Daily Archives: February 2, 2012

The Komen Fiasco Keeps Getting Bigger… And Bigger

What a public relations disaster.  You’d think Komen would have a better spokeswoman, but alas…

Via TPM:

“Well, let me just for the record tell you, Karen did not have anything to do with this decision,” Brinker responded. “This was decided at the board level and also by our mission, Andrea.” Binker said that the decision was based on rejiggering the grant program to expand help for women. “Everything that we get up and do every day is about the mission, to provide women, vulnerable populations, with care, treatment, and screening.” This explanation omits the one given Tuesday, when the organization attributed the decision to the fact that Planned Parenthood was under investigation by Congress and they would no longer give grants to organizations under governmental investigation. Throughout the interview, Brinker denied any political motivation.

The video is painful to watch.  Binker is completely unbelievable.  And this story is exploding.  Everywhere.

My prediction:  This is not going to end well for the Komen brand.

Staton Off and Running

Not only is Andy Staton the only announced Democrat running for the new state senate district down here in Sussex (and I’m in the new district), he’s also the only announced candidate to have filed a campaign finance report.

Since filing his campaign committee paperwork on September 1, Staton has raised over $20,000, a lot more than some incumbents, and has over $19,000 on hand. Some of his contributors are former Congressman Tony Coelho, Friends of Pete Schwartzkopf (they are neighbors, after all, and Staton ran Pete’s 2010 campaign), and Delaware Stonewall Democrats. There is a rumor that another Democrat might throw his hat into the race, but these fundraising numbers might change his mind.

I am wondering if Urquhart, once he files a finance report, will list as an in-kind contribution the 8 hours of free air time he’s received from WGMD and the Fatman’s show. Of course, Urkel will say that he was actually using the air time as chair of the Sussex County Confederate Party GOP, and that his last few weeks have been sort of a farewell tour. Hell, Cher’s farewell tour didn’t last this long.

The new district, despite what Urkel and others have said, is a Democratic district, both in registration and voter turnout. Not saying this is going to be a cakewalk for Andy, but my money is on him winning in November.

Red Clay Referendum And City Schools

The Red Clay Consolidated School District is holding a Capital Referendum on February 28, 2012.  Included in this referendum is the addition of another new suburban elementary school.

Let me begin by saying that I wouldn’t have a problem with the new school if Red Clay would ensure that its other schools didn’t suffer when a new school opened.  Unfortunately, this hasn’t been the case.

In the past 10 days my email  has been filled with letters from community advocates and parents from the Highlands, Warner and Shortlidge community.  Everyone has the same concern:  New schools hurt existing schools, especially city schools.  The evidence backs up their concerns.

Take a look at one of the FAQs and response on Red Clay’s referendum site:

1. What happens if it [referendum] doesn’t pass?
Adjust feeder patterns at elementary schools, reconsider BSS K-8, remove programs at city schools (Pre-K, Parent Centers, Boost Up, Small Class Size).

Why wouldn’t all Red Clay Schools be subject to program cuts?  Why just city schools?

I have a question… Wouldn’t funding for programs come out of operating expenses, not capital expenses?  Remember, there are two types of referendums: Capital – which covers renovations and building, and Operating – which covers funding for programs, technology, etc.  I do understand that the two effect each other, but I still don’t see why city schools, and only city schools, lose programs due to capacity.  Unless… they intend to remove those programs to make room for more traditional classrooms?  Which is feasible since Warner is drastically under capacity, but I’m unsure as to who would fill those additional classrooms.

Unless… this is just a warning to suburban parents?  Vote for the referendum or we’ll bus you into the city.

Well… hey… lookie here.  Red Clay has updated the answer to the question.  It now reads:

We would need to consider a number of options.
• Readjusting feeder patterns in most of our elementary schools to shift the population to our schools in the city. This would be disruptive to all of our schools, and impact important programs in place at our city schools.
• Reconsider the BSS K-8 model.
• Continue to rent trailers, and add additional trailers

As a city resident I’m all for option number one, but I get that this is designed to have suburban parents running to the voting booths in support of the referendum.  Vote yes, or else we’ll put your kid on a bus and send them to one of those scary city schools.  Nice.  Remember this the next time Red Clay uses the slogan It’s for the Children.  That slogan should have an asterisk at the end of it.

Now let’s take a look at the history.  Old schools take a hit when new schools open.  Brandywine Springs Elementary opened in September 2000 as a K-5 school.  Let’s take a look at Warner in the years leading up to that opening.  (All info posted below is available at: State of Delaware School Profiles)

Warner:
1997 – 1998    906 students (3rd-5th)         37.4% Low Income       9.3% Special Ed
1998 – 1999    855 students (3rd-5th)         32.2% Low Income      10.3% Special Ed
1999 – 2000    823 students (3rd-5th)        34.9% Low Income      10.6% Special Ed

Side note:  800 – 900 students between 1997 and 2000 doesn’t seem to give credence to the District’s lack of capacity claim, especially since Warner’s current enrollment is 555 students.  The proposed new school will hold 600 students.  And please keep in mind that the Neighborhood School’s Law does not require building new schools.

Now let’s take a look at what happened to Warner when RCCD opened new schools:

Brandywine Springs opens in 09/2000 and Warner looks like this:

2000 – 2001    600 students (1st-5th)         51.3% Low Income      12% Special Ed

North Star Opened in September 2005.  Look at Warner for this year:

2005 -2006    686 students (K-5th)           82.1% Low Income       10.6% Special Ed

And what does Warner look like this year?

2011 – 2012     555 students (K -5th)       87.4% Low Income         16.6% Special Ed

Take a look at where our city schools were the year before Brandywine Springs opened and where they are now:

Highlands:
1999 – 2000     348 students (K-3rd)         44.8% Low Income        6.9% Special Ed
2011-2012        367 students (K-5th)          83.4% Low Income       10.9% Special Ed

Shortlidge:
1999 – 2000     483 students (K-4th)       70.8% Low Income         8.9% Special Ed
2011 – 2012      311 students (K-5th)        90.4% Low Income        12.9% Special Ed

Warner:
1999 – 2000     823 students (3rd-5th)        34.9% Low Income      10.6% Special Ed
2011 – 2012      555 students (K -5th)           87.4% Low Income      16.6% Special Ed

How are Red Clay’s new schools doing?

Brandywine Springs Elementary:
2011 – 2012    1088 students (K-8th)    14.5% Low Income       6.1% Special Ed

North Star Elementary:
2011 – 2012    735 students (K-5th)       3.9% Low Income        3.8% Special Ed

Does this look fair to anyone?  And I didn’t even get into minority breakdowns.  But Kilroy has an interesting post up on his blog titled:  Conrad Continues To Shed Black Students.  Kilroy’s blog is a font of information.

And the programs the District proposes to cut if the capital referendum fails will come from city schools?

And it’s not just city schools.  Some older suburban schools have taken the hit from the new schools as well.

Here’s my question:  Should Red Clay be allowed to open another new school without a serious plan designed, funded, and put in place, to help its other schools?

And why wouldn’t they at least try and make city schools more desirable to suburban parents?  Why not house a full time Talented and Gifted program at one of their city schools?  The Brandywine School District does this at Claymont Elementary and P.S. duPont Middle School.  Their IB (International Baccalaureate) program at Mount Pleasant High School.  All of these programs have one thing in common:  They are located in schools that were struggling for diversity and lack of students from higher socio-economic backgrounds.  Surely, Red Clay could learn something from Brandywine?

Here’s my last question:  Why would any city resident vote for this referendum?  Can anyone provide a reason?

So Why Is DE State House Giving Official Tributes to Known Christian Dominionists?

On January 19, 2012, one C. Peter Wagner was awarded an official tribute from the Delaware House of Representatives, sponsored by Representative Daniel Short and officially signed off by Speaker Gilligan. The House awards tons of these, but this one is spectacularly different.

Why? Dr. Wagner is a leader in the Christian Dominion movement – they believe that Christians (or at least certain ones of them) should have Dominion over government, the media and business in order to be prepared for the end times. (Michelle Goldberg has a great article on this here.) Called the New Apostolic Reformation by Dr. Wagner, its front line associates are called Apostles and meant to focus on the work of taking over these institutions. You may have heard his name when Governor Perry was showily organizing his state-sponsored prayer rally, called The Response.

The great blog Right Wing Watch picked this up when they received a copy of an email that Wagner sent out to his people. In it, he replicates the text of the Tribute awarded to him from the House:

State of Delaware House of Representatives. Tribute. Be it known to all that the House of Representatives recognizes Dr. C. Peter Wagner As an Apostle For the Occasion of Commissioning Apostles in the State of Delaware. On this special day of the Commissioning Service, we honor Dr. C. Peter Wagner for his many years of faithful service to the Lord of Heaven and Earth, and the advancement of His Kingdom. ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens: I know your works. See I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it.” Rev. 3:7.’ The House of Representatives extends its sincere congratulations and directs this tribute to be presented on this 19th day of January 2012. (Signed) Robert F. Gilligan, Speaker of the House; Richard L. Puffer, Chief Clerk of the House, Representative Daniel B. Short, Sponsor.

This is highly unusual and an abuse of what was intended for legislative tributes. The history of ‘tributes’ dates back only about 12 years or so. Before tributes, the General Assembly would wade through scores of non-controversial resolutions, Eagle Scouts congratulations, stuff like that, each resolution requiring a print run and somebody to write the empty ‘Whereas’ clauses, and a legislative body to vote on it. Plus, they didn’t exactly look like ‘keepsakes’ when received by the honorees. Richard B. Carter, Administrative Assistant for the Delaware State Senate Majority Caucus, came up with the tribute concept, a one-page document enclosed in a navy-blue binder, tribute prepared on a faux-parchment stock, and signed only by President Pro-Tem or Speaker, the Chief Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, and the sponsor of the tribute. The program has served its intended purpose and has generally worked well. The advantages are considerable: No print runs, no votes, and a genuine keepsake for the recipient. It works and works well, as long as tributes comport with the non-controversial intent of the program, and someone doesn’t try to slip something like this through. Especially since this document implies the imprimatur of the Delaware State House of Representatives on a particular type of religion. Did they really have to quote biblical scripture in the tribute? One would hope that that would have served as a red flag to someone concerned about separation of church and state. If anybody was.

An official tribute from the House (a scanned copy of the document is here), for these “apostles” in the service of making our government and institutions look more like those in Iran. Substitute Ayatollahs for Apostles and you get the drift here. Take a look at how he describes how he got this thing:

As part of the ceremony, I was officially welcomed as an apostle and authorized to help commission apostles to the state. The mayor of Seaford (a committed believer) read the Commendation from his office and presented me with the key to the city. This was followed by a Tribute complete with the seal of the Sussex County Council, a Tribute with the seal of the Senate of the State of Delaware, and a Tribute from the House of Representatives of the State of Delaware read personally by the representative of the district.

So his haul included keys to the city of Seaford and a tribute from the Sussex County Council. And this is from people who are screaming that their country is being taken from them, screaming about socialism, screaming that no one follows the constitution and yet they turn around and kiss the butt of a guy who would transform the leadership of this country into ayatollahs.

It is important to pay attention to this stuff and shine a light on it and push back on it as much as possible. This is not harmless – you can see the influence of these people around Rick Perry and Michelle Bachmann. And just because you are Christian doesn’t mean you are OK with these people. He has been waging a “prayer war” against Catholics in Argentina and urging that Catholic statues be burned (scroll down). He told a group that the Emperor of Japan and the “Sun Goddess” sleep together and apparently this is the cause of Japan’s stock market troubles. And we have official government institutions in our state using our tax money to provide Tribute to this very extreme theocratic business. Aren’t you curious as to how our House of Representatives could sign on to this craziness?

(Fresh Air had Wagner on back in October and it is chilling and fascinating.)

h/t and thanks for this story to Kyle Mantyla at People For the American Way’s Right Wing Watch, a blog vigorously documenting the right wing atrocities.