As soon as the dems take back state government, we can stop fretting over voter ID. Remember, in Missouri it would still have to be proposed, be passed, be signed and be subject to legal challenge (based on our state constitution and our own facts on the gound in this state) before its execution at the polls would ever see daylight.

#1, we were eyewitnesses to democracy in 2006 when Amendment 2 passed. So you don’t get to use the tiny embryos to distort the electoral process this year. There is still the affirmative action ban that might get enough dolts to sign petitions to get it on the ballot, and you can still fondly reminisce about the DOMA (homophobe amendment) in 2004.

> As soon as the dems take back state government, we can stop fretting over voter ID.

Because Democrats want EVERYONE to vote … illegal immigrants, felons, dead people, cats and dogs …

Do cats vote Democratic? I better make sure mine turn out in November. Thanks for the insight Nick!

From the Des Moines Register….

McCain plan to reform health care: It’s scary

The proposal should scare the heck out of the millions of Americans who rely on employer-based coverage. Iowans who have tried to buy affordable coverage on their own know they need more than a tax credit and good health. Sometimes they need a winning lottery ticket.

Buying individual policies means having your health history reviewed. It means not having the bargaining power and protections that come with being part of a plan offered by an employer. And it’s expensive.

EAGLETON, STEPHEN A. 06PS-PR02972 Co-Guardian ELAINE EAGLETON, INCAPACITATED AND DISABLED PR Guardian/Conserv - Adult 11/01/2006
ST LOUIS, MO Circuit 21 St. Louis County Probate St Louis County
EAGLETON, STEVE 21S98-02262 Defendant JOHN KEEN V STEVE EAGLETON AC Small Claims over $100 10/16/1998
ATLANTA, GA Circuit 21 St. Louis County St Louis County

EAGLETON, STEVEN A 21C90-21382 Defendant
THOMAS H BALLMAN V STEVEN A EAGLETON AC Pers Injury-Other 10/15/1990
Circuit 21 St. Louis County St Louis County
EAGLETON, STEVEN A 21601700 Defendant
THOMAS H BALLMAN V STEVEN A EAGLETON CC Pers Injury-Other 10/19/1989
CLAYTON, MO Circuit 21 St. Louis County St Louis County

EAGLETON, STEVEN 21C91-24440 Defendant
GRANAT & WOLFF V STEVEN EAGLETON AC Suit on Account 10/30/1991
Circuit 21 St. Louis County St Louis County
EAGLETON, THOMAS F SC87662 Respondent MISSOURIANS AGAINST HUMAN,APP V ROBIN CARNAHAN,RES AP Tran to SC- Post Opinion 05/09/2006
ST. LOUIS, MO Supreme Court of Missouri Supreme Court of Missouri Supreme Court

EAGLETON, THOMAS F WD66495 Respondent MO AGST HUMAN CLONING, APEL V R CARNAHAN, RES AP Civil Appeal Circuit 01/27/2005
ST. LOUIS Western District Ct of Appeal Western District Ct of Appeals Western Appellate
EAGLETON, THOMAS F WD66496 Respondent ARCHBISHOP BURKE, APEL V R CARNAHAN, RES AP Civil Appeal Circuit 01/27/2006
ST. LOUIS Western District Ct of Appeal Western District Ct of Appeals Western Appellate

Should St. Louis pass a workplace sound law to protect orchestra workers?

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/entertainment/stories.nsf/music/story/2A539D7DE98323148625743E001F840F?OpenDocument

#14 Nick,
What exactly is your point?
I’m not trying to be sarcastic, but you just quote some random court cases. Not every reader of this blog has access to court records. You might want to state your point.
I assume it has something to do with Tom Eagleton?

I am surprised that the ABCTE ultra-alternative certification process signed by Blunt last week did not get more attention for how bad of an idea this is for the entire state. I applaud those who want to be teachers, but I believe it takes more than 2 weeks of classroom observation and passing a computerized test to be considered “duly qualified”.

We have all heard of diploma mills, that will give you a bachelor’s degree with proper payment and pseudo-exams (read: without much study or work). The ABCTE program is really just a certification mill. What measures are in place to make sure the required bachelor’s degree is from a legitimate, regionally acredited university progam and not just the result of writing a check to the right people? After all, if it requires a bachelor’s degree and one get’s a bachelor’s degree from a “diploma mill”, we could see someone go from diploma mill to certification mill to the front of your child’s classroom.

Yes, there is teachers shortage. The solution to that shortage isn’t unqualified teachers any moe than the answer to world hunger is promoting anorexia.

Suzy, please tell us how bad of an idea it is to have professionals with real-world experience become teachers?

If this is a “certification mill” as you put it, won’t the administrators screening people for potential employment take that into consideration? There are several circuit breakers throughout the hiring process that are there to prevent people from going from mill to the front of your child’s classroom. But I digress, continue to beat your drum against the Blunt administration.

I believe real world experience is both valuable and helpful in the classroom. But, if these people are truly committed to becoming teachers, why aren’t they also committed to put in the time to learn proper classroom management procedures, assessment strategies, and how to address various learning styles? Why are they not willing to commit to a program that requires more than 2 weeks of classroom time?

Without this training, these are just short-term fixes as these unprepared folks will be the first one to suffer from burn-out. And, we are back in the same boat in a few years with a merry-go-round of these unqualified people.

The circuit breakers you speak of are unrealistic. In an ideal world, all schools would only hire the most qualified. However, some schools are made to choose between starting the school year with a substitute or starting with a person who is now deemed “duly qualified” under NCLB standards. Most will choose to try to abide by the NCLB rules because of the pressure to conform to those requirements.

Despite what you think, this isn’t drum beating against Blunt. Instead it is a defense of the teaching profession and our public schools.