 30 years or so, we have been getting it wrong. That should be cause for concern that is much greater than imposing unwarranted posture changes.
Our being at Mass as a parish and reciting the Our Father together is an overt action of full participation. Holding hands with the person next to me does little or nothing to enhance the sense of community and quite often is a distraction and irritant (thus divisive) when someone grabs at me or glares at me since I won't hold their hand. As you can see here, the position (hand holding, orans posture, etc.) of the faithful during Mass is not one of the things that the Bishop (or local priest for that matter) is allowed to alter nor promote to be done right now (versus asking Rome for permission to do it or to change the GIRM). Given the track record of the Man on Wilshire it comes as no surprise to me that he continues to thumb his nose at Rome by his actions and through his loyal liberals. In this case, he has no authority to "customize" the service to welcome all (neither does the local priest saying the Mass).
I'll shake your hand as it is allowed (but not all churches do this... this is the type of customization that is permitted) and is part of the local and permitted culture, but I am not going to violate the GIRM or canon law. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops is quite clear on postures at Mass. What you are supporting is not approved:
"The Church sees in these common postures and gestures both a symbol of the unity of those who have come together to worship and a means of fostering that unity. We are not free to change these postures to suit our own individual piety, for the Church makes it clear that our unity of posture and gesture is an expression of our participation in the one Body formed by the baptized with Christ, our head. When we stand, kneel, sit, bow and sign ourselves in common action, we given unambiguous witness that we are indeed the Body of Christ, united in heart, mind and spirit."
Vivat Jesus!
The difference is to choose to focus on the horizontal and protestant mentality or the vertical and traditional Roman Catholic position during Mass. I choose the latter.
A return to Latin, should it happen, does not mean a return to the old rite. Every indication is that it would be a return to the language of the church while celebrating the Novus Ordo. Latin is the universal language of the Catholic = universal church. It trumps any gestures of holding hands like at a protestant service. The GIRM is under review again with a target date for release of 2006. Early indication is that it is solely focused on proper translation of prayers from Latin, implying that for the last 30 years or so, we have been getting it wrong. That should be cause for concern that is much greater than imposing unwarranted posture changes.
Our being at Mass as a parish and reciting the Our Father together is an overt action of full participation. Holding hands with the person next to me does little or nothing to enhance the sense of community and quite often is a distraction and irritant (thus divisive) when someone grabs at me or glares at me since I won't hold their hand. As you can see here, the position (hand holding, orans posture, etc.) of the faithful during Mass is not one of the things that the Bishop (or local priest for that matter) is allowed to alter nor promote to be done right now (versus asking Rome for permission to do it or to change the GIRM). Given the track record of the Man on Wilshire it comes as no surprise to me that he continues to thumb his nose at Rome by his actions and through his loyal liberals. In this case, he has no authority to "customize" the service to welcome all (neither does the local priest saying the Mass).
I'll shake your hand as it is allowed (but not all churches do this... this is the type of customization that is permitted) and is part of the local and permitted culture, but I am not going to violate the GIRM or canon law. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops is quite clear on postures at Mass. What you are supporting is not approved:
"The Church sees in these common postures and gestures both a symbol of the unity of those who have come together to worship and a means of fostering that unity. We are not free to change these postures to suit our own individual piety, for the Church makes it clear that our unity of posture and gesture is an expression of our participation in the one Body formed by the baptized with Christ, our head. When we stand, kneel, sit, bow and sign ourselves in common action, we given unambiguous witness that we are indeed the Body of Christ, united in heart, mind and spirit."
Vivat Jesus!
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Hey, Miracles Never Cease!
There is actually something interesting in Slate.
And, no I don't want to hold your hand (and you can boot the sign of peace while you at it since it is optional).
And, no I don't want to hold your hand (and you can boot the sign of peace while you at it since it is optional).
St. Martin de Porres
Today's Mass readings maybe found by clicking on the link.
Saint Martin de Porres is the patron saint of barbers... so maybe today is the day you finally go and get your haircut!
But, hopefully, your barber will not treat you as St. Martin did himself:
He made a martyr out of his body, devoting himself to ceaseless and severe penances.
Those scissors can hurt!
Saint Martin de Porres is the patron saint of barbers... so maybe today is the day you finally go and get your haircut!
But, hopefully, your barber will not treat you as St. Martin did himself:
He made a martyr out of his body, devoting himself to ceaseless and severe penances.
Those scissors can hurt!
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
All Souls Day
Often lost in the shuffle of modern life, All Souls Day is an important day for Catholics that, unfortunately, has lost its meaning for many. On this All Souls Day of November 2, 2005, Catholics should be reminded of the fact that there are many in purgatory who no longer can help themselves in the way they were able to when they were part of our temporal realm. Thus, it is important for us to pray for them so that the tradition remains solidly in place when we need their prayers when most of us find ourselves in their shoes (so to speak).
It is also important, as an act of Christian charity, to pray for those who have no one else to pray for them. We need not know their names, but God will understand the intentions of our prayers and act accordingly.
We can go beyond just praying for the dead by having Masses offered for specific and general deceased members of our Christian community. There is no better offering for these souls than a Mass. Additionally, the nominal donation (ususally $10) to the priest and parish helps support our underfunded parishes and priests.
Do not forget that the faithfully departed can also pray for you. Freed from the bonds of purgatory, their thanks will be in prayers that will help you here and in the hereafter.
May the souls of all the faithfully departed rest in peace.
It is also important, as an act of Christian charity, to pray for those who have no one else to pray for them. We need not know their names, but God will understand the intentions of our prayers and act accordingly.
We can go beyond just praying for the dead by having Masses offered for specific and general deceased members of our Christian community. There is no better offering for these souls than a Mass. Additionally, the nominal donation (ususally $10) to the priest and parish helps support our underfunded parishes and priests.
Do not forget that the faithfully departed can also pray for you. Freed from the bonds of purgatory, their thanks will be in prayers that will help you here and in the hereafter.
May the souls of all the faithfully departed rest in peace.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Election Information
The San Jose Mercury News showed that the governor's propositions are beginning to fall behind (free acrobat reader needed).
I found this site, Vote Circle, which seems to do a good job of being balanced. It shows who the primary backers are for both sides of the contested issues. It also has adequate summaries of the impact of the propositions should they pass.
I found this site, Vote Circle, which seems to do a good job of being balanced. It shows who the primary backers are for both sides of the contested issues. It also has adequate summaries of the impact of the propositions should they pass.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Be an Angel
Be an angel!
The Prison Fellowship Ministry is sponsoring its annual Angel Tree. This program delivers Christmas presents to the childrend of prisoners. For most, it may be the only present that they get.
The easiest thing to do is to donate money that will be matched by matching grant this year. So, for example, your donation of $44.80 will be doubled by the grant and will provide for eight children.
If you want to do more, you and/or your church organization can volunteer to help deliver presents as well.
Please do something today as it takes time to plan and organize such a large scale effort.
I thank you and may God bless your.
The Prison Fellowship Ministry is sponsoring its annual Angel Tree. This program delivers Christmas presents to the childrend of prisoners. For most, it may be the only present that they get.
The easiest thing to do is to donate money that will be matched by matching grant this year. So, for example, your donation of $44.80 will be doubled by the grant and will provide for eight children.
If you want to do more, you and/or your church organization can volunteer to help deliver presents as well.
Please do something today as it takes time to plan and organize such a large scale effort.
I thank you and may God bless your.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Mark Twain
"I wrote Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn for adults exclusively, and it always distressed me when I find that boys and girls have been allowed access to them. The mind that becomes soiled in youth can never again be washed clean." - Mark Twain
An interesting thought especially since Huck Finn is taught in our public schools...
An interesting thought especially since Huck Finn is taught in our public schools...
Huh, Hugh?
Party Hack Hewitt writes:
I think Ms. Miers has been unfairly treated by many who have for years urged fair treatment of judicial nominees.
She deserves great thanks for her significant service to the country. She and the president deserved much better from his allies.
I happen to think that the conservative base deserved much better from the president.
I think Ms. Miers has been unfairly treated by many who have for years urged fair treatment of judicial nominees.
She deserves great thanks for her significant service to the country. She and the president deserved much better from his allies.
I happen to think that the conservative base deserved much better from the president.
On the Grassy Knoll
Miers was a set-up all along...Her withdrawal allows Bush to appoint someone the conservatives like so that they will rally around the administration as it takes hits from WaterScooterGate and the inidictments...
How's that for a Machiavellian conspiracy theory?!?!?!?!
How's that for a Machiavellian conspiracy theory?!?!?!?!
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Mr. Wilson's Wife
If she told her neighbors she was a CIA agent, how can anyone else have "leaked" her name?
Stomping Out Ignorance
The Christian Educators Association International, an organization that provides union-like benefits for its teacher members and appears to be closely affiliated with the evangelical movement, has recently sent out "information" to its members about the upcoming California Special Election as follows:
FACTS FOR CALIFORNIA CEAI MEMBERS
Following are things you may hear in the California media and at your school sites. We have included some facts to give you the broader picture.
I. WHAT YOU MIGHT HEAR: The governor and big business is trying to silence the voices of teachers.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: CTA leadership is refusing to debate teachers within the CTA who have differing opinions from theirs. They ignore that their own members don't agree with their politics and blame big business and the governor for trying to silence teachers' voices. But they use the funds of all teachers to support leftist politics, thereby silencing a good portion fo their moderate and conservative membership. See the State of Labor, 2005 labor union accountability report here.
II. WHAT YOU MIGHT HEAR: CTA members already have a choice to divert political funds into a charity.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: CTA gives members the choice of whether or not to divert a small amount of Political Action Funds (under $10 monthly of the $90+ fees) to a charity. Yet, they refund $250-$300 per year to non-members which they have defined as non-billable expenses or political funds. CTA's recent dues raise was admittedly for political purposes. CTA has already spent that money and is seeking to borrow $40 million more. See here. Poltical spending is about to make CTA go broke if it hasn't already. This political spending cannot be account for by the mere $10 per month from each member.
III WHAT YOU MIGHT HEAR: The union has its own internal democratic process through which members can participate in influencing union policy.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: CTA members can elect representatives who make all the state-level decisions. But no one reports how those representatives vote so they can be held accountable. Often, members are not informed of the issues being voted on in a timely enough manner to give representatives their viewpoints. State and national leaders are voted into office through the representatives and not by the rank and file members. Less than a quarter of one percent of members make the decisions for CTA membership.
This information piece is signed by Finn Laursen, Exectutive Director with an instruction to contact Forrest Turpen for more information.
Well, Mr. Turpen, here goes! (I have e-mailed the link to this blog to him, and he is welcome to respond in private via e-mail or publicly through the comment section below).
I. Your response is a red herring. Instead of addressing the "what you might hear" portion, you choose to ignore the charge and attack the CTA on another issue.
First, let us look at the information you should have addressed. The website promoting proposition 75 lists several people, most of them union members, as supporters. The reality of the situation is far different than what is presented at the supporters site.
As the old saying goes, the mothers milk of politics is money; and, in this case, there are a select few who are really backing proposition 75. In fact, 97% of the money backing Proposition 75 has come from a handful of very rich people and corporations who are hostile to labor and unions in general.
Second, as for your red herring point, I am reminded of my libertarian friends who scream and yell about the Republican Party, join the libertarian party, and become completely ineffectual. Although I can only go on my own personal experience and that of some of my colleagues in other districts, I have found that the union is quite responsive to my points even though I often disagree with policy and have opted out of contributing to the CTA PAC. Instead of throwing ineffectual spitwads from outside of the system, I have chosen to remain inside and preach to the masses. At the risk of over-hyping my own impact and inflating my ego, I recall that Jesus spent most of his time with sinners (tax collectors, prostitutes, etc.) in his attempt to change them specifically and change lives in general. Perhaps the CTA would be a stronger organization as well as a more moderate one if your members would do the same by joining it and being active. This is not meant to imply that your members do not have a positive impact at our site because they do. I am only arguing that they have little impact on the major power player that is the local, state, and national union (NEA).
II. Relying solely on the National Right to Work group for you information is dangerous. After checking with my site represenative and my local president, I have found that the CTA accountants and lawyers are meticulous in their review of non-billable expenses and where the money goes. In reality the amount that is diverted to the general fund on a yearly basis by opt-out people such as myself is equivalent to the amount refunded to agency fee payers. Your information is flat-out wrong. As for the amount of money being borrowed, I fail to see how this is different than purchasing a home with a loan with the intent to pay it back. Just because a person has a mortgage does not mean that the person is broke. Given that the CTA and other unions are fighting the deep pockets of a handful of welathy people and corporations as shown above, the borrowing makes sense, unless, of course, you are hostile to the idea of promoting liberty and political choice.
III. Do you honestly believe that every union member has the time or desire to review every issue and vote on them? That seems to be what you are implying in section III. The way the upper leaders are selected takes after how we originally elected U.S. Senators in this country and how similar leaders are to be elected in Iraq under our democratic based, and now approved, Iraqi constitution. If the "problem" you see is that much of a concern, join and fight on the inside... and fight with accurate and forthright information.
The packet that was handed to me to review is from a member of yours that I respect. In fact there are a few members of your union on our campus, and I respect all of them.
However, I do not agree that by joining your union one would be more effective as a Christian educator of both Christian and non-Christian students (this would apply solely to a public school setting), nor do I see any information in the packet given that your are effective in protecting my rights and interests in California including protecting STRS, promoting smaller class sizes, increasing necessary funding for new textbooks etc. In fact, the packet I received is more of an anti-NEA/CTA work than a proactive Christian attempt to improve the lot of students and teachers in public education. Although I disagree with many NEA/CTA positions, the only effective way to get any positive change in an unperfect system is to be in that system when no reasonable alternative exists. I see no evidence that your union is a reasonable alternative for public school teachers. Perhaps you have such evidence, and I would welcome a chance to review it; however, it was not in the packet nor was I able to find it on your website.
I wish you all the best; I am sure that by working with the excellent members of your union, the high school at which we all teach will continue to excel. I only hope that in the future your communications with your members are more accurate so that they may indeed make informed decisions.
Vivat Jesus!
Matthew J. McKinley
FACTS FOR CALIFORNIA CEAI MEMBERS
Following are things you may hear in the California media and at your school sites. We have included some facts to give you the broader picture.
I. WHAT YOU MIGHT HEAR: The governor and big business is trying to silence the voices of teachers.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: CTA leadership is refusing to debate teachers within the CTA who have differing opinions from theirs. They ignore that their own members don't agree with their politics and blame big business and the governor for trying to silence teachers' voices. But they use the funds of all teachers to support leftist politics, thereby silencing a good portion fo their moderate and conservative membership. See the State of Labor, 2005 labor union accountability report here.
II. WHAT YOU MIGHT HEAR: CTA members already have a choice to divert political funds into a charity.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: CTA gives members the choice of whether or not to divert a small amount of Political Action Funds (under $10 monthly of the $90+ fees) to a charity. Yet, they refund $250-$300 per year to non-members which they have defined as non-billable expenses or political funds. CTA's recent dues raise was admittedly for political purposes. CTA has already spent that money and is seeking to borrow $40 million more. See here. Poltical spending is about to make CTA go broke if it hasn't already. This political spending cannot be account for by the mere $10 per month from each member.
III WHAT YOU MIGHT HEAR: The union has its own internal democratic process through which members can participate in influencing union policy.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: CTA members can elect representatives who make all the state-level decisions. But no one reports how those representatives vote so they can be held accountable. Often, members are not informed of the issues being voted on in a timely enough manner to give representatives their viewpoints. State and national leaders are voted into office through the representatives and not by the rank and file members. Less than a quarter of one percent of members make the decisions for CTA membership.
This information piece is signed by Finn Laursen, Exectutive Director with an instruction to contact Forrest Turpen for more information.
Well, Mr. Turpen, here goes! (I have e-mailed the link to this blog to him, and he is welcome to respond in private via e-mail or publicly through the comment section below).
I. Your response is a red herring. Instead of addressing the "what you might hear" portion, you choose to ignore the charge and attack the CTA on another issue.
First, let us look at the information you should have addressed. The website promoting proposition 75 lists several people, most of them union members, as supporters. The reality of the situation is far different than what is presented at the supporters site.
As the old saying goes, the mothers milk of politics is money; and, in this case, there are a select few who are really backing proposition 75. In fact, 97% of the money backing Proposition 75 has come from a handful of very rich people and corporations who are hostile to labor and unions in general.
Second, as for your red herring point, I am reminded of my libertarian friends who scream and yell about the Republican Party, join the libertarian party, and become completely ineffectual. Although I can only go on my own personal experience and that of some of my colleagues in other districts, I have found that the union is quite responsive to my points even though I often disagree with policy and have opted out of contributing to the CTA PAC. Instead of throwing ineffectual spitwads from outside of the system, I have chosen to remain inside and preach to the masses. At the risk of over-hyping my own impact and inflating my ego, I recall that Jesus spent most of his time with sinners (tax collectors, prostitutes, etc.) in his attempt to change them specifically and change lives in general. Perhaps the CTA would be a stronger organization as well as a more moderate one if your members would do the same by joining it and being active. This is not meant to imply that your members do not have a positive impact at our site because they do. I am only arguing that they have little impact on the major power player that is the local, state, and national union (NEA).
II. Relying solely on the National Right to Work group for you information is dangerous. After checking with my site represenative and my local president, I have found that the CTA accountants and lawyers are meticulous in their review of non-billable expenses and where the money goes. In reality the amount that is diverted to the general fund on a yearly basis by opt-out people such as myself is equivalent to the amount refunded to agency fee payers. Your information is flat-out wrong. As for the amount of money being borrowed, I fail to see how this is different than purchasing a home with a loan with the intent to pay it back. Just because a person has a mortgage does not mean that the person is broke. Given that the CTA and other unions are fighting the deep pockets of a handful of welathy people and corporations as shown above, the borrowing makes sense, unless, of course, you are hostile to the idea of promoting liberty and political choice.
III. Do you honestly believe that every union member has the time or desire to review every issue and vote on them? That seems to be what you are implying in section III. The way the upper leaders are selected takes after how we originally elected U.S. Senators in this country and how similar leaders are to be elected in Iraq under our democratic based, and now approved, Iraqi constitution. If the "problem" you see is that much of a concern, join and fight on the inside... and fight with accurate and forthright information.
The packet that was handed to me to review is from a member of yours that I respect. In fact there are a few members of your union on our campus, and I respect all of them.
However, I do not agree that by joining your union one would be more effective as a Christian educator of both Christian and non-Christian students (this would apply solely to a public school setting), nor do I see any information in the packet given that your are effective in protecting my rights and interests in California including protecting STRS, promoting smaller class sizes, increasing necessary funding for new textbooks etc. In fact, the packet I received is more of an anti-NEA/CTA work than a proactive Christian attempt to improve the lot of students and teachers in public education. Although I disagree with many NEA/CTA positions, the only effective way to get any positive change in an unperfect system is to be in that system when no reasonable alternative exists. I see no evidence that your union is a reasonable alternative for public school teachers. Perhaps you have such evidence, and I would welcome a chance to review it; however, it was not in the packet nor was I able to find it on your website.
I wish you all the best; I am sure that by working with the excellent members of your union, the high school at which we all teach will continue to excel. I only hope that in the future your communications with your members are more accurate so that they may indeed make informed decisions.
Vivat Jesus!
Matthew J. McKinley
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