Israel vows Syria strike at any sign of chemical arms transfer

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Any sign of Syria's grip on its suspected chemical weapons slipping as it battles an armed uprising could trigger Israeli military strikes, Israel's vice premier said on Sunday.

Silvan Shalom confirmed a media report that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had last week convened security chiefs to discuss the civil war in nearby Syria and the state of the country's chemical arsenal.

The meeting, held on Wednesday, had not been publicly announced and was seen as especially unusual as it came while votes were still being counted from Israel's national election the day before, which Netanyahu's party list won narrowly.

Should Lebanon's Hezbollah guerrillas or rebels battling forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad obtain Syrian chemical weapons, Shalom told Israel's Army Radio, "it would dramatically change the capabilities of those organizations".

Such a development would be "a crossing of all red lines that would require a different approach, including even preventive operations", he said - alluding to military intervention, for which Israeli generals have said plans have been readied.

"The concept, in principle, is that this (chemical weapons transfer) must not happen," Shalom said. "The moment we begin to understand that such a thing is liable to happen, we will have to make decisions."

Interviewed separately by Army Radio, Civil Defense Minister Avi Dichter said Syria was "on the verge of collapse".

But asked whether Israel perceived an imminent threat, Dichter said: "No, not yet. I suppose that when things pose a danger to us, the State of Israel will know about it."

France, among the most vocal backers of Syria's rebels, said last week there were no signs Assad was about to be overthrown since international mediation and crisis diplomacy were going nowhere. The conflict also appears largely stalemated on the ground.

IMMINENT THREAT?

Syria has loomed large in Israeli rhetoric in recent weeks.

"The great danger to the world is ... from nuclear weapons in Iran, those weapons that are built in Iran. It's chemical weapons in Syria falling into the wrong hands," Netanyahu said in a January 7 speech.

Two days later, Dichter told Israel Radio that monitoring Syria was "the top priority - that is, a very high priority".

An Israeli government security adviser told Reuters on Sunday that Syria had taken new prominence in strategic planning "because of the imminence of the threat. There the WMDs (weapons of mass destruction) are ready and could be turned against us at short notice."

Raising the regional stakes, Tehran, among Assad's few allies and itself long the subject of Israeli war threats over its nuclear program, said on Saturday it would deem any attack on Syria an attack on Iran.

Israel and NATO countries say Syria has stocks of various chemical warfare agents at four sites. Syria is cagey about whether it has such arms but insists that, if it had, it would keep them secure and use them only to fend off foreign attack.

Syria is widely believed to have built up the arsenal to offset Israel's reputed nuclear weapons, among other reasons.

Netanyahu had sought to burnish his hawkish credentials ahead of the ballot, in which centrist rival made big gains.

The government adviser, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Netanyahu might have a secondary interest in playing up security threats given that his rightist Likud-Beiteinu party list suffered surprise election setbacks and must now seek a new coalition with a constellation of political challengers.

"But Syria is a serious business, and the people dealing with it in Israel are serious," the adviser said.

Israel's biggest-selling newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth on December 28 quoted the deputy armed forces commander, Major-General Yair Naveh, saying that weapons developed for a possible strike on Iran could have "usefulness for other confrontations in our vicinity, including in Lebanon and Syria".

(Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Jeffrey Heller and Mark Heinrich)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/israel-vows-syria-strike-sign-chemical-arms-transfer-090941147--finance.html

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Community Seeking Support For Chili Family

A community is rallying behind a family devastated by fire. That fire in Chili left four people critically injured, including two children.

All four of the people injured and two other family members live in the Chili home. Joe Ogg is married to Katelyn and he's the children's father. Joe's brother, David, lives in the basement

The house on Golden Road still stands. Not destroyed but heavily damaged by smoke and water. Investigators haven't released the cause.
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Joe Ogg went to work as usual early Thursday morning. A few hours later, his mother, wife and two children were pulled from the burning home.
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Joe's boss at Monroe Tech, Chris Tobin, was there when he got the news.

"Seeing it online and not having a lot of information was definitely hard. Trying to find information at the time, no one really had a lot so it was definitely very stressful for him," said Chris Tobin.

Joe's brother, David, also works at Monroe Tech. Joe and Katelyn are newlyweds. They got married in April and had high hopes for a bright future with their young family.

"You're looking forward to so many things in life and your future and to have a huge situation like this happen is just extremely devastating," said Tobin.

Chris says the people at Monroe Tech are like a family. This tragedy has affected them all.

"It's not easy. As a friend, you hurt. As a father, it's rough. There's so many emotions that you go through from the very second we found out to even today. There are still a lot of questions unanswered," said Tobin.

"I really hope they can get through this. That everyone comes out of this with a great result and they really can just as a family get through it together and move on," said Tobin.

Monroe Tech is asking for you to help the Ogg family with clothes, furniture and other household items. Tobin says Joe has been at the hospital, hopeful that his family will be okay.

You can drop off donations to the following locations:

Parma Christian Fellowship Church
590 North Avenue
Hilton, NY 14468
(585) 392-5792

Spencerport Assembly of God
3940 Canal Road
Spencerport, NY 14559
(585) 352-5900

For any questions or concerns, call Monroe Tech at 392-8324

Source: http://rochesterhomepage.net/fulltext?nxd_id=367372

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Video: Earnings Calendar: Caterpillar, Exxon & More

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/cnbc/50592176/

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United Air backs Boeing ahead of government statement on 787

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. safety regulators will update their probe into battery fires on Boeing Co's 787 Dreamliner on Thursday, as key customer United Airlines stood by the jet and said it expects more of them soon.

The 787 has been grounded worldwide since January 16 after a series of fires, including one that caused an emergency landing in Japan. Boeing and its regulators have said they do not know when the plane will fly again.

The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a news conference Thursday on its investigation into the first fire, which struck a Japan Airlines Co Ltd 787 in Boston this month.

The NTSB is also looking at multiple whistleblower claims as part of its probe, including one related to the chargers for the 787's highly flammable lithium-ion batteries.

"We have been notified about whistleblowers and are pursuing that information where warranted," a spokeswoman said.

The 787 program was already years behind schedule before last week's grounding, which means Boeing cannot deliver newly manufactured planes to customers.

That means customers like United Continental Holdings Inc may have to wait even longer for planes on order. The company's United Airlines already flies six Dreamliners.

"History teaches us that all new aircraft types have issues and the 787 is no different," United Continental Chairman and Chief Executive Jeff Smisek said during the carrier's earnings conference call. "We continue to have confidence in the aircraft and in Boeing's ability to fix the issues, just as they have done on every other new aircraft model they've produced."

Smisek said Thursday the carrier still expects to take delivery of two more 787s in the second half of the year.

Boeing has already delivered 50 of the 787s. Around half have been in operation in Japan, but airlines in India, South America, Poland, Qatar and Ethiopia are also flying the planes, as is U.S. carrier United.

The grounding of the Dreamliner, an advanced carbon-composite plane with a list price of $207 million, has already forced hundreds of flight cancellations worldwide.

AIRBUS IMPACTS

The head of Boeing's European rival Airbus said it would study the 787 Dreamliner design review and make any changes to its future A350 jetliner that may be needed as a result of the U.S. findings.

"We believe so far we have a robust design, however we will draw the lessons from the 787," Airbus Chief Executive Fabrice Bregier told Reuters Television at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"We will look at the recommendations and guidelines of the FAA and if by chance we need to change it we have plenty of time because this aircraft, the 350, will be delivered to our first customers not before the second half of 2014 ? so it is not a challenge and it is not a burden for us."

Billed as Europe's response to the Dreamliner, the A350 is due to enter service next year using lithium-ion batteries but without the same reliance on electrical systems as the 787, something Airbus says will put less burden on the batteries.

However, Airbus has not said in detail how it would tackle a battery fire if one did break out on board.

(Additional reporting by Karen Jacobs in Atlanta, Tim Hepher in Paris and Axel Threlfall in Davos; Writing by Ben Berkowitz; Editing by David Gregorio)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/still-no-timetable-returning-boeing-787-flight-004814458--finance.html

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Best Limo Services in Alamo - RedTie Transportation

RedTie Transportation is the premier provider of high end Transportation, throughout the country. We specialize in luxury limousines for all occasions, wherever the location it may be. Our top of the notch limousine are available to add that extra special touch. If you are looking for something extraordinary in a special occasion, keep in mind we are here to serve with the best.

RedTie Transportation has become the premier San Francisco limo service by providing their clients with impeccable service, the best selection of luxury limos in the Bay Area, and the most flexible rates in the industry. From San Francisco wedding limousines to Bay Area sporting event transportation to SF prom limos, airport shuttle service, or any occasion that you?d like to make extra special, call the luxury ground transportation specialists at Redtie when you want the very best. Our San Francisco limo amenities are designed to impress and delight you no matter where we?re taking you.

Choose from our carefully selected fleet of luxury limousines and enjoy exclusive luxury treatment. Our hire service comes with dedicated and professional drivers to keep you constantly on the move, whenever required. Our chauffeurs are professionally trained to be at your service with professionalism and friendliness.?We have been operating for several years, successfully providing a professional service to many clients.?While we provide the highest quality limousine service to be found in the Bay Area, our rates are also among the most competitive.

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At RedTie Transportation we understand the daily demands of the corporate world. Our dynamic staff is fully aware of the importance of being prompt and professional as businesses today value time because they have deadlines to meet.?Whether you have a business lunch meeting with clients, a trip to the Airport, a VIP guest to entertain or an office party, we can cater for all your company?s transportation needs and our luxurious service will impress your executives and business associates.

We can also arrange the pick up and delivery of valuable parcels and important documents with guaranteed delivery time.

The RedTie Fleet is made up of the highest quality vehicles from the best car manufacturer?s. We offer many options and can recommend and customise the best limo hire for your needs, from an individual transfer to groups. We guarantee that all of our cars will arrive on time, in immaculate condition and with a professional chauffeur. Our fleet is listed in further detail below.

RedTie proudly presents an updated fleet of Lincoln Town Cars, considered the flagship of corporate transportation. Each spacious vehicle offers ample leg and head room, and can accommodate up to four adult passengers.

Passengers: Up to 4.

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The traditional Lincoln Stretch limousine is a stylish, and sophisticated look, for any event. We carry a full array of new model Lincolns in various sizes and styles. This vehicle is available for corporate conventions and other special events.

Passengers: Up to 6, 8 and 10.

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RedTie offers a seven-passenger sport utility vehicle that delivers ample space without sacrificing style. Our SUVs seat seven adults plus luggage. Enjoy the safety and security of a 4-wheel drive combined with all the comforts of a limousine.

Passengers: Up to 7.

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RedTie features vans designed for the comfort of our passengers. Customers traveling in small groups, for business or leisure, love the convenience and affordability of our van service.

Passengers: Up to 10 and 13.

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Whether you?re planning service for a few VIPs or a convention of thousands, RedTie charter bus service is your source for filling all of your convention or group?s transportation requirements.

Passengers: Up to 28.

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RedTie lets you take the party on the road! For the ultimate in luxury transportation, this brand new, state of the art, luxury Limo Bus includes fine leather perimeter seating, built-in bars, fiber optic lighting, stereo CD, DVD player, and Plasma TV.

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First Person: Women in combat? They already are

The Pentagon is lifting its ban on women officially serving in combat. Yahoo News asked female military veterans to react to the decision. Here's one perspective.

COMMENTARY | Women have been in combat roles for a long time. What is being done now is to recognize a long-accomplished fact. Complaints about this recognition betray the complainers as ill-informed or ungrateful to the women who have already taken the ultimate risk.

I served in the USCG in the 1970s, engaged in Cold War operations against the Soviets and eastern bloc fleets in the North Atlantic. I went to sea on a 210' medium endurance cutter engaged in ELT duties in the North Atlantic.

The USCG was engaged in direct contact with Soviet and eastern bloc fleets. We boarded and inspected their huge 500- to 600-foot factory-trawler spy ships. The USCG had men and women alike performing all duties.

I was a QM2 at the time and stood navigation and radar watches on the bridge. I served as a member of a boarding party that boarded a 600-foot gray and white rust-streaked Soviet factory-trawler spy ship.

Separating from the boarding party, I visited their bridge to inspect the wheelhouse and chart room. Alone with the enemy crew, unarmed, I located their spy shack and checked out their navigation gear.

Soviet ships had women on their crews, too. The Soviet women on the factory-trawler spy ship were assigned to crew a ship with a military mission. We took them seriously. The Soviets have a long history of women in combat. Some of their best snipers in WWII were women,

In the 1970s, the Navy publicly discussed crewing combat ships with women. We thought it was comical to see some Navy types raving on about how women were not able to fulfill this role since we already did it. Especially ironic was the fact we trained with the Navy and often bested them in USCG vs. USN war games.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/women-combat-already-164500941.html

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Charles Taylor appeals war crimes conviction

LEIDSCHENDAM, Netherlands (AP) ? Prosecutors urged judges Tuesday to reject former Liberian President Charles Taylor's appeal against his war crimes conviction and 50-year prison sentence, saying the court should hold "lords of war" as responsible for atrocities as the machine gun-wielding killers they support.

Taylor was found guilty in April 2012 of aiding and abetting Sierra Leone rebels, becoming the first former head of state since World War II to be convicted by an international war crimes court. He was convicted of 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, torture and the use of child soldiers.

But as Taylor watched silently from his seat in the courtroom Tuesday, one of his lawyers, Christopher Gosnell, said judges at his trial had a "deep and fundamental" misunderstanding of the legal notion of "aiding and abetting."

He compared Taylor's actions with those of other governments that provide support to rebel groups, saying Taylor "had no criminal intent" in aiding armed groups in Sierra Leone. Another of his lawyers, Eugene O'Sullivan, called Taylor's sentence "manifestly excessive."

Taylor's defense lawyers have put forward 45 grounds to appeal his conviction and sentence, alleging that trial judges made dozens of factual and legal errors. Prosecutors in turn argued he should have been convicted not just of aiding and abetting rebels, but of ordering or instigating their crimes ? considered more serious.

From his presidential palace in Liberia, Taylor provided arms, ammunition and other support to rebels responsible for murdering and mutilating their enemies in Sierra Leone's decade-long civil war that ended in 2002 with some 50,000 dead. In return, the rebels paid him in so-called "blood diamonds" mined by slave labor in Sierra Leone and Taylor gained influence in the volatile west African region.

Taylor claimed he was only trying to help stabilize the war-torn country, but trial judges rejected that argument.

"The lives of many more innocent civilians in Sierra Leone were lost or destroyed as a direct result of his actions," Presiding Judge Richard Lussick said when he sentenced Taylor last year.

Rebel fighters in Sierra Leone gained international notoriety for hacking off the limbs of their victims and carving their groups' initials into opponents. The rebels developed gruesome terms for the mutilations that became their chilling trademark: They would offer their victims the choice of "long sleeves" or "short sleeves" ? having their hands hacked off or their arms sliced off above the elbow.

Taylor ran Liberia from 1997 to 2003. As his government fought a two-front rebellion in 2003, he stepped down and fled to Nigeria under international pressure. Three years later, Taylor was finally arrested and sent to the Netherlands.

Prosecutors want Taylor's 50-year sentence ? already effectively a life sentence for the 64-year-old former president ? raised to 80 years to send a message to leaders who facilitate atrocities.

"Those are the promoters of war, the lords of war that sell arms to groups engaged in these conflicts," prosecution lawyer Nicholas Koumjian said.

He likened Taylor's aid to rebels to the case of a Dutch businessman, Frans van Anraat, who was convicted by a Dutch court for selling chemicals to Saddam Hussein knowing the Iraqi dictator would use them to make poison gas.

Koumjian's comments aimed to counter Taylor's arguments that he should not have been convicted because his support for rebels was not deliberately designed to help them kill and maim.

Gosnell said that for judges to convict Taylor of aiding and abetting crimes, his help must be "connected to a specific crime and there must be a substantial contribution to that crime."

Instead, he said trial judges applied a standard "so broad that it would in fact encompass actions that are today carried out by a great many states in relation to their assistance to rebel groups or to governments that are well-known to be engaging in crimes."

In their written appeal, Taylor's lawyers said "the Trial Chamber's approach extends criminal liability far beyond its proper bounds as recognized in international law."

Taylor's lawyers also argued that his conviction was based in part on uncorroborated hearsay evidence that should not have been admitted. They have asked judges to overturn all of Taylor's convictions.

The appeals chamber is expected to take months to reach its judgment.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/charles-taylor-appeals-war-crimes-conviction-105221757.html

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Soda spills, freezes on Pa. road when rigs crash

READING, Pa. (AP) ? Everyone knows soda can be bad for your teeth. Sometimes, it can apparently threaten the morning commute, too.

Police say two tractor-trailers collided on U.S. Route 422 outside Reading, Pa., around 12:40 a.m. Tuesday. The Reading Eagle reports (http://bit.ly/10mYCVv ) one of the trucks was carrying 2-liter bottles of soda.

Hundreds of gallons of sugary drink spilled onto the highway and froze in the frigid early morning temperatures. Those slick conditions from the crash ended up shutting down the roadway in Exeter Township for more than five hours.

Traffic was detoured until the road reopened shortly after 6 a.m.

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Information from: Reading Eagle, http://www.readingeagle.com/

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/aa9398e6757a46fa93ed5dea7bd3729e/Article_2013-01-22-US-Frozen-Soda-Closes-Road/id-490ad50761114581aa2ade116f3cb6af

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Give all students a choice - Boots and Sabers - The blogging will ...

I think you?ll find that ?universal education? was not in effect at the country?s founding.? It was invented much later?by Dewey, a Progressive.

Thus we find that the public-school delivery vehicle has at least one significant major flaw:? it is philosophically unable to explain the reality of the nature of man (and nature as a whole) b/c it is philosophically atheist.

?School choice? should not be about ?delivery systems.?? Rather, it should be about a proper understanding of man.

Posted by dad29 on?January 22, 2013?at?0755 hrs

Dad29, you hit on some very good points. It all needs to be re-thought and re-done. I have the will, and you seem to too,? but I?m afraid that most others don?t.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?0758 hrs

?I think you?ll find that ?universal education? was not in effect at the country?s founding.? It was invented much later?by Dewey, a Progressive.?

*cough cough* Horace Mann *cough cough*

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?0911 hrs

Well done Owen.

Let?s hope Walker gets done what many thought Tommy would get done, full school choice voucher program statewide.

Wisconsin can be a beacon for education reform for the nation.

This would be Walker?s greatest government reform legacy.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1003 hrs

Do choice schools perform better than public schools?

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1111 hrs

Scott,

MPS has a HS graduation rate of less than 50%...what do you think?

In Kewaskum, state testing, the 2 private schools outperform the public schools.

Kewaskum is considered to be a fairly good public school district.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1116 hrs

Surely we must have more generalizable data than that.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1121 hrs

Scott,

50%+ of kids do not graduate in Milwaukee and you need more data?

Maybe watching this 60 minutes report might move you:? (Katie Couric is no friend to vouchers, children, or conservatives)

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6895336n

Here is eye opening documentary:

http://www.waitingforsuperman.com/action/

When parents are crying their kids are sentenced to NVC public schools because they missed opportunity for limited ?voucher? funding?

anyone not moved by that lacks any heart at all.

Scott, if public schools are so good, why do parent cry when they cannot get funding to escape?

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1203 hrs

You already have it in Milwaukee. I am wondering how it helps the rural areas where there are not any choices. Will all of these schools be able to handle special education students or will they be able to only take those that are up to their standards. I think the big push back is that this sets up the public schools to fail because they have to take whatever student shows up and they cannot turn them away. That is how you guarantee an education to all.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1234 hrs

Will all of these schools be able to handle special education students or will they be able to only take those that are up to their standards.

Not all private schools will be equipped to handle these students.? With choice, parents have to evaluate whether the school, whether public or private, can meet any needs of the student whether ?special?, or not.

In some cases, that may leave the public school as only choice for ?special? need kids.? As reform progresses that may evolve and change in the marketplace.

It would be dumb to ?obligate? any school to take a student that does not have the ability, or ?special? skill, to teach that student.? (I know that is counterintuitive to liberalism since obligation, force, and slavery is morally acceptable.)

The term that drives me crazy is ?dumping ground?.? If school leaders think their public school is a ?dumping ground?, that is an indictment of public school leadership.? That school deserves to fail no matter what the challenges.

However, in a competitive marketplace, no public school will be able to take that attitude.

Choice is good for all?even those that remain in the public school.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1250 hrs

Do choice schools perform better than public schools?
Posted by scott on January 22, 2013 at 1111 hrs

Does it matter? Even if they perform worse, is it not in the interests of freedom of choice to allow parents to choose what they believe best for their children?

FWIW, my kids don?t go to public school. I?m willing and able to make the financial sacrifice to send them elsewhere, but I?d also like other folks to have that option, too. Our local schools are in the top 3% in the state, but that doesn?t mean they?re good enough or offer the best environment for our children to learn in. Not all children respond well to factory settings with massive classrooms and uniform standards of instruction.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1253 hrs

Does it matter? Even if they perform worse

How can it not matter? Of course it matters.? Is it important that everyone have the freedom to fly in a poorly maintained airplane?? Is it important that everyone has the freedom to live in homes that aren?t up to code?? Yes, it matters.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1356 hrs

How can it not matter? Of course it matters.? Is it important that everyone have the freedom to fly in a poorly maintained airplane?? Is it important that everyone has the freedom to live in homes that aren?t up to code?? Yes, it matters

If the ill-maintained government airline and ill maintained government housing was the only choice, then an ill maintained private airline and a private house with some code violations sounds pretty good by comparison to the socialist monopoly.

If a parent finds a private school with some minor challenges is an improvement over the government monopoly school, that is their choice.

The choice allows parents to take direct ownership of their kids education.

Lesson: even a poor quality private market choice is better than being forced to a one size fits all government monopoly.? The problem for you Scott is:? the marketplace rarely tolerates bad performance for long.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1414 hrs

Everything you just wrote, Kevin, presumes that choice schools are better schools.? You?re begging the question, in other words.? We haven?t yet established that they are in fact doing better.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1427 hrs

Scott,

If private school IS NOT doing better, parents will send their kids back to the better public school.

What is the problem?? Choice all around.? Choice to choose the better public school even.

That choice would not happen presently in Kewaskum.? The 2 private schools far outperform the public school by state standardized testing.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1433 hrs

Yeah.? I don?t know, guys.? I think it?s a pretty basic question.? If you can?t answer it, I don?t know what to tell you.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1502 hrs

Scott,

I?ve answered it for my community and Milwaukee.

Do you want me to go through every community one at a time?

It also depends on what you value as well.? In my book, Christ centered schools outperform all public schools just on that issue alone, no question.

I value a Christ centered education above all else.? that makes public school far inferior, just on that issue alone.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1509 hrs

Scott, studies confirm students in choice programs have demonstrably better graduation rates, and they do it for less cost. Other studies have shown that the satisfaction rate for parents is much higher than that of parents whose kids attend public schools.

By the way, it?s a pernicious myth that the private schools will only skim the best students from the public schools. It?s parents of lower achieving students that are seeking the alternatives.

There was an interesting article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from one study?s authors that?s worth reading on the subject. http://m.jsonline.com/more/editorials/perspectives/187369091.htm

Of course, I?ve written quite a bit on the subject, including the importance of public school choice options.

Posted by James Wigderson on?January 22, 2013?at?1523 hrs

Kevin,

Whether private schools do better or not, taxpayer dollars should never be used for Christ-centered education. One option, however, that I think would be acceptable is for the taxpayer dollars to pay for whatever portion of the curriculum is secular, and then it?s up to the parent, or the school, to cover the cost of the Christ-centered aspects.

BTW, this would/should apply to any religious education regardless of the religion, of course.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1618 hrs

I appreciate the response and still have some concerns on how a student gets accepted into these voucher schools. I did not call the public schools a dumping ground and am only concerned that the more expensive special education students will be left behind because the programs will not be available at the voucher schools. I read the link posted by Widgerson and I feel the article somewhat sidestepped this important issue.

I also want to point out that our small rural school has a 100% graduation rate. How they can pull off 100% is probably debatable. Under the comparison of the graduation rate for MPS then our little school out performs all the voucher schools.I am not saying they get a better education because funding rural schools does not allow for the massive programming of the large cities. We don?t stray to far from the basics. I am sure that there is a little room to work around the state mandates that the public schools need to follow to make these numbers look better to attract more and better students. The act of cherry picking does not have to be blatant, some schools will work to attract those that they want while not being as attractive to those they don?t want to serve.

Our public schools are mandated to not turn anyone away whether they need a one to one special education instructor or are a genius that wants to take college level courses while in high school which is to be paid by the school district. Making this issue a political one is the worst way to look at it, we all need to be sure that it is what is best for the children.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1623 hrs

One option, however, that I think would be acceptable is for the taxpayer dollars to pay for whatever portion of the curriculum is secular, and then it?s up to the parent, or the school, to cover the cost of the Christ-centered aspect

VA,

To force a Christian separate Christ out of one?s life, in any degree, is contrary to Christian faith.

Thus, why public schools present a fundamental education problem for many Christians.

?

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1633 hrs

That?s not really a response to my option/the suggestion that I?ve heard presented. If school choice becomes more prevalent, and it?s funded with public dollars, those dollars absolutely should NOT go to fund the teaching of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc? religious values or lessons. I wasn?t suggesting that Christians be forced into a religious education without religion. I was suggesting that those who make the choice to go to a religious school not receive public money to pay for the exclusively religious portion of that education.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1654 hrs

VA,

True Christian faith is not something that can be cold heartedly detached from the school curriculum.

You are good at articulating the mainline religions you do not want funded.

What about the liberal religions in public school?

What about the Kwanzaa worship at Falk Elementary school?

Global warming worship and its faithful refrain ?the earth is warming??

Where is your outrage at these religions permeating the public school curriculum?

You think you know what ?religion? is or how to define it?? Read this Ann Althouse piece.

http://althouse.blogspot.com/2013/01/yoga-in-public-schools-establishment.html

http://althouse.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-elvis-problem-defining-religion.html

and my favorite discussing whether what Falk elementary did was religion:

http://althouse.blogspot.com/2013/01/shouldnt-freedom-from-religion.html

Are you just as outraged by Yoga?s current establishment clause problem IN public schools?

Why is liberal Yoga religion allowed in public schools and funded?

?

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1712 hrs

First, thanks Wiggy, for posting something pretty interesting.? I am given to wonder, however, if these research findings are as plain and incontrovertible as the author seems to think.? Where?s Jay Bullock when you want his opinion on something?

taxpayer dollars should never be used for Christ-centered education.

I definitely feel this way also.? We have an obligation to educate everyone through the 12th grade, if possible.? I don?t think it?s right at all for that obligation to lead us to subsidize someone?s religious activities.? Christians like Kevin are adamant that they don?t see a problem with this.? But I think they?re just playing dumb.? If they lived in a Muslim majority country, they?d be out on the street corner loudly wondering why everyone doesn?t immediately see the wisdom of keeping religious activities out of the public obligation to educate the young.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1715 hrs

Scott,

I don?t want funding of liberal public school religions either.? (Read Althouse blog)

When will that be enforced??

I?m especially offended, and cringe, looking at the Falk Elementary Kwanzaa worship video.

Or is it Christians you only discriminate against?

Tolerance by granting choice is not a good option?

Or should only liberal religions be funded?

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1726 hrs

Alright Kevin, you win. You?ve gone in to your intentionally dumb, obfuscating, blathering talking points mode, so there?s no reason to continue this conversation.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1729 hrs

VA,

I have ?talking points??

Thats outstanding.

So this means you will not call for defunding of other pubic school religions with me?

I?m a little disappointed you think the establishment clause is only for Christian suppression.? I think there a whole lot more, liberal, religious suppression we can conduct in public schools!

If we offer school choice, no need for liberal religious leaders to worry about the coming suppression under the guise of the establishment clause.? (Everyone can opt out of the liberal religions.)

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1736 hrs

The two big issues I see with choice are that choice schools do not have to adhere to any statewide standards.? Teachers do not need to be licensed or credentialed.? Early on in the thread, a question was asked about choice schools in Milwaukee and their performances.? The last stats I remember showed there was no measurable difference between choice and MPS.

Another issue I see is special education and the students choice schools can take or leave.? Choice schools do not need to take any special education students.? They do not have to provide IEP?s.? They can expell a child without the same protections for the family because a child expelled from private school can still go to public school.? Choice schools can choose their students, public schools cannot.? Choice schools will be able to weed out lower performing students driving up their test scores.

Ultimatley this can and will lead to my public school getting less of my tax money to educate students with more needs.

If you want school choice?level the playing field.? Make choice schools follow the Federal discrimination guideliness?they cannot discriminate on the basis of race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, etc.? If a choice school is alllowed to discriminate, why should they get my tax money?? Make them accredited by the state with the same criteria as a public school for curriculum.? Require all teachers to be licensed.? What would be wrong with that?

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1801 hrs

The last several posts from Kevin are the kind that sometimes make me think that he is a fake poster.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?1944 hrs

...they cannot discriminate on the basis of race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, etc?

Public schools cvannot discriminate based on religion????

Really?

Have you read the Family Research Council report?

http://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF12H29.pdf

Let me know when public schools stop discriminating against Christians, and I may stop laughing at you comment.

And another thing, private schools would need to check with elementary and grade school kids on their sexual orientation??-lol.

?

?

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?2003 hrs

Have you read the Family Research Council report?

I generally don?t get my information from hate groups.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?2038 hrs

Scott, I find it interesting that you oppose any use of tax dollars for Christ-centered education. Should we bar any student receiving a federally-backed student loan or grant from attending Marquette University? Should we bar any research dollars, or any grants for the dental school, from going to Marquette?

Posted by James Wigderson on?January 22, 2013?at?2039 hrs

Scott,

Family Research Council is a hate group?

Are you against families?

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?2041 hrs

Should we bar any student receiving a federally-backed student loan or grant from attending Marquette University?

Of course not.? College and university study is different.? It isn?t compulsory, for starters.?

Family Research Council is a hate group?

It is according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.? Undoubtedly this is because of their position on homosexuality.? Not only do they falsely assert that homosexuality is closely linked to pedophilia, apparently they?d like to criminalize homosexual acts.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?2049 hrs

Scott,

Conservatives wear it as a badge of honor to be labeled a ?hate group? by Southern Poverty Law Center.

SPLC labels anyone opposed to its radical Marxist agenda as ?hate?.

This means you must not read any anti-Marxist information as all.

That explains a lot.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?2056 hrs

?The difference is that with school choice, parents can move their kids to a better school even if they don?t have the means to do so themselves.?

Parents can do this now with open enrollment.

When, and only when, choice schools (including and especially parochial schools) have to provide the exact same services as public schools (special education services, for one example) AND abide by the same laws as public schools can there be a true and valid comparison of the effectiveness of public vs. choice/parochial.? Until then you are comparing apples to oranges.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?2058 hrs

Not only do they falsely assert that homosexuality is closely linked to pedophilia, apparently they?d like to criminalize homosexual acts.

Hate ^

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?2103 hrs

Scott,

Of course not.? College and university study is different.? It isn?t compulsory, for starters.

Let me get this straight.?

Voluntary study, Christian education funding from government is OK?

My grade school kids are under ?voluntary study? of their Christian education?there we are, all good!

?

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?2104 hrs

It is according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Getting your information from the SPLW is highly suspect. This is the same outfit that inspired the homosexual activist last August to shoot up the FRC, wounding a security guard. It also spends 89% of its money on fundraising and administrative costs, making it one of the most poorly run and lowest rated charities in the country. In reality, it?s little more than a self serving organization trumpeting its own version of ?hate? discovery to raise money for itself.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?2109 hrs

I don?t care if they eat Christian babies for breakfast.? It doesn?t change the fact that Family Research Council is a hate group.?

But whatever.? Even hate groups have supporters.? I guess they?re called haters.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?2118 hrs

Scott,

I consider the leftist, Freedom from Religion Foundation a hate group as well.

FRC does an excellent job in their report exposing this radical, anti-American, leftist hate group.

135 pages of leftist hate detailed in FRC report is very, very compelling.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?2118 hrs

How can it not matter? Of course it matters.? Is it important that everyone have the freedom to fly in a poorly maintained airplane?? Is it important that everyone has the freedom to live in homes that aren?t up to code?? Yes, it matters.

How do YOU define success? Do you define it as creating someone who mindlessly parrots talking points of which you approve? Or do you define it as helping someone develop analytic skills that would be stifled in a normal classroom?

One of the reasons that home-schooled kids do so much better in general is that their own strengths are played to. They may not be as strong at the some of the facets that public schools view as important, such as an intimate knowledge of how to apply a condom to a banana, or the various Kwanza decorations, but in general they have a stronger knowledge of history, spelling, and geography than kids who are forced into deal with the public system. The public school system has been burdened by far too many diversions to properly perform its core tasks of educating students in basic knowledge and critical thinking. (Don?t get me started on how much students have declined in the last 30 years. I?ve seen it first hand and it is appalling.)

I was aghast when I saw my teenager?s American History text for 10th grade. There were 8 pages on the Revolutionary War containing a grand total of 9 paragraphs discussing the events leading up the Declaration of Independence through the writing of the Constitution. 9 paragraphs, but lots of pretty drawings! When I complained to the teacher, she beamed back a huge smile and said that the video supplement would fill in the gaps and that this was a big improvement over all that dry reading they had to do before. I was furious that a high school so highly ranked in the state could get away with such a text and claim to be providing a ?good education.?? Yes, if there had been choice at that point I would have pulled her out of that school, but we made do with some extra reading and an AP course later.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?2124 hrs

I don?t care if they eat Christian babies for breakfast.? It doesn?t change the fact that Family Research Council is a hate group.?

So you hate based on the information from haters? The SPLC ?hates? anyone who ?hates? gays, so that makes your hate ok?

Interesting belief system you have there. Tried that thing called tolerance that liberals are supposed to be promoting? I know, you can tolerate anything except heterodoxy.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?2129 hrs

Scott,

Is this what political debate is boiled down to:? Whoever can label the other ?haters?, thereby undermining any real discussion of the issues?

I?m hopeful we can set a better example then.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?2130 hrs

nerdbert, you seem to have put some thought into the subject of education.? Do you have a background in it?

Kevin, I?d like to help elevate the discussion.? But if you think telling people that gays are child molesters and that their relationships should be prosecuted as crimes, well.. I?m not sure where to go from there.? Suggestions?

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?2237 hrs

As a card carrying member of both the SPLC and FFRF, I can state with clarity that the above comments are incorrect and in some cases, made up out of thin air.

Kevin, your beloved Christian schools test better because they thin the herd.
Period

I gave MILWAUKEE charters schools a chance when Howard Fuller said we needed to try them . I?ve seen nothing to say they are better and many articles about scams .

You and Owen and all the other choice supporters need to Sack up like our parents
did, leave the seat vacant you pay for , and exercise your ?choice? to send your kids to the school of your choice

That generation didn?t whine. This one does. It?s called conservatism .

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?2343 hrs

I?m hopeful we can set a better example then.

THIS is the biggest, and most obvious, lie you?ve ever told.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 22, 2013?at?2345 hrs

THIS is the biggest, and most obvious, lie you?ve ever told.

I feel ya. But I?m always willing to give folks another chance.? I guess it?s just my hope that they?ll give me one, too!? If Kevin says he?d like to elevate the discussion, I?m a believer.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 23, 2013?at?0032 hrs

nerdbert, you seem to have put some thought into the subject of education.? Do you have a background in it?

You mean besides having a professor at a major midwestern university for a father, a mother who was the leader of a teachers union, a Ph.D., two masters, two BSs, and teaching for several decades as an adjunct simply because I like doing it? No, nothing much other than that.

Teaching doesn?t pay the bills like commercial work does, but it?s very rewarding and I absolutely love doing it. Adjunct pay is laughable and make McDonald?s pay look good the first time you teach a course, but even a tenured professor doesn?t make much. If it paid close to what I make now I?d teach, but I started my career at a salary higher than the average tenured engineering professor and I?ve left that pay level in the dust long ago.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 23, 2013?at?0308 hrs

But if you think telling people that gays are child molesters and that their relationships should be prosecuted as crimes, well.. I?m not sure where to go from there.? Suggestions?

I did not say this.

Do you agree with everything said by SPLC or Freedom from Religion Foundation?

If so, let?s have a debate about that.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 23, 2013?at?0722 hrs

Mark

Kevin, your beloved Christian schools test better because they thin the herd.
Period

Kids do better because they have Christ as their number 1 priority.? At home. At school. At Play.? My nephew attends public school and my parents visit both for grandparents day.

They say its a night and day difference in kids attitude and the level of academics.

Taking Christ out of the equation (public school) puts kids behind, and at a disadvantage, spiritually.? Rejecting Christ has severe consequences on numerous levels.

Given the fact that public schools can only encourage the spirit with empty liberal religions, like Kwanzaa, I can see why the spirits of many of the kids at public school are starving.

You can?t starve the ?herd? spiritually, then complain those that break from the herd, that feed the spirit, properly, and then come back and complain the herd is starving.

Chrisitian parents want their kids to be fed beyond the mind.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 23, 2013?at?0730 hrs

VA, Scott,

THIS is the biggest, and most obvious, lie you?ve ever told

I feel ya. But I?m always willing to give folks another chance.? I guess it?s just my hope that they?ll give me one, too!? If Kevin says he?d like to elevate the discussion, I?m a believer.

You mean my modest emulation of liberal political tactics, like those conducted by the liberal Freedom from Religion Foundation and SPLC is a bad thing?

I thought liberalism was about tolerance?

So copying liberal political tactics is something I should re-evaluate?

I appreciate the feedback

God Bless.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 23, 2013?at?0733 hrs

Great discussion on who hates who better or worse. Why do we have to look to the experts that back up only our own claims? Mark Maley is the only one that looked at this from a completely practical and honest view. Whether they show it as policy or not, the choice schools will find a way to weed out the less than desirables or those unable to perform. I have not seen an argument to refute that.

When the conversation goes to name calling and finger pointing it loses it?s constructive tone. I have noticed that there are very few posts that Kevin does not call out somebody for something and I find that disconcerting. I am not saying that Kevin does not raise some good points but if you were having a discussion with someone that repeats endlessly the same thing, you would walk away.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 23, 2013?at?0800 hrs

I have noticed that there are very few posts that Kevin does not call out somebody for something and I find that disconcerting.

Could you provide a couple examples?

Whether they show it as policy or not, the choice schools will find a way to weed out the less than desirables or those unable to perform. I have not seen an argument to refute that.

And what does that say about public school leadership if they view the kids they have as ?undesirable?, a ?dumping ground?, etc?

Will kids thrive or fail in that type of enviroment?

Those kids are in public school now.

Is this all about bringing down kids and parents that want better?

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 23, 2013?at?0807 hrs

What is the purpose of the public school?? Why would success be defined by graduation rates?

I suggest that public school failures are a consequence of trying to prepare everyone for college, something discussed at length on this forum several years ago.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 23, 2013?at?0948 hrs

That?s not really a response to my option/the suggestion that I?ve heard presented. If school choice becomes more prevalent, and it?s funded with public dollars, those dollars absolutely should NOT go to fund the teaching of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc? religious values or lessons. I wasn?t suggesting that Christians be forced into a religious education without religion. I was suggesting that those who make the choice to go to a religious school not receive public money to pay for the exclusively religious portion of that education.

Why not?? Strip away ?Because that is the liberal way? for a moment and answer the question as Move forward accuses Mark Maley of doing from a practical and honest view.? I can fully understand why you don?t want your kids in a religious school you don?t believe in.? However, why are you against a different parent choosing to send their child to a Christian school?? Why don?t they have that right?? Why do they have to help pay for your kid and you absolutely should not have to help pay for their kid?? What is the honest and practical liberal answer?

If you want school choice?level the playing field.? Make choice schools follow the Federal discrimination guideliness?they cannot discriminate on the basis of race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, etc.? If a choice school is alllowed to discriminate, why should they get my tax money?? Make them accredited by the state with the same criteria as a public school for curriculum.? Require all teachers to be licensed.? What would be wrong with that?

First part, done.? All choice schools are required to follow federal discrimination guidelines.? What if a large contingent of the population believe that a major part of the problem is all of the useless classes and indoctrination that the education training system puts in the way of teaching?? And before you ask, Scott, I have a teaching degree and first hand experience.? I would much rather have an evaluation of the teacher?s success be a measure of whether to retain them or give them a raise, over a money to the state license renewal, and new class requirement.

Mark?s honest and practical view included this:

Kevin, your beloved Christian schools test better because they thin the herd. Period

Where is the proof of this?? Can you point me to some instances where a private school denied a child because of learning problems?? Most anecdotal evidence of denials are because of reasons unrelated to learning problems.? The few appropriate anecdotals I read were from the state denying the entry because the Government decided the school did not have the facilities.? For instance, it was not enough that a teacher was willing to take a wheelchair up and down steps.? Ramps or elevators were required everywhere steps were by Gov?t regs and the small school could not afford to make the changes.? The Christian schools I have associated with would never have turned away a child because of their disabilities.?

As I am quite positive none of you can provide any statistical proof of it(period), I will accept even anecdotal proof of a few christian schools turning away low achievers or even special needs children(not the Gov?t).? I suspect you believe this line of BS because it is a liberal urban legend.? Enough educators have said it, so it is true, because of one instance of a for profit charter school doing something fishy sometime in the past.? There is some(small) evidence of charter schools doing some cherry picking, but you all don?t hate charters like you do religious schools, so please keep the evidence to religious schools.

Mark also said this:

You and Owen and all the other choice supporters need to Sack up like our parents
did, leave the seat vacant you pay for , and exercise your ?choice? to send your kids to the school of your choice

That generation didn?t whine. This one does. It?s called conservatism .

Hardly honest or practical.? Our parents went to schools that taught the basics, how to think, etc.? Today kids get breakfast, fuzzy math, Kwanzaa month, black history month, women in history month, flavor of the day week, etc.? 90% of inventions in the 19th and 20th centuries were by white males, but thanks to black history month, everybody knows who invented peanut butter.?

So moveforward, before I provide evidence to refute whether private schools cherry pick, isn?t it your responsibility to first prove that they do?? The closest I could find was Conn schools in Hartford, where charter(not religious) schools have half the number of spanish speakers than public schools.? As far as I could tell, the 2 most likely reasons for this were: 1) Spanish speaking parents don?t even know about the choice and 2) Culturally, spanish speakers try to stick together.? If they had their choice, the majority of spanish speakers would opt to send their kid to a wholly hispanic school.? In Florida where vouchers are big, studies have shown that ?...cherry picking is irrelevant?.? What have you got?

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 23, 2013?at?1029 hrs

The idea that Christianity is somehow necessary for academic success is asinine. Most of Europe does better academically despite being mostly secular. Much of Asia does better academically despite being either secular, or non-Christian. It?s a stupid argument easily refuted just by looking at the world at large.

If you would like a good explanation as to ?why you should have to pay for someone else?s kid?s education,? the simplest answer is that widespread education produces secondary benefits to society at large, and actions which produce positive externalities tend to be underprovided.? Subsidies are sometimes justified in such cases.?

You can always pay for private school if you don?t like the public system.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 23, 2013?at?1041 hrs

Paul,

You can always pay for private school if you don?t like the public system.

But can private school parents opt not to pay for the public system?

If we don?t like the public system, why should we double pay?? Vouchers eliminates that cruel liberal punishment for wanting better for our children.

The idea that Christianity is somehow necessary for academic success is asinine.

No one is saying that.? However, if you feed the spirit (something the public school, in theory, cannot do outside empty liberal religions like Kwanzaa), children are more likely to thrive in other areas as well, including academics.

If a child is poor in spirit, it is more likely they will be poor in other areas.

How does a public school feed a child?s spirit without running afoul of the aggressive ?separation of church and state? liberal religion?

Is yoga the answer in public schools?...no wait a minute, that runs afoul of oppressive, anti-religion, establishment folks.

Or are you saying that feeding a child?s spirit is unimportant?

(If so, that?s why people that value this in child raising, want to escape the bankrupt school system in relation to this important child raising issue.)

?

?

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 23, 2013?at?1123 hrs

In Wis. we have several components to education:? A worthless DPI, Universities that are flush with too many people, K-12 Educrats, Unions, teachers and students.? Who is last in line/
? The only group that places students first is CHOICE.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 23, 2013?at?1140 hrs

?Feeding the spirit? is empty rhetoric, and all of your statements assume a conclusion. In any case, you have plenty of time for religious instruction n your private life, on weekends, and on Sunday.? The first amendment prohibits religious instruction of any kind. That you don?t understand what religion is is your problem.

No, you can?t opt out, just like you can?t opt out of funding the police because of some personal belief or because you own your own guns. (Double paying there too).

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 23, 2013?at?1149 hrs

First amendment prohibits religious instruction?? Education wasn?t even part of federal government when the first amendment was written?

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 23, 2013?at?1154 hrs

So? What?s your point? Why did you ask a question and then add an irrelevant sentence followed by an ellipsis?

The answer to your question is ?Yes.?

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 23, 2013?at?1201 hrs

Yes.? To liberals the intent of the Founders is irrelevant.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on?January 23, 2013?at?1255 hrs

Source: http://www.bootsandsabers.com/index.php/weblog/permalink/give_all_students_a_choice

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Mindfulness Meditation May Soothe Inflammation

By Alysha Reid

Taking a deep breath may do more than put your mind at ease ? it may ease inflammation.

In a new study published in the January 2013 issue of Brain, Behavior and Immunity, neuroscientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison report that mindfulness meditation techniques, defined as a constant focus on breathing, bodily sensations, and mental relaxation, relieved inflammatory symptoms brought on by stress.

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The researchers used different health regimens aimed at reducing stress on two separate groups of subjects. One group participated in the campus Health Enhancement Program, which combined nutritional education with exercise and music therapy. The other group participated in a health-boosting program with a mindfulness meditation approach. Both programs required the same amount of training, instructor expertise, and home practice.

Psychological stress was then induced on both groups using a tool called the Trier Social Stress Test, with capsaicin cream used to induce inflammation on the skin. The scientists then collected immune and endocrine measures. They found that the health program with the mindfulness meditation-based approach was more effective in lowering stress-induced inflammation.

?This is not a cure-all, but our study does show that there are specific ways that mindfulness can be beneficial, and that there are specific people who may be more likely to benefit from this approach than other interventions,? said Melissa Rosenkranz, PhD, assistant scientist at the center and lead author on the paper, in a press release.

Despite the fact that mindfulness mediation is a staple of alternative health, particularly with conditions involving chronic pain, little scientific evidence supports direct medical benefits of meditation and mindfulness. By including mindfulness meditation with an existing health regimen that already included social support and interaction, the UW scientists were able to show specific benefits of mindfulness meditation, according to the release.

Psychological stress is a common trigger for inflammation associated with chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. A continuous cycle of stress and flares can make living with RA a challenge. And while doctors often prescribe medication and lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet to help manage rheumatoid arthritis, mindfulness meditation may enhance the benefits.

?The mindfulness-based approach to stress reduction may offer a lower-cost alternative or complement to standard treatment, and it can be practiced easily by patients in their own homes, whenever they need,? Rosenkranz said in the release.

"Mindfulness Meditation May Soothe Inflammation" originally appeared on Everyday Health.

Also on HuffPost:

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/20/mindfulness-meditation-inflammation_n_2503119.html

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'Quadruple helix' DNA discovered in human cells

Jan. 20, 2013 ? In 1953, Cambridge researchers Watson and Crick published a paper describing the interweaving 'double helix' DNA structure -- the chemical code for all life.

Now, in the year of that scientific landmark's 60th Anniversary, Cambridge researchers have published a paper proving that four-stranded 'quadruple helix' DNA structures -- known as G-quadruplexes -- also exist within the human genome. They form in regions of DNA that are rich in the building block guanine, usually abbreviated to 'G'.

The findings mark the culmination of over 10 years investigation by scientists to show these complex structures in vivo -- in living human cells -- working from the hypothetical, through computational modelling to synthetic lab experiments and finally the identification in human cancer cells using fluorescent biomarkers.

The research, published January 20 in Nature Chemistry and funded by Cancer Research UK, goes on to show clear links between concentrations of four-stranded quadruplexes and the process of DNA replication, which is pivotal to cell division and production.

By targeting quadruplexes with synthetic molecules that trap and contain these DNA structures -- preventing cells from replicating their DNA and consequently blocking cell division -- scientists believe it may be possible to halt the runaway cell proliferation at the root of cancer.

"We are seeing links between trapping the quadruplexes with molecules and the ability to stop cells dividing, which is hugely exciting," said Professor Shankar Balasubramanian from the University of Cambridge's Department of Chemistry and Cambridge Research Institute, whose group produced the research.

"The research indicates that quadruplexes are more likely to occur in genes of cells that are rapidly dividing, such as cancer cells. For us, it strongly supports a new paradigm to be investigated -- using these four-stranded structures as targets for personalised treatments in the future."

Physical studies over the last couple of decades had shown that quadruplex DNA can form in vitro -- in the 'test tube', but the structure was considered to be a curiosity rather than a feature found in nature. The researchers now know for the first time that they actually form in the DNA of human cells.

"This research further highlights the potential for exploiting these unusual DNA structures to beat cancer -- the next part of this pipeline is to figure out how to target them in tumour cells," said Dr Julie Sharp, senior science information manager at Cancer Research UK.

"It's been sixty years since its structure was solved but work like this shows us that the story of DNA continues to twist and turn."

The study published January 20 was led by Giulia Biffi, a researcher in Balasubramaninan's lab at the Cambridge Research Institute.

By building on previous research, Biffi was able to generate antibody proteins that detect and bind to areas in a human genome rich in quadruplex-structured DNA, proving their existence in living human cells.

Using fluorescence to mark the antibodies, the researchers could then identify 'hot spots' for the occurrence of four-stranded DNA -- both where in the genome and, critically, at what stage of cell division.

While quadruplex DNA is found fairly consistently throughout the genome of human cells and their division cycles, a marked increase was shown when the fluorescent staining grew more intense during the 's-phase' -- the point in a cell cycle where DNA replicates before the cell divides.

Cancers are usually driven by genes called oncogenes that have mutated to increase DNA replication -- causing cell proliferation to spiral out of control, and leading to tumour growth.

The increased DNA replication rate in oncogenes leads to an intensity in the quadruplex structures. This means that potentially damaging cellular activity can be targeted with synthetic molecules or other forms of treatments.

"We have found that by trapping the quadruplex DNA with synthetic molecules we can sequester and stabilise them, providing important insights into how we might grind cell division to a halt," said Balasubramanian.

"There is a lot we don't know yet. One thought is that these quadruplex structures might be a bit of a nuisance during DNA replication -- like knots or tangles that form.

"Did they evolve for a function? It's a philosophical question as to whether they are there by design or not -- but they exist and nature has to deal with them. Maybe by targeting them we are contributing to the disruption they cause."

The study showed that if an inhibitor is used to block DNA replication, quadruplex levels go down -- proving the idea that DNA is dynamic, with structures constantly being formed and unformed.

The researchers also previously found that an overactive gene with higher levels of Quadruplex DNA is more vulnerable to external interference.

"The data supports the idea that certain cancer genes can be usefully interfered with by small molecules designed to bind specific DNA sequences," said Balasubramanian.

"Many current cancer treatments attack DNA, but it's not clear what the rules are. We don't even know where in the genome some of them react -- it can be a scattergun approach.

"The possibility that particular cancer cells harbouring genes with these motifs can now be targeted, and appear to be more vulnerable to interference than normal cells, is a thrilling prospect.

"The 'quadruple helix' DNA structure may well be the key to new ways of selectively inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells. The confirmation of its existence in human cells is a real landmark."

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Cambridge. The original story is licensed under a Creative Commons license.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. Giulia Biffi, David Tannahill, John McCafferty, Shankar Balasubramanian. Quantitative visualization of DNA G-quadruplex structures in human cells. Nature Chemistry, 2013; DOI: 10.1038/nchem.1548

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_science/~3/XvrbKZTccjU/130120150033.htm

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Samsung 'Galaxy Tab 3' devices said to be in the works along with mystery tab

Last week brought news of a possible 8-inch Galaxy Note tablet coming at Mobile World Congress; today we have more details of more future Samsung tablets from the same source. Samsung fansite SamMobile reports via “Korean insiders” that the company will soon launch a new line of Galaxy Tabs, including a possible 7 and 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab 3 (codenamed “Santos”), and a new mystery tablet known only as “Roma.”

Exact hardware specs for the Galaxy Tab 3 line are uncertain, but SamMobile says the Galaxy Tab 3 devices will likely come with a 5-megapixel camera, and be available in Wifi and Wifi/3G configurations. So no major surprises there, and we’d fully expect to see these new tablets make their debut at Mobile World Congress in late February.

But the most interesting part of today’s report concerns the tablet codenamed “Roma,” which apparently carries the product number GT-P8200. That’s noteworthy because it’s just a stone’s throw away from the Nexus 10’s GT-P8110. Samsung’s usually pretty deliberate with its model numbers, so we might speculate that this “Roma” device could sport similar specs to the Samsung-built Nexus tablet. Question is, what separates it from the 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab 3?

As with the Galaxy Tab 3 series, the “Roma” is said to be slated for release sometime in the first half of the year in 16GB and 32GB flavors.

Remember we’ll be live at Mobile World Congress next month to bring you full coverage of whatever new tablets Samsung announces.

Source: SamMobile

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/gr3gUtNTWUU/story01.htm

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