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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The story of Rick and Dick Hoyt - Team Hoyt



The Early Years
Rick was born in 1962 to Dick and Judy Hoyt. As a result of oxygen deprivation to Rick's brain at the time of his birth, Rick was diagnosed as a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. Dick and Judy were advised to institutionalize Rick because there was no chance of him recovering, and little hope for Rick to live a "normal" life. This was just the beginning of Dick and Judy's quest for Rick's inclusion in community, sports, education and one day, the workplace.

Dick and Judy soon realized that though Rick couldn't walk or speak; he was quite astute and his eyes would follow them around the room. They fought to integrate Rick into the public school system, pushing administrators to see beyond Rick's physical limitations. Dick and Judy would take Rick sledding and swimming, and even taught him the alphabet and basic words, like any other child. After providing concrete evidence of Rick's intellect and ability to learn like everyone else, Dick and Judy needed to find a way to help Rick communicate for himself. More...

With $5,000 in 1972 and a skilled group of engineers at Tufts University, an interactive computer was built for Rick. This computer consisted of a cursor being used to highlight every letter of the alphabet. Once the letter Rick wanted was highlighted, he was able to select it by just a simple tap with his head against a head piece attached to his wheelchair. When the computer was originally first brought home, Rick surprised everyone with his first words. Instead of saying, "Hi, Mom," or "Hi, Dad," Rick's first "spoken" words were: "Go, Bruins!" The Boston Bruins were in the Stanley Cup finals that season. It was clear from that moment on, that Rick loved sports and followed the game just like anyone else.

In 1975, at the age of 13, Rick was finally admitted into public school. After high school, Rick attended Boston University, and he graduated with a degree in Special Education in 1993. Dick retired in 1995 as a Lt. Colonel from the Air National Guard, after serving his country for 37 years.

The Beginning of Team Hoyt
In the spring of 1977, Rick told his father that he wanted to participate in a 5-mile benefit run for a Lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident. Far from being a long-distance runner, Dick agreed to push Rick in his wheelchair and they finished all 5 miles, coming in next to last. That night, Rick told his father, "Dad, when I'm running, it feels like I'm not handicapped."

This realization was just the beginning of what would become over 1,000 races completed, including marathons, duathlons and triathlons (6 of them being Ironman competitions). Also adding to their list of achievements, Dick and Rick biked and ran across the U.S. in 1992, completing a full 3,735 miles in 45 days.

learn more about this inspirational father and son: Team Hoyt

Monday, February 21, 2011

CAIR CONFRONTS ALLEN WEST ~ COL WEST WINS HANDS DOWN!



FOR PRESIDENT 

2012

PLEASE GO TO HIS FACEBOOK PAGE AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS AMAZING PATRIOT!

  



THIS WILL BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE~

5TH GRADE KIDS GET PRO UNION HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT IN PENNSYLVANIA

  

5th Grade Kids Get Pro Union Homework Assignment



PHILADELPHIA - Students at a Philadelphia-area elementary school get a homework assignment about how much their teachers are underpaid, to the chagrin of school officials.

The Pennsbury school district in Bucks County has been in the middle of a bitter contract battle with teachers since June 2010.

And the presence of a pro-union assignment handed out to the fifth graders isn't going over well.

Recently, fifth graders at the Penn Valley Elementary School received a whole-story comprehension exercise.
The reading exercise tells the story of a fictional eight-grade student in Michigan who is "upset over the way our teachers are being treated."

"We don't pay teachers enough for the very important job they are doing... Do school boards across the U.S. honestly believe they will be able to lure one million of the best minds if they are offering meager salaries that are in decline?" says the reading assignment.

"What is the solution? It's simple: raise the salaries of teachers," the fictional student says.

One of the questions for the assignment asks students to identify the initials for the National Education Association, the teachers' union.

Other questions in the exercise included "teachers should be treated like professionals" and "low salary for educators is a problem."

Pennsbury school board members said the assignemnt was handed out to two fifth grade classes at the Penn Valley Elementary school in Levittown.

In the assignment, the student says teachers make $29,000 a year. The average teacher in Pennsbury makes $83,000.

In just the past few weeks, the teachers union has been ramping up with a new "Let's Talk" campaign to get negotiators back to the table.

The school board says the teachers simply don't get the economic realities of these tough times.

The union contract expired in June 2010, and both sides have created extensive Web sites to get their messaging out.

In a statement, the school district says, while teachers are given latitude, to add things to the curriculum, "they are expected to use good professional judgment when selecting those materials. The administration is investigating the situation and will arrive at a determination and take appropriate action, as warranted."

It is important to point on the assignment came from an official education company, as part of teacher-created materials published in Time for Kids magazine about five years ago.


Source: MyFoxPhilly

By the way, check out how this school is rated, I'll give you a hint, it's not at the top:
Great School Ratings


Please contact the School board President as well as the principal of the school to voice your anger over this propaganda being forced as homework on our children.  

Any teacher pushing this garbage needs to be fired.

Principal: Elaine Novet   
(215) 949-6800

 Ann Langry
Communications Office
215-428-4178

Gene Dolnick, President 
Pennsbury School District
134 Yardley Avenue, PO Box 338
Fallsington, Pennsylvania 19058
Telephone: 215-428-4100

 gdolnick@pennsbury.k12.pa.us


USA Gun Owners Buy 14 Million Plus Guns In 2009 – More Than 21 of the Worlds Standing Armies Combined!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Washington, DC --(AmmoLand.com)- Data released by the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) for the year reported 14,033,824 NICS Checks for the year of 2009, a 10 percent increase in gun purchases from the 12,709,023 reported in 2008.

So far that is roughly 14,000,000+ guns bought last year!
The total is probably more as many NICS background checks cover the purchase of more than one gun at a time by individuals.
To put it in perspective that is more guns than the combined active armies of the top 21 countries in the world. countries by number of troops
Of the NICS background checks preformed less than and average .005% were denied, showing, overwhelmingly, that law abiding American citizens are the ones buying guns and that criminals are getting their guns elsewhere.

14,033,824,000 billions rounds of Ammo
Assuming each gun buyer bought 1000 rounds of ammo for each purchase, and you and I know that it is way, way more than that, that would be easily 14,033,824,000+ billions rounds of ammo fired by USA gun owners.

What percent of people were killed or injured by this ammo…it is just to infinitesimally small for me to calculate?

Crime At Record Lows
This record year in firearms background checks show that Americans are solidly in-favor of exercising their civil right to Keep and Bear Arms.

In a year were crime has reached an all time record low what is plainly clear is that more guns equal LESS CRIME!

Countries By Number Of Troops: Source Wikipedia
People’s Republic of China 2,255,000
United States 1,473,900
India 1,414,000
North Korea 1,106,000
Russia 1,037,000
Pakistan 619,000
South Korea 687,000
Iran 545,000
Turkey 514,850
Vietnam 484,000
Egypt 450,000
Myanmar 428,250
Indonesia 400,000
Brazil 369,000
Thailand 306,600
Syria 296,000
Republic of China 290,000
Colombia 285,554
Germany 284,500
Iraq 273,618
Sri Lanka 266,700

13,785,972
People’s Republic of China 2,255,000
United States 1,473,900
India 1,414,000
North Korea 1,106,000
Russia 1,037,000
Pakistan 619,000
South Korea 687,000
Iran 545,000
Turkey 514,850
Vietnam 484,000
Egypt 450,000
Myanmar 428,250
Indonesia 400,000
Brazil 369,000
Thailand 306,600
Syria 296,000
Republic of China 290,000
Colombia 285,554
Germany 284,500
Iraq 273,618
Sri Lanka 266,700

This is an evaluation of overall firearms and ammunition purchases based on low end numbers per Federal NIC instacheck data base Statistics. The numbers presented are only PART of the overall numbers of arms and ammunition that have been sold.

The actual numbers are much higher.


Source: Ammoland.com

The Hyphen - By John Wayne

The Hyphen~By John Wayne



The Hyphen, Webster's Dictionary defines,
Is a symbol used to divide a compound word or a single word.
So it seems to me that when a man calls himself
An "Afro-American," a "Mexican-American,
"Italian-American,"
An "Irish-American," "Jewish-American,"
What he's sayin' is, "I'm a divided American."

Well, we all came from other places,

Different creeds and different races,
To form a nation...to become as one.
Yet look at the harm a line has done--
A simple little line, and yet
As divisive as a line can get.
A crooked cross the Nazis flew,
And the Russian hammer and sickle too--
Time bombs in the lives of Man;
But none of these could ever fan
The flames of hatred faster than
The Hyphen.

The Russian hammer built a wall

That locks men's hearts from freedom's call.
A crooked cross flew overhead
Above twenty million tragic dead--
Among them men from this great nation,
Who died for freedom's preservation.
A hyphen is a line that's small;
It can be a bridge or be a wall.
A bridge can save you lots of time;
A wall you always have to climb.
The road to liberty lies true.
The Hyphen's use is up to you.

Used as a bridge, it can span

All the differences of Man.
Being free in mind and soul
Should be our most important goal.
If you use The Hyphen as a wall,
You'll make your life mean...and small.
An American is a special breed,
Whose people came to her in need.
They came to her that they might find
A world where they'd have peace of mind,
Where men are equal...and something more--
Stand taller than they stood before.

So you be wise in your decision,

And that little line won't cause division.
Let's join hands with one another...
For in this land, each man's your brother.
United we stand...divided we fall.
We're Americans...and that says it all.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

1981 Reagan Fires Air Traffic Controllers For Illegally Striking

A Message To Governor Walker~Fire The Teacher's That Participated In The Illegal Strikes!

 
1981 Reagan Fires Air Traffic Controllers For Illegally Striking:


What do you think? 
Should Gov. Walker fire the teachers refusing to return to work? Please vote in our poll and by all means "Share" this link and have your friends to vote too.
Vote HERE
Courtesty of ReFounders  


*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
 Rhetoric vs. Reality: Liberal Protest of Gov. Walker's Budget Repair Plan



The Republican Party of Wisconsin has produced a striking web video highlighting the angry rhetoric coming from the pro-union protesters in Madison.

Among the signs that the video highlights are ones comparing Scott Walker, the state’s Republican governor, to Adolf Hitler and Hosni Mubarak, the recently deposed Egyptian president.

“Scott Walker = Adolf Hitler. Don’t let history repeat itself!” one sign reads. Another says “Midwest Mussolini.” A third accuses Mr. Walker of “raping” public union workers and says, “Rape is never a good solution.”

The web video contrasts the angry rhetoric with accusations from Democratic leaders and liberal activists that conservatives used inappropriate language during the debate over health care.

“Imagine just a few years ago had somebody walked around with images of Hitler,” says Robert Gibbs, the former White House press secretary. His comments are followed by images of Hitler being carried around by union protesters in Wisconsin.

Eugene Robinson, a liberal columnist for the Washington Post, is shown saying that “Violent political rhetoric and the threat of political violence in this country comes almost exclusively from the right.”

That is followed by a sign from the Wisconsin rallies showing Mr. Walker’s picture with a gunsight crosshair over it and the words: “Don’t retreat. Reload. Repeal Walker.”

Bill Maher, the liberal comedian, is shown telling host Jay Leno that “the right wing loves, the go-to rhetoric for them is ‘wouldn’t it be fun to kill the people we disagree with.’ Left wingers don’t talk that way.”

That is followed by signs that say “Death to Tyrants” and “One Down, One to Go. Dictators” — with the pictures of Mr. Walker and Mr. Mubarak next to each other.

Source: New York Times 

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
In light of the recent shootings in Arizona and the left's attacks on Conservatives and Republicans about "hate speech", this is just more proof that the REAL hate speech that is putting people at risk is the USUAL speech from the left..the unions, left wing Democrats, President Obama, and the government owned MSM. 

How the Left and Union's Hateful rhetoric is putting Lawmakers and their families safety at risk:

Madison lawmakers threatened in unidentified Craigslist post 

January 15th, 2011 11:18 am CT

Several Madison and Wisconsin lawmakers were threatened in an unidentified post on Craigslist this week during a time which awareness of such threats is at a heightened state and lawmakers and their aides are being more vigilant and attentive to such rhetoric.  The threats come only a handful of days after U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) was critically wounded and six others were killed by suspected gunman Jared Loughner, 22, outside of a Safeway in Tucson, Arizona during a political event.


Six Republican lawmakers named in threat
Although the details of the post, including the exact wording of the threat and the source of the post, are not being shared by law enforcement officials, according to a source familiar with the investigation, the threat was credible enough to warrant demonstrating that those named in the post were taking it seriously.  

The online threat targeted six Wisconsin politicians: Gov. Scott Walker, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, Sen. Ron Johnson, Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, state Sen. Leah Vukmir, and state Sen. Alberta Darling.  All named in the threat are Republican lawmakers.


In response to the threat, Johnson released a statement that was published on The New American.


According to the statement, Johnson wrote, “The FBI, Winnebago County Sheriff's Department, Oshkosh Police Department, and United States Capitol Police are working diligently to investigate this matter. I have complete confidence that they will do their jobs to the fullest extent.”  Johnson, who defeated three-term Democratic incumbent Russ Feingold on Nov. 2 for his United States Senate seat, was heavily backed by the Tea Party movement.


Although reports of threats on politicians are unfortunately a semi-regular occurrence, this is the first time that state Sen. Darling has received such a threat in her 21-year career as a lawmaker.  Darling, who is the co-chairwoman of the powerful Joint Finance Committee, acknowledged that her security protocol is being revised in response to the threat, but that it wouldn’t deter her from doing her job the way she feels is best.  As published on JSOnline, Darling said, “I'm not going to let somebody ruin my life by fear."


National anxiety and finger pointing
Unconfirmed reports abound that the posting was made by a Democratic supporter angry at the Republican party for, as the theory goes, creating a culture of inflammatory rhetoric which led to the mass shooting in Arizona one week ago today.  Debate has been raging since the shooting on myriad topics, including the use of harsh and threatening rhetoric in the political arena, gun control, mental health interventions, and the proper way to parent troubled children.


President Barack Obama traveled to Tucson on Jan. 12 to deliver a speech at the University of Arizona (please see video) to both remember the victims of the attack and make a call for peace amongst lawmakers pointing fingers at members across both sides of the aisle.  It was hoped that Obama’s message might restore calm and prevent the flurry of accusations from lawmakers, pundits, and political analysts from reaching a fever pitch until more information is brought to light.


In response to the threat posted on Craigslist, Wisconsin State Senate Clerk Robert Marchant sent a memo to Capitol offices urging lawmakers and staff to remain vigilant and monitor online postings for threats made against them or their colleagues.  An investigation by the FBI, Capitol Police, and local law enforcement in regards to the online threat is ongoing, although sources familiar with the situation refuse to speak on record on the matter.


To read Marchant's memo, please click here.


State Sen. Vukmir acknowledged that security procedures have been enhanced since the discovery of the online threat.  As published on JSOnline, she said, “There are some things we'll be doing differently, but I'm not at liberty to say how because that would defeat the whole purpose.”  Vukmir was elected to the state Senate on Nov. 2 after having served eight years in the state Assembly.

Continue reading on Examiner.com:
~~~~~~

Randy Hopper is a state senator in Wisconsin. A Republican. He is now holed up with his colleagues — his Republican colleagues — in the capitol. The Democratic senators have apparently fled the state. Hopper says, “None of my colleagues from the minority party decided to come to work today.”

The Democrats are denying the Republicans the quorum necessary to vote on key fiscal legislation.

Hopper says, “I spent two years in the minority, and I came to work every day, even when I didn’t like the bills the majority was passing. I thought it was my job.” The Democrats, he says, “have relinquished their duties. The people sent them here to do a job, and they are refusing to do it. They’re in hiding. They ought to be ashamed of themselves.”

Hopper has received threatening phone calls and e-mails. These are threats of a physical nature. “We are working with law enforcement in my district. They are watching my home and my business.” Other Republicans have had their homes and businesses threatened, too. The unionists have demonstrated outside those homes and businesses.

A menacing old phrase comes to mind (and has been used by others, in talking about events in Wisconsin): We know where you live.

Hopper says, “I’ve always said that they can threaten me all they want, but it’s not going to stop me from doing what the people elected me to do.” And he says more than once, “We’re still here.” The Republicans have not run anywhere.

They have been pushed around (literally), screamed at, etc. The capitol is surrounded. The signs carried by the protesters are “vicious,” says Hopper. There are comparisons of Gov. Scott Walker to Hitler, of course. And there are other signs “I won’t describe to you.”

Hopper says, “I can’t tell you how much respect I have for my colleagues,” operating in an extremely hostile atmosphere.

I ask whether he is going home tonight, to sleep. He says, “We’re not disclosing that. My colleagues and I are not talking about that. We’re working with law enforcement” on the matter.

But “I can tell you that I’ll be here tomorrow. We will do our jobs. I said, at the beginning of this session, that what will determine the course of events here is political courage.”

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
 The President Weighs In and the Democrat Lawmakers go underground to avoid casting a vote:



*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

Building on the momentum in Wisconsin, OFA has also started to mobilize its army of followers in Ohio and Indiana where measures similar to Gov. Walker’s are taking shape.

On Thursday, an estimated crowd of more than 1,000 descended on the Ohio statehouse in Columbus to march in favor of state workers’ collective-bargaining privileges. According to one report from the Huffington Post, organizing efforts in Ohio are “about a week behind that in Wisconsin.”

A DNC staffer told The Huffington Post that the group upped its efforts in Wisconsin after Chairman Tim Kaine spoke with local legislators last week. OFA then began organizing turnout for Thursday’s statehouse rally and running phone banks in Ohio targeting state senators, which are slated to continue next week. This weekend, organizers have set up door-to-door canvassing in key districts that they hope will likewise put pressure on swing lawmakers.

OFA National Deputy Director Jeremy Bird said volunteers first alerted the group to the contested Ohio legislation. “The energy is pretty remarkable,” he told The Huffington Post. “People started to contact us, and they’d call our office and our volunteers, and say, ‘This is a big deal. This is going to affect my family.’ … That started to really simmer earlier this week in Ohio, and it’s starting to pick up the pace.”

In Ohio, major labor unions including AFSCME and the AFL-CIO are also stepping up the pressure against Gov. John Kasich (R) and the bill’s supporters. The AFL-CIO estimated that tens of thousands of phone calls, emails and handwritten postcards have been delivered to state senators in opposition to the legislation, and a spokesman said the protests will continue in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, El Rushbo is praising Gov. Walker for standing firm in the face of powerful special interest groups looking to shut his proposal down.


Source: The Blaze
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
So where do we go from here?  

Are YOU tired of the broken education system that protects the teachers and unions at the expense of the students and taxpayers? 

~EDUCATION REFORM~

This section is dedicated to providing links concerning education/education reform.  

If you have any links you would like me to share, please leave them in the comment section.  Once I have reviewed the link, I will post if appropriate.

Fox News~The Journal Editorial Report: 02/19

Feb 19, 2011- 21:16 - 
Wisconsin standoff a preview of things to come?

Former Chancellor of the NY City Dept. of Education, Joel Klein on the broken education system.  
Forward clip to (12:02)
 
~~~~~~

StudentsFirst.org

Our mission is to build a national movement to defend the interests of children in public education and pursue transformative reform, so that America has the best education system in the world.

America's schools are failing our kids. On this point, the data is clear. While some people blame the kids, or simply want to throw more money at the problem, we know that real change requires a better system — one that puts students' needs before those of special interests or wasteful bureaucracies.

To succeed in our mission, we're working with parents, teachers, administrators, and citizens across the country to ensure great teachers, access to great schools, and effective use of public dollars. Together, we'll demand that legislators, courts, district administrators, and school boards create and enforce policies that put students first. We'll make sure politicians and administrators recognize and reward excellent teachers, give novice teachers the training they need, and quickly improve or remove ineffective educators. We'll work to ensure that every family has a number of options for excellent schools to attend, so that getting into a great school becomes a matter of fact, not luck.  And we'll make sure all Americans understand that our schools are not only an anchor for our communities, but an absolute gateway to our national prosperity and competitive standing in the world economy.

We Believe: Great teachers can make a tremendous difference for students of every background; all children deserve outstanding teachers.

Once inside the school, a great teacher is the single most important factor in a child's education. While there are many factors that influence a student's ability to learn, a great teacher can help any student overcome those barriers and realize their full potential. For this reason, we're doing everything we can to make sure teachers are supported and all schools are able to hire and retain the best teachers possible.

We Believe: Attending a great school should be a matter of fact, not luck; every family should be able to choose an excellent school.

In cities across America, parents are unable to enroll their kids in the best public schools — there just aren't enough seats. We're working to make sure all families have a range of high quality schools to choose from, because our kids shouldn't have to rely on a lottery or a certain Zip code to get a great education.

We Believe: Public dollars belong where they make the biggest difference—on effective instructional programs; we must fight ineffective practices and bureaucracy.

Schools need smart spending — not more money. Tax dollars should go toward programs that help our kids, ensure their long-term success, accurately evaluate teacher performance, and produce results — not layers or bureaucracy that only serve to protect the needs of special interests.

We Believe: Parent and family involvement is key to increased student achievement, but the entire community must be engaged in the effort to improve our schools.

Parental engagement is critical to ensuring student success, so we'll work to get all families more involved in their schools. But lasting reform requires that whole communities get involved in the fight for better schools. Without a widespread, concerted movement that engages all sectors of society, our country will continue to fall further and further behind the rest of the world.
If you agree with our mission, and want to help transform education in your community and throughout America, join us.
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
~KNOWLEDGE IS POWER~ 
Public schools are the most powerful influence in directing our culture — even more influential than the media — is the arm of government known as the public schools. The public schools are guiding the morals, attitudes, knowledge and decision-making of 89% of American children. The public schools are financed by $500 billion a year of our money, forcibly taken from us in federal, state and local taxes, which the public school establishment spends under a thin veneer of accountability to school board members elected in government-run elections.  
Quo vadis? Whither are the public schools taking the next generation?

Prior to the 1960s, public schools and teachers clearly accepted their role in defining the culture of the youngsters under their supervision. The public schools, using a McGuffey-Reader-style curriculum, were the mechanism through which American kids learned not only the basics, but also values such as honesty and patriotism, and immigrant kids assimilated by learning our language, laws and customs.

For example, The American Citizens Handbook, published for teachers by the National Education Association in 1951, proclaimed: "It is important that people who are to live and work together shall have a common mind — a like heritage of purpose, religious ideals, love of country, beauty, and wisdom to guide and inspire them." This message was fortified in this Handbook by selections suitable for memorization, such as Old and New Testament passages, the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, the Golden Rule, the Boy Scout oath, and patriotic songs.
Continue Reading-;


~~~~~~

On February 25, 2011 join thousands of us for our National House Party Kickoff Event. Hosting your own House Party is simple: Buy the DVD, sign-up to get the House Party Guide and invite your friends and family to the party. If you are interested in organizing a public screening using the DVD, please contact Swank Motion Pictures at (800)876-5577 or bnelson@swank.com.
~~~~~~

About The Cartel | Teachers punished for speaking out. Principals fired for trying to do the right thing. Union leaders defending the indefensible. Bureaucrats blocking new charter schools. These are just some of the people we meet in The Cartel. The film also introduces us to teens who can't read, parents desperate for change, and teachers struggling to launch stable alternative schools for inner city kids who want to learn. We witness the tears of a little girl denied a coveted charter school spot, and we share the triumph of a Camden homeschool's first graduating class.

Together, these people and their stories offer an unforgettable look at how a widespread national crisis manifests itself in the educational failures and frustrations of individual communities. They also underscore what happens when our schools don't do their job. "These are real children whose lives are being destroyed," director Bob Bowdon explains.

The Cartel shows us our educational system like we've never seen it before. Behind every dropout factory, we discover, lurks a powerful, entrenched, and self-serving cartel. But The Cartel doesn't just describe the problem. Balancing local storylines against interviews with education experts such as Clint Bolick (former president of Alliance for School Choice), Gerard Robinson (president of Black Alliance for Educational Options), and Chester Finn (president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute), The Cartel explores what dedicated parents, committed teachers, clear-eyed officials, and tireless reformers are doing to make our schools better for our kids.

This movie will force the scales to fall from the eyes of policymakers, education officials, reformers, intellectuals, teachers, and taxpayers. Putting a human face on the harm done by the educational cartel, The Cartel takes us beyond the statistics, generalizations, and abstractions that typically frame our debates about education—and draws an unequivocal bottom line: If we care about our children's futures, we must insist upon far-reaching and immediate reform. And we must do it now.


Check out the clip below for a sneak peek at the film!
~~~~~~
Government links:

Education Alternatives:

News and Information:

The Heritage Foundation~Education Reform
Michelle Rhee Releases Agenda For National Education Reform
SFGate~Education Reform
Center For Education Reform

 

A Tribute of Special Prayers and Videos for our Soldiers

Soldiers Prayer and other devotionals - written especially for the brave men and women who fight to keep our country safe. Each prayer is a comforting reminder of our loved ones fighting overseas and may we remember with profound gratitude all of our soldiers whose sacrifices have purchased for us the blessings of freedom.






Verse
Boy, I know you're tired,
I know you're worn, I know you're torn
I now you're losing all your hope
'Cause you're a long way from home
Boy, I know you're worried
I know you're scared.
I'd like to put my arms around you
And show you that I care.

Chorus
Hope is in the Heavens, not so far away
Close your weary eyes, he hears each word you say.
He is all around you, feel him everywhere
He's reaching down to touch you, Know he is there.
Deep in the heart of a war,
He hears a Soldier's Prayer.

Verse 2
I'm praying he'll protect you, guide you where you go.
Guard you from evils tearing at you soul
He'll give you the freedom to speak your own mind
Give you his grace that transcends all time.

Chorus
I pray for hope I pray for peace
I pray for unity between you and me
I pray the heavens will open some day and
God's loving voice will sweep down and say
Deep in the heart of a war
I hear a Soldier's Prayer.

Repeat Chorus

I pray for hope I pray for peace
I pray for unity between you and me
I pray the heavens will open some day
All of God's people will look up and say,
Deep in the heart of a war,
God heard a Soldier's Prayer.




A SOLDIERS PRAYER

Brave warriors,
should fate find us in battle,
May our cause be just.
May our leaders have clear vision.
May our courage not falter.
May we be triumphant an earn victory
as we show mercy to our enemies.
May our efforts bring lasting peace.
May our sacrifice be always
appreciated by those we serve.
May we return to our loved ones unharmed.
Should we be harmed, may our wounds heal.
Should we perish in the struggle,
may God embrace us and find for us
a place in His Kingdom.


Soldiers Prayer - Sovereign Lord, you are my Commander; march into battle before me and order my steps whereever I go.

Overturn the stones that conceal sin in my life, I want to be without spot or blemish.

Let me to see into my enemy's camp and discern and sinister plan that is laid before me.

Deliver me by your Spirit and aim your purpose straight at my heart.

I want to holdfast to the promises in your Word.

Equip me with the full armor of God, so I can take my stand against the devil's schemes.

Render my life a living testament to your faithfulness, keep me safe in your everlasting arms and hide me in the shadow of the cross.

Amen



Soldiers Prayer - O God, we know you care about each of your children, around the globe. We praise your loving kindness, your merciful grace. This day we lift to you our troops. So far from home and family, they do their best to serve with faithfulness and honor. Hold them tightly, Holy One. Give them courage. As they endure harsh conditions, loneliness and great danger, let them know your nearness. Help them feel your love, and comfort the families left behind. Also, we pray for the end of war. We pray for your strength, your wisdom and your reconciliation. That the serving men and women of every nation might be at home, wrapped in their families, we seek your peace, here on earth, as in heaven. Creator, bless us all as we pray in your holy name. Amen.



Psalm 23 (A psalm of David) Soldiers Prayer

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
 
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. And as Christ's soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the One who has enlisted you in His army. 2Timothy 2:3-4 (NLT)

 
Soldiers Prayer

Dear Lord,

There's a young man far from home,
called to serve his nation in time of war;
sent to defend our freedom
on some distant foreign shore.
We pray You keep him safe,
we pray You keep him strong,
we pray You send him safely home ...
for he's been away so long.

There's a young woman far from home,
serving her nation with pride.
Her step is strong, her step is sure,
we pray You keep her strong,
we pray You send her safely home ...
for she's been away too long.

Bless those who await their safe return.
Bless those who mourn the lost.
Bless those who serve this country well, 

no matter what the cost.

God, Bless America!









Soldiers Prayer

Lord, I ask for courage.
Courage to face and conquer my own fears....
Courage to take me where others will not go.
I ask for strength...
Strength of body to protect others..
Strength of spirit to lead others.
I ask for dedication...
Dedication to my job, to do it well...
Dedication to my country, to keep it safe.
Give me Lord, concern...
For those who trust me and compassion for those who need me.
And please Lord.....
Through it all be at my side.




Soldiers Prayer - Psalm 91

By Harriet Yoder

O Lord Most High, help me to dwell in your secret place and abide under Your shadow.
Help me to believe and say out loud for everyone to hear that You are my refuge and my fortress; that You are my God; and that in You I put my trust.
 

O Lord God Almighty, please deliver me from hidden traps and diseases.
Father God, cover me with Your camouflage; hide me under Your wings; and let Your truth be my shield and buckler against the fiery darts—the lies—of the enemy.
 

Lord Jesus, help me not to be afraid of terrorists' attacks in the night; or weapons that fly by day; or sicknesses that walk in darkness; or destruction that wastes at noonday.
 

O Holy God, though a thousand fall at my side, and ten thousand fall at my right hand; please let it not come close to me and my companions.
 

O Lord Most High, let me live to see the reward of the wicked, because You are my refuge and my home. Let no evil conquer me and let no plague come into my house or near my family.
 

O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer, please set angels over me to keep me in all Your ways, to bear me up in their hands and to keep my feet from stumbling.
Father God, help me to tread upon the lion and adder and trample the young lion and the dragon under my feet.
 

Lord Jesus, I love you with all my heart and I know Your name. Deliver me and lift me on high to soar with the eagles. I call upon you to be with me in times of trouble to deliver and honor me because I know Your name. Please show me Your salvation and satisfy me with a long life.

I ask this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ

Amen.


The Silent Ranks

I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens.
But I am in the military in the ranks rarely seen.
I have no rank upon my shoulders. salutes I do not give.
But the military world is the place where I live.

I'm not in the chain of command, orders I do not get.
But my husband is the one who does, this I cannot forget.
I'm not the ones who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line.
But my job is just as tough. I am the one that's left behind.

My husband is a patriot, a brave prideful man
and the call to serve his country, not all can understand.
Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free.
My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me.

I love the man I married. Soldiering is his life.
But I stand among the silent ranks known as the Military Wife.




A Soldier Reports to God

The Soldier stood and faced his God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as brightly as his brass.

Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?

The soldier squared his shoulders
and said, No Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills just got too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand,
I've never had that much in life,
So if you don't I'll understand.
 


 






Prayer of the Unknown Confederate Soldier - Soldiers Prayer

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;
I was made weak, that I might learn to humbly obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy;
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among men, most richly blessed.

At the end of the U.S. Civil War, this prayer was found folded in the pocket of a Confederate Soldier.



OUR SOLDIERS, OUR HEROES - Soldiers Prayer
All the Soldiers are Heroes to me;
They fight in order that we can be free.
Our fathers and mothers have gone before;
They defended our Country by going to war.
Our soldiers are fighting for freedom each day.
Some lose their lives; it's a high price they pay.
They fight for our country, for and for you;
So our children are free, and grandchildren too.
Until we find a better way,
To stop the terrorists, in the games they play.
To guarentee that we're safe in our land
Our soldiers will continue to fight in the sand.
Our dream is to have them all home again;
For our Country to be sage for each & ever man.
In the meantime we know Freedom's not free.
Thanks to the Soldiers - you're Heroes to me.



A Soldiers Prayer
GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN

Gone but never forgotten
I feel you in the wind,
As it gently brushes my face.
You are in the air I breathe,
With every breath I take.
You are in the music I hear,
Each and every day.
You are in the sea shell,
As I hear it roar.
You are with me
every step of the way.
Gone but never forgotten
Your memory lives on
in the songs of the birds.
You are in my heart,
body and soul,
With every step I take,
You are with me
all along the way.
Gone but never forgotten.
 






Military Poems - A collection compiled by Pat Michalski, National Auxiliary Americanism Officer

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE BOMBING
Twas the night before Payback and all through the Land,
They're running like rabbits in Afghanistan,
Osama's been praying, he's down on his knees,
He's hoping that Allah will hear all his pleas.
 
He thought if he killed us that we'd fall and shatter,
But all that he's done is just making us madder.
 
We ain't yet forgotten our Marines in Beirut,
And we'll kick your butt, with one heavy boot.
 
And yes, we remember the USS Cole,
And the lives of our sailors that you stole.

You think you can rule us and cause us to fear,
You'll soon get the answer if you live to hear.

 
And we ain't forgotten your buddy Saddam,
And he ain't forgotten the sound of our bombs.
You think that those mountains are somewhere to hide.
They'll go down in history as the place where you died.

 
Remember Khadhafi and his line of death?
He came very close to his final breath.
So come out and prove it, that you are a man,
Cause our soldiers are coming and they have a plan.

 
They're Mothers and Fathers, Daughters and Sons,
And they sure do carry some mighty big guns.

Osama I wrote this especially for you,
For air mail delivery by B-52.
 
You soon will be hearing a thud and a whistle,
Old Glory is coming, attached to a missile.
Will not be sorry to see you go.
It's Red, White and Blue that is running this show.

Author Unknown




A NATION'S STRENGTH

What makes a nation's pillars high
And it's foundations strong?
What makes it mighty to defy
The foes that round it throng?
 
It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand
Go down in battle shock;
It's shafts are laid on sinking sand,
Not on abiding rock.

Is it the sword? Ask the red dust
Of empires passes away;
The blood has turned their stones to rust.
Their glory to decay.

And is it pride? Ah, that bright crown
Has seemed to nations sweet;
But God has struck its luster down
In ashes at his feet.

Not gold but only men can make
A people great and strong;
Men who for truth and honor's sake
Stand fast and suffer long.

Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly...
They build a nation's pillars deep
And lift them to the sky.

Ralph Waldo Emerson





"AMERICA WILL NOT TURN BACK" -Woodrow Wilson.
Poem by Ella wheeler Wilcox

America will not turn back;
she did not idly start,
but weighed carefully and well
her grave, important part. 
 She chose the part of Freedom's friend,
and will pursue it, to the end.
Great Liberty, who guards her gates,
will shine upon her course.

And light the long, adventurous path
with radiance from God's source.
And though blood dyes that ocean track,
America will not turn back.

She will not turn until that hour
when thunders through the world
The crash of tyrant monarchies
by Freedom's hand down-hurled.

While Labour's voice from sea to sea,
sings loud, "My country, 'tis of thee."
Then will our fair Columbia turn,
while all wars' clamours cease,

And with our banner lifted high
proclaim, "Let there be Peace,"
But till that glorious day shall dawn
she will march on, she will march on.





OUR AMERICA

Oh beautiful is the land I love;
the home of the brave and free,
I praise the Lord for the light from above
that guided the pilgrims across the sea. 
  
America, oh America,
let our voices join together on high,
And pledge allegiance to our flag,
with liberty and freedom our battle cry.

Let our hearts join together and beat as one,
as Americans united we stand,
To defend to the death our precious freedom,
from sea to sea across our great land.

 
Let us kneel before our Mighty God,
who led us through the night,
Let us receive His amazing grace and
thank Him for His guiding light.






THE CALL

The blood of men flows ever out
As raging rivers to the sea
There seems to be an endless source
From long lost memory.
The young men come to volunteer
To shed their blood once more
 
They've heard the call to bleed again
Upon some distant shore

Why is the call to die so strong 
That men will heed the call
Or do they think they're not the ones
Who'll take the final fall.

 
It's always someone else who dies
Not we who volunteer
We think we'll never be the one
And laugh to hide our fear

But deep within our inner souls
We know we may be wrong
That death may be around the turn
Our life may not be long

 
But never mind we heard the call
We line up in our ranks
And a grateful nation will be there
To give us all their thanks

 
They'll build for us a monument
Young boys will come to stare
And they will be the next to go
To shed their blood somewhere.







COMBAT

Roaring noises, Screaming voices
Metal flying there and here
Eyes are burning, Guts are churning
Men are fighting full of fear
Guns are smoking, lungs are choking
Thru it all, godawful smell
I hear crying, men are dying
I'm alive, but I'm in hell!

WEAPONS

There are many types of weapons
But the ones that hurt the most
Are the weapons made of memories
And the deadly midnight ghost.
Not all wounds are red and bloody
There are wounds that touch the mind
These are wounds that always fester
They're the never healing kind.
Why are we who've done our duty
Plagued by wounds that never heal
Made by weapons of our memories
Which are worse than lead and steel






OUR SOLDIERS

When the security of our land is threatened,
We call on our soldier's might,
To go wherever they're needed,
To defend us day and night.
They leave their loves ones behind,
A great price our soldiers must pay.
Let us salute their courage and bravery,
May we remember them each time we pray.

Each time we spot "Old Glory"
Waving for all to see,
Let's think of all the soldiers that have
Kept it flying proud and free.

This great country is tolerant
Of cultures from other lands,
But, when they attack our precious freedom
We will punish with a heavy hand.

Our soldiers are tried and true,
Tempered like carbon steel,
Born of American Spirit;
Raised with American will.

Remember our fallen heroes that died,
So freedom may grow,
To nations around the world,
Wherever our warriors may go.







A SOLDIER'S PRAYER

Look God: I have never spoken to You,
But now, I want to say, "How do You do?"
You see God, they told me You did not exist;
And like a fool, I believed all of this.
Last night from a shell hole I saw Your sky;
I figured right then they had told me a lie.
Had I taken the time to see the things You made,
I would know they weren't calling a spade a spade.

I wonder, God, if You would shake my hand;
Somehow, I feel that You will understand.
Strange, I had to come to this hellish place
Before I had time to see Your face.

Well, I guess there isn't much more to say,
But I sure am glad, God, I met You today.
I guess the zero hour will soon be here,
But I am not afraid since I know You are near.

The signal - well, God, I will have to go;
I love you lots, this I want you to know.
Looks like this will be a horrible fight;
Who knows, I may come to your house tonight.

Though I wasn't friendly with you before,
I wonder, God, if you would wait at the door.
Look I am crying, me shedding tears!
I wish I had known you these many years.

Well, I will have to go now, God,
Goodbye - Strange, Since I met you,
I am not afraid to die.

Author Unknown






WOUNDS OF WAR

Some wounds of war
Are never seen
They're buried deep within
No open wound
No Purple Heart
No blemish on the skin

But these are wounds
That leave a scar
Upon our very soul

They tear our hearts
Cause misery
And take a heavy toll

Our bloodless wounds
Cause us to ask
Oh, God, what was it for

We go through life
Not knowing why
We have these Wounds of War






THANKS TO THE AMERICAN WARRIORS

From the colonist, who rebelled,
to the soldier of today,
My thanks, be to you,
I know not what else to say.
Since the words I do not have,
to give the tribute that is due,
So a simple heartfelt thanks,
sincerely I give to you.

Thanks to our American heroes,
whose devotion is second to none,
Whose courage and braveness alone
caused many battles to be won.

We have beaten the forces of evil
and carried our flag far and wide,
Because of our American Warriors,
our hearts are filled with pride,

Only because of you and the price
you willingly did pay,
Only because of you,
Old Glory still flies today!




FREEDOM
Father Denis Edward O'Brien, USMC

It is the soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us the freedom of the press.
 
It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us Freedom of speech.

 
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us the Freedom to demonstrate

 
It is the soldier, who serves beneath the Flag,
Who salutes the Flag,

Whose coffin is draped by the Flag,
Who allows the protestor to burn the Flag,

It is the soldier, not the politician,
Who has given his blood, his body, his life,
Who has given us these FREEDOMS!



INVISIBLE SOLDIER

You can tell her by the twinkle in her eye,
At parades when the flag marches by.
She served our country and she served it very well
Some have even served a tour or two in Hell.
 
She suffered hardship and never ceased to care.
It gave us strength just to know that she was there.
She was a leader, you could tell by the rank she wore,
But she became the invisible soldier after the war.

Now, it is finally time to right a wrong.
Honor our sister soldier; hear her song.
It's very clear that she's a patriot to the core.
Don't let her be the invisible soldier anymore.

1995, Sarge Lintecum


LET FREEDOM RING
AMERICA FOR ME

'Tis fine to see the Old World and travel up and down
Among the famous palaces and cities of renown.
To admire the crumbly castles and the statues and kings
But now I think I've had enough of antiquated things.
 
So it's home again, and home again, America for me!
My heart is turning home again and their I long to be,
In the land of youth and freedom, beyond the ocean bars,
Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars.

Oh, London is a man's town, there's power in the air;
And Paris is a woman's town, with flowers in her hair;
And it's sweet to dream in Venice, and it's great to study in Rome;
But when it comes to living, there is no place like home.

I like the German fir-woods in green battalions drilled;
I like the gardens of Versailles with flashing fountains filled;
But, oh, to take your hand, my dear, and ramble for a day
In the friendly western woodland where Nature has her way!

I know that Europe's wonderful, yet something seems to lack!
The Past is too much with her, and the people looking back.
But the glory of the Present is to make the Future free -
We love our land for what she is and what she is to be.

Oh, it's home again, and home again, America for me!
I want a ship that's westward bound to plough the rolling sea,
To the blessed Land of Room Enough, beyond the ocean bars,
Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars.

Henry Van Dyke


VETERAN'S DAY

Here's to you, son
Though you're so far away -
I think of you always,
But especially today.
You're part of the millions
Who've gone on before
Millions of soldiers
In peace and in war -

Their spirits watch over
All the soldiers like you
And comfort the mothers
Of soldier-sons, too.

Some of us are gone
And some are just far -
All of us are proud
Of just who you are.

So when you feel tired
Or lonely or blue,
Remember that someone
is thinking of you....

It won't ever matter
The place or the day -
There's somebody with you
Each step of the way.


THE MEMORIAL

We tried, we tried, Oh God we tried
So we could be here too
And walk around remembering
And look for names we knew 
 
Our lives were lost so far away
Upon a distant shore
But we are here in memory
As you read our names once more

Remember us, Remember us
Although we're truly gone
Remember us, as we once were
And not just names in stone. 
 
Memorial Day Tribute





A CREED
....Edgar Guest

Lord, let me not in service lag.
Let me be worthy of our flag.
Let me remember when I'm tired,
The heroes who have died.
In freedom's name and in my way,
Teach me to be as brave as they,
In all I am, in all I do,
Unto our flag I would be true.

For God and country let me stand,
Unstained of soul, clean of hand.
Teach me to serve and guard and love,
The starry flag that flies above.
WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE,
ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE



 
H/T Faithful Cross
 
 
 

The Cadet Prayer at West Point calls upon God, "Searcher of human hearts," to help these future soldiers live above "the common level of life,"

West Point cadets taking their oath

The Cadet Prayer at West Point calls upon God, "Searcher of human hearts," to help these future soldiers live above "the common level of life," to chose
the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half truth when the whole truth can be won. Endow us with courage that is born of loyalty to all that is noble and worthy, that scorns to compromise with vice and injustice, and knows no fear when truth and right are in jeopardy.
When you get to know cadets at the United States Military Academy, as I have had the privilege to do over the last four years, you are impressed by how thoroughly they take the prayer to heart, how dedicated they are to "Duty. Honor. Country." (the academy's motto), and how respectful they are of its blade-sharp honor code: "A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do."

As the Cadet Prayer concludes:
"Kindle our hearts in fellowship with those of a cheerful countenance, and soften our hearts with sympathy for\those who sorrow and suffer. Help us to maintain the honor of the Corps untarnished and unsullied and to show forth in our lives the ideals of West Point in doing our duty to Thee and to our Country."