Comment

Comment by Mike Moody on March 21, 2012 at 8:00pm

There seems to be a thread about education and I wanted to pass along a suggestion that I think might be helpful or at least debatable.  This is the kind of issues focused discussion that guys like me go nuts over and I would like to encourage it. 

I pose a "What if" question.  Recently in the new media, the AJC in particular, there was a big discussion about apprenticeship training.  I think that apprenticeship training is a good thing for a lot of our young people but I see one thing in apprenticeship training that is somewhat of a problem.  Most of the totally technical hands on equipment training these days takes some technical equipment to practice on.  

As just one example, how would someone who is very interested in doing so, get the training to qualify them to operate the welding robots that no modern car factory can do without.  That kind of equipment is very expensive.  If you wanted to learn how to operate heavy equipment such as a bulldozer, how would you gain access to the equipment so you can learn to operate it? 

That is where my idea comes in.  I propose the State of Georgia fund an apprenticeship borrowing library.  The library would not be stocked with books but with equipment that students could use to learn highly paid occupations that require technical knowledge, not a technical education. 

I think the assets in this library should be circulated to the school districts in Georgia so that students would have the hands on experience with such equipment that they need.  Most of them would already have the space that they need to use such equipment for a few days of the week.  All the state would have to do is buy the equipment and transport it around the state.  This would give our students a new learning source and a new source of hope and inspiration. 

Comment by Karen Smith on March 18, 2012 at 10:06pm

Georgia Senate Bill SB 469 An Anti-Free Speech Bill http://www1.legis.ga.gov/legis/2011_12/versions/sb469_As_passed_Sen...

This bill will outlaw peaceful protest against federal and state government, as well as the overwhelming majority of local governments and private businesses. It will outlaw peaceful protest of any residence. 

Under this bill it will be crime to protest near any place where there is a "labor dispute." The definition of a labor dispute can be interpreted in a very broad way. It does not have to be a public dispute. 

Businesses and governments of any size invariably have ongoing employee grievances and employee lawsuits filed against them. If no dispute exists it is a small matter to file a grievance. 

This bill will make it impossible to engage in lawful public dissent. No more Tea Party rallies at the capital - or anywhere else. 

This is a very, very dangerous bill.

It passed the Senate. It can be stopped in the House.

Karen Smith

770-973-4470

roboqueen@aol.com

 

Comment by Karen Smith on March 15, 2012 at 12:57pm

I learned today of a current issue that is a perfect illustration of what will happen with HR 1162.

Scholarship funds are available to Georgia high school students who are enrolled in college classes while pursuing their high school diploma. Under current policy independent homeschoolers are prohibited from applying for this scholarship.

There is a proposed rule change that will permit independent homeschoolers to apply. The entity with the authority to make the decision is the Board of Commissioners of the Georgia Student Finance Commission. The members of this commission hail from each congressional district throughout our state.

Members of the homeschool community and others who support equity in higher education are in the process of contacting the commission members so they can explain the inequity of the current eligibility requirements and request support for the change in policy.

If the commissioners vote against permitting homeschoolers to apply, or if the citizens are unhappy about other action taken by the commissioners, the citizens have no recourse. They have no power to vote them out. The commissioners are appointed, not elected.

I do not mean to cast aspersions on the members of board the of the Georgia Student Finance Commission. These folks are leaders in their local communities. They have the best interests of Georgians at heart. They work for the betterment of our state.

But because of the system, the fact they they are not elected, their actions are insulated from the citizens.

This is exactly what will happen with HR 1162. The decision makers, those who have the power, will be insulted from the citizens.

Local elected officials live in our communities. They are accessible to the voters. They can be voted out if the citizens are unhappy with their actions.

Karen Smith

roboqueen@aol.com

770-973-4470

Comment by Karen Smith on March 15, 2012 at 12:32am

Cheryl,

I do not see this as a debate. A debate implies there will be winners and losers.

I see this as a discussion. A discussion entered into with pure motives, where participants share information and facts and experience and expertise, reveals truth. When truth is revealed there are no losers.

I see this as a discussion about the consequences of a proposed resolution.

Some discern HR 1162 as a means to improve school choice. This is how it is being presented by its proponents.

Others discern it as means to centralize government control of education, to take decision making out of the hands of local elected officials and put it in the hands of appointed bureaucrats.

This is not about school choice. This is about discerning consequences. Discerning the true consequences of resolutions like this is vital to the maintenance of our liberties. Errors in discernment today result in oppression tomorrow.

"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." - Thomas Jefferson

Karen Smith

roboqueen@aol.com

770-973-4470

 

Comment by Cheryl Lavette on March 14, 2012 at 4:13pm

Excellent debate on one of the important issues of the day, 'school choice.'  It is always helpful to have varying opinions to learn the most information.  As always, thank you for remaining respectful in the discussion to keep the dialogue open for others to join in.  Please continue to update us as information warrants.  Thanks!

Comment by Rhonda Gatch on March 14, 2012 at 2:45pm

Democrat Senator Doug Stoner will release his members from his tight fisted control of their votes. We only need 2 votes from Dems and we will likely have more.

These Senators will represent the desperate need of students and parents in the end.

And we will have people like our Republican Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Chip Rogers, to thank for his steadfast courage along with many others!

Comment by Rhonda Gatch on March 14, 2012 at 2:38pm

Just a note that Michelle Bachmann started a Charter School herself. This is a conservative cause.

Comment by Rhonda Gatch on March 14, 2012 at 2:28pm

Thank you Karen for your comments. The view described that there should be zero compulsory education is a small minority view.

Parents should have freedom. Families need School Choice.

Americans should not be micromanaged by local boards who enforce regulations promoted by National Unions that seek to stop any competition to their monopoly on power and decision making.

The fight against liberty and freedom is occurring all over our country in most states. Educational dollars should follow each student to the school that fits needs. Cobb county school board does not know what my child needs.

I homeschool because I control those decisions. I am not selfish enough to destroy other parents' right to make a choice for their children.

Free markets, educational freedom-

please vote against the monopoly that despises competition to its failing system.

On the ballot in November, please support students and parents freedom of choice in schools.

Comment by Karen Smith on March 14, 2012 at 2:10pm

Rhonda,

I urge you to use care in invoking the name of Gov. Rick Perry. He used the power of the executive order to require all girls in Texas to get the Gardasil vaccine. This is something that should be between parents and pediatricians. Government should have no role in this.

Gov. Perry is guilty of the same thing as President Obama, ruling by edict. If he can be convinced to issue an order for mandatory injection of our children, he can be convinced to issue orders mandating other things.

Also, to clarify the enumerated powers in our Constitution, the powers not specifically identified as powers reserved to the federal government are reserved to the states AND TO THE PEOPLE.

This is a seemingly minor but incredibly important distinction.

The states are not above the people.

Embracing the idea that the states are above the people is a step down the road to tyranny. We must be mindful of tyranny at every level, not just the federal level. State government can become just as intrusive and oppressive as the federal government.

Thank you, Rhonda, for posting so many comments.

Karen Smith

roboqueen@aol.com

770-973-4470

Comment by Rhonda Gatch on March 14, 2012 at 1:51pm

Government Schools are Monopolies!

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