On one of the New Year's Eve specials, they were asking members of Congress what their goals were for 2009.  I was very surprised with how few of them mentioned the economy in any fashion.  I think they need to work on fixing the economy first.  I think it is clearly the biggest issue facing our country right now, and that seems to be reflected in the vast majority of polls.  But Congress just doesn't seem to get it.

Unfortunately, with the many band-aid bailouts that were passed in 2008, Congress seemed unwilling to even consider the long-term effects of what they were doing.  They didn't provide adequate methods for oversight or regulation of how the bailout money was spent.  And since the money was handed out, there have been a lot of news stories about how some of that money was wasted.  It doesn't seem logical to me that wasting additional taxpayer money will create long-term growth for the economy.

Mitch McConnell, the Republican Minority Leader in the Senate, has been one of the few Congressional representatives who is talking about fixing the economy every chance he gets.  He is making two key points.  The first is that we don't waste any additional tax dollars.  The second point is that any economic stimulus/recovery plan needs to be well thought out.  I strongly agree with both of those points.  We need to make sure that any short-term fix doesn't have major negative long-term consequences.

One of the areas I am most concerned about is the power that President-elect Obama and the large Democratic majority in Congress will have to repay political favors.  Repaying those favors may come at the expense of truly fixing the economy.  For instance, labor unions spent well over $300 million to help elect Obama and strengthen the Democratic majority in Congress.  Now it seems the unions expect to get repaid for their support by having Congress quickly pass the Employee Free Choice Act, also known as the "Card Check" bill.

This bill would take away secret ballot elections in businesses where unions want to organize.  I have no problems with unions when the workers decide on their own to form one.  Especially in business sectors involving dangerous materials or processes, unions can serve a great purpose to protect worker safety.  But it doesn't seem to make any sense to take away the workers' right to decide whether to unionize in a secret ballot election.  Just as people were intimidated and coerced to vote certain ways in political elections in the early days of this country, the same thing would happen to workers who weren't able to keep their votes secret.  It would effectively stifle a lot of the debate because people with dissenting viewpoints would be opening themselves up to retaliation.

Plus, the fear of harassment could lead to "push-button" unions in a lot of businesses that really don't require them - like very small businesses.  Small businesses have always been the driving force of job growth and this bill could stifle them under excessive regulations.  And that would really hurt the long-term prospects for the economy.  I saw that the Friends of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is working to make sure everyone knows about the potential negative effects of this bill.  I encourage the other readers to sign their petition or directly contact their Congressional representative and ask them to protect worker privacy, fix the economy first, and fix the economy in the right way to ensure long-term growth.  Here's a link to the petition and some more information about the bill - http://friendsoftheuschamber.com/email/email4.cfm?id=1
78

We've all seen amazing stories about lawsuit abuse.  People suing businesses because they spilled a hot drink on themselves, or because they were overweight, or because they didn't exercise common sense when using the products made by the business.  But this week I heard about an example of lawsuit abuse that beats all the rest.  It is one of the most incredible stories I've seen all year.

A couple of Canada geese took up residence outside a small pool maintenance store in Maryland.  The owners of the store tried to get the geese to leave, but their options were limited because of the Migratory Species Act.  The Act makes it illegal to disturb migratory birds, even when they aren't migrating.  So, it was illegal for the store owners to disturb the geese.  And because they weren't being disturbed, the geese stuck around.  Eventually, one of the geese honked at a shopper entering a DIFFERENT store.  The shopper was startled and fell down.  She decided to sue the pool maintenance store for damages, claiming the geese were the responsibility of the store owners.  The lawsuit was for $750,000.

I can't believe that something like that was even accepted by an attorney, much less actually go to trial.  What an incredible waste of the justice system.  Not only did it hurt the pool maintenance store, it wasted everyone's time who had to be involved with the case.  I'm sure that a lot of other cases could have benefited from having a shorter wait for a trial or more access to legal professionals who had to spend their time on this case.  You can see the entire story about the geese here - www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/email/email4.cfm?id=185 . There's even a video where the owners of the pool maintenance store talk about their experiences.  It is such an incredible story, I don't feel like I've done it justice in words - check out the video to see it for yourself.

It seems like there is more negative economic news every day.  In a recession like this, employers may cut jobs, consolidate offices, not give raises, or ask people to cut their hours/take a voluntary pay cut.  But I was recently reminded that other organizations are trying to use the economic conditions to their benefit.  Labor unions in particular are trying to strengthen their position now because they know that many people are just happy to have a job, so the individuals won't stand up to the unions.

For instance, I've been reading about the "Card Check" plan that some unions are proposing.  Basically, those unions want to take away workers' ability to choose whether or not to join a union through secret ballot elections.  In other words, the union can persuade the workers through unethical means to approve the union's wishes and they will know exactly who votes with them and who votes against them.  That just seems scary to me.  I think unions should be truly optional.  If workers decide that they want one, that's fine.  But if they decide they DON'T want one, that should be fine, too.  And the ballots should be filled out in private, with no way to identify individual votes.  Otherwise, I think workers would have to fear reprisals - like losing their job or harassment - if they don't vote the "right" way.

Unions are gathering a lot of signatures on a petition to get Congress to pass "Card Check".  Unfortunately, Congress seems so preoccupied that they appear to be passing everything, without regard to the long term effects.  I hope "Card Check" doesn't get put in the same category.  That would be disastrous.  Not only for the potential to make workers do what they don't want to do, but this could cause more unwanted unions to form in small businesses.  If that happens, any economic recovery will be slowed or stopped because the small businesses would have less flexibility to react to new opportunities because of restrictive union regulations.  If you are against the "Card Check" initiative like I am, make sure you let Congress know how you feel.  I found a petition online set up by the Friends of the United States Chamber of Commerce that we can sign.  You can go here to make your voice heard, too:
http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/takeaction/index.
cfm?ID=78

With Thanksgiving over and Christmas less than a month away, how has the economy directly affected you this year?  What did you do differently and what are you planning on doing differently?

There seem to be a lot of news stories about consumers in general, but I'm interested in individual perspectives.  The news stories have suggested that holiday travel is down for the first time in years, that people are buying fewer gifts for their family, that they are giving gifts to fewer people, that people are not using credit cards to buy gifts, and that they are being more selective about which stores they shop at.  Are any of those things true for you?  Also, it seemed like the parking lots of the restaurants open Thanksgiving day were fairly empty and the crowds out shopping the day after Thanksgiving were quite a bit less than previous years.  Did anyone else notice similar things or were your experiences different?  What other changes have you noticed?

One of the things that got me thinking about this was the Friends of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce website.  They have a poll up about the holidays and they are asking for personal videos about the economic slowdown affecting holiday choices.  The videos will help them know where to focus their efforts.  If you'd like to get your voice heard too, you can vote in the poll on their website and submit your video story on the page page that comes up after you vote.  Here's the link - http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/email/email4.cfm?
id=175

PLEASE!!! Make Panhandling in WASHINGTON STATE or at least SPOKANE, WASHINGTON ILLEGAL!!!

I am so irriated of Panhandling on the side of the roads, in front of stores, trying to walk to my car after shopping. I'm so sick of it!!

I saw the newscast just a few moments ago and I am voicing my opinion that Panhandling SHOULD BE ILLEGAL!!!  I do not give my money out to anyone to go buy beer and cigarettes with. Lets face it, we're not stupid!! We know this is what they do with it, they REFUSE to get a job and would rather live off of the state. What would they do if the state cut them off? Maybe then they would take a shower and brush their teeth and try to get a job.

I'm so sick of people falling for the lines others give them, just to get money. It's pathetic. I'm a cashier, I see it day in and day out. Everybody from every background is so willing to give other people their money, why not just throw it into your child's bank account for college? There's so much more things better to do with your money than to give it to a loser on the street to go buy alcohol and cigarettes with.  Like I said, I'm a cashier. I see people coming in with hundreds of dollars of food stamps and spend every bit of cash they have on alcohol and tobacco.

This is so wrong and disturbing that I want my voice TO BE HEARD !!!!! 

Make it illegal to panhandle and illegal to give money to panhandlers!! 

Get rid of the bums and losers drinking under the freeways!! Get rid of them all!!

ANNAMALAI ANNAMALAI ,SELVAM SIDDHARCOMMANDER SELVAM, DR COMMANDER SELVAM , SRI SELVAM SIDDHAR, SIDHAR, SELVAM SIDHAR, SIDDHAR SELVAM, HINDU TEMPLE OF GEORGIA, SHIVA VISHNU TEMPLE OF GEORGIA, ATHARV VEDA, TANTRA, THANTRA, GURU PEYARCHI, SANI TRANSIT, JATHAKAM, MANTRA, YANTRA THANTRA COMANDER SELVAM, HINDU TEMPLE OF GA

Lord Ganesha...

Sri Vinayaka Vinayaka is the supreme spirit invoked at the begining of every event for removal of impediments. He is called vinayaka because he punished the evil men and annihilated all obstacles. He holds total sways over all without opposition. He is all in all. Every one has to bow and worship him before launching upon any work, if there were to be no obstacles and beginning its success. He gratifies and fulfils all desires and fruits of works undertaken. That is why he is first worshipped and his blessings are sought.

There was a boon bestowed on Him by Lord Parameshwara and the Goddess Parvathi at the time of his birth. He is called Maha Ganaathipati. God Shiva is fond of Him and made Him the presiding force over the Ganaas. He is the destroyer of sins. Vinayaka is the ?Ganaara Akshara Devata?. The letter ?Ga? stands for wisdom. He is knowledge itself. The letter ?Na? stands for moksha or salvation. The term ?Gana? therefore signifies the combination of wisdom and salvation which are given by Vinayaka who is the Lord of Gana. The utterance of the word ?Ganesha? the most, illustrious Holy name of Vinayaka brings greatest prosperity to mortals sanctifying and providing them with all marvelous power. One who utter this holy name will find that the ?Ganas? settle themselves in his mouth and make him realize the Lord.

He will know the reality, becomes free from illusion and sets awakened. So power is the utterance with the intense devotion of the Holy names of Maha Ganapati. Vinayaka is knowledge himself. He is the giver of all vidyaas and salvation to those who worship him with single minded devotion. Lord Ganesha is called ?Ek Danta? of single tusk. ?Eka? that is Maya or illusion should be rooted out by ?Danta? or actual knowledge of reality. Lord Ganesha?s sixteen names, viz Sumukha, Ekhadanta, Kapila, Gajakarnaka, Lambodara, Vikata, Vighna Raja, Vinayaka, Dhoomaketu,Ganaadyaksha, , Bhalachandra, Gajaanana, Vakratunda, Soorpakarna, Heramba and Sakanda Poorvaja are very famous than many of his other names. If the Sixteen names are read or uttered at the berginning of the learning process,marriage,entrance to a place or departure from it,war and all sorts of work no impediments will occur and Lord Ganesha blesses the people doing so with complete success.

The Lord?s shape is indicative of the fact that for one to become one with Brahman there is no bar. However deformed or in any way deface for uncouth or with any form of disability one can attain the highest. Hence no one should look down upon another of any unshapeliness. Lord Ganesha, for instance punished the moon God for his ridiculing him on that account. He is called ?Heramba? always along side of Rudra. Also he makes his devotees prosper and makes him advance of the highest state of eternal Bliss. Further ?He? indicates the absolute state of despair and helplessness, on account of lack of succor and ?Ramba? signifies protection or safety from all dangers and obstacles. So Heramba is the refuge of the despaired and weak. He is ?Soorpakarna? for he lets in all noble thoughts thus filling the devotees with real ideas devoid of delusion. The paasa or the Noose in the hand suggests the worldy ties complexities and dangers that smother the mortal and as its wielder. He clears his devotees from all that mire. The Ankusa given to him by Indra symbolizes his control over the universe whose affairs He directs with it. He is Vakratunda or one having the winding trunk. The winding trunk denotes the hurdees some and illusive samsara by overcoming which alone con one attain salvation. He is pranava swaroopa Vakra Tundam. The trunk is of the form of Om Kara which is the sovereign means for ending the cycle of births and deaths. Vigneshwara is worshiped in thirty two forms according to the type of siddhi or attainment desired. The Vigneshwara who is meditated upon by the yogis has the trunk drawn towards the chest. The vigneshawara who is contemplated, upon by those who want to become the high ranking yogis is of one tusk with four arms holding the noose and the good in two haring a tusk and bestowing boons with the other two hands while sposting the flag with the emblem of the mouse. He has come out at the beginning of the creation, beyond prakriti and purusha. He is yogi raja sevitam and yogi saaed salli bhavitam that is worshipped and served by the yogis of supreme position and meditated upon by them. When the trunk is drown sideward that aspect of Vinayaka bestows material and spiritual riches while preserving the devotees of that form in the path of virtue and making him prosper in every way of these forms of Lord Vinayaka, the Ganesha which is represented as Vallabhanayaka is supreme in every aspect. He is of red colour in this form. He is sitting in padmasana pose. In this shape holding the pitcher of ambrosia bedecked with jewels and gems, with the trunk down sideward, his Maya Shakti in feminine form seated on the left. He is Phalachandra that is having the moon on his head indicative of immortality. In this aspect of Ganeshwara is the supreme Lord. It beholds everyone who desires prosperity and plenty in this world to meditate upon Vallabha Ganapathi, who is the ultimate; hence it is that Vallabheswara is worshipped by all who want siddhis or fruits of various types. Vinayaka is seated in the moolaadhara charka. He can be invoked successfully by control of breath, pranayama accompanied by contemplation of the Ganapathi mantra is which the worshipful sadguru should initiate, and the aspirant. So for one to become free from this Bhava Saagara (the ocean of births and deaths), the only way is to pray to Lord Vinayaka, for He is Bhakta priya or lover of his devotees. Gansesh mantras are siddhi mantra contains specific powers of Lord Ganesh. When chanted with the proper rhythmic breathing and sincere devotion, they will yield good results. In general Ganesha mantras will ward off all evil and bless the devotees with abundance, prudence and success. Evil spirits dare not to enter the home or the mind of the devotee when Ganesha mantras are recited.

CREDITS TO DR COMMANDER SELVAM, WWW.HINDUTEMPLEOFGEORGIA.ORG

TOLL FREE 1-888-232 1818

IM BACK AGAIN , ASK YOUR FRIEND ,

ABOUT THE PEN , IF THEY SAY ,

WHAT PEN , PULL OUT YOURS ,

THEN GIVE THE PEN ,TO YOUR FRIEND ,

TO PRACTICE TO WIN , EVERY VOTE AGAIN ,

HAVE A HEART , GIVE BACK ,

THE PART THAT STARTS , A NEW BEGINING ,

THAT MAKES NEW ART , COPPER IS GOLD ,

IT FREEZES BEHOLD , YOUR WATERS ON HOLD ,

REMOVING MOLD?? , WELL FREEDOMFREE ,

CANT BE SOLD , MIGHT A FACT ,

ILL BE RIGHT BACK , GIVING BACK ,

WHAT REALLY LACKS , IS THE MIRACLE SAX ,

A PHONE IS THE PLAN , MONOPOLY CAN ,

MAKE YOU STAND , ARE YOU THE WINNER?? ,

OF HUMANITY , THE CREATION OF LIFE ,

A FREE CIVIL RIGHT , NEEDS A FLAG I LIKE ,

SO IF YOUR BUYING A HOME?? , LISTENING TO PEACE ,

FROM THE NEXT DOOR PHONE?? ,

RUNNING TO SPEAK , REFILL MY DRINK ,

POWER IS INK , WINK THEN BLINK ,

BUT VOTE WITH INK , AND THINK ,

OIL FLOWS , LIKE WATER FROM THE SINK ,

NATURALLY , YOU WOULD THINK ,

TO LIVE OFF THE LAND , NATURALLY ,

IS STILLTHE PLAN , HAPPLY FREE ,

IF YOU ASK ME , LOWERING THE GAS PRICE ,

WONT BAIL YOU OUT , 2 DOLLAR GRAPE FRUIT ,

SAYS VOTE THEM OUT , WITH OUT A DOUT ,

YOU DESERVE , A NEW HOLIDAY ,

LEFT FROM RESERVE , OF TIME IN A WAY ,

IF YOU HAVE TIME TODAY , SIT ON BACK ,

AND RELAX OK , WHAT YOU SEE ,

IS PRESENTLY , THE FUTURE SEE?? ,

PAST , PRESENT , THEN FUTURE SEE?? ,

PAST WOULD BE , BEHIND THIS WORD ,

PERSENT IS SEEN  , AS YOU READ THIS WORD ,

FUTURE IS , THE NEXT WORD HEARD  ,

PLUMBERS SEE?? , GET SOME REST ,

WHEN THE EARTH MOVES AGAIN , THANK ME I GUESS ,

SOMEBODY , HAS TO FREE YOU WEST ,

SMILE SEE , I JUST CANT SEE ,

NOBODY , BUT FREEDOMFREE ,

TO FREE YOU FREE , NATURALLY ,

DO YOU NEED HELP , UPKEEPING YOUR HOME?? ,

THE FEE KEEPING YOU , ON THE PHONE?? ,

ITS TIME TO COME HOME , IF YOUR ALONE ,

MY DEAREST MEMORIES , ARE SING -A- LONGS ,

BY THE WAY , NICE WEATHER ,

TO RUN TODAY , WALKING OK ,

IM BACK AGAIN , ASK YOUR FRIEND ,

ABOUT THE PEN , IF THEY SAY ,

WHAT PEN , PULL OUT YOURS ,

THEN GIVE THE PEN ,TO YOUR FRIEND ,

TO PRACTICE TO WIN , EVERY VOTE AGAIN ,

HAVE A HEART , GIVE BACK ,

THE PART THAT STARTS , A NEW BEGINING ,

THAT MAKES NEW ART , COPPER IS GOLD ,

IT FREEZES BEHOLD , YOUR WATERS ON HOLD ,

REMOVING MOLD?? , WELL FREEDOMFREE ,

CANT BE SOLD , MIGHT A FACT ,

ILL BE RIGHT BACK , GIVING BACK ,

WHAT REALLY LACKS , IS THE MIRACLE SAX ,

A PHONE IS THE PLAN , MONOPOLY CAN ,

MAKE YOU STAND , ARE YOU THE WINNER?? ,

OF HUMANITY , THE CREATION OF LIFE ,

A FREE CIVIL RIGHT , NEEDS A FLAG I LIKE ,

SO IF YOUR BUYING A HOME?? , LISTENING TO PEACE ,

FROM THE NEXT DOOR PHONE?? ,

RUNNING TO SPEAK , REFILL MY DRINK ,

POWER IS INK , WINK THEN BLINK ,

BUT VOTE WITH INK , AND THINK ,

OIL FLOWS , LIKE WATER FROM THE SINK ,

NATURALLY , YOU WOULD THINK ,

TO LIVE OFF THE LAND , NATURALLY ,

IS STILLTHE PLAN , HAPPLY FREE ,

IF YOU ASK ME , LOWERING THE GAS PRICE ,

WONT BAIL YOU OUT , 2 DOLLAR GRAPE FRUIT ,

SAYS VOTE THEM OUT , WITH OUT A DOUT ,

YOU DESERVE , A NEW HOLIDAY ,

LEFT FROM RESERVE , OF TIME IN A WAY ,

IF YOU HAVE TIME TODAY , SIT ON BACK ,

AND RELAX OK , WHAT YOU SEE ,

IS PRESENTLY , THE FUTURE SEE?? ,

PAST , PRESENT , THEN FUTURE SEE?? ,

PAST WOULD BE , BEHIND THIS WORD ,

PERSENT IS SEEN  , AS YOU READ THIS WORD ,

FUTURE IS , THE NEXT WORD HEARD  ,

PLUMBERS SEE?? , GET SOME REST ,

WHEN THE EARTH MOVES AGAIN , THANK ME I GUESS ,

SOMEBODY , HAS TO FREE YOU WEST ,

SMILE SEE , I JUST CANT SEE ,

NOBODY , BUT FREEDOMFREE ,

TO FREE YOU FREE , NATURALLY ,

DO YOU NEED HELP , UPKEEPING YOUR HOME?? ,

THE FEE KEEPING YOU , ON THE PHONE?? ,

ITS TIME TO COME HOME , IF YOUR ALONE ,

MY DEAREST MEMORIES , ARE SING -A- LONGS ,

BY THE WAY , NICE WEATHER ,

TO RUN TODAY , WALKING OK ,

I am getting concerned about this transition to be made.  So far I got the converter box and a special antenna, neither are working, I can't get hardly any channels....ch 4 barely, and pbs.  I think this is starting to look like us americans are starting to have to pay for our TV.  We have had free tv for ages and now we are having to pay for expensive equipment in order to get tv....they claim free, but at what cost?  Does any one else feel the same way, or am I an out cast?

I did not know that I could blog here as I signed up in the Detroit Community, under Thus speaks the child but here I am and so I'll continue.

A few days ago, I excitedly went to a friend's office to exclaim breathlessly, that the news said we had to have a 700 Billion dollar bailout by Friday of there would be dire consequences for the community.  In her wisdom she calmly advised me to take a deep breath and settle down a little.  I did and we discussed for a moment what had happened and the result was that there was no need for us to panic, and to wait and hope that the Congress would study the need for the impending bailout.

The Republican Congressmen did that and considered among other items of interest:
1.Over and above the 700 billion dollars, earmarks totaling several billions more had been tacked on to the bill.
2.Barny Frank, a Democrat, has been the head of a committee to oversee the Fanny Mae and its companion loan organizations for over three years, and among those warning of a disaster in these organizations was Senator McCain at least two years ago.
3. That there might be different ways of saving the economy besides a direct payment of cash to be determined after careful study of what led up to the crises in the first place.
4. That a panic driven bailout could lead to worse conditions down the road if the basic flaws in the system were not fixed at this time also

Now, I think that we should all consider exactly what has gone down the path of ruin to lead us to the present crises and consider both the Democratic Side and the Republican Side of the story.  We should, then, seek documented facts and not just some person's opinion, for there are many opinions but only one set of facts.  For those who are interested in such things, There is the United States Congressional Record for one example. 

Finally I would urge you to contact your Legislators should you find you have addressable concerns.

     I was certified as a teacher in Washington State in December of 2000, following my assignment as a student teacher in one of the middle schools in the Central Valley district in Spokane.  I began teaching as a guest  teacher(substitute) within District 81 in February of 2001.  I taught in this capacity until June of 2001 when the school year ended.  During the summer of 2001, I secured a position with a private school, at the time called Glacier Mountain Educational Services, located in Cocolala Idaho.  After spending approximately a month as the sole teacher at the school, it was brought to my attention that a student had reported being sexually assaulted.  The alleged assault had been perpetrated by another student and had occured on several occasions.  In addition to this, I was informed that the school had no intention of reporting the incidents and that staff had been instructed not to tell me what had happened.  My being a certificated teacher required me per federal reporting mandate to contact the authorites and report the incident.  Approximately ten days after my reporting the assault, I was contacted by the director of the private school and terminated from my position.  I at this time returned to working as a guest teacher at district 81 in Spokane Washington.  I was not aware at the time that this was going to follow me, had I known, I would likely had taken more decisive action and possibly avoided what has transpired since that time.  Following my returning to teaching in district 81, I recieved a letter from the district in the spring of 2002 informing me that I was being released from any further assignments within the district.  I contacted the assistant superintendant of human resources Barb Wright in an attempt to ascertain why I was being released.  I was informed by Barb Wright that since I had been terminated by a school district that I would no longer be utilized by district 81 and that I would never get a full time teaching contract with the district.  I attempted to explain that first of all, I had not been working for a school district and secondly that it was an illegal termination stemming from my blowing the whistle on the school.  Barb Wright's response what that "it doesn't matter".  At this point I began a personal campaign in an attempt to clear my name and enable myself to return to teaching in the local district.  During the following year, I taught at numerous districts surrounding Spokane and at the same time tried in vain to obtain some form of closure to this issue.  In the spring of 2003, I contacted the District 81 school board and requested that they become involved.  I was subsequently contacted by Superintendant Dr. Brian Benzel, and after a brief conversation was told by him that I needed to confrim my story.  I contacted the county prosecuters office in the county where the alleged assault had occured and requested assistance.  This seemed to be what was needed, for within a few days I received a letter from school district 81 "welcoming me back",   I re-registered with the district and completed the 2003 school year as a guest teacher for the district.  Following the summer I again taught for the district until November of 2003.  At this time having experienced substantial economic issues, in part if not largely due to being blackballed by the district I started a business locally and attempted to rebuild my financial situation to an operable level.  It is important to note at this point that in February of 2003, the state office of professional practices issued a stayed order of suspension on my teaching credentials.  I contacted this office and was told that due to my falling behind on my child support, the order had been issued.  The representative explained that because this was a stayed order of suspension, that I would still be able to teach but that it was essential that I became current with the office of support enforcement. At this point being able to teach in the local district again, I easily caught up on my support and the stayed order of suspension was rescinded in august of 2003.  Following this I taught for school district 81 as before mentioned during the school 2003 school year up until November of that year.  I also taught for the district during the 2005 school year, and again during the 2006 school year. All told between the time when the stayed order of suspension was issued and June of 2006 I taught for spokane school district 81 on approximately 124 seperate occasions.  I would like to add that during this time, I experienced zero problems with any of the schools that I taught in and likewise zero problems with any students.  In fact, on many occasions I was specificly requested by numerous teachers and on several occasions by the schools to come and serve as a guest teacher. In the fall of 2007, after having renewed my teaching certificate, which had expired during the summer of 2006, I reapplied to again work as a guest teacher for Spokane school district 81. I have been told by the district now that due to my teaching certificate being suspended, I will no longer be allowed to serve as a guest teacher in this district.

  This pretty well lays down my dilemma from start to finish concerning dealings with the local school district, I just had to rant.  Currently I am standing picket in downtown Spokane, I rotate between the front of the school distict building and the corner of Spokane Falls Blvd and Browne street. Please feel free to wave or stop and say hi if you see me.  Any support will be appreciated from fellow members of our community. My apologies for the length of this blog, and I thank any of you that have actually read the entire story.

 

EPA on HOW TO CLEAN UP A NEW LIGHTBULB.

Humans use mercury in a variety of manufacturing processes and products such as thermometers and fluorescent bulbs. If you improperly dispose of products with mercury in them, they may break and release mercury vapors which are harmful to human and ecological health.

• Dispose of used mercury-containing items properly.
• Clean up mercury spills properly and report them to the proper authorities when necessary.

---

Spills What Never to Do with a Mercury Spill

• Never use a vacuum cleaner to clean up mercury (but see the "What to Do if a Fluorescent Light Bulb Breaks" section below for more specific instructions about vacuuming broken fluorescent light bulbs). The vacuum will put mercury into the air and increase exposure.

• Never use a broom to clean up mercury. It will break the mercury into smaller droplets and spread them.

• Never pour mercury down a drain. It may lodge in the plumbing and cause future problems during plumbing repairs. If discharged, it can cause pollution of the septic tank or sewage treatment plant.

• Never wash clothing or other items that have come in direct contact with mercury in a washing machine, because mercury may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage. Clothing that has come into direct contact with mercury should be discarded. By "direct contact," we mean that mercury was (or has been) spilled directly on the clothing. For example:
  • if you broke a mercury thermometer and some of elemental mercury beads came in contact with your clothing, or
  • if you broke a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) so that broken glass and other material from the bulb, including mercury-containing powder, came into contact with your clothing.

  You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, like the clothing you happened to be wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from the broken bulb.

• Never walk around if your shoes might be contaminated with mercury. Contaminated clothing can also spread mercury around.

Top of page

What to Do if a Fluorescent Light Bulb Breaks

Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are lighting more homes than ever before, and EPA is encouraging Americans to use and recycle them safely. Carefully recycling CFLs prevents the release of mercury into the environment and allows for the reuse of glass, metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights.

EPA is continually reviewing its clean-up and disposal recommendations for CFLs to ensure that the Agency presents the most up-to-date information for consumers and businesses. Maine's Department of Environmental Protection released a CFL breakage study report on February 25, 2008. EPA has conducted an initial review of this study and, as a result of this review, we have updated the CFL cleanup instructions below.

Pending the completion of a full review of the Maine study, EPA will determine whether additional changes to the cleanup recommendations are warranted. The agency plans to conduct its own study on CFLs after thorough review of the Maine study.

Fluorescent light bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. EPA recommends the following clean-up and disposal below. Please also read the information on this page about what never to do with a mercury spill. Before Clean-up: Air Out the Room

• Have people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through the breakage area on their way out.
• Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
• Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.

Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces

• Carefully scoop up glass pieces and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
• Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
• Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.
• Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug

• Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
• Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
• If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
• Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.

Clean-up Steps for Clothing, Bedding and Other Soft Materials

• If clothing or bedding materials come in direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from inside the bulb that may stick to the fabric, the clothing or bedding should be thrown away. Do not wash such clothing or bedding because mercury fragments in the clothing may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage.
• You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, such as the clothing you are wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from the broken bulb.
• If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from the bulb, wipe them off with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels or wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal.

Disposal of Clean-up Materials

• Immediately place all clean-up materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pickup.
• Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.
• Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states do not allow such trash disposal. Instead, they require that broken and unbroken mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local recycling center.

Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Air Out the Room During and After Vacuuming

• The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window before vacuuming.
• Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

• Have everyone else leave the area; don't let anyone walk through the mercury on their way out. Make sure all pets are removed from the area. Open all windows and doors to the outside; shut all doors to other parts of the house.

• DO NOT allow children to help you clean up the spill.

• Mercury can be cleaned up easily from the following surfaces: wood, linoleum, tile and any similarly smooth surfaces.

• If a spill occurs on carpet, curtains, upholstery or other absorbent surfaces, these contaminated items should be thrown away in accordance with the disposal means outlined below. Only cut and remove the affected portion of the contaminated carpet for disposal.

• Cleanup Instructions

  1. Put on rubber, nitrile or latex gloves.

  2. If there are any broken pieces of glass or sharp objects, pick them up with care. Place all broken objects on a paper towel. Fold the paper towel and place in a zip lock bag. Secure the bag and label it as directed by your local health or fire department.

  3. Locate visible mercury beads. Use a squeegee or cardboard to gather mercury beads. Use slow sweeping motions to keep mercury from becoming uncontrollable. Take a flashlight, hold it at a low angle close to the floor in a darkened room and look for additional glistening beads of mercury that may be sticking to the surface or in small cracked areas of the surface. Note: Mercury can move surprising distances on hard-flat surfaces, so be sure to inspect the entire room when "searching."

  4. Use the eyedropper to collect or draw up the mercury beads. Slowly and carefully squeeze mercury onto a damp paper towel. Place the paper towel in a zip lock bag and secure. Make sure to label the bag as directed by your local health or fire department.

  5. After you remove larger beads, put shaving cream on top of small paint brush and gently "dot" the affected area to pick up smaller hard-to-see beads. Alternatively, use duct tape to collect smaller hard-to-see beads. Place the paint brush or duct tape in a zip lock bag and secure. Make sure to label the bag as directed by your local health or fire department.

  6. OPTIONAL STEP: It is OPTIONAL to use commercially available powdered sulfur to absorb the beads that are too small to see. The sulfur does two things: (1) it makes the mercury easier to see since there may be a color change from yellow to brown and (2) it binds the mercury so that it can be easily removed and suppresses the vapor of any missing mercury. Where to get commercialized sulfur? It may be supplied as mercury vapor absorbent in mercury spill kits, which can be purchased from laboratory, chemical supply and hazardous materials response supply manufacturers. Note: Powdered sulfur may stain fabrics a dark color. When using powdered sulfur, do not breathe in the powder as it can be moderately toxic. Additionally, users should read and understand product information before use.

  7. If you choose not to use this option, you may want to request the services of a contractor who has monitoring equipment to screen for mercury vapors. Consult your local environmental or health agency to inquire about contractors in your area. Place all materials used with the cleanup, including gloves, in a trash bag. Place all mercury beads and objects into the trash bag. Secure trash bag and label it as directed by your local health or fire department.

  8. Contact your local health department, municipal waste authority or your local fire department for proper disposal in accordance with local, state and federal laws.

  9. Remember to keep the area well ventilated to the outside (i.e., windows open and fans in exterior windows running) for at least 24 hours after your successful cleanup. Continue to keep pets and children out of cleanup area. If sickness occurs, seek medical attention immediately. View information on health effects related to exposures to vapors from metallic mercury. For additional information on health effects, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) provides a Mercury Fact Sheet that also presents information on health effects related to exposures to vapors from metallic mercury.

  Recommendation: If there are young children or pregnant women in the house, seek additional advice from your local or state health or state environmental agency.

  Top of page

  Spills of More than the Amount in a Thermometer, but Less Than or Similar to Two Tablespoons (One Pound) Cleanup Instructions

  1. Have everyone else leave the area; don't let anyone walk through the mercury on their way out.
  2. Open all windows and doors to the outside.
  3. Turn down the temperature.
  4. Shut all doors to other parts of the house, and leave the area.
  Don't vacuum.
  5. Call your local or state health or environmental agency.

  Top of page

  Spills of More than Two Tablespoons (One Pound)

  Any time one pound or more of mercury is released to the environment, it is mandatory to call the National Response Center (NRC). The NRC hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call (800) 424-8802. Note that because mercury is heavy, only two tablespoons of mercury weigh about one pound.

• HOW IS THIS BETTER????   ANYONE?

• www.poedpatriot.blogspot.com

• spo

Senator Obama wants to talk about illegal immigration, which at least shows he is not shying away from this explosive subject. McCain plays around the issue and Madam Clinton says little or nothing at all? Yet, with both Obama and Hillary, you really do know where the 80 percent of the American people stand. Whoever takes Bush's place will push for an AMNESTY.  But they realize that it is going to be a behemoth of a battle royal, because THE PEOPLE are learning the consequences of such a decision?

America was promised in 1986, that after the Simpson/ Mazzoli bill was passed, that AMNESTY would never appear for a vote in Congress. Senator Ted Kennedy gave his word, but as you know this March without sources within the Capitol. Taxpayers would have found themselves drowning in more taxes, to support the hundreds of thousands of predator business who believe their above the law.

McCain has given a commitment to 'secure the borders' but can the man and women in the street trust him. He stood beside a delegation of Democrats and some Republicans, including Ted Kennedy, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, to shove another AMNESTY down the taxpayers throat. Of late the same commitment was moved towards the floor of the house, but there was such a public uproar, that Senator Harry Reid removed the disturbing addendum. It had been added, quite unnoticed if not , secretively into the Iraq War appropriation funding bill.  The question to answer is, how can such a piece of federal legislation as this get past any scrutiny? The fact is---a unknown quantity of documentation never gets read. For instance the Comprehensive Immigration law, that was luckily demolished in the March, could have been  catastrophic for our taxes.

It will be a war that citizens and legal residents will have to wage, whoever first steps into the Oval office.  But as more of the population become to understand that their cannot be any compromise? No options and certainly no exceptions to the 'Rule of Law'  The magnet is of course jobs. Americans however are being skewered daily by the business world. For about forty years since the inception of the 1986 AMNESTY, predator employers have enjoyed unceasing profits on the backs of illegal immigrants. Farmers have had a furiousness appetite for cheap labor. Never once thinking of the implications to decades of middle class taxpayers, who unknowingly paid for the support of low income labor.

This quote informs of programs that illegal aliens can access.

About 30 percent of all immigrants in the U.S. work force in 2005 lacked a high school education, which is four times the rate for native-born Americans. Among the largest group of working-age immigrants, the Mexicans, 62 percent have less than a high-school education, which means they work low-wage jobs. Nearly half of immigrant households, 45 percent, are in or near poverty compared with 29 percent of native-headed households. Among Mexicans living in the United States, nearly two-thirds live in or near the government's definition of poverty.

Costly social benefits provided to the working poor include Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (now called TANF, formerly AFDC), food stamps, school lunches, Medicaid, WIC (nutrition for Women, Infants and Children), public housing and Supplemental Security Income.

The Earned Income Tax Credit is one of the most expensive parts of income redistribution. Twice as many immigrant households (30 percent) qualify for this cash handout as native-headed households (15 percent).

Health care is another huge cost. Nearly half of immigrants are either uninsured or on Medicaid, which is nearly double the rate for native-born families. Federal law requires hospitals to treat all comers to emergency rooms, even if uninsured and unable to pay.

Hospitals try to shift the costs onto their paying patients, and when the hospitals exhaust their ability to do this, they close their doors. In Los Angeles, 60 hospitals have closed their emergency rooms over the past decade, which imposes another kind of cost.

Immigration accounts for nearly all the growth in elementary and secondary school enrollment over the past generation. The children of immigrants now comprise 19 percent of the school-age population and 21 percent of the preschool population.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.vi
ew&pageId=65014

If you are pro-illegal immigrant consider this? The taxpayers are the ones who bare this massive burden and yet many have no health care for themselves. Even those who do, can find themselves in bankruptcy court and possibly find a lien on their homes, while illegal alien walk off completely free of any bill. The most outrageous thing about this issue, the parasite business pays absolutely nothing towards the hospital care.

A fact that has not likely to be broad casted yet, by the suppressed media. Arizona had been an carrying an illegal immigration impediment as a border state for decades. It has been heavily infested by the occupation and it's safety-net resources for citizens was being depleted. There is a different situation today as under the enactment of employer sanctions laws and questioning of people by the Arizona police departments. In quick succession hundreds perhaps thousands of illegal alien families are leaving. With our country heading or already in recession the jobs are not there anymore. Certainly not for illegal foreign nationals, when legal people are unemployed. These people decided that packing their belongings and heading for California, Utah or Texas or other states, may be their best option.

California still accepting illegal aliens and there extended families was still an open door, with 'Special order 40' a police policy that allowed no questioning by police when an individual committed or was suspect in a crime. Special Order 40 deterrent has come under close scrutiny, by law abiding citizens. The violent death of Jamiel Shaw at the hands of a Los Angeles gang member, without any motive has activated a kind of mini revolution, to rescind this dangerous law. It has brought the growth of gangs throughout the city, and it's spread to the suburbs. When police have been unable to ask individuals their immigration status, after being released from jail, they have been able to return to their unholy abode. thousands of innocent ghost haunt the streets of the city, where they had been murdered for just being in that place. Other than well lit city centers people do not venture out after nightfall. LA has become a hub for gangs of human garbage, that has stolen into America.

Los Angeles county has pandered to illegal immigration, the same as San Francisco. It is been overrun by people that have taken advantage of our health, education and other citizen programs.  Where do you think the illegal immigrants are fleeing to, that have left Arizona? On the other hand, with the new predator employment sanction laws being enforced, enforced Arizona is finding a most agreeable resurrection from the pestilence that had fed of the social welfare programs. The state has watched in amazement as highways have become less congested, the emergency rooms not crowded with foreign nationals getting free health care and the schools occupants have suddenly thinned out, and children getting more attention. These are just a few of the economic upturns, since illegal families started fleeing. Who knows their destination California or may be...Utah? Other state are already following Arizona sudden rebound, including Georgia, Oklahoma, Missouri and Rhode Island. If you like the designation of a 'Sanctuary city' or sanctuary state, keep pandering to the special interest lobby. Read about Arizona's sudden turn-around at ( (http://mensnewsdaily.com/2008/05/15/striking-chan
ges-in-arizona-as-illegal-immigrants-flee-the-state/#co
mment-62672 )  More intelligence for you to absorb.  (http://www.newswithviews.com/Stuter/stuter125.htm
) Se unsuppressed details at NUMBERSUSA.

In conclusion, the individuals are upset that people like me supposedly use Illegal aliens as scrap goats, when the real culprits are the employers. That all these people want to do is make a better life from their family. However, I don't want my daughters children, having to cover the costs of the needs of illegal aliens. Here are a few adverse issues, that all of us must contend with,  Overpopulation, congestion, urban sprawl, pollution, environmental damage, crime, diminishing resources, Diseases, lack of affordable housing, depressed wages, underground economic, fraudulent documents, identity theft, tax evasion, soaring crime rate, increased tax burdens, overcrowded schools, uneducated children, overcrowded prisons, inadequate health care, the balkanization of our communities and a large and growing population with loyalty to other Nations. Just read this disturbing revelation of costs, that our government skims from our paycheck to pay an illegals . (www.eagleforum.org/sources)
Right now the argument is is the (new estimate) 38 million illegal families, good for the economy? That question should be answered by employment sanctions and cutting off benefits from the illegal immigrant occupation of our nation?
Already a new AMNESTY is in the works by tainted Democrats. You must ask yourself, do we want to keep supporting predator employers? They are not satisfied with the agreements for guest workers now, they want to bring in even more--poor and illiterate. Nor are they taking just low paying jobs, so you might ask the Casino industry.
If you want 'NO OPTION enforcement, we need to Democrats to sponsor the Federal Save ACT (H.R.4088) law.

How is it that big companies can put false info, on a DAC report & get a way with it, Iwas working for a company & I gave my two weeks & they pulled my base plate & then giving false info, out is this right becaue a person gets mad to do this.

I am trying to get our voices heard from across the world about how peopl can turn in their grand kids to cps and then in turn get to spend all the holidays and birthdays when the mother that didn't turn them in don't get to see tem at all now they have nothing on the mother except something that happened when she was 14 yrs. old a long time b4 she even thought about having kids and cps is making her life hellwe live in ephrata washinton and the drake boys are insalem,or. and they won't even do interstte they (cps) say that they can't do interstaat all well we are hear and are forc ed now to let everyone know about CPS if any wants to know more about cps they can look up WWW.FIGHTCPS.COM and it will show that they have bountys a children if u want to talk with me or the mother in person or on camera heres our email addresses and a number u can reach us but we check our mail daily ok thank you? stewartfan4_life@yahoo.com jeremyray28@yahoo.com we also have myspaces as well so please feel free to contact us asap cause we will be trying the talk shows as well as t.v. ok

Still searching for the one gal who needs her oil checked occasionally on long drives from Sandpoint late thanksgiving evenings... Until I met her her again, if she is out there, she should most definitely consider geology as a steady source of entertainment.

I know there is no such thing as the perfect news product but I have to say how much I enjoy watching FOX First at Ten.  The anchors and reporters seem like real people.  I can get all the local news and weather information that I need in addition to some laughs and entertainment.  It's refreshing to have a news product that doesn't take itself too seriously and allows people to relate.  Thank you FOX 28!

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