I guess you don't need to know basic Geography to be a County Supervisor in Wisconson

[lsiberian]

But the people who make the laws seem to want illegals here so we seem to be stuck with them.

I totally forgot about George Bush and the housekeeper incident. Maybe that was Ole Willy's problem he always went with domestic big girls. Now I know how Bush learned Spanish and why he always had a smile on his face. It also explains why he spent so much time at the ranch.

 

[Stereodude]

Speaking of facts, are they just saying that when they do arrest somebody for breaking a law that they check their immigration status or are they talking about Gestapo 'show me your papers' tactics that can be pulled on regular folks?

The latter is definitely forbidden by the law. They are allowed to inquire about the immigration status of someone they are already questioning for another reason. The law is identical to existing federal law, but since the Feds won't do their job Arizona has decided to take matters into their own hands.

Neither party in Washington wants to do anything about the problem because they both see potential future voters and tax payers once they magically make them all legal. And, the way they're spending money they need all the taxpayers they can get. The biggest issue is that every time they grant amnesty they don't do anything to stop the flow of people. On top of that the amnesty action ends up having the opposite effect. The Mexicans simply see that once you come to the US if you wait long enough you'll get amnesty (and other perks) so they pour into the country so they can wait for the next one.

 

[Midwesthonky]

I realize this original post was moved off topic to illegal immigration, but no one, not one person pointed out the link between Milwaukee councilwoman's lack of geography knowledge and the Milwaukee Public School System?

No one?

The Milwaukee Public School System is one of the best in the country for graduating students without the ability to read or write their own name. They also have one of the top programs for training future gang leaders and illegal drug distribution network management. Granted, the program is not as good as the school districts in the Los Angeles area, but it's pretty good for a medium-sized midwestern school district!

 

[highfigh]

I realize this original post was moved off topic to illegal immigration, but no one, not one person pointed out the link between Milwaukee councilwoman's lack of geography knowledge and the Milwaukee Public School System?

No one?

The Milwaukee Public School System is one of the best in the country for graduating students without the ability to read or write their own name. They also have one of the top programs for training future gang leaders and illegal drug distribution network management. Granted, the program is not as good as the school districts in the Los Angeles area, but it's pretty good for a medium-sized midwestern school district!

They have a new Superintendent and hopefully, he'll be able to do something good. Unfortunately, and i realize some teachers actually give a rat's *** about teaching, some of the teachers have lost interest in that and only care about tenure and their pension. They have too many students in the classrooms and the school board wastes far too much money. The budget is not $1.7B, they recently spent a buttload of money on school renovations and last I heard, 16 schools are standing vacant after being updated. They don't have any power to discipline disruptive students because that makes the kids have a bad self-image, so a few bad ones make it necessary for the teachers to waste time dealing with the associated BS, instead of actually teaching. They apparently work on a quota system when it comes to getting Federal money, so they push the deadbeats out with diplomas along with the ones who are capable of reading/writing, etc. One of the biggest problems with the students here is the lack of interest by their parents. First, many are in one parent households, second is due to the parents having been in the same position at the same age and the third is that drug and gang activity looks like a good time.

 

[droht]

There's just one problem. Tina Fey said that on SNL while imitating Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin never said that. But, we won't let the facts get in the way of a political agenda.

Palin said that you can see Russia from Alaska (from some little island iirc). The Palinesque thing was not the quote itself, but the idea that because Russia was close to Alaska that Palin had some enhanced expertise on our Russia Policy, particularly as it pertained to Georgian autonomy. I believe that is the same interview she suggested that going to war with Russia over Georgia might be necessary.

As for Tina Fey, her line was perfect. It lampoons Palin's point in a short and simple way. Instead of having to know the actual quote and the context, you can just hear "I can see Russia from my front porch" and understand that this person should not be governing. It's very good politcal humor.

 

[markw]

Simply Amazing.

They have a new Superintendent and hopefully, he'll be able to do something good. Unfortunately, and i realize some teachers actually give a rat's *** about teaching, some of the teachers have lost interest in that and only care about tenure and their pension. They have too many students in the classrooms and the school board wastes far too much money. The budget is not $1.7B, they recently spent a buttload of money on school renovations and last I heard, 16 schools are standing vacant after being updated. They don't have any power to discipline disruptive students because that makes the kids have a bad self-image, so a few bad ones make it necessary for the teachers to waste time dealing with the associated BS, instead of actually teaching. They apparently work on a quota system when it comes to getting Federal money, so they push the deadbeats out with diplomas along with the ones who are capable of reading/writing, etc. One of the biggest problems with the students here is the lack of interest by their parents. First, many are in one parent households, second is due to the parents having been in the same position at the same age and the third is that drug and gang activity looks like a good time.

If it weren't for that dollar figure, I would think you were writing about New Jersey.

Our new governer, Chris Christie, was voted in on the platform of cutting un-necessary expenses and his biggest opponent is the teachers union and many (not all) of the teachers.

 

[highfigh]

If it weren't for that dollar figure, I would think you were writing about New Jersey.

Our new governer, Chris Christie, was voted in on the platform of cutting un-necessary expenses and his biggest opponent is the teachers union and many (not all) of the teachers.

Our school board wants to cut some teaching jobs and they're not even tenured positions but we had protesters out there with their torches and pitchforks over it.

MKE is run by idiots and because of how they cause certain types to leave, the percentage of low-income/poorly educated people is awfully high. Local government "keeps" these people in certain areas of the city and is not trying to draw more high-income types back with high rise towers, renovated industrial buildings converted to lofts and better shopping. These still don't eliminate the gangs, drugs, random crime or any of the other problems.

 

[Rickster71]

Palin said that you can see Russia from Alaska (from some little island iirc). The Palinesque thing was not the quote itself, but the idea that because Russia was close to Alaska that Palin had some enhanced expertise on our Russia Policy, particularly as it pertained to Georgian autonomy. I believe that is the same interview she suggested that going to war with Russia over Georgia might be necessary.

It doesn't sound that way from the interview.
Charlie Gibson brought it up twice, before Palin mentioned it.


September 11, 2008, World News:

CHARLES GIBSON: Let me ask you about specific national security situations. Let's start, because we are near Russia. Let's start with Russia and Georgia. The administration has said, we've got to maintain the territorial integrity of Georgia. Do you believe the United States should try to restore Georgian sovereignty over South Ossetia and Abkhazia?

SARAH PALIN: First off, we're going to continue good relations with Saakashvili there. I was able to speak with him the other day and giving him my commitment, as John McCain's running mate, that we will be committed to Georgia. And we've got to keep an eye on Russia. For Russia to have exerted such pressure in terms of invading a smaller democratic country, unprovoked, is unacceptable. And we have to keep...

GIBSON: You believe unprovoked?

PALIN: I do believe unprovoked. And we have got to keep our eyes on Russia. Under the leadership there.

GIBSON: What insight into Russian actions particularly in the last couple of weeks, does the proximity of this state give you?

PALIN: They're our next door neighbors. And you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska.

GIBSON: You in favor of putting Georgia and Ukraine into NATO?

PALIN: Ukraine, definitely, yes. Yes, and Georgia. Putin thinks otherwise. Obviously he thinks otherwise.

GIBSON: And under the NATO treaty, wouldn't we then have to go to war if Russia went into Georgia?

PALIN: Perhaps so. I mean that is the agreement. When you are a NATO ally, is, if another country is attacked, you are going to be expected to be called upon and help.

 

[Ares]

I don't know bad your superintend is but here ours is a joke, he ran the CTA for awhile and his first act was to give top level brass a pay raise while they were in red looking for a hand out from the city, then he took over CPS and guess what he did....that's right pay raise for top level brass of CPS while again the schools and teachers made sacrifices.

Here is an article on Ron Huberman the idiot who runs CPS

 

[zhimbo]

It doesn't sound that way from the interview.
Charlie Gibson brought it up twice, before Palin mentioned it.

The reason that Charlie Gibson brought it up, is because Palin's team had brought it up in prior comments to the press and on television. (Example: Cindy McCain on Aug 31: ""You know, the experience that she comes from is, what she has done in government -- and remember that Alaska is the closest part of our continent to Russia.") That's why he pressed the issue in that interview.

Notice the utter vapidity of her response to Gibson - she certainly doesn't use it as an opportunity to walk it back, or to clarify.

Next chance, with Katie Couric:

COURIC: You've cited Alaska's proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that?


PALIN: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and on our other side, the land-- boundary that we have with-- Canada. It-- it's funny that a comment like that was-- kind of made to-- cari-- I don't know, you know? Reporters--

COURIC: Mock?

PALIN: Yeah, mocked, I guess that's the word, yeah.

COURIC: Explain to me why that enhances your foreign policy credentials.

PALIN: Well, it certainly does because our-- our next door neighbors are foreign countries. They're in the state that I am the executive of. And there in Russia--

COURIC: Have you ever been involved with any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?

PALIN: We have trade missions back and forth. We-- we do-- it's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where-- where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is-- from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to-- to our state.

...and she keeps on digging in...

 

[pzaur]

Just a quick tidbit regarding the education system and funding. The school districts do not have direct control over how the money is spent. Federal programs have specific funding mandates and monies that can only be used for specific programs. The same applies for renovation funds, new buildings, operations, material purchases and so forth.

It is not possible to simply re-allocate funds from one department to another just because it actually makes sense. This could cause school districts to be sued for misallocation of funds and/or have funding revoked.

A $1.7 billion budget (not sure where this number came from. I haven't followed any external links, either) does not mean they can spend $1.7 billion on whatever they choose.

-pat

 

[Rickster71]

The reason that Charlie Gibson brought it up, is because Palin's team had brought it up in prior comments to the press and on television. (Example: Cindy McCain on Aug 31: ""You know, the experience that she comes from is, what she has done in government -- and remember that Alaska is the closest part of our continent to Russia.") That's why he pressed the issue in that interview.

Notice the utter vapidity of her response to Gibson - she certainly doesn't use it as an opportunity to walk it back, or to clarify.

Next chance, with Katie Couric:

...and she keeps on digging in...

I only saw the Charlie Gibson interview. Did you happen to see it?

The interview was hostile and patronizing, similar to what I'd imagine Sean Hanity or Rush Limbaugh would do if interviewing someone they hated.
Charlie Gibson's chair was higher than Palin's and he looked down over his glasses as her. Much like a principle scolding a fifth grader.

Palin was popular (maybe for all the wrong reasons) and he was going to take her down a few pegs.

Regardless of politics, it proved once again how unfair and biased much of our media is.

 

[highfigh]

Just a quick tidbit regarding the education system and funding. The school districts do not have direct control over how the money is spent. Federal programs have specific funding mandates and monies that can only be used for specific programs. The same applies for renovation funds, new buildings, operations, material purchases and so forth.

It is not possible to simply re-allocate funds from one department to another just because it actually makes sense. This could cause school districts to be sued for misallocation of funds and/or have funding revoked.

A $1.7 billion budget (not sure where this number came from. I haven't followed any external links, either) does not mean they can spend $1.7 billion on whatever they choose.

-pat

Sorry, I heard the $1.7B number on a radio talk show but just looked it up- it's $1.3B for 2011. That's significantly lower but they're still not getting the results they should.

 

[pzaur]

Sorry, I heard the $1.7B number on a radio talk show but just looked it up- it's $1.3B for 2011. That's significantly lower but they're still not getting the results they should.

Well, the real question with that budget is how much of it is tied up in federal programs? Probably a lot more than goes to the general education population.

-pat

 

[MatthewB.]

Living in AZ for most of my life I was very surprised to learn that we don't border Mexico, makees me wonder why AZ is the number one crossover point for illegals if we don't border them. I am never amazed at the stupidity of the people running our government.

In fact here in Phoenix we have a guy running for Congress who has been arrested twice for public nudity (by lounging in his garage butt nekkid with his garage door open and just waving at the neighbors and oh yeah he also has a drunk driving arrest on his record.


Here's the link to this brain trust.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2010/06/25/20100625mark-spinks-congress-seat.html

I think Mark should just give me all his money he's using to run his campaign and I can slap him across the face now and say, "you an idiot" and save him the humilation.

 

[MatthewB.]

Isiberian, i would really love to see your side, but living here in AZ I just can't. I work in the healthcare industry and today we just did a 150,000 procedure on a mexican citizen who has no valid social security number, no legal address and is considered a self pay. Now tell me what are the chances that we will ever see a dime of that money. Never mind the fact the doctor spent three hours on his procedure, the two nurses and the Rad techs and various staff, lets not forget his hospital stay, medicine and food. So you have a business that by law has to take care of those who can't afford it, but yet this is just one guy today alone. Now how is a business to stay open when its customers don't pay one cent for the services.

Phoenix has in the past ten years had two major hospitals close due to non payment of illegals, and the hospital I work at (that has been here for over 100 years mind you) is next on the chopping block. So you'll have to forgive me if I don't give a rats arse if the police are right or wrong in asking somebody who they have legally stopped if they have a valid form of ID.

It's comments like yours that proves that you have never read SB 1070 and all that it entails. For if you had, you would see that pulling random people over is not allowed and trust me the police here have far too much to do, than waste their time in randomly pulling over people.

Our schools are suffering, because so many illegals send their children here for education yet not one of them pays taxes that help fund the school system, so education scores have dropped dramatically, teachers are spending more time trying to teach an immigrant a tiny amount of english to help pass the tests, instead of spenidng that time teaching the englsih speaking students their lessons.

Or have you ever been the victim of a hit and run by an illegal and now your insurance rates have skyrocketed to help pay for these illegals. In AZ the number one reason for high insurance rates is uninsured motorists and I can tell you that is 90% illegals who drive around. Crime is rampant, why" because illegals know how to buck the system and since they don't pay fines and the only punishment they get is a free trip back to Nogales (where they will be back the next day) kinda gets an average citizen riled up.

Oh yeah and my local taxes have just been increased again to help pay for the inlfux of citizens who don't pay their taxes, yeah I am a tad bitter, considering my paycheck doesnt go that far to begin with.

This law which has been on the federal law books for decades now is finally being enforced and your upset why? Because an illegal is being charged with his crime of entering the country illegally. Tell you what take a trip to Rocky Point and count how many times you get pulled over and aksed not for one but two forms of ID and oh yeah that small pesky little fine that you have to pay the federales right then and there. Your upset because an illegal is now being forced to show one form of valid ID and if you can give me one case where any illegal was beaten for not having a valid ID, I would love to see the police report on that one.

So untill you have lived here for years and dealt with this and had your paycheck squeezed, your wait time in ER lengethed and your insurance rates jacked up because some illegal smashed into you and ran, then please keep your comments to yourself on this issue.

btw here's a great qoute in todays AZ Republic listing how much it costs to jail illegals in 2008. "According to figures provided by the state, it cost Arizona $120.4 million to incarcerate illegal immigrants that year, not counting the expense of arrest and prosecution. The feds picked up about 10 percent of the tab: $12.8 million, leaving Arizona taxpayers to shoulder the rest of a burden that exists because the federal government can't – or won't -- do its job. "

Food for thought.

 

[highfigh]

Oh yeah and my local taxes have just been increased again to help pay for the inlfux of citizens who don't pay their taxes, yeah I am a tad bitter, considering my paycheck doesnt go that far to begin with.

So untill you have lived here for years and dealt with this and had your paycheck squeezed, your wait time in ER lengethed and your insurance rates jacked up because some illegal smashed into you and ran, then please keep your comments to yourself on this issue.

btw here's a great qoute in todays AZ Republic listing how much it costs to jail illegals in 2008. "According to figures provided by the state, it cost Arizona $120.4 million to incarcerate illegal immigrants that year, not counting the expense of arrest and prosecution. The feds picked up about 10 percent of the tab: $12.8 million, leaving Arizona taxpayers to shoulder the rest of a burden that exists because the federal government can't – or won't -- do its job. "

Food for thought.

You may consider your taxes to have increased tremendously but because of the low income and property tax rates compared with Wisconsin's, I'm considering relocating to AZ. I have more friends there than here now, anyway. Most of them relocated.

One thing that is often forgotten when it comes to the criminal activity when it pertains to large drug busts- the local law enforcement agencies get 10% of the seizure and when it's the kind that includes lots of property and cash, it definitely helps to fund the departments. Obviously, that's not a justification for keeping the gang/drug things going but it's something that is relevant.

It's a bad problem and because members of the political parties see 'Voter' tatooed on the faces of every illegal, it's not something I expect them to resolve without a lot of new faces and a lot of arguing. I have been watching 'Border Patrol' on History International and it's amazing that Mexico does so little about it. The checkpoints are more of a formality than anything else, for them.

 

[highfigh]

Well, the real question with that budget is how much of it is tied up in federal programs? Probably a lot more than goes to the general education population.

-pat

I don't know the exact numbers but my property tax bill sure hasn't been shrinking. In fact, it has gone up almost $2000 since I bought this place and it's nothing special. I have a friend in Apache Junction who has a house on 2 acres- house and garage built in the last 15 years, totaling over 3500 sq ft and his property taxes are less than $2500.

 

[pzaur]

I don't know the exact numbers but my property tax bill sure hasn't been shrinking. In fact, it has gone up almost $2000 since I bought this place and it's nothing special. I have a friend in Apache Junction who has a house on 2 acres- house and garage built in the last 15 years, totaling over 3500 sq ft and his property taxes are less than $2500.

Your friend lives in a differently taxed area. I bet you have a few more overrides and bonds on your tax bill. The school district you live in makes a difference. Boundaries do not follow city boundaries for school districts.

And, your friend lives in A.J., I'll bet the resale on your house is greater per square foot than his.

The only point I want to make is that there is very little flexibility for school district spending. There are mandated minimum amounts for federal programs that must be met regardless of how large the budget is for the entire school district. This can usurp copious amounts of the budget before it is allocated for the general (non-special ed) population. Many of these minimums will incur penalties if they aren't met.

-pat

 

[Alex2507]

Palin was popular (maybe for all the wrong reasons)

Somebody sounds like they have a crush (maybe for all the wrong reasons)