..........Steele offers Jindal 'slum love'.

In an interview with Curtis Sliwa on ABC Radio last night, the host and RNC Chairman Michael Steele jokingly linked Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal to the film "Slumdog Millionaire." Steele offered Jindal "slum love. Here's the transcript:

SLIWA: Now, using a little bit of that street terminology, are you giving him any slum love, Michael?

STEELE: (laughter)

SLIWA: Because he is — when guys look at him and young women look at him — they say oh, that's the slumdog millionaire, governor. So, give me some slum love.

STEELE: I love it. (inaudible) ... some slum love out to my buddy. Gov. Bobby Jindal is doing a friggin' awesome job in his state. He's really turned around on some core principles — like hey, government ought not be corrupt. The good stuff ... the easy stuff.

Talk about race baiting! And what's the deal with the Chairman of the RNC doing using a term like "friggin'" in a national interview? Is this an attempt to make the GOP into some sort of hip-hop organization? If so, it's not workin' for 'ya!

.........."no Bobby, only the winners get to go to Disney World!"

BATON ROUGE -- After giving one of the biggest speeches in his time as a politician, Gov. Bobby Jindal is heading to Disney World. Jindal's office says the governor and his family leave for the Orlando vacation resort today. The vacation comes one day after Jindal gave his first televised speech to the nation, offering the Republican Party's response to President Barack Obama's address to Congress.

Did you hear this speech? What a debacle! If this is the best that the GOP can muster to rebut a Democratic Presidential speech, then the Republican Party is in real trouble!

I think that the greatest fear of the Repbulican sheeple is that this stimulus plan may work. My gosh, what if it does? Will all the the Republicans vanish? No, but Bobby Jindal certainly will.

..........so, did the people driving the cars learn to drive in the Army, or did the Army personnel learn to drive as civilians?

..........you never know what's in the mind of a clown!

..........Support for Stormy Daniels’ run against David Vitter (R-LA) for his Senate seat is “swelling”.

It is fitting that a porn star may run for David Vitter's Senate seat. Check out the link - it's a true story!

..........Quick! To the Wayback Machine!

The cover of Time, 2/15/1999.

..........did you know that there is a CEO of Public Schools in North Carolina?

There is a new position here in North Carolina that was prompted by a private study of how to improve our public schools. Bill Harrison is the newly appointed CEO of North Carolina Public Schools. Everyone who is employed by the NC Dept. of Public Instruction ultimately answers to him, even the State Superintendent of Schools. This has become such a controversy, that the State Superintendent of Schools, newly elected June Atkinson, has asked the NC Legislature to define what her job actually is? It should be interesting to see how this situation plays out. North Carolina, like many states, is going to suffer from an overwhelming budget deficit for the coming school year. No doubt, there will be many, many cuts in programs (many of which need to be cut; i.e. No Child Left Behind), and cuts in personnel. Hopefully many of the cuts will occur in useless administration jobs. Many of the cuts are going to come from the local educational administrations. Did you know that all arts positions in North Carolina (like band directors) are fully locally funded? It's going to be an interesting discussion via the new CEO - I'll keep you posted.

..........fightin' the Cold War.

I don't know if you're ever able to get all your personal stuff organized at home. You know, where are all those old pictures, etc.? Well, in an attempt to do just that, we recently came upon some old photos. Here's my graduation photo from the US Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, GA, August, 1984 (I was 25 yrs old here). Being Infantry Soldiers, we had our photos made in our Battle Dress Uniform; and, because our Drill Sergeant told us to do so! We trained to fight against those who fought based on the Soviet doctrine of warfare. That encompassed more of the world than one might think. I still remember the plastic pop-up targets we fired our M-16's at - they were green guys with furry hats and a red star right on the forehead! We called them "Pop Up Charlie". I was fortunate enough to be trained by many veterans of the Vietnam War. These guys knew what they were doing, and we definitely respected what they had to show us. Unlike many who served before and after me, I never was deployed to an actual conflict. Prior to the first Gulf War, my unit was sent to Desert Warfare School at Fort Erwin, CA for three weeks. Just before the ground war began in the Gulf, my unit was put on alert. We had the Army lawyers there to make out wills for those who didn't have them, we serviced and packed all our equipment, and we had all our paperwork for deployment ready to go. Being mechanized infantry, we were convinced that we certainly would be activated. The ground war went so well, that we got the message to "Stand Down" almost as quickly as we were alerted. My military service was all peacetime army. I have no doubt that many of the soldiers I trained at Fort Benning (when I was a Drill Sergeant), are combat veterans by now. The training I received in the military greatly shaped who I am today. It's interesting to see a photo that takes you back to such an interesting time in your life.

..........weekends are great!

I just love spending the weekends with my family - there's absolutely nothing that beats these special days! For me, one of the best parts of the weekend begins on Friday afternoon after school is dismissed. I've got to back up one step before I go into that. I had one of the best weeks of school that I've experienced in recent memory! Both the symphonic and steel drum bands were at their finest last week. Not one day passed that we didn't make some great headway towards our performance goals. I'm working harder now than at any other time in my career. I don't mind the work; and in fact, I enjoy it quite a bit when I'm not having to deal with some idiot adult that is so hell bent on pushing their own agenda, that it gets in my way. Well, enough of that. The end result was that the students rehearsed brilliantly last week, and work was a blast! My time on the podium is very rewarding under these circumstances, and teaching music is a distinct privilege for me. Now, back to the weekend. After school on Friday, I met Lisa at Bohemia, were we sat quietly and sipped an outstanding cup of coffee for about an hour. While we were there, a couple of my students came in and sat with us. They are both pretty good kids who expressed the same enthusiasm that I had for our week of rehearsal. After coffee, we got some takeout and went home for the evening. When we got home, Megan had already arrived from college for the weekend, and we stayed up until about 10:30 watching TV, talking, playing with the dog, and just sharing some laughs. Sounds dull? It was heaven to me. Having both the girls home and sharing time with Lisa and them is about as good as it gets. Saturday allowed me to sleep in until about 8:00 AM. I made some coffee, watched some news, got ready, and went uptown to pick up some flowers I had ordered the week prior for Valentine's Day. I got my flowers and cards, gave them to all the girls in my family, we had some breakfast together, and then began our individual Valentine's Day plans. Megan went with her boyfriend to Winston-Salem and had an early dinner at Red Lobster. Lauren went to the movies with some friends, and Lisa and I headed to Winston-Salem for an early dinner at Bonefish Grill. All the restaurants were packed. We arrived at Bonefish around 4:00 PM, to find that we got the last available table for walk-ins. Wow, I had some good luck! I'm still amazed. After dinner, we went to Krispy Kreme and got some doughnuts (all the doughnuts on Valentine's Day are shaped like hearts). We then did a little shopping and went home, where we enjoyed some quiet time of our own. On Sunday morning, I slept in until 7:45, made some coffee, had a doughnut, and got ready for church. I went to church and came home to have lunch mom and the rest of the family. Mom still enjoys cooking Sunday lunch for us all. Today we had country ham, biscuits, pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, and cooked cabbage. During the day, we just sat around and enjoyed each others company. We talked, watched some TV, and made plans for the week. Lisa made a special beef roast dinner for the girls. After dinner, we packed Megan up for her journey back to college; and Lisa left for a workshop that she has out of town tomorrow morning. It may snow tonight, so she left early and is spending the night there. I guess all that sounded rather boring, but it was the best time that I could imagine for a weekend. Nothing major happened, we didn't go to a big sporting event or concert, and the thrills were minimal. There's nothing more important than family to me. Sitting here, I realize how very blessed I am on so many different levels. I have a very good job, a church that provides me with spiritual guidance, and a family that is second to none. I love my weekends, when I can settle down and appreciate all that my life holds. For all these things in my life, God is to be glorified!

..........one small push by a man, one giant leap for mankind!

..........sounds like someone doesn't want to lose the straw polls!

(CNN) — Sarah Palin will not be attending the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington later this month, her office confirmed to CNN Tuesday.

The Alaska governor had been expected to serve as the headline attraction at the three day event, which is also scheduled to include conservative icons like Newt Gingrich, Rush Limpbaugh, and Ann Coulter. The presidential straw poll conducted at the annual Washington gathering is widely viewed as a reliable bellwether of conservative support. Several of the GOP’s past — and potentially future — presidential hopefuls are also slated to address the gathering, including Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney and Ron Paul.

Palin spokesman Bill McAllister did not give a reason for the governor's decision, but did agree with one organizer's explanation that it would be difficult for the governor to visit in the middle of the state’s legislative session.

This whole affair looks like a Sith rally. I wonder if there will be Storm Troopers? I've made a conclusion concerning one of my most basic political beliefs. It's not Conservatives that I despise, it's Republicans; and there is a vast difference in the two. For example; Rush Limpbaugh, Newt Gengrich, and Ann Coulter are Republicans. Glenn Beck is a fair weather Republican, so we won't even put him in the fight. He's nothing but a money-grubbing weasel with a 5:00 PM Faux News show (too bad there's no one home at 5:00 PM to watch, Glenn). It's a sad thing, indeed, to even imagine that a political party in the United States of America would allow someone like Rush Limbaugh to be one of the most powerful influences of their cause; and like it or not, he is that powerful. I think the closest person to being a true Conservative is Mitt Romney. I could vote for him without reservation if he could distance himself from the above mentioned; but to do that, he would have to declare himself a Democrat or Independent. Ah, politics in America!

..........does this scare the crap out of anyone besides me?

No, there won't be any name-calling and finger-pointing from me - let's just get together on something and see if we can fix the problem. The scariest part of the chart is the fact that the green line has not bottomed out yet. I hope the bottom is soon to come and a recovery on the horizon. This is the time for all Americans to come to the aid of their fellow citizens and do something for the collective good of all. I just hope that American business owners will just hang in there and not run. Sure, it'll be a long, hard road; but I know Americans can pull this off! Our failure would be our own decision not to stand and fight through this situation.

..........IOKIFYAR!

Andy Card, former member of the Bush Team, has made a big deal out of President Obama not wearing a suit coat while doing business in the Oval Office. Card says it's disrespectful not to do so. I guess Mr. Card may have spoken too soon.

..........loyalty.

The concept of loyalty is an important part of ethics. Plato originally said that only a man who is just can be loyal, and that loyalty is a condition of genuine philosophy. The philosopher Josiah Royce said it was the supreme moral good, and that one's devotion to an object mattered more than the merits of the object itself. Loyalty is a quality you look for in a friend.

This will take a vast turn from my usual political rants and raves. The concept of loyalty has been something that I've thought a great deal about in the past few weeks. Maybe I'm way off base with the things that I expect from people. As a teacher I probably shouldn't expect loyalty from my students, but I do. I think the problem lies in the fact that I'm way too passionate about what I do. Teaching music and providing learning experiences for my students has always been at the forefront of my ideology. I came to the mountains of North Carolina with great vision and enthusiasm to teach. I've worked hard through the years, and I think that I've made some difference in the way my students experience music. It didn't take long for me to realize that nine-tenths of administrative types in the school system didn't value what I was doing; and as a result, their opinion mattered less and less to me. It has always been about the students for me. I get a great deal of satisfaction from seeing and hearing the band students perform. Every school year brings me a new group, with new challenges, new leaders, and a platform from which to achieve success. I always go into each semester with enthusiasm and the willingness to do whatever I can to make the experience of "band" better for the students.

Now for the problem.......We are having a horrible problem keeping students involved in the program. The option to stay in the band, make some great music, and enjoy the praise of the audience is becoming less attractive to my students, and I don't know what the problem is. I often blame it on myself. What have I done? What have I left undone? In my career, I've made many Superior ratings with our groups, the marching band has won Band of the Day awards, we've performed on the lawn of the US Capitol, for wounded veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, at the FedEx Orange Bowl, the Toyota Gator Bowl, the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, the Nokia Sugar Bowl, and most recently the BCS National Championship Bowl. We've performed an won numerous awards in regional holiday parades; as well as performances at Walt Disney World, Sea World, and Universal Studios, Orlando. I've taken bands to every state in the southeastern United States and the District of Columbia. Somehow, it just seems like all this has not been enough - the students are not coming into the program any more. In the past twenty-seven years I've constantly read articles, taken classes, attended clinics, observed other directors, and asked questions of those who know; all with the intention of providing a better experience for my students. I've used my own money to help pay for trips, buy letter jackets, and instruments for my students. I've spent numerous hours at honor clinics, camps, performances, and rehearsals; many of which were during the summer or other vacation times. I've listened to students' personal problems and offered advice. With all this, I think the only thing that I expected from the students was loyalty. Give back to the program that which you have gained from it. When I have a student quit the program, I take it personally, and I know that is part of the problem. You see, I've expected loyalty in return for my efforts. Maybe I'm the one who is off base? Maybe the true mark of an educator should be to give and not expect anything at all in return? If the latter is true, then my philosophy of education has been wrong for over a quarter of a century.

I had a professor in college that convinced me that she didn't want me to succeed. I developed that theory after I failed two of her courses. I never had an instructor like her in all my life! It was quite simple; she presented the material and expected all her students to work and achieve. She expected the same performance from all of us and didn't want to hear excuses. I left college not getting the point of her offering to me. It wasn't until many years later that I realized all that she had done for me. As a result of this epiphany, I wrote her a letter to express how much I appreciated all that she had done for me. She sent me the nicest letter in return. This instructor devoted her life to sharing her knowledge with all of us, and it was greatly appreciated. It seems only right that we, her students, should express our appreciation to her. In her return letter to me she stated how proud she was that I didn't give-up at a time when I was being greatly challenged. At that point, I knew how much her teaching had influenced me as a teacher.

Society is changing for whatever reason(s), and I guess I'm not keeping abreast with many of the changes. As I go into the twilight of my career, I feel like I finally know what I'm doing. Why, then, are my students leaving me at this point? I almost feel betrayed. I do feel a great deal of hurt. In the past years, I have become more understanding and less harsh than in any other time in my career. I'll retire after one more year of teaching, and I fear that I will leave my profession as a failure. If I was a success, the students would not be leaving the program. I haven't drastically changed my method of instruction, the time spent on our activities has been constant for about 10+ years, and I still have the enthusiasm. I've just lost the need for my students to feel any loyalty to me or the program. We're losing more students who could come back to the program in the next year as we are graduates. I don't guess there's much of an answer to my plight. I guess that I'll have to just "suck it up" and do the best I can with what I have. I've always found a great refuge in music and teaching. Teaching has been a true opportunity for me and has defined who I am in this society. I hope that I've made a positive difference and I hope that I've been able to teach some real values while presenting the material. At this point, I question my accomplishment.

..........so, here we go again!

“I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I’m 23 years old and despite the successes I’ve had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.” - Michael Phelps, in response to this photograph.

I'm glad to hear that Kellogg's dropped him as a front man for their product. This guy was made to be a role model for all aspiring young men and women via his hard work and Olympic triumphs. This act should result in him never, yes I said, NEVER being allowed to compete in the Olympics again - end of story! It should also result in him losing all $5 million in endorsement deals! This guy is not a role model for anyone to follow. Oh, and I guess he didn't learn much of a lesson from his 2004 DUI arrest? He cites "youthful mistakes" as his excuse for doing this. You know, there are brave men and women who are serving our country right now that face life and death decisions on a daily basis and many of them are his age and younger! The "youthful mistake" excuse carries no weight whatsoever with me.

As a teacher, I think to myself what would happen if I would have done the same thing at age 23. The result would have been much different. I would have been fired from my job without an argument or chance to muster up a lame excuse.

The point is clear. Michael Phelps will make it past his "youthful mistake", and will go on to earn millions of dollars in endorsement deals from companies and American citizens who have no standards at all. He's an athlete, and athletes who win seem to have a coating of Teflon that will allow the standards of behavior to slide right off.

..........thanks, liberal, socialist media!

Well, thanks to our liberal, socialist media, the Wells Fargo management has cancelled a trip for executives to Las Vegas. Read the CNN story:

NEW YORK (CNN) — Wells Fargo announced Tuesday it would cancel a four-day business meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, after news reports tagged it a “pricey Las Vegas casino junket.”
The company, one of nine banks to receive funds from the first round of government bailout money last fall, called the reports “intentionally misleading.”
“The event is not a ‘junket’ for executives but a four-day business meeting and recognition event for hard-working team members who made home ownership achievable and sustainable for borrowers across the nation,” the company said in a statement.
Citing an Associated Press story, CNN reported that Wells Fargo had booked 12 nights at two of the city’s most expensive hotels, drawing questions and criticism from Capitol Hill on whether the bank, the recipient of $25 billion from the Treasury’s bailout plan, misused the taxpayer’s money.
“The question here is whether Wells Fargo is spending taxpayer money to bankroll Las Vegas junkets,” New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo told Bloomberg News in an e-mailed statement. “That is an answer the American people deserve to know because this is their money.”

Why would they even attempt this after President Obama tongue lashed all the Wall Street types for this very thing last week? Well, we've done it for eight years, why stop now? The no "checks and balances" thing for these people is completely unacceptable. Prison terms will be the only thing that awakens heart and mind for this scum! The perfect punishment - solitary confinement with continuous Rush Limbaugh radio shows.