tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481083477379506990.post7536400965538182968..comments2023-10-30T05:28:11.795-04:00Comments on All Education Matters: Dept. of Education's SWAT Team Story - Insider from the Department of Education Comments?Cryn Johannsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08452412213997621242noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481083477379506990.post-79059051417978185762011-06-24T15:09:32.535-04:002011-06-24T15:09:32.535-04:00Just wanted to add in response to Steven:
The peop...Just wanted to add in response to Steven:<br />The people of Wisconsin voted for Scott Walker, tea party candidate. They only got upset when they saw how his policies might affect them personally. Part of our problem is that many Americans really don't care unless they themselves are suffering. What's the point in contacting our politicians when the majority of Americans are still ready and willing to vote against their own best interest?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481083477379506990.post-68948000124756233812011-06-24T15:05:27.358-04:002011-06-24T15:05:27.358-04:00It always amazes me how the Wall St.elitists have ...It always amazes me how the Wall St.elitists have a way of turning things around. It's not that they're ripping us off--poor people are ripping us off, they'll tell us. We're supposed to get angry at poor college students forced to take out loans (as that's the "financial aid" they're offered, at welfare moms, at the unemployed who are "purposely" not getting jobs, at people who are losing their homes because they can't afford their mortgages, etc. .<br /><br /> On another note: I lived in Calif for a while and was surprised by what a police state it was. I'd moved there 'cause I thought it was a liberal state, thought there'd be a lot of hippies and a laid back atmosphere. (Okay, I guess I'd seen some old movies.)<br /><br /> What a shock it was to me, though, when I witnessed so much police brutality, social injustice and abuse of power over the people--moreso than in any other part of the US I'd been to. And I've traveled through most of the country. In Cali, police helicopters fly along the streets, over homes and apt bldgs and shine surveillance lights into people's homes (presumably to search for gang members.) They can see inside your bedroom (no joke!) I also saw cops driving by in their cars and videotaping innocent people on the street. If you appear to be poor, and, heaven forbid, are walking in the city of Los Angeles--watch out! I witnessed people being approached and arrested for just not carrying an ID--people who were doing nothing wrong but sitting on a public bench somewhere. I believe this was part of an effort to harass the homeless. I once stood on a public street waiting for a friend who was coming to pick me up and within minutes noticed a police car circling around me. I worried I'd get arrested for "loitering" so I had to go inside the building and wait for my friend there. <br /><br /> It was that atmosphere of fear and just a sense that walking or congregating in any public place was almost against the law that created a lot of stress for me as I really enjoy walking. When I talked with native Californians, many told me that Calif had always been like that, a police state, but I suspect it's gotten much worse in recent years, thanks to our friend, The Patriot Act. <br /><br /> Anyhow, I found the surveillance atmosphere to be disturbing enough to me that I needed to move out. California is not the liberal state people think it is. Maybe it used to be but, apparently, that has changed. I think that raids like this probably happen all the time in California, but we just don't always hear about them as most of the time the victims are poor and unable or unwilling to speak out.Merihttp://www.themadbaglady.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481083477379506990.post-70037331437396748182011-06-16T22:05:17.061-04:002011-06-16T22:05:17.061-04:00Doesn't this tie-in with that Dept of Ed bid o...Doesn't this tie-in with that Dept of Ed bid out for Remington short-shotguns? Sheesh! Maybe they will come 'n git ya'!<br /><br />But your Reader Curious is an idiot. Using his logic, he'd be rounding up college presidents and trustees in their boxer-shorts. Hm ... not a bad idea -- given the magnitude of this scam.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481083477379506990.post-23734569226606693482011-06-16T00:58:02.556-04:002011-06-16T00:58:02.556-04:00Actions speak louder than words. I am a believer ...Actions speak louder than words. I am a believer in that political activism begins locally. As far as 'directly affecting them': they're elected officials. Get them out of office. <br /><br />For instance: Local politician voted against a coal-powered electrical plant in the western portion of the state. I warned her not to, explaining that I would not back her in the next election cycle. Her opponent the following year was very viable, I threw my support (money, sign placement locations, and advocated within my circle) and ta-da, my horse won.<br /><br />Small steps, a nudge here, a nudge there...it is only the beginning.<br /><br />Have an entire year for the major elections, 4-5 months for some state/locals....Would be amazed at what just a little 'nudge' accomplishes.Steven S. Mellnicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481083477379506990.post-71160484837673952442011-06-16T00:29:45.319-04:002011-06-16T00:29:45.319-04:00Is Steven really 'fooling' himself?Is Steven really 'fooling' himself?Cryn Johannsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08452412213997621242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481083477379506990.post-59800498200819217892011-06-15T23:30:13.098-04:002011-06-15T23:30:13.098-04:00Steven dont fool yourself, Politicians dont usuall...Steven dont fool yourself, Politicians dont usually listen unless it is something that affects them personally. If you were to vote to takethere benefits away and have them use the new health care plan. you think they would listen? Heck ya because it affects them personallyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481083477379506990.post-44704261231024404712011-06-15T22:10:31.968-04:002011-06-15T22:10:31.968-04:00Steven - you're singing my tune. Here's wh...Steven - you're singing my tune. Here's what I say: Basta! Basta! <br /><br />I don't want a French Rev. Part Deux. <br /><br />But it's time to organize and change this nonsense. We're ready. We're preparing. We're talking about serious and REAL change. <br /><br />Let's talk?Cryn Johannsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08452412213997621242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481083477379506990.post-60571800867098328842011-06-15T21:52:50.176-04:002011-06-15T21:52:50.176-04:00Ah yes, because crack downs on the small time frau...Ah yes, because crack downs on the small time fraud is what is going to scare the institutions perpetuating the much larger scam. Welcome to the next 'War on "insert something here"'. How exactly is that working out on any of the declared fronts? Drugs? Terrorism? Crime? Wall-Street Fraud? <br /><br />This is different on many levels from the above cited politically motivated 'wars'. American society as a whole are creating an indentured servant class with the burden of such debt. This issue is beyond the "left" or "right" rhetoric. <br /><br />The question to ask now is this: What is it going to take to get people off the side-lines and into the fight? (Fight as in sounding off in a reasonable and rational manner, not French Revolution part II)<br /><br />The politicians will listen, we just have to bring the pressure. (Fund raising, campaigning, lobbying, etc.) <br /><br />Honestly, what is it going to take?Steven S. Mellnicknoreply@blogger.com