On Should schools keep spelling bee?
Posted on September 24 at 1:56 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I am the father of a Janesville spelling bee winner that went on to finish 4th and 2nd in the state spelling bee (yep, go ahead and search, I'll wait. . . ). The thought that Janesville might drop or lower the profile of the bee saddens me, but doesn't shock me.
When I came to Janesville, the schools were fantastic! Good experienced teachers, backed by amazing principals, with incredible parent involvement and extra activities.
Then, the Battle of the Books was phased out and killed, due to budget cuts.
Then, the extraordinary principals and teachers retired.
Then they took an ax to the gifted and talented program.
Then it became not so cool to be a good student anymore. My daughters were harassed for being nerdy and different. Due to other reasons, we left. As we did, they did their best to kill of the remainder of the gifted and talented program.
Now they are looking at killing the bee. Why would anybody be surprised? I'm just glad we got out in time.
P.S.: In case anybody knows the speller in question, this is my opinion, not hers.
On Janesville police officers see benefit in body cameras
Posted on May 6 at 5:44 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
So, the next time there's an officer shooting, will the video be there, or unfortunately erased?
On Edgerton committee: police should have discretion over use of body cameras
Posted on November 9 at 9:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Umm -- Nicksmom: If not for the video tape, would you still have respect for the officers who beat Rodney King? Would you still have respect for the officers who beat and murdered Kelly Thomas in Fullerton California? Mistakes happen. Overwhelmingly, videos have shown that police obey the law in difficult situations almost all of the time. All I'm asking is that when they don't, the people they injured have the benefit of video. After all, if people like you are on the jury, would an innocent victim ever get a fair shake without video?
On Edgerton committee: police should have discretion over use of body cameras
Posted on November 8 at 9:27 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Here's a hint: "Discretion" really means "don't have to show it if it makes the cops look bad".
On US northern border checks scaled back
Posted on October 29 at 3:56 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Good riddance! This country can live without "Your Papers, Please!"
Trust me, if these thugs ever ask me my citizenship, other than at an actual border crossing, I'll tell them to go to hell. We've got a fourth amendment for a reason. Catching two bad guys in the last ten years (one of which doesn't count, since that was at an actual border crossing, not a transportation check) doesn't amount to cause for a search.
On Manufacturers in need of skilled workers
Posted on September 4 at 5:01 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Hey, I've got basic (and more) math skills, but I still can't get a full time job. Why? Because _nobody_ wants to do any training at all. Don't have experience with the latest do-dad? Sorry. Haven't used this exact version of the software? Can't hire you. Over 40? No interview. I'll know that the employers are seriously short of workers when they start offering training again. Until then, let them whine.
On Does Byron nuclear plant pose risks for Janesville?
Posted on June 1 at 9:56 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I feel safe. I've felt safe. I've never felt unsafe. Face it, people, nuclear power is safe, clean, reliable and cheap.
"Nuclear waste" isn't. Isn't waste, that is. It still has 95+% of energy still left in it. If you recycle the waste and take out the bad stuff, you can re-use the uranium, burn up the long lived stuff in another reactor, and separate out the really bad stuff and put in glass where it's going to stay. Don't say "nobody knows how" -- they've been doing it for years in France. All of their waste from making 80% of their electricity for years can fit on an area the size of a basketball court. And you can walk within 20 feet of it too.
And the fear of melt downs? OK, sure, I'll take that one. As bad as Fukushima disaster was, it still killed fewer people (i.e., _zero_) than coal mines. Or, I forgot -- is your groundless fear more important than some coal miners life?
Sorry -- give me nuclear.
Posted on May 29 at 5:37 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
My ex-father in law had a Kitchen Aid mixer, with all the attachments. But he never used it! To him, it was just something to collect, along with the marble rolling pin and cutting board.
I swore I wouldn't buy one until I'd use it. About 10 years ago, I got one, and I've been using it non-stop since. My kids don't know how to make a cake from a box or icing from a can, but they can make a cake from scratch!
I can't decide on my favorite thing to make with it. For bread, it's a big help. I'm just not a big fan of kneading by hand, so using the mixer means the dough gets kneaded enough. Same thing for pie crusts.
On Prosecutors reject furloughs, layoffs possible
Posted on May 5 at 8:43 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
To quote:
<quote>
The Journal Sentinel reports Marinette County District Attorney Allen Brey says he's asked state officials which crimes he should not prosecute if his full-time or part-time assistants are laid off.
</quote>
.
Here's an idea: How about we end the war on drugs? Then we can stop prosecuting crimes without a victim, lay off some prosecutors, and still have lower taxes and more law enforcement of actual crimes?
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On Does city need better apartment inspections?
Posted on February 14 at 8:58 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Sure I support annual apartment inspections. After, of course, we have annual televised inspections of the homes of the city council members.
Seriously -- where does it say in the constitution that if you rent your dwelling, you must have a stranger come in once a year? Your home is your castle, and the government is not morally entitled to come into it without your consent or a darn good reason.