Ogre’s Politics and Views

Needville school district in Texas has a problem. They have a rule that says boys cannot wear their hair longer than their collar. Why? Well, no one seems to care why, they just have a rule, and they’re not making any exceptions to their rule. They do actually make a claim that boys who have short hair have better attendance records than those with long hair. No really, they do. Of course, since they have a rule that no boys can have long hair, I’m really not sure how they can back up that claim with anything remotely looking like actual evidence.

But of course, that doesn’t matter.

Can you believe that federal courts have already made rules saying that schools can have such directions? Aren’t you so glad to see that your tax dollars are being spent on absolutely critical things — like making rules about hair length of 5-year old boys in schools. But hey, we’ve got rules, so we have to follow them, no matter what. So the school district is saying that the 5-year old in question cannot attend school unless he cuts his hair.

So what if the boy doesn’t attend school? This is Texas, so you know what’s going to happen next — they WILL seize the child and take him from his family. Nope, no one will have done anything wrong, there will be NO court hearings, there will be no juries, no judgments. That’s how justice works in Texas, we have learned. If there’s a child involved, the child is taken first, then, well, whatever the judge wants to happen happens next. I imagine the state will strap the child down and cut his hair. Then they will put him in a foster home away from his parents because, in the eyes of government, the parent is dangerous because she didn’t cut his hair.

This sounds far-fetched, but it is reality today. This story is happening right now to real people. And people claim this is the “land of the free.” What a load.

And the Houston Chronicle, supporting the oppressive government actually claims:

The dispute illustrates a problem American schools have faced for decades: how to balance individual student rights against rules designed to maintain order and discipline in the classroom.

No, no it doesn’t at all. These lunatics are actually claiming that a boy with hair longer than his collar is dangerous! This doesn’t highlight a problem with American schools — it highlights a problem of a government that’s totally out of control. I can solve this “decades”-old problem in 1 second: get government out of the education business. It really is that simple.

Of course, that solution involves freedom and personal responsibility, so there’s just no way the current politicians will EVER allow it to happen. That solution will take money and power out of the hands of bureaucrats and puts it in people — and government simply cannot allow ANY reduction in their power, ever.

I just wish the “reporters” would be honest and report the facts, instead of claiming lies that support more government. But I’m no more likely to get that than I am educational freedom in this country today, am I?

Popularity: 33% [?]

Tags: Education by Ogre
21 Comments »

If you have any doubt about the priorities of the government education system, just watch the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) in action. They, and I’m sure most government schools around the county, have one priority: cash.

Yesterday the superintendent (who earns nearly half a million dollars a year in salary and other compensation) announced job cuts. And of course, he blamed it on not having enough money. Why? Because it’s a political move, plain and simple, designed to get voters to support giving even MORE cash to the schools. The facts are clear (even if you won’t get them from his allies in the media): the school district has MORE money than last year to spend. They have enough to give every employee a raise of at least three percent. But that’s not how much Peter Gorman (the $500,000+ superintendent) personally wanted, so he’s going to fire people until the government gives him, personally, more cash.

Extort: To obtain from another by coercion or intimidation.

This is the function and purpose of the government school system. They seriously and honestly do not care one bit about the children or education in any way, shape, or form. I wish there were some way to make people understand that. I guess most people don’t want to hear that because their kids are in the government prison school system, so they don’t want to admit that the school stinks as bad as it does.

Popularity: 29% [?]

Tags: Education, North Carolina Government by Ogre
4 Comments »

Because they can “defend” their stupid decisions. I know some people think they can be saved, but I honestly believe they are beyond hope. Let them die a natural death. Start with removing all federal funding for education (and every single federal rule about education) — because that’s not actually in the Constitution anywhere. Then let states figure out how much THEY want to pay for this crap.

Popularity: 26% [?]

Tags: America, Education by Ogre
6 Comments »

The government education system is crap. I’m completely serious. If the entire government education system shut down tomorrow, the only people actually effected in a bad way would be bureaucrats who base their entire career upon living off other people. If you honestly think that any children are getting ANY education from the public school system, you’re fooling yourself. Oh, I know, not in YOUR school. Look, it’s garbage, plain and simple and should be completely dismantled and destroyed. I absolutely guarantee that all children would get a better education starting one day after government got out of that business.

But then there ARE a lot of career bureaucrats who literally make a living off other people. And there are a LOT of votes being bought by politicians “For The Children.” And because the more you punish people for working hard, the more control you have over them, socialists will continue to strongly support the cesspool that is the public education system. And now, of course, while working people are suffering and having a hard time making ends meet today, socialists continue to call for massive pay increases for bureaucrats who are producing nothing and have done nothing to earn a pay increase.

So, what was your pay increase the last few years (if you stayed at the same job)? Of everyone I know, no one received more than about a 1.5% pay increase in the past few years. The only people that did changed job. Most got 0.5% - 1% increases. Many got less or no increase at all. Those who did better were involved with companies or projects that were substantial money makers for the business. But if you were a bureaucrat who did absolutely the same thing each year, or even did LESS, you would have gotten increases of 4%, 8%, and 5% the last 3 years. Yes, for producing nothing more, and in fact working LESS, these people have gotten tremendous pay increases. But even that’s not enough — now the governor and the socialists at the Charlotte Observer are demanding another 7% pay increase (on top of those previous increases) just because. No, the bureaucrats haven’t done anything to deserve the pay increases AT ALL. But this isn’t about facts, it’s about power and control.

Teaching is a simple job. It does not take a great deal of skill to be a government school teacher. It does not take a lot of schooling. In a free market, this means that there are a lot of people who can do the job. In a free market, that means this job doesn’t pay a lot of money — and it shouldn’t. Look, if you’re a teacher and don’t think it pays enough money, FIND ANOTHER JOB! That actually goes for any position. Instead of demanding more money for doing nothing, if you don’t like your job, QUIT! It really is that simple. There is absolutely no logical economic reason for paying teachers more money — especially as long as there’s people who want to teach.

Popularity: 30% [?]

Tags: Education, North Carolina Government by Ogre
4 Comments »

So, do you still think we live in a society where the People get to decide the laws? That’s what was started back in the late 1700s, in case you didn’t know. But hey, it looks like more and more people are wanting us to go to a system where Those Who Know Better decide ALL laws. And Those Who Know Better don’t even live in this country. But They will make sure they do what’s best for everyone — especially all children. I imagine we would all be better off if we just have government take children right after they’re born. It’s For The Children and the “Public Good” don’t you know.

Popularity: 36% [?]

Tags: America, Education, Judges by Ogre
2 Comments »

So, if you are a parent in Wake County, you have no idea where your child will be in a few months. In fact, you have no idea if you are allowed to decide where your child will be. Why? Because the self-appointed education Tzar, Judge Manning, has disagreements with the North Carolina Courts.

In short, Judge Manning has tried to run education. He believes that he alone can make all educational decisions. He gets to decide how much money will be spent, and he gets to decide where the money will be spent. He gets to decide where and when your children will attend school, and he even gets to decide if the parents get to have ANY say in the matter. In other words, he is, according to him, the total emperor of education in North Carolina.

However, the North Carolina courts don’t completely agree with him. So while you’re working hard to pay taxes, your taxes are being spent by the courts and the government education system to fight one another over who gets more control over your children. And no, parents don’t enter into the equation — except to fund the legal battles.

What a complete and total disaster. Someone give me any reason that government has anything to do with education? It is a total loss with zero redeeming qualities left.

Popularity: 32% [?]

Tags: Education, North Carolina Government by Ogre
6 Comments »

So, while government schools are absolutely screaming about not having enough money (yeah, I know, what’s new?), let’s see what else they’re up to…

Well, they’re throwing students out of school who do creative writing — in a creative writing class. Yes, if you are told to write creatively, that doesn’t mean you’re allowed to write about things that others don’t like. You can, apparently, as the author says he will do next time, write about rainbows and butterflies. If your writing scares people, you are immediately ejected and sent to government reeducation centers doctors.

At the same time, the social workers, who live to control kids (one step up from educator bureaucrats — or down, depending on your viewpoint), are strip searching children completely unaccompanied. Oh, sure, the courts said they’re not allowed to do that any more, but if I were in a room with a child not my own who was unclothed, I’d be jailed for decades and labeled a sex offender. I guess that’s there the sex offenders can find jobs now — at social services — where you’re allowed to strip children in private without repercussion. And yes, the government schools have no problem with this.

Also, if you think that New Mexico and other areas in the southwest are American states and you DARE tell children in government school this radical idea, you get fired. That’s right, you MUST teach that it’s Atzlan and that white people exist to keep the Mexican down. If you don’t, it’s out the door for you! Keep in mind, this IS what’s going on today in a government (taxpayer funded) school.

The school system isn’t hurting for employees, though. After all, it’s a sweet job. It’s an incredibly easy job, and it’s nearly impossible to lose the job, no matter your performance. So, on the rare occasion when someone quits because they are not allowed to have a religion if they’re a government employee, I’m sure that dozens of others will jump at the chance to be a highly paid, 100% secure bureaucrat whose primary job is to cry about not having enough money to spend.

So yes, while many people are leaving the government schools in droves because it is a horrible, evil place, government is now trying to stop them using coercion. You see, TN has now said that if you don’t submit to government indoctrination (public schools), then you’re not allowed to work for the government. Now while true, most home schooled people wouldn’t dream of working for the government (they’re not that stupid), this does create more of John Edward’s favorite idea: two Americas.

On one hand we have the members of the approved party. We have the members who know better than you. They will determine what you shall know. Only after you submit to their indoctrination centers for 13-19 years will you be fully indoctrinated qualified to work with them — to create another generation that will be permitted to work in the party system. The most supreme of these will be allowed to be decision makers. All others will be outcasts and unclean. Resist the government at your own risk.

Update: Subway agrees with the government — only children who are subjected to public school indoctrination are “qualified” enough to write creatively. Others, those who refuse to attend the indoctrination centers are not allowed to join their competition. Perhaps it’s because Subway realizes that it’s more likely the home schooled kids will win rather convincingly.

Popularity: 37% [?]

Tags: Education, Government by Ogre
5 Comments »

Let’s play a game, shall we? Let’s play “Spot the Communist Bureaucrat.”

Person 1: Gee, I really need some more money. It will go to good causes and help kids.
Person 2: Okay, that sounds good. I know where we can get our hands on loads of cash, no questions asked.
Person 1: Excellent. I need $369 million.
Person 2: You need what? I just gave you $341 million last year!
Person 1: Yeah, well, I spent that. And I need $369 million this year. Now.
Person 2: Tell you what, I just don’t have that kind of money. I’ll give you $351 million.
Person 1: RACIST! CHILD-HATER! This is going to mean MASSIVE cuts! How can you CUT the budget of the school system?!? You’re going to SHUT DOWN schools! Why do you insist on draconian CUTS in my budget!
Person 2: Your “salary” is over $250,000 a year. And with benefits, you make nearly half a million dollars.
Person 1: You are forcing me to CLOSE SCHOOLS with your budget cuts! You don’t care about the children!
Person 2: The number of your employees earning over $100,000 increased by TWENTY-NINE percent this year.
Person 1: Your devastating CUTS in the budget is going to mean that children SUFFER. Your reduction in the budget is going to have a negative impact on the children!
Person 2: Your budget actually increased. It went up ten MILLION dollars.
Person 1: THE SKY IS FALLING!
Person 2: And last year we gave you a $25 million increase.
Person 1: That’s fine. CUT the budget. But the CHILDREN WILL SUFFER. I will ensure they do.

Of course, Person 1 is Peter Gorman, super-bureaucrat. Yes, his annual compensation is nearly $500,000. And yes, he 91 bureaucrats that work for him earning over $100,000 a year. And yes, he is honestly claiming that an increase of $10 million is actually a “cut.” Of course, only slimy, self-serving, selfish bureaucrats can actually make that claim with a straight face. Then again, he makes his living off the backs of working people, so I’m sure he sleeps fine at night while lying to people during the day.

Popularity: 34% [?]

Tags: Education, North Carolina Government by Ogre
3 Comments »

At one time, having an education mattered. In order to prove you had an education, you obtained a degree. That degree indicated certain things and had value. If you had a high school diploma, for example, that meant you had obtained a certain level of skill and knowledge in certain areas. If you had a college degree, it indicated that you had more advanced learning in various areas, including your specialty and various other general educational areas. But that was then, this is now.

Now having a college degree, a Bachelor of Science, for example, means nothing. It does not mean you have a certain level of competence in, well, anything. Instead, a college degree today means that you managed to get the federal government to take money from working, productive people and give it to “teachers” on your behalf. That’s about it. Sure, there’s a few places where a degree has actual meaning and value, but those place are few and far between.

If you want true education today, stay far, far away from any government institution. They are designed to consume money, not educate.

Popularity: 30% [?]

Tags: Education, News by Ogre
2 Comments »

Well, the “big” news in North Carolina “Education” today is that the North Carolina Community College system claims it will no longer enroll federal fugitives from justice. They do not, however, mention how they will do that or if, as is more likely, they will simply switch to a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in admitting these criminals and invaders. Previously, the Community College system encouraged illegal aliens to attend the schools for training at taxpayer expense.

As you can imagine, this sparked a firestorm from the elites who know better. University of North Carolina college system president Erskine Bowles was outraged. He said that HIS system will continue to allow any and all federal fugitives to continue to obtain free cash and benefits from HIS system that is paid for completely with taxpayer cash. Thank you, citizens of Illinois, for sending your cash to Mr. Bowles so he can provide education and services to people who are on the run from the federal government and whom the federal government would like to arrest. Bowles whined on with:

In this instance, there sure seems to be considerable legal disagreement about what the relevant federal law really says.

Really, Mr. Bowles? Only if by “disagreement” you mean, “in your ivory tower-based mind” and by “federal law” you mean the things that you, personally, feel like allowing in your fiefdom. No, there is no “legal disagreement” by anyone other than people like Mr. Bowles who simply want more power, control, and taxpayer money. The only people who seem to “disagree” with laws that clarify a national border are leftists, most of whom are living off the backs of taxpayers who actually have to work for a living. The only way you can see “legal disagreement” with the law is if you interpret the law yourself, instead of following the law:

Any alien who
(1) enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers, or
(2) eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers, or
(3) attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material fact, shall, for the first commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both, and, for a subsequent commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18, or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.

US Code, Title 8, Chapter 12, Subchapter II, Part VIII, Section 1325a

In fact, based on the information that Mr. Bowles has supplied, I believe that he is actually in violation of federal law himself:

(a) Criminal penalties
(1)
(A) Any person who—
(iii) knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that an alien has come to, entered, or remains in the United States in violation of law, conceals, harbors, or shields from detection, or attempts to conceal, harbor, or shield from detection, such alien in any place, including any building or any means of transportation;
(iv) encourages or induces an alien to come to, enter, or reside in the United States, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such coming to, entry, or residence is or will be in violation of law; or
(v)
(I) engages in any conspiracy to commit any of the preceding acts, or
(II) aids or abets the commission of any of the preceding acts,
shall be punished as provided in subparagraph (B).

Do you suppose we could report Mr. Bowles and get him arrested? Oh, right, he’s a member of the elite and not subject to laws like us peons. And there shall be justice for some…

Popularity: 40% [?]

Tags: Borders, Education, North Carolina Government by Ogre
1 Comment »

I was talking to a family who had a girl who was about 14 years old the other week. She had on one of those silly cheap plastic/rubber bracelets. It said on it something about “Global Warming.” I laughed and commented something along the lines of, “You know that’s totally made up crap, right?”

Her dad laughed and said, “That’s what I told her. In fact, that’s what both her grandfathers had recently told her — only more vehemently.” She just sat there and smiled. You could see in her teenage mind she was going on with the ideas of “Gee, those silly old people just don’t know. I’m so smart, I know more than they do. ‘They’ told me older people wouldn’t believe me, but I know better.”

So she’s lost. She honestly believes that anyone who supports capitalism and freedom is honestly working to destroy the planet. She believes that only algore and government can save the planet. And one day she will vote. Why does she think this way? Because she has been taught for years that anyone who wants to see valid proof or experimental results is a nutcase. She’s been taught that the religion of Global Warming is right and anyone who disagrees with it is wrong merely for disagreeing.

Keep in mind, if your child is in a government school, this IS what they’re being taught. Sure, you can try and unteach them, but the schools have them for 6-8 hours a day and they’re enforcing their religion of socialism each and every day. If you value freedom, if you like capitalism, you cannot allow your children into a government school. It really is that simple.

Popularity: 36% [?]

Tags: Education by Ogre
21 Comments »

Yeah, that sounds like our government schools, doesn’t it? I’m pretty sure slight-of-hand tricks aren’t supposed to be a religion. But apparently one government school appears to think so. Maybe this is way off, but initial reports do seem to indicate that someone has been fired for showing kids a slight of hand trick — because that’s somehow an illegal endorsement of a non-government-approved religion.

I should be amazed. But nothing that government schools do today amazes me. They are utterly devoid of logic, much less actual education and learning.

Popularity: 35% [?]

Tags: Education, News by Ogre
No Comments »

Yup, the priorities of the government-run public school systems are VERY clear today.

Popularity: 29% [?]

Tags: Education by Ogre
4 Comments »

I couldn’t think of any way to shorten that title. That’s just accurate. You see, there’s a textbook, “American Government.” In the book, apparently there’s a section that describes scientific observation. The textbook dares to say that science isn’t perfect and there might actually be some questions about some science. Then it goes much further and actually questions algore’s religion. Since the book actually suggests that there might be people who disagree with algore’s global warming religion, liberals are lining up to complain and get the book changed. The publisher, interested in obtaining sales to the liberal school systems, will be quick to comply. There is no room for actual truth in government, liberals, or the school system. DO NOT QUESTION THEM or you will be shut up.

I bet student Matthew LaClair has a bright future as a “leader” in the anti-American, anti-truth, anti-freedom Democrat Party.

Popularity: 38% [?]

Tags: America, Education, Religion of Global Warming by Ogre
4 Comments »

I’m sure by now most of my good, well-read readers have heard about the great aspirin strip search. In case you haven’t, here’s the details: a government school is defending their action in having a secretary at a government strip search a 13-year old because it was suspected she MIGHT have aspirin on her person (or in her person).

I think what’s most amazing about this case is the vast number of people that continue to come to the defense of the school system. Judges on the ninth circuit court of appeals actually see absolutely nothing wrong with a secretary in a government school forcing a 13-year old child to get completely naked in front of her. Just think about that for a minute. Judges on one of the second-highest courts in the land says it’s perfectly o.k. for a completely unqualified person — perhaps without any background check at all — to force a child to get naked in front of them. Pedophiles rejoice, you can legally continue your actions!

Once again, this illustrates a point that I continue to mention here on this blog — government schools are utterly and completely beyond hope. They cannot be fixed. With this many people involved with the school system actually DEFENDING this near-rape of a 13-year old girl, there really is no hope to “reform” the system. If you value your child’s life, you will not let them enter a government school — because they might be subjected to actions like this BY LAW.

Popularity: 33% [?]

Tags: America, Education, Government by Ogre
No Comments »

By now I imagine most of my readers have heard about James Corbett, the “teacher” in California that’s using his classroom as a bully pulpit his hatred for everything Christian. Oh sure, his lawyer complains he was just trying to “inspire his students to think.”

Of course, it would be quite easy to imagine what would happen if Mr. Corbett had said, “Who were all the terrorists on 9-11? Muslims! Who committed the terrorist acts in Spain? Muslims! Whose religious books tells the members of their religion to kill everyone who disagrees with them? Muslims!”

But we all know what would have happened if he tried to get people to think honestly about the Muslim religion, instead of making up lies about Christians. The school would likely already be in flames because the Muslim terrorists would burn it down.

Instead, can you imagine what would have happened if the student had responded, “Why Mr. Corbett, you’re a d*ck-su**ing pedophile who likes to have people urinate on him.” Oh, but it wouldn’t really mean anything, it’s just to get him to “think.” Any bets on how long that student would be suspended? Perhaps even completely thrown out of school? And yet Mr. Corbett, who basically did the exact same thing, is facing zero punishment from the school. The school SUPPORTS this action in the name of “academic freedom.”

Know what? I would suggest that Mr. Corbett is full of hatred and furthermore, he’s a poor teacher! If the only way he can come up with to get people to think is by insulting an entire religion with lies, he stinks as a teacher. And he’s supposed to be a history teacher. What part of history is he trying to get kids to think about by insulting the religion of most of the United States? What historical facts are related to making up lies about one religion that Mr. Corbett doesn’t like?

But again, this IS the type of “teacher” you will find in government schools today. This is what the government schools count as “learning.” I tell you again, the government school system is beyond hope. It cannot be salvaged. This is just another example that shows if you are putting your child in a public school, you are harming that child.

Popularity: 24% [?]

Tags: Education by Ogre
2 Comments »

The “Big” news is that the high school graduation rate is horribly low. There’s an easy way to fix that — and one that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools have employed with great success — just give everyone a diploma. Know what? I’m willing to bet that Detroit, with the 25% graduation rate, does just that. I mean, just about every public school I’ve worked with gives anyone a diploma who shows up — so I imagine Detroit does, too. So what does that say about the schools?

I think it says that the students have realized what I have known for years (if not decades). A high school diploma is completely worthless. It does not indicate anything. It does not mean that you know how to calculate overtime or do other basic math. It does not mean that you know anything about US or World History. It certainly doesn’t mean that you know anything at all about the English language and how to use correct grammar. In fact, can you name anything that is learned from a school that isn’t already learned somewhere else (apart from planning murders, of course)? I bet you cannot.

What value is there to a high school diploma? What does it tell you when students in Detroit are offered a diploma for just showing up — and they’re not even showing up? I don’t think it illustrates the need for more cash for education (as government does) — I think it shows that more and more people, students included, realize there is simply no value and no advantage to having a high school diploma. And I think they’re right.

Popularity: 24% [?]

Tags: Education by Ogre
11 Comments »

Which of these three actions is most likely to result in physical harm and danger?

1. Smoking one cigarette.
2. Drinking one beer.
3. Having normal sex.
4. Having homosexual sex.

No, really, which of those has the highest probability of long-term effects?

Smoking one cigarette may or may not increase your risk of cancer. No one is really sure, but it appears that a single cigarette has no measurable effect. It may get you addicted, but it might also turn you off cigarettes for the rest of your life.

Drinking one beer, if you drink the whole thing in one sip, and if it’s your first ever, might get you drunk. You might fall down and hurt yourself. Yeah, that’s about it.

Having sex is strongly correlated with getting pregnant. In fact, it’s quite common for someone to get pregnant from having sex. That’s an effect that will last your entire life (even if you kill the baby). It’s also an easy way to spread STDs.

Having homosexual sex has a high chance of spreading worse STDs, such as AIDS. In fact, in some areas, people who engage in homosexual sex decrease their life span by up to 20 years. That’s a pretty strong, long-term effect for a single action, isn’t it?

It seems quite clear to me that the last two have a MUCH greater chance of having long-term effects. So can anyone explain to me why the first two are utterly evil and strongly banned in government educational institutions, but the last two are openly encouraged for children aged 14-18 in those same institutions?

Popularity: 27% [?]

Tags: Education by Ogre
13 Comments »

How did THAT happen? Oh right, because people will choose freedom and capitalism every time.

Remember prohibition? I know, no one but GM Roper was there, but still — you remember the concept, right? Government decided to ban something that people wanted. And people just ignored government. Once again, that same scenario has played out again (gee, just like the “war” on some drugs). Now it’s school children who are ignoring the law — and they’re making profits. Of course, what likely bothers government most is that they’re not getting a share of those profits.

In schools, certain types of SUGAR have been outlawed — so the students have created a black market for it. Great training in our schools, isn’t it? We’re teaching our elementary school kids how to break the law, avoid detection, and hide profits and products from government. At least they’ll be good at it when they get to high school and start doing it with crack.

Government Education: is there any way it could suck more?

Popularity: 26% [?]

Tags: America, Education by Ogre
4 Comments »

Wow. All I can say is, “Wow.” This is just so true on so many levels.

Popularity: 30% [?]

Tags: Education, Silliness by Ogre
2 Comments »