Condition of Judge Lee

As many know by now Commissioner/Judge Lee is in St. Thomas hospital and his condition isn't the best. There are a number of issues with internal bleeding nine units of blood already given and now his heart is acting up. I'm writing this to solicit your prayers for him and also to ask as many as will to please send him cards and notes and even calls to help cheer him up and let him know that he is not forgotten.
He is in Room 789

Judge Robert Lee
Room 789
Saint Thomas Hospital
4220 Harding Road
Nashville, Tennessee 37205


1-615-222-6617 will connect you to his room.

Associated Press Analysis Of Obama TV Appearance 29 April

His assertion that his proposed budget "will cut the deficit in half by the end of my first term" is an eyeball-roller among many economists, given the trillion-dollar deficits and economic calamity that the government is negotiating.
He promised vast savings from increased spending on preventive health care in the face of doubts that such an effort, however laudable it might be for public welfare, can pay for itself, let alone yield huge savings.

A look at some of his claims Wednesday:

OBAMA: "We began by passing a Recovery Act that has already saved or created over 150,000 jobs." - from news conference.

THE FACTS: This assertion is flawed on several levels. For starters, the U.S. has lost more than 1.2 million jobs since Obama took office, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Even if Obama's stimulus bill saved or created as many jobs as he says, that number is dwarfed by the number of recent job losses.

OBAMA: "We must lay a new foundation for growth, a foundation that will strengthen our economy and help us compete in the 21st century. And that's exactly what this budget begins to do. It contains new investments in education that will equip our workers with the right skills and training; new investments in renewable energy that will create millions of jobs and new industries; new investments in health care that will cut costs for families and businesses; and new savings that will bring down our deficit." - news conference.

THE FACTS: While the budget does set a roadmap for achieving the president's goals, it says nothing about how to pay for his health plan, expected to cost more than $1 trillion over the next 10 years. And while the deficit, under the plan, would drop to $523 billion in 2014, it achieves it with unrealistic assumptions, such as projections that spending in Iraq and Afghanistan will amount to only $50 billion a year.

OBAMA: "Number one, we inherited a $1.3 trillion deficit. ... That wasn't me. Number two, there is almost uniform consensus among economists that in the middle of the biggest crisis, financial crisis, since the Great Depression, we had to take extraordinary steps. So you've got a lot of Republican economists who agree that we had to do a stimulus package and we had to do something about the banks. Those are one-time charges, and they're big, and they'll make our deficits go up over the next two years."

THE FACTS: Congress, under Democratic control in 2007 and 2008, controlled the purse strings that led to the deficit Obama inherited. A Republican president, George W. Bush, had a role, too: He signed the legislation.

Obama supported the emergency bailout package in Bush's final months - a package Democratic leaders wanted to make bigger.
To be sure, Obama opposed the Iraq war, a drain on federal coffers for six years before he became president. But with one major exception, he voted in support of Iraq war spending.
The economy has worsened under Obama, though from forces surely in play before he became president, and he can credibly claim to have inherited a grim situation.
Still, his response to the crisis goes well beyond "one-time charges."
He's persuaded Congress to expand children's health insurance, education spending, health information technology and more. He's moving ahead on a variety of big-ticket items on health care, the environment, energy and transportation that, if achieved, will be more enduring than bank bailouts and aid for homeowners.
The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimated his policy proposals would add a net $428 billion to the deficit over four years, even accounting for his spending reduction goals. Now, the deficit is nearly quadrupling to $1.75 trillion.

OBAMA: "I think one basic principle that we know is that the more we do on the (disease) prevention side, the more we can obtain serious savings down the road. ... If we're making those investments, we will save huge amounts of money in the long term."

THE FACTS: It sounds believable that preventing illness should be cheaper than treating it, and indeed that's the case with steps like preventing smoking and improving diets and exercise. But during the 2008 campaign, when Obama and other presidential candidates were touting a focus on preventive care, the New England Journal of Medicine cautioned that "sweeping statements about the cost-saving potential of prevention, however, are overreaching." It said that "although some preventive measures do save money, the vast majority reviewed in the health economics literature do not."
And a study released in December by the Congressional Budget Office found that increasing preventive care "could improve people's health but would probably generate either modest reductions in the overall costs of health care or increases in such spending within a 10-year budgetary time frame."

OBAMA: "You could cut (Social Security) benefits. You could raise the tax on everybody so everybody's payroll tax goes up a little bit. Or you can do what I think is probably the best solution, which is you can raise the cap on the payroll tax."

THE FACTS: Obama's proposal would reduce the Social Security trust fund's deficit by less than half, according to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center.
That means he would still have to cut benefits, raise the payroll tax rate, raise the retirement age or some combination to deal with the program's long-term imbalance.
Workers currently pay 6.2 percent and their employers pay an equal rate - for a total of 12.4 percent - on annual wages of up to $106,800, after which no more payroll tax is collected.

Obama wants workers making more than $250,000 to pay payroll tax on their income over that amount. That would still protect workers making under $250,000 from an additional burden. But it would raise much less money than removing the cap completely.

OBAMA: "My hope is that working in a bipartisan fashion we are going to be able to get a health care reform bill on my desk before the end of the year that we'll start seeing in the kinds of investments that will make everybody healthier."

THE FACTS: Obama has indeed expressed hope for a health care plan that has support from Democrats and Republicans. But his Democratic allies in Congress have just made that harder. The budget plan written by the Democrats gives them the option of denying Republicans the normal right to block health care with a Senate filibuster. The filibuster tactic requires 60 votes to overcome, making it the GOP's main weapon to ensure a bipartisan outcome. The rules set by the budget mean that majority Democrats could potentially pass health care legislation without any Republican votes, sacrificing bipartisanship to achieve their goals.

Associated Press writers Matt Apuzzo, Kevin Freking and Jim Kuhnhenn contributed to this report.

One Hundred Days Of Obama!

Without the overwhelming support of the biased liberal media, the "Tennessean" has yet to report on the low level fly over of NYC that sent people into a panic and was authorized by the White House or the total embarrassment of the failed teleprompter, this guy would have been laughed out of the country before he was ever elected.
He has put our great grandchildren in debt, proposed things that will increase our power bills over 100%, he has endangered our military in the field, endangered CIA agents and those working for them, he has lied about the benefit of so called "green jobs", the experiment in Spain tells the true story, he violated two hundred years of protocol by bowing in submission to an Islamic king, he has lied about who he would appoint to positions of power, instead of those with high integrity he appointed tax cheats, lobbyist and radical crazies (his Homeland Security appointee doesn't believe entering this county illegally is a crime and feels Christians, veterans, legal gun owners, those opposed to perverted marriages, etc are enemies of the country and his Health Sec.Kathleen Sebelius lied about accepting donations from the most notorious abortionist in the country).
He gave billions to Goldman Sachs and others based on the lobbying efforts of his appointed Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, the former CEO of Goldman Sachs who put them in bankruptcy while making over thirty million a year, He has already or is set to nationalize private industries, he claims to not want to run GM but demands they make a certain kind of vehicle. General Motors is now owned, at the expense of private investors through their IRA's and other retirement funds, by the government and the UAW both are responsible for bankrupting the company. He is set to destroy the medical health care system placing that care in the hands of bureaucrats instead of doctors. Already he has announced that many medical procedures your doctor feels are necessary will be eliminated and that expensive medical care should not be "wasted on those who may not recover". In the huge spending bill, approved without a single member of the congress reading it, he set up a board of appointed individuals to determine what kind of treatment a patient can receive this is patterned after a board in England.
He talked down the economy, even Bill Clinton warned him about the destruction he was causing, then without any money actually being spent he claims it's his spending that has now saved the country. The truth is nothing has changed but the rhetoric of doom and gloom.
The man can not say anything but "UUUUUUUHA" without his teleprompter or make a decision without the approval of George Soros.
He lied about what he would do in Iraq, instead of bringing those troops home they are being sent to Afghanistan where they become in effect targets and leaving those left in Iraq for open attack.
This guy is a socialist disaster that couldn't even pick out a family dog without telling a lie about it being in a pound.
Allen Barrett

Retired or Unemployed????

Is it reasonable that people retiring from the school system and receiving retirement benefits be carried as "lay-offs" and receive unemployment benefits also? Is the county being hit financially twice as hard through our contributions to the retirement system and the unemployment benefits? While, on the surface at least, it may seem like a nice benefit for some it is being paid for by others and the cost keeps increasing each year. This is unconscionable and should be stopped immediately. Allen Barrett

Industrial Recruiter Or One Man's Gold Mine????

What does an Industrial Recruiter do to earn a salary and benefits of $100,000.00 a year and what are the qualifications possessed by the current recruiter and how long has he actually held these qualifications?
Some things they have not done is bring an abundance of industry into Giles County and give timely reports of activities to the County Commission who pays much of the salary.
The question arises as to the appropriateness and justification of having an industrial recruiter at such a high salary when there is such a downturn in business expansion and new business start-ups. Is it appropriate to have people appointed by the mayor or at his suggestion to paid positions on boards then have those same people appoint him to be the industrial recruiter and set his salary and benefits so high? Is this an example of the notorious good ole boy network operating at high speeds? Is it appropriate to have an appointee accountable to only those he himself has appointed?
If there is something rotten in Denmark as the saying goes, what is that smell coming out of city hall? Allen Barrett

Why Has The Issue Of Insurance For School Employees Become Such A Mess???

For a number of months now the School Board has been trying to sort through and make some sense of an absolute maze of insurance obfuscation, benefits, half truths and plain lies. A large part of the problem seems to be the result of not having an insurance expert as an adviser, the efforts of some to influence the acceptance of a favored vendor, and a total lack of integrity involving the bid process. I believe this School Board, while somewhat slow, is asking the right questions and making a real effort to resolve this matter.
The result is that a $100,000.00 life insurance policy for some means over $250,000.00 while for others it means less than $70,000.00. While some beneficiaries have been paid $10,000.00 in death benefits others have received only $5,000.00. There seems to be an equality among some that does not exist among others. Allen Barrett

What Is Zero Tolerance And To Whom Does It Apply?

This topic was suggested by a poster to another thread who reports that GCHS has decided against expulsion of violators of the Zero Tolerance Policy and put them into a single classroom on the GCHS campus?

The question is whether the Zero Tolerance Policy is being applied equally and justly? Is the penalty for violations of "Zero Tolerance offenses being changed because recently the children of two separate teachers were involved in violations? Should those guilty of a Zero Tolerance offense continue in the school environment and do they pose a risk to other students either by actions or examples?

Here is the School Board Policy on disciplinary actions taken directly from the school website.

Each Student Has The Right To: have the opportunity for a free education in the most appropriate learning environment. --have the opportunity for freedom of speech, expression of ideas, and of the press. expect that the school will be a safe place with no fear of bodily harm. --expect an appropriate environment conducive to learning. --not to be discriminated against on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, or disability. --expect to be fully informed of school rules and regulations.
Each Student has the Responsibility To: --know and adhere to reasonable rules and regulations established by the Board of Education and implemented by school administrators and teachers. --respect the human dignity and worth of every other individual. --refrain from libel, slanderous remarks, and obscenity in verbal and written expression. --study diligently and maintain the best possible level of academic achievement. --be punctual and present in the regular school program. --dress and groom in a manner that meets reasonable standards of health, cleanliness, modesty, safety, and abide by School and Board rules. --help maintain and improve the school environment, preserve school property, and exercise the utmost care while using the school facilities. --refrain from disobedience or misconduct or behavior which would lead to any physical harm or that disrupts the educational process. --respect the reasonable exercise of authority by school administrators and teachers in maintaining discipline in the school and at school sponsored activities. --obey the law and rules so as not to be subjected to ill effects or endanger others by the possession or use of alcohol, illegal drugs, and other unauthorized substances. --carry only those materials which are acceptable under the law and accept the consequences for the articles stored in one's locker.

THE ROLE OF SCHOOL STAFF
Appropriate order and discipline must be maintained in school if every student is to have the opportunity to benefit maximally from the program offered. It is the responsibility of all staff members to apply discipline toward improving behavior and creating an atmosphere conducive to learning. It is expected that all officials, teachers, and other employees of the school system will treat the students with fundamental fairness in applying these rules. Consistency of enforcement of disciplinary codes is critical to achieving this end.

LEVELS OF OFFENSES
When a violation of the rules governing behavior occurs, the imposition of sanctions is to be expected. The following is a for level analysis of procedures and options that are designed to protect all members of the educational community in the exercise of their rights and duties. The examples of misbehavior should not be interpreted to be all inclusive because every undesirable behavior can not be listed.

Level I
The first--least serious--level involves minor misbehavior on the part of the student which impedes orderly classroom procedures or interferes with the orderly operation of the school.
Examples of undesirable behavior: --classroom disturbances --classroom tardiness --cheating and lying --abusive language, profanity, or notes—non-defiant behavior to do assignments or carry out directions --loitering in unauthorized places --excessive absences --failure to have hall pass --excessive noise outside the classroom --radios or tape players --playing cards or dice --chewing gum --violation of dress code --harassment (sexual, racial, ethnic, religious)
disciplinary options might include” --admonishing the student --restricting activities --requiring special assignments --assigning work details --temporary removal from class in a time-out room --issuance of demerits that might affect citizenship or deportment grades --behavior modification activities --denial of class privileges --imposition of corporal punishment--requirement of restitution. Such consequences are typically imposed by the classroom teacher. Before imposing such consequences, the teacher, concerned for the welfare of the students and guided by the principles of fundamental fairness, will make an inquiry into the incident to assure that the culprit is accurately identified, that he understands the nature of the offense, and that he was on notice as to the consequences to which he is subject to for the offense. It is important that the consequence should be reasonably related to the offense and that the more severe consequences should be reserved for important offenses or for repeated actions that have not been controllable with lesser consequences. Any explanation of conduct that the pupil may offer should be considered as the teacher decides upon the appropriate consequence.

Level II
The second level of consequences is reserved for those problems that the teachers cannot control within the scope of their classroom authority. Many of these infractions result from a continuation of level I misbehaviors, and require the intervention of personnel on the administrative level because the execution of level I disciplinary options failed to correct the situation.
Examples of undesirable behavior: --Continuation of unmodified LEVEL I misbehavior --school tardiness –truancy --smoking or possession of tobacco products --using forged notes or excuses --disruptive classroom or bus behavior --bus disturbances --failure to sign out --parking in unauthorized areas --leaving school grounds --cutting class –defiance --selling and distribution of over-counter drugs when implied to represent something other than what they are –gambling --disrespect to teachers and bus drivers --immoral conduct --harassment (sexual, racial, ethnic, religious)
Disciplinary options might include: --in-school suspension--detention before or after school --suspension from school sponsored activities or from riding the bus --corporal punishment, under local board policy --changing the student's instructor within the school --restricting the honors the student is otherwise due --prohibiting the student's attendance at school functions--demanding restitution for lost, damaged, or stolen property --out of school suspension --parent conference.
These would normally be imposed by the pincipal/assistant principal upon a student who has been referred by the teacher, but only after the administrator has made his/her own inquiry into the incident. This inquiry should include hearing the accusation made by the teacher or other party, notifying the offender of the accusation and permitting him the opportunity of explaining his conduct, denying it, or stating any mitigating circumstances. In cases where there is substantial disagreement about the offense, the principal should satisfy himself as to the truth of the accusation.

Level III
For student discipline problems for which neither of the preceding is appropriate or effective, the third level of consequences may be recommended by the principal. These acts may be considered criminal, but most frequently can be handled by the disciplinary mechanisms within the school or system.
Examples of undesirable behavior: --continuation of unmodified LEVEL II misbehavior --fighting (simple) --vandalism (simple) --selling and distribution of over-counter drugs when implied to represent something other than what they are –stealing --threats to others (extortion, intimidation) --harassment (sexual, racial, ethnic, religious)
Disciplinary options might include: --assigning the student to an alternative, disciplinary day-school --short-term out of school suspension --corporal punishment --temporary removal from class --call police (may be ordered to appear in court)
The change in a student's program to place him/her in the Alternative School may be mandatory as a result of a suspension or expulsion or may be voluntary based upon the recommendation by a team composed of the principal or assistant principal, the school guidance counselor, and the student (and parents when possible). Students eligible for special education services will have rules and laws pertaining to special education applied.

Level IV
The final and most severe consequences that can be imposed upon a student are LEVEL IV violations. These are acts that are criminal and are so serious that they require administrative actions which result in the immediate removal of the student from school, the intervention of law enforcement authorities, and a hearing by the Disciplinary Hearing Authority. School authorities are obligated to report clearly established criminal offenses to law enforcement authorities.
Examples of undesirable behavior: --unmodified LEVEL III misconducts –extortion --bomb threat --possession/use/transfer of firearms or dangerous weapons --assault/battery –vandalism --theft/possession/sale of stolen property –arson --furnishing/selling/ using/possession of unauthorized substances --harassment (sexual, racial, ethnic, religious)
Disciplinary options might include: --suspend the student out of school for a period exceeding ten days--expel the student --alternative school --call police (may be ordered to appear in court) Behaviors in this category require a review by the Disciplinary Hearing Authority. The hearing by this group must be held, a decision rendered, and notification of the decision must be provided to the parents and/or the student and the principal no later than ten days after the beginning of the suspension. The principal or the student has a right to request a review by the Board. If this occurs, the Board shall review the DHA records and affirm the decision of the hearing authority, modify the decision to a lesser penalty, or grant a hearing before the Board.¹ When either a long-term or short-term suspension occurs during the last ten days of any term or semester, the student may seek permission of the principal to take such final examination or submit such required work as is necessary to complete the course of instruction for that semester.

ZERO TOLERANCE OFFENSES
The Board has zero tolerance for the following offenses, with these violations carrying an automatic one full calendar year expulsion from school:
Firearms Students shall not possess, handle, or attempt to use a firearm in school buildings or on school grounds at any time or in school vehicles and/or buses or off school grounds at a school sponsored activity. Firearms include, but are not limited to any firearm, explosive, explosive weapon, bowie knife, hawk bill knife, ice pick, dagger, slingshot, switchblade knife, or knuckles.
Drugs Students will not possess, distribute, or be under the influence of illegal drugs in school buildings, or on school grounds, in school vehicles or buses, or at any school sponsored activity at any time, whether on or off school grounds.
Battery Any student committing battery upon any teacher, principal, administrator, School Resource Officer or any other employee will be expelled for one full year.
Allen Barrett

Requested Topic About Bicentennial Celebrations

This topic was suggested by a reader who asked the following questions

Is anybody but me ticked off about all this bicentennial crap????
Who picked the committee of rich folks and left the majority of folks OUT of the celebration?
The pavers are $1000. Do they not know we are in a depression and folks here are out of work?

The dinner and dance tickets are $100 PER PERSON are creating a selective crowd of blue bloods, is that the intention? They price is so high it creates their own little private event. How many just regular Joes and regular Janes can attend the grand bicentennial events?
Can you name those who picked the committee and who is on the committee? I think that would explain everything.
Can you start a thread on this Mr. Barrett and see if anybody else feels this way.

Monday, April 27, 2009 10:12:00 AM