Arkansas Blog

Double-standards gets Idiot's Elected in America.

If you're a minority and you're selected for a job over more qualified candidates you're a 'token hire.'

If you're a conservative and you're selected for a job over more qualified candidates you're a 'game changer.'

Black teen pregnancies? A 'crisis' in black America .
White teen pregnancies? A 'blessed event.'

If you grow up in Hawaii you're 'exotic.'
Grow up in Alaska eating mooseburgers, you're the quintessential 'American story.'

Similarly, if you name you kid Barack you're 'unpatriotic.'
Name your kid Track, you're 'colorful.'

If you're a Democrat and you make a VP pick without fully vetting the individual you're 'reckless.' A Republican who doesn't fully vet is a 'maverick.'

If you spend 3 years as a community organizer growing your organization from a staff of 1 to 13 and your budget from $70,000 to $400,000, then become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review,create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new African Amerian voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor,then spend nearly 8 more years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, becoming chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, then spend nearly 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of nearly 13 million people, sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you are woefully inexperienced.

If you spend 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, then spend 20 months as the governor of a state with 650,000 people, you've got the most executive experience of anyone on either ticket, are the Commander in Chief of the Alaska military and are well qualified to lead the nation should you be called upon to do so because your state is the closest state to Russia.

If you are a Democratic male candidate who is popular with millions of people you are an 'arrogant celebrity'. If you are a popular republican female candidate you are 'energizing the base'.

If you are a younger male candidate who thinks for himself and makes his own decisions you are 'presumptuous'. if you are an older male candidate who makes last minute decisions you refuse to explain, you are a 'shoot from the hip' maverick.

If you are a candidate with a Harvard law degree you are 'an elitist 'out of touch' with the real America . If you are a legacy (dad and granddad were admirals) graduate of Annapolis, graduating fifth from the bottom of your class, with multiple disciplinary infractions you are a hero.

If you manage a multi-million dollar nationwide campaign, you are an 'empty suit'. If you are a part time mayor of a town of 7000 people, you are an 'experienced executive'.

If you go to a south side Chicago church, your beliefs are 'extremist'.
If you believe in creationism and don't believe global warming is man made, you are 'strongly principled'.

If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.

If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years with whom you are raising 2 beautiful daughters you're 'risky'.

If you're a black single mother of 4 who waits for 22 hours after her water breaks to seek medical attention, you're an irresponsible parent, endangering the life of your unborn child, but if you're a white married mother who waits 22 hours, you're spunky.

If you're a 13-year-old Chelsea Clinton, the right-wing press calls you 'First dog.'

If you're a 17-year old pregnant unwed daughter of a Republican, the right-wing press calls you 'beautiful' and 'courageous.'

If you kill an endangered species, you're an excellent hunter.
If you have an abortion you're not a christian, you're a murderer ( forget about if it happen while being date raped)

If you teach abstinence only in sex education, you get teen parents.
If you teach responsible age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.

a Miami Herald alumni

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The headline on your blog: "Recent Videos?" Does "Recent" mean this year? What's the posting date of the "current" video? How many weeks ago? WTF? Please define "recent."

"McCain says he will veto all pork-barrel earmark requests. McCain adds that he will
'make them famous and you will know their names'. Yeah, like the wasteful, jackass mayor
of an Alaskan town of only 6,000 people who requested 27 million dollars in government
earmarks, I will make her famous! Oops."
-- Jon Stewart

Cato, the linked pic is for you. It's better than a cartoon, it's for real.

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While you're at it, ask Dipstick & Lipstick (AKA McCain and Palin) to define hypocrite and phony.

Hey, Johnarkansawyer, haven't heard a peep from you know who since we caught him in that flagrant lie last night.

Went to the State Fair preview do over at the Fairgrounds today, and discovered that Pig Lickers will be a bit different here in Arkansas. Rather than being strips of applewood smoked bacon covered in a Magic Shell-like layer of dark chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt, Arkansas' version is a bacon round dipped in heated chocolate, just like you dip strawberries. Pic in the updated article at bluename.

Oh, all of you sound so frustrated. Having a bad campaign?

FROM: You Can't Make This Up Dept:

----------------------McCain had criticized earmarks from Palin-----------------------------------------------

Three times in recent years, the Arizona senator's lists of 'objectionable' pork spending have included earmarks requested by his new running mate.

By Tom Hamburger, Richard Simon and Janet Hook | Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
September 3, 2008

"...records show that Palin -- first as mayor of Wasilla and recently as governor of Alaska -- was far from shy about pursuing tens of millions in earmarks for her town, her region and her state.

This year, Palin, who has been governor for nearly 22 months, defended earmarking as a vital part of the legislative system. "The federal budget, in its various manifestations, is incredibly important to us, and congressional earmarks are one aspect of this relationship," she wrote in a newspaper column.

clik name

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Just waiting for an answer:

"The Democrat-Gazette knows what most whites know. The system is a failure and has no chance of becoming successful as it was once. If you really believe that the LRSD is a good system and represents the future, let local people have vouchers. Give black people the same choice that some whites have now with private schools. In business, we have to compete or we die. I throw that challenge out to you." - Strangelove

Rebuttal:

If the LRSD system is a failure for whites then why were the 2007 percentages for caucasians in the LRSD scoring proficient on the Algebra 1 EOY Exam, the Geometry EOY exam, and the 11th Grade Literacy EOY exam all higher than the state average for caucasians from all around the state on the same exams?
Better check your facts out. State Department of Education is easily accessible. Your statement is false as shown by state data.
Here are the Caucasian scores for2007 as shown on the Arkansas Department of Education website:

Alg 1 - LRSD 78.3 State 72.7
Geo. - LRSD 76.7 State 69.8
11th - LRSD 81.3 State 61.1

Notice the huge difference in the last score!
I went back and compared the LRSD Caucasian scores with other school districts and have yet to find another one as high as they are on the 11th Grade Literacy scores. NLRSD was just about 69% or so. Highly touted Bryant and Benton were even lower. To be fair, they did extremely well in their math courses. NLRSD was only slightly better than LRSD in the same math courses I listed.
I couldn't find any similar data for private schools. I'm not sure what they test with, if anything at all, to measure their kids against other systems. Wouldn't it be strange (and it could be possible based on this data) if the white kids in LRSD have better scores and success than the white kids in all the private schools here? What a bizarre turn of events!! They certainly are doing better than the state average.
Where are the best literacy scores in the state for Caucasian students? The Little Rock School District is certainly in the top tier.

Why can't you tell us what movie you went to see?

For districts and charter schools in Pulaski County, LISA had the best in Grades 6-8. More important, the achievement gap between African-American and Caucasian students decreased dramatically there over those grades.

Well, eLwood, your photo shows that Kissinger was correct: "Power is the great aphrodisiac."

And this by Joseph Joubert back in 1842: "Power makes you attractive; it even makes women love old men."

Too bad Nicole didn't get to enjoy her "earned " fortune.

Jake - if I'm reading this right, and I wasn't on the blog last night because I went to the John Barry lecture.

Strange is still back in '57 with my oldest sister - in - law.

My son took Alg. 2 as a freshman, Pre-Cal. as a sophmore and now is doing Stat. as a Junior at Central.

Give it up strange.

What were the scores for the black students? The success of the school system is measured in terms of ALL of the students. If the school system is successful then why is it 69% black? Where have all of the white students gone? Why have the number and enrollment of private schools grown so much?

Why did you leave out the scores for ACT and SAT? Why did you not address the significant increase in the dropout rate from the past?

If you haven't heard, Ark/Texas game moved to Sept. 27. Clicky

You have to compare ACT and SAT scores because these are the only tests that have been around over a period of time. This gives you a base line to compare scholastic achievement over a period of time to measure how the system has done. You have used test scores for one year for one racial group. This is a picture of one year for one racial group. There is no basis for comparison. Also, you should show dropout rates for the same period of time to be able to ascertain how that metric has changed---either up or down. You numbers are not a basis for coming to any sound conclusion. You obviously have no experience is how to use metrics.

Anecdotal information proves nothing. Show me the progress from standardized test scores over a period of time.

Goof, What did you think of the Barry lecture?
I wish I was in Steve Barnes chair commenting and asking the questions...I wanted to hear about the Influenza book, I'm on the waiting list at CALS

The key point is that there is a tremendous amount of data to consider (effect) and a huge number of factors (cause) that help (or hurt) the results. Take Doc's LISA academy or the recent story about the students enrolled in the charter school, for instance. Or the point I've made about Caucasian students. Or the disparity differences from one system to another.

You can only state with some assurance what the effect is. It is a completely different story to separate out the importance and relevance of the various factors that cause the results shown. As often as possible, I've posted links to research concerned with these factors.

However, when someone attempts to poison the debate with false conjectures and their own uncontrolled animosity, then such wrongdoing needs to be taken to task. Such specious arguments need to be shown for the underhanded attacks they truly are.

I've got no argument with that, Jake.

you can secure social security's future in three minutes (name/link)

State Department of Education numbers are hardly "anecdotal evidence." Anyway, the data is there for the other years and still holds consistent to 2007 numbers. I chose it merely because it was the most recent and didn't want to use up a lot of space.

As to all the other things you mentioned: remember that I was responding to your conjecture about white students. As to understand metrics, your failure to even get Caucasian results correct shows that you don't even take the time to check data for your statements.

What you have failed over and over to do is show proof of a cause.

Face it, you got caught in a lie. It's plain for everyone to see. You are trying to divert attention from that lie but it still lies there as rancid as ever. And it wasn't a little lie either. It was a huge mother of a lie.

Click on my name for the State Department of Education site for all this information. Check out the tests mentioned and the numbers for Caucasians. The 2007 numbers are shown but 2005 & 2006 can be accessed. Click on District and choose LRSD and get 2005--2007 numbers also for same.

It is not anecdotal. It all proves who lied about white students being failures in the LRSD program. And ask yourself: do you want to keep listening to a liar?

Nanc - I was pretty impressed. I really enjoyed it. 300 + in attendance.

I need to read his book on influenza. He did peak my interest about his book about Jim Wright and what Newt did to him. I think I will read that one first.

My treat was to get to go over and gaze at the Arkansas Studies Building. I have not looked at the progress of that building in probably 3 months and I was really impressed. Dr. Roberts has great vision.

CALS is pretty cool and we all get to keep learning.

As usual you have IGNORED my basic premise. Where are your ACT and SAT scores for a period of time? What test scores are you quoting? My basic premise was that the scores on these standardized tests have gone down over the years in the LRSD. Putting numbers down does not answer my very specific challenge. Continuing to ignore my specifics and producing numbers that do not address my challenge DOES NOT refute my premise. AGAIN, I have seen nothing addressing my second premise that dropout rates have gone up over a period of time. Could it be that you are afraid of addressing these two premises because you know that I am right?

Yeeeaaaah strange, that's the ticket.

ACT scores up in state but rosy for a mere 17%
By Evie Blad (Contact)

While Arkansas high school graduates in 2008 saw a slight increase in ACT scores, many of those students who took the college-entrance exam failed to meet college-readiness standards set by the testing organization.

SAT Scores Stay At Lowest Level In Nearly A Decade
Posted By: Robert Bell 1 month ago
SAT scores for the most recent high school graduating class remain at the lowest level in nearly a decade.

It's the second consecutive year that's been the case. But the College Board, which owns the exam, attributes the lower averages of late to a more positive development: a broader array of students are taking the test.

A record 1.52 million students took the test this year, a slight increase from 2007 but a jump of nearly 30 percent over the past decade.

Minority students accounted for 40 percent of test-takers. Thirty-six percent of those tested were the first in their families to attend college, an increase of one percentage point since last year.

The class of 2008 scored an average of 515 out of a possible 800 points on the math section of the college entrance exam, identical to the previous year. Scores in the critical reading component also held steady at 502.

Today's THV & The Associated Press

How's this for a comparison?

On three different level high school state exams for three straight years the scores for caucasians (as well as for other races) have all increased from year to year. 7 of the 9 LRSD caucasian scores were higher than the state average.

There does remain the problem of disparity. It is very difficult to point accurately to "the" cause when research shows that multiple causes usually underlie this problem. Rather than a tiresome and non-productive game of finding a convenient or unpopular scapegoat, it would be better to talk about the plans used by other public schools with similar problems who successfully reduced these disparities.

It sure beats listening to the purveyors of lies and the disciples of despair.

Jake,

I just love the way he keeps changing the subject when you catch him Making Shit Up. It's so, so, so long, to quote a friend's song, till he figures the stink has dissipated enough for him to show back up in decent company.

In a twisted way, I kind of admire it--he is absolutely convinced and determined to destroy that village in order to save it.

Nanc,

I was slightly let down by _The Great Influenza_, but I think that was probably just because I was so taken with _Rising Tide_. If I'd read them in the opposite order, I'd've probably had a different reaction, as _The Great Influenza_ was awfully good--or maybe not, as I've heard about the flood from my dad, who lived through it, and listened to Randy Newman's _Good Old Boys_ probaby too many times. (Fact: I own a quadrophonic LP of that album.)

Barry has a point about his back stories being fascinating--I'd read a whole book on the development of modern medicine like the start of _The Great Influenza_. If anyone has one to recommend, I am all ears.

Oh, and everyone, I checked today, and it's true: Jesse Helms is still dead.

Not to change the subject . . . .

But here's my little offering to lighten the mood:

As You Slide Down the Banister of Life, Remember:

1. Jim Baker and Jimmy Swaggert have written an impressive new book. It's called ......... 'Ministers Do More Than Lay People.'

2. Transvestite: A guy who likes to eat, drink, and be Mary.

3. The difference between the Pope and your boss: The Pope only expects you to kiss his ring.

4. My mind works like lightning; one brilliant flash and it is gone.

5. The only time the world beats a path to your door is when you're in the bathroom.

6. I hate sex in the movies. Tried it once. The seat folded up, the drink spilled and that ice, well, it really chilled the mood.

7. It used to be only death and taxes were inevitable. Now, of course, there's shipping and handling too.

8. A husband is someone who, after taking the trash out, gives the impression that he just cleaned the whole house.

9. My next house will have no kitchen -- just vending machines and a large trash can.

10. A blonde said, "I was worried that my mechanic might try to rip me off. I was relieved when he told me all I needed was turn signal fluid."

11. Definition of a teenager? God's punishment...for enjoying sex.

12. As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point the wrong way.

Breaking news! Sarah Palin is back in Alaska! They've cut into the news to show Sweet Sweet Sarah land on Alaskan soil. One small step for woman, on large step for lipstick sales!

How is you buddy the queen of patronage doing----katherine mitchell? Also, you have NEVER answered my question about the reasons for the substantial growth in private schools in Little Rock over the last 30 years.

Excellent commentary by comedian Jane Condon titled "It's not Hillary's role to attack Sarah Palin".

I particularly like the lines: "I can't vote for you because we are on the opposite side of the issues. I don't vote for people just because they have a uterus."

Blue name.

Oh, you are not going to hear hillary saying anything personal against palin. She has already started the planning for the 2012 campaign and probably is preparing contingencies to run against palin. 2012 could be a very interesting race. She wants obama to lose while ensuring that she maintains her position in the party. She will walk a fine line but will successfully navigate it for 12.

Ohmagod! Sweet Sweet Sarah just said NUKULAR? Is she George W. Bush in drag? with lipstick of course.

Who is changing the subject? How am I changing the subject when I keep reminding you that you never answered my original premise. Dream on, moonbat.

You asked what exams? That shows you didn't even read because I listed them. Will do so again:

Algebra 1 EOY Exam (9th graders mostly), Geometry EOY Exam (10th graders mostly); 11th Grade Literacy.

If you don't want to defend your statement about white students failing, I truly understand.

As to all your ACT, SAT scores and dropout rates -- I've never argued against them. I also note that no scholarly evidence is given by you to show that the school system is the sole cause for these scores, which is a conjecture you tend to make over and over. However, as I've stated earlier, there is research that identifies a multiple number of causes that are possible in this situation.

I also recall that you must change all or nearly all of these causes in order to see improvement. You can't just change one or two. If I remember right, this was from studies done in Texas and Kentucky. I posted these several months back on the AT blog but regrettably due to the crash of my main computer am unable to retrieve them at this moment.

Still, it's pretty obvious who posted a statement about whites failing in LRSD. It's your name I see signed to it. Just as it's obvious from the Arkansas Department of Education State and District Report Cards for 2005, 2006, & 2007 that such is totally untrue.

Unless you can convince the guys working at the Department of Education to change those numbers, I'm afraid you don't have any defense.

If you want to argue about other areas needing improvement, let's talk about ways to improve them. In the meantime, I suggest you improve your assumptions. The one about LRSD failing white students was a no brainer.

A friend sent this YouTube video. Don't watch it if you scare easily. At blue name.

I will give you this about some factors being very different today than 40 years ago. Many of these kids come from broken homes and we know from longitudinal studies that a broken home is a MAJOR cause of academic failure. Divorce has ravaged our children and the consequences are very obvious. I will give you that.

Jake,

I think the poor bastard maybe has some sort of cognitive problem. Did you notice that one of the news stories he excerpted up there tends, at least in part, to refute his own argument? I bet he didn't.

strangelove is the gift who keeps on giving. Did you notice he, too, doesn't think John McCain is up to finishing out the presidency? As he continues to spew divisive (at least, he wants it to be divisive, and it might be, if anyone believed him) anti-Hillary crap, he says, "She has already started the planning for the 2012 campaign and probably is preparing contingencies to run against palin."

You figure he means McCain will only serve one term? Or that he's only going to make it through a fraction thereof? Either way, it makes me feel bad for both those tired old man, strangelove and McCain.

Bill O'Reilly is an egotistical, self centered, self serving and intellectually dishonest panderer. Barack ate his lunch in the "interviews" (which I saw mostly as Bill trying his best to play to the lowest common denominator and search for a sound bite, not a reasoned debate). An educated and rational America could see that. But alas, I fear they shall not. It takes thought, education and honesty, but most of all, thinking beyond one's own personal prejudices. Sure, intellectually, one may disagree with Obama on issues, but at least it would be because of a reasoned, rational and logical assessment, even if I may say incorrect, as opposed to knee jerk, name-calling, pandering to the "base"... i.e. the animal instinct.
I won't hold my breath however.
I despise the ratings-mongers who trade actual debate for cheap theatrics. Obama had the guts to challenge one of them. I eagerly await McCain's or Palin's appearance on Olbermann.
But, I won't hold my breath. They don't have the intellectual honesty to allow their rhetoric to be challenged by one openly hostile to them as Obama did.
C'mon... strange, chasv, and the like..can ya get McCain Palin on Olberman's show.. or his he not "fair and balanced" enough?

According to a story in the August 27, 2008 edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, a total of 1,467 Arkansas seniors (including home schoolers) took the 2008 SAT that tested in three areas: writing, math, and reading. The top possible score for each section was 800. Here are the 2008 Arkansas and national average scores for each section.

WRITING
Arkansas 559
National 494

MATH
Arkansas 567
National 515

READING
Arkansas 575
National 502

Test scores by school type:

WRITING
559 (average score for 1,056 public school students)
552 (average score for 219 religiously affiliated school students)
590 (average score for 46 independent school students)

MATH
570 (average score for 1,056 public school students)
567 (average score for 219 religiously affiliated school students)
560 (average score for 46 independent school students)

READING
575 (average score for 1,056 public school students)
569 (average score for 219 religiously affiliated school students)
577 (average score for 46 independent school students)

Ark. test scores by race:

WRITING
572 (average score for whites)
469 (average score for blacks)
539 (average score for Asians)

MATH
572 (average score for whites)
468 (average score for blacks)
628 (average score for Asians)

READING
589 (average score for whites)
471 (average score for blacks)
546 (average score for Asians)

Whites comprised 76% of the test takers, blacks 7%, and Asians 8%. An additional 146 students were listed as attending "other" schools, or their schools were not known.

Amen, Oddball.. and pass the patriotism

Here (or at my name) Warning.. requires five minute attention span and you can't drink whatever strange drinks every day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epaOZP7nQ68

is the video of a good portion of Obama's reply to today's McMedia stick frenzy.

Also the WAPO take McPalin to Mclip-task tonight

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/10/AR2008091003116.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

Thank you durango. As usual when real facts get posted, strangelove has two responses:
1. cut and run
2. change the subject

old game, why bother?

I do think I speak for many on here, thank you for your effort.

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Woke for late nite ramble to the throne room and decided to Google for racial disparity and test scores or black white scoring gap as some call it. Although there was some minor quibbles, everyone I looked at listed many different factors already found thru research, several suggested further areas that also should be considered, and some pointed to the long history of racial discrimination. I bookmarked about 8 of them for later use when this argument resurfaces.

I did discover an interesting note about the SAT: only 18% of its content pertains to information needed in college or the workforce. It's on one of those I bookmarked so I'll give it a closer look later.

Oddball...recall when we invaded Iraq the Baath party continued to rally around Saddam. You see this in many 3rd world bust ups. Remember all those Filipinos who wouldn't give it up for dictator Ferdinand Marcos. It's always hard as hell to oust the ruling power.

We don't need to kid ourselves into believing America is any different. Our wingnuts want that Bush 3rd term. They worship these neo-con crooks, somehow believing that Jesus and his Pa still have a W sticker on the back of their heavenly Chrysler. Some are loyal Republicans, some are just suckers for authority figures. Heil Bush! and all that.

Take all the proven lies about both McCain and Palin......doesn't make any difference to them. The whole world knew the truth about Saddam and Marcos and yet their supporters remained strong too.

I don't know how this will turn out. I don't know if the fully informed voters outnumber the no information voters. I don't know what other tricks the neo-cons have up their tunic. Everyday feels like December 6th, 1941 or September 10th, 2001. We're not living in normal times. Expect anything in the next 55 days.

PS Those of us total information voters on the AT Blog aren't the only ones hoping Obama wins in November. Click the name to see the BBC poll of people in 22 other nations. Evidently a little lipstick ain't foolin them either.

Interesting DBI. When reading the BBC link I found this:

"The expectation that a McCain presidency would improve US relations with the world was the most common view, by a modest margin, only in China, India and Nigeria."

There you have it. The two nations who are benefiting the most from exporting U.S. jobs are all for
McBush. Nigeria is entering the oil age, for them, and naturally wants McBush who will help keep prices high. So all three knows who will butter their bread. Is that the kinda of change we want?

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"7. It used to be only death and taxes were inevitable. Now, of course, there's shipping and handling too."
by: SkyPilot

Funny stuff...
Addendum # 1
Item one
7. It used to be only death and taxes were inevitable. Now, of course, there's shipping,handling and strangelove too."

>>9. My next house will have no kitchen -- just vending machines and a large trash can.<<

Loved this one, Sky. I love to cook, but there are times when the grandkids are here with Mommy and Daddy both sitting two feet away and the little ones are all "Meme, I want some juice", "Meme, I want a snack", "Meme, I want some milk", etc, etc, etc.............when I WISH! LOL

Layoffs at KATV. Happened yesterday.