My teens introduced me to this website, and now I'm hooked!
www.pandora.com
You pick the genre by artist or song, then a collection of songs will play, one after the other, from the era you choose!
Create a profile and eliminate any songs you don't care for.. Pandora will remember and give you only what you like!
We were listening to the Archies tonight.......
Friday, February 27, 2009
Great music website....free.....create your own list..
My teens introduced me to this website, and now I'm hooked!
www.pandora.com
You pick the genre by artist or song, then a collection of songs will play, one after the other, from the era you choose!
Create a profile and eliminate any songs you don't care for.. Pandora will remember and give you only what you like!
We were listening to the Archies tonight.......
www.pandora.com
You pick the genre by artist or song, then a collection of songs will play, one after the other, from the era you choose!
Create a profile and eliminate any songs you don't care for.. Pandora will remember and give you only what you like!
We were listening to the Archies tonight.......
Penn uses movie "Milk" to coerce Obama, push Prop. 8
Another Hollywood actor uses his shining moment to plug the gay agenda...
Hollywood rebel Sean Penn, winner of the best actor Oscar for his role in "Milk," said Friday he hoped the film would soon get a showing before President Barack Obama.
"Eventually we are hoping for a White House screening," the 48-year-old told reporters ahead of the French launch of the acclaimed biopic about gay San Francisco politician Harvey Milk.
As California's Supreme Court prepares to rule on whether to annul a referendum that banned same-sex marriages last years, Penn said he expected the movie would weigh on the debate.
"I think this film will be one of the steps forward," Penn told reporters. "It will be part of the dialogue."
"But I think things are going to go forward with or without it," said Penn, who made an impassioned plea as he received his his second best-actor Oscar for opponents of gay marriage to rethink their positions.
"I was once asked to tell the difference between luxury and necessity for a human being. The right to equality for all, including homosexuals, is of course a necessity.
"That's why this right will become a reality and I think in its own way this film will be part of that."
"This train has left," Penn added, saying "the need for tolerance, equality and so on is on the move, and will go on."
In a result that has provoked nationwide protests by gay rights activists, Californians approved a proposal in November that amended the state constitution to recognise only marriages between men and women.
The passage of the measure -- known as Proposition 8 -- triggered lawsuits from activists, right groups and city officials.
The Californian court will on March 5 hear arguments in lawsuits seeking to annul the referendum, and is due to hand down a ruling within 90 days.
Hollywood rebel Sean Penn, winner of the best actor Oscar for his role in "Milk," said Friday he hoped the film would soon get a showing before President Barack Obama.
"Eventually we are hoping for a White House screening," the 48-year-old told reporters ahead of the French launch of the acclaimed biopic about gay San Francisco politician Harvey Milk.
As California's Supreme Court prepares to rule on whether to annul a referendum that banned same-sex marriages last years, Penn said he expected the movie would weigh on the debate.
"I think this film will be one of the steps forward," Penn told reporters. "It will be part of the dialogue."
"But I think things are going to go forward with or without it," said Penn, who made an impassioned plea as he received his his second best-actor Oscar for opponents of gay marriage to rethink their positions.
"I was once asked to tell the difference between luxury and necessity for a human being. The right to equality for all, including homosexuals, is of course a necessity.
"That's why this right will become a reality and I think in its own way this film will be part of that."
"This train has left," Penn added, saying "the need for tolerance, equality and so on is on the move, and will go on."
In a result that has provoked nationwide protests by gay rights activists, Californians approved a proposal in November that amended the state constitution to recognise only marriages between men and women.
The passage of the measure -- known as Proposition 8 -- triggered lawsuits from activists, right groups and city officials.
The Californian court will on March 5 hear arguments in lawsuits seeking to annul the referendum, and is due to hand down a ruling within 90 days.
James Dobson Steps Down as Chairman of FOF
Well done, Good and Faithful Servant...
Colorado Springs, Colo. - Focus on the Family's James C. Dobson, Ph.D., has stepped down as board chairman of the ministry he founded 32 years ago, it was announced today.
His wife, National Day of Prayer Chairman Shirley Dobson, has also left the Focus on the Family Board of Directors. They have been elected to the positions of Founder and Chairman Emeritus and Director Emerita, respectively, for the nonprofit ministry they started in 1977.
The Dobsons' decision represents the next step in a transition plan begun six years ago, when he stepped down as president in order to lessen his administrative burden. Executive leadership was handed to Don Hodel in 2003, and then to Jim Daly in 2005. Dr. Dobson had been board chairman until today.
The board of directors issued this statement: "One of Dr. Dobson's objectives during the last decade has been to help identify the next generation of leadership for the ministry, and to see it established securely before he stepped away from administrative oversight. That purpose has now been fulfilled, and we applaud Dr. Dobson for this concern for the future of the ministry."
Colorado Springs, Colo. - Focus on the Family's James C. Dobson, Ph.D., has stepped down as board chairman of the ministry he founded 32 years ago, it was announced today.
His wife, National Day of Prayer Chairman Shirley Dobson, has also left the Focus on the Family Board of Directors. They have been elected to the positions of Founder and Chairman Emeritus and Director Emerita, respectively, for the nonprofit ministry they started in 1977.
The Dobsons' decision represents the next step in a transition plan begun six years ago, when he stepped down as president in order to lessen his administrative burden. Executive leadership was handed to Don Hodel in 2003, and then to Jim Daly in 2005. Dr. Dobson had been board chairman until today.
The board of directors issued this statement: "One of Dr. Dobson's objectives during the last decade has been to help identify the next generation of leadership for the ministry, and to see it established securely before he stepped away from administrative oversight. That purpose has now been fulfilled, and we applaud Dr. Dobson for this concern for the future of the ministry."
WFC Appling speaks out against WB Library
Transcript from radio broadcast of WFC's CEO, Julaine Appling:
Speaking the Truth in/on Love
Have you checked out your local library’s web site lately? Maybe you should. Earlier this month, a concerned West Bend citizen came across quite a surprising web page on the West Bend library website—a page with a list of suggested reading for 6 th to 12 th grade young adults.
Prominently displayed was a page devoted exclusively to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender fiction and non-fiction.
The list of fifty-eight books contains a theme now familiar to Americans who have been constantly battered by the campaign to normalize homosexuality—that theme being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender is normal, exciting and fulfilling. Every single book on the list panders to that theme—with no exceptions.
There are no books on ex-gays, no books representing the Christian perspective on homosexuality, no books offering any other lifestyle or alternative message to young adults on homosexuality than the overt message to embrace, exploit, advocate and accept homosexuality.
The book descriptions are replete with suggestive wording, including teenage homosexual “affairs,” “teen sexuality,” “gay sexuality,” a high school drag queen, and “skinny dipping,” to just name a few. In fact, the “young adults” list even includes four books which the librarian labels as “adult.”
Why in the world are books the librarian thinks are “adult” on a “young adults” booklist?
More here: http://www.wifamilycouncil.org/Media/Radio%20transcripts/2009/771_022309.htm
Speaking the Truth in/on Love
Have you checked out your local library’s web site lately? Maybe you should. Earlier this month, a concerned West Bend citizen came across quite a surprising web page on the West Bend library website—a page with a list of suggested reading for 6 th to 12 th grade young adults.
Prominently displayed was a page devoted exclusively to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender fiction and non-fiction.
The list of fifty-eight books contains a theme now familiar to Americans who have been constantly battered by the campaign to normalize homosexuality—that theme being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender is normal, exciting and fulfilling. Every single book on the list panders to that theme—with no exceptions.
There are no books on ex-gays, no books representing the Christian perspective on homosexuality, no books offering any other lifestyle or alternative message to young adults on homosexuality than the overt message to embrace, exploit, advocate and accept homosexuality.
The book descriptions are replete with suggestive wording, including teenage homosexual “affairs,” “teen sexuality,” “gay sexuality,” a high school drag queen, and “skinny dipping,” to just name a few. In fact, the “young adults” list even includes four books which the librarian labels as “adult.”
Why in the world are books the librarian thinks are “adult” on a “young adults” booklist?
More here: http://www.wifamilycouncil.org/Media/Radio%20transcripts/2009/771_022309.htm
Thursday, February 26, 2009
WVCY to discuss WB Library Issue on Gay books for kids...
Jim Schneider of WVCY (107.7 FM) and I will be discussing the WB Library issue with homosexual books for youth in his show
"Homefront"
at 3:15 TOMORROW,
Friday, 02/27.
WB School Board tries to "sweet talk" taxpayers into passing referendum
THIS IS GAGGING ME.
Special GUESTVIEW in our local West Bend News:
Educating our children while remaining fiscally responsible (Yep, trying the "guilt factor.")
By JOE CARLSON AND KATHY VANEERDEN
The West Bend Joint School District is a topperforming district in many areas as evidenced by awards from Newsweek and ACT Red Quill. Our Advanced Placement Courses and Wisconsin Knowledge Concepts Evaluation scores are among the best in the state. We expect to educate our children in safe energy-efficient buildings with classrooms and common areas maintained to the same standards we have for our homes and neighborhoods. All of this must be accomplished while upholding our fiscally conservative spending values, which is why we are the sixth lowest spending school district out of 426 districts in Wisconsin. We can be proud of our past record of achievement and we need your help to sustain it.
(Here is the buildup..... we are such an award-winning school district and we can't continue being that unless our school buildings have a Taj-Mahal effect. Of course, throwing in the "safety" factor will guilt everyone into feeling like one of our kids will be shot tomorrow. We should be ashamed that we treat our schools so shabbily while our pristine, high-end homes are the epitomy of castles. Yes, that's a typo in the first sentence.)
As any realtor will attest to, property values and job creation in this community depend on the education our children receive, our student achievement and the physical conditions of our schools compared with other communities. The cost of doing nothing to improve our schools will affect our community infrastructure.
(GUILT, GUILT AND MORE GUILT. Our schools look fine. It's our school board that needs work. It's our deferred maintenance that got us in this predicament and now we are stuck with that. OH, and when the referendum goes down, we will lose even the the necessities of that deferred maintenance.)
Each member of this School Board is fully aware of the current state of the economy and the hardship placed on some families today. We are also extremely concerned about the overcrowding and the negative condition of some of our school district buildings and classrooms. As parents and taxpayers just like you, we would not be doing the job you elected us to do if we did not offer this community a cost-effective long-term solution. Our facilities need more than just a temporary, ineffective easy fix.
(What is "negative condition"? By the way, you are NOT doing the job we elected you to do. We want you to conservatively get the job done according to the economy we live in and you refuse. Instead, you are willing to risk it all with this stupid referendum. We will all lose. Nice representation. Thanks.)
In October, our School Board chose to remove the two referendum questions from the November ballot primarily due to the unprecedented financial market chaos that came on suddenly last summer and early fall. Financial markets froze up and uncertainty prevailed everywhere. The board did not expect the economy to be in recovery by April, so we went to work with our architects on the plan to modify our construction preparation to ensure the delay would not prevent us from getting the buildings expanded to meet the student growth, while keeping the cost the same.
(Awwww...how sweet. You are making us feel good about postponing the referendum for us poor slobs that saw the economy start going down in flames. But hey, times are a'changin', so chin up, Bucko! Let's throw it back in the ring now and put on our best smile! NOT)
Recently, the School Board secured a 6.3-acre parcel in the village of Jackson to build a new Jackson Elementary School on a parcel adjacent to the Boys and Girls Club. The new Jackson Elementary will accommodate 650 students and allow more students who live in Jackson to attend their neighborhood school, rather than being bused to Decorah Elementary. The new site also addresses current safety issues of being located on a dangerously busy intersection.
(Oh yes, and thank you for spending hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars JUST BEFORE THE REFERENDUM. I feel even more confident that you represent me in this economy. Nice move. Now we will own land we can't build on when the referendum fails AND we will be MINUS EVEN MORE MONEY.)
Since building will take two years, April 2009 was the latest we could wait before we must decide among progressively negative, wasteful, and painful choices to alleviate the overcrowding including: adding more temporary classroom trailers (beyond the two we have), redistricting some fifth-graders into our middle schools and pushing Badger, one of our oldest and most-in-need buildings, to well over 1,100 students within three years. Delaying the facility projects means aging facilities and overdue upgrades will simply be another year older as class sizes go beyond the 30 to 32 students in our middle schools and in excess of 25 in elementary.
(Sobbing now. Trailers? Oh no, not trailers! Aging facilities? Shocking! We are such a horrible community! We got this way because of our school board(s). So take care of the initial problems and THEN we can talk bells and whistles, k?)
Interest and construction cost savings should not be the main factor on whether or not we should do this project now. We agree wholeheartedly. We must take care of student growth, overdue repairs, and upgrades now, when we can literally save millions simply because interest rates have now fallen to 3.96 percent for 20-year bonds and actual construction bids for projects are coming in 10 to 15 percent lower than estimates; saving millions more. Realizing these savings now while putting some of our skilled trade workers back to work this summer building our schools has the potential to bring the cost of this project in lower from our estimates. We know there is never a good time for a building referendum. Economic recovery is expected by most forecasters to occur in 2010 when the added taxes of $10.00 per month on a $175,000 home would begin for 20 years. Investing in education, now, will help our community begin to recover and support future growth.
(We are doomed.)
TIME TO REPLACE THE SCHOOL BOARD WITH PEOPLE WHO REALLY DO REPRESENT THEIR COMMUNITY.
(Joe Carlson and Kathy VanEerden are West Bend School Board members.)
Special GUESTVIEW in our local West Bend News:
Educating our children while remaining fiscally responsible (Yep, trying the "guilt factor.")
By JOE CARLSON AND KATHY VANEERDEN
The West Bend Joint School District is a topperforming district in many areas as evidenced by awards from Newsweek and ACT Red Quill. Our Advanced Placement Courses and Wisconsin Knowledge Concepts Evaluation scores are among the best in the state. We expect to educate our children in safe energy-efficient buildings with classrooms and common areas maintained to the same standards we have for our homes and neighborhoods. All of this must be accomplished while upholding our fiscally conservative spending values, which is why we are the sixth lowest spending school district out of 426 districts in Wisconsin. We can be proud of our past record of achievement and we need your help to sustain it.
(Here is the buildup..... we are such an award-winning school district and we can't continue being that unless our school buildings have a Taj-Mahal effect. Of course, throwing in the "safety" factor will guilt everyone into feeling like one of our kids will be shot tomorrow. We should be ashamed that we treat our schools so shabbily while our pristine, high-end homes are the epitomy of castles. Yes, that's a typo in the first sentence.)
As any realtor will attest to, property values and job creation in this community depend on the education our children receive, our student achievement and the physical conditions of our schools compared with other communities. The cost of doing nothing to improve our schools will affect our community infrastructure.
(GUILT, GUILT AND MORE GUILT. Our schools look fine. It's our school board that needs work. It's our deferred maintenance that got us in this predicament and now we are stuck with that. OH, and when the referendum goes down, we will lose even the the necessities of that deferred maintenance.)
Each member of this School Board is fully aware of the current state of the economy and the hardship placed on some families today. We are also extremely concerned about the overcrowding and the negative condition of some of our school district buildings and classrooms. As parents and taxpayers just like you, we would not be doing the job you elected us to do if we did not offer this community a cost-effective long-term solution. Our facilities need more than just a temporary, ineffective easy fix.
(What is "negative condition"? By the way, you are NOT doing the job we elected you to do. We want you to conservatively get the job done according to the economy we live in and you refuse. Instead, you are willing to risk it all with this stupid referendum. We will all lose. Nice representation. Thanks.)
In October, our School Board chose to remove the two referendum questions from the November ballot primarily due to the unprecedented financial market chaos that came on suddenly last summer and early fall. Financial markets froze up and uncertainty prevailed everywhere. The board did not expect the economy to be in recovery by April, so we went to work with our architects on the plan to modify our construction preparation to ensure the delay would not prevent us from getting the buildings expanded to meet the student growth, while keeping the cost the same.
(Awwww...how sweet. You are making us feel good about postponing the referendum for us poor slobs that saw the economy start going down in flames. But hey, times are a'changin', so chin up, Bucko! Let's throw it back in the ring now and put on our best smile! NOT)
Recently, the School Board secured a 6.3-acre parcel in the village of Jackson to build a new Jackson Elementary School on a parcel adjacent to the Boys and Girls Club. The new Jackson Elementary will accommodate 650 students and allow more students who live in Jackson to attend their neighborhood school, rather than being bused to Decorah Elementary. The new site also addresses current safety issues of being located on a dangerously busy intersection.
(Oh yes, and thank you for spending hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars JUST BEFORE THE REFERENDUM. I feel even more confident that you represent me in this economy. Nice move. Now we will own land we can't build on when the referendum fails AND we will be MINUS EVEN MORE MONEY.)
Since building will take two years, April 2009 was the latest we could wait before we must decide among progressively negative, wasteful, and painful choices to alleviate the overcrowding including: adding more temporary classroom trailers (beyond the two we have), redistricting some fifth-graders into our middle schools and pushing Badger, one of our oldest and most-in-need buildings, to well over 1,100 students within three years. Delaying the facility projects means aging facilities and overdue upgrades will simply be another year older as class sizes go beyond the 30 to 32 students in our middle schools and in excess of 25 in elementary.
(Sobbing now. Trailers? Oh no, not trailers! Aging facilities? Shocking! We are such a horrible community! We got this way because of our school board(s). So take care of the initial problems and THEN we can talk bells and whistles, k?)
Interest and construction cost savings should not be the main factor on whether or not we should do this project now. We agree wholeheartedly. We must take care of student growth, overdue repairs, and upgrades now, when we can literally save millions simply because interest rates have now fallen to 3.96 percent for 20-year bonds and actual construction bids for projects are coming in 10 to 15 percent lower than estimates; saving millions more. Realizing these savings now while putting some of our skilled trade workers back to work this summer building our schools has the potential to bring the cost of this project in lower from our estimates. We know there is never a good time for a building referendum. Economic recovery is expected by most forecasters to occur in 2010 when the added taxes of $10.00 per month on a $175,000 home would begin for 20 years. Investing in education, now, will help our community begin to recover and support future growth.
(We are doomed.)
TIME TO REPLACE THE SCHOOL BOARD WITH PEOPLE WHO REALLY DO REPRESENT THEIR COMMUNITY.
(Joe Carlson and Kathy VanEerden are West Bend School Board members.)
West Bend Libary issue with GAY books for CHILDREN moves to Board
Next Tuesday at 7 p.m. the West Bend Libary Board will have open discussion for community members on their offering of homosexual books for 11-17 year olds in the YA Zone (young adult).
Met with Library Director, Michael Tyree, last night. Nice guy, amicable conversation, respectful. Despite his stance, he was easy to talk to and I wouldn't have a problem talking to him again.
Here is the gist of the meeting:
He says he understands (thought he said "agreed", but cannot verify this in my notes) with our moral values, but says librarians cannot censor books. We told him he WAS censoring books by not offering a "balance." We also told him that we are requesting a "ban" on the The Perks of a Wallflower book.
Would not address our position as parents as "pornography is in the eyes of the beholder." (His words.)
Could not give criteria for selecting books other than "valid and valuable resources." (His words.)
Stated "West Bend is not a homogeneous community; we are now becoming diverse." (Don't agree. This is clear indoctrination.)
He won't remove the books (says he can't), but he will work on finding a bunch of faith-based and ex-gay books to balance both youth AND adult sections. No promises. (We told him he might as well do the adult section, too, or we would be back in his office again and it will waste both of our's time).
We signed the form that said we did not come to a full agreement. They won't take down the web site. They would "balance" it, though, if they "could."
He plans to present his conclusions of our meeting at the Library Board meeting next Tuesday night.
Met with Library Director, Michael Tyree, last night. Nice guy, amicable conversation, respectful. Despite his stance, he was easy to talk to and I wouldn't have a problem talking to him again.
Here is the gist of the meeting:
He says he understands (thought he said "agreed", but cannot verify this in my notes) with our moral values, but says librarians cannot censor books. We told him he WAS censoring books by not offering a "balance." We also told him that we are requesting a "ban" on the The Perks of a Wallflower book.
Would not address our position as parents as "pornography is in the eyes of the beholder." (His words.)
Could not give criteria for selecting books other than "valid and valuable resources." (His words.)
Stated "West Bend is not a homogeneous community; we are now becoming diverse." (Don't agree. This is clear indoctrination.)
He won't remove the books (says he can't), but he will work on finding a bunch of faith-based and ex-gay books to balance both youth AND adult sections. No promises. (We told him he might as well do the adult section, too, or we would be back in his office again and it will waste both of our's time).
We signed the form that said we did not come to a full agreement. They won't take down the web site. They would "balance" it, though, if they "could."
He plans to present his conclusions of our meeting at the Library Board meeting next Tuesday night.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
WFC disses West Bend library
Transcript from radio broadcast of WFC's CEO, Julaine Appling:
Speaking the Truth in/on Love
Have you checked out your local library’s web site lately? Maybe you should. Earlier this month, a concerned West Bend citizen came across quite a surprising web page on the West Bend library website—a page with a list of suggested reading for 6 th to 12 th grade young adults.
Prominently displayed was a page devoted exclusively to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender fiction and non-fiction.
The list of fifty-eight books contains a theme now familiar to Americans who have been constantly battered by the campaign to normalize homosexuality—that theme being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender is normal, exciting and fulfilling. Every single book on the list panders to that theme—with no exceptions.
There are no books on ex-gays, no books representing the Christian perspective on homosexuality, no books offering any other lifestyle or alternative message to young adults on homosexuality than the overt message to embrace, exploit, advocate and accept homosexuality.
The book descriptions are replete with suggestive wording, including teenage homosexual “affairs,” “teen sexuality,” “gay sexuality,” a high school drag queen, and “skinny dipping,” to just name a few. In fact, the “young adults” list even includes four books which the librarian labels as “adult.” Why in the world are books the librarian thinks are “adult” on a “young adults” booklist?
More here: http://www.wifamilycouncil.org/Media/Radio%20transcripts/2009/771_022309.htm
Speaking the Truth in/on Love
Have you checked out your local library’s web site lately? Maybe you should. Earlier this month, a concerned West Bend citizen came across quite a surprising web page on the West Bend library website—a page with a list of suggested reading for 6 th to 12 th grade young adults.
Prominently displayed was a page devoted exclusively to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender fiction and non-fiction.
The list of fifty-eight books contains a theme now familiar to Americans who have been constantly battered by the campaign to normalize homosexuality—that theme being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender is normal, exciting and fulfilling. Every single book on the list panders to that theme—with no exceptions.
There are no books on ex-gays, no books representing the Christian perspective on homosexuality, no books offering any other lifestyle or alternative message to young adults on homosexuality than the overt message to embrace, exploit, advocate and accept homosexuality.
The book descriptions are replete with suggestive wording, including teenage homosexual “affairs,” “teen sexuality,” “gay sexuality,” a high school drag queen, and “skinny dipping,” to just name a few. In fact, the “young adults” list even includes four books which the librarian labels as “adult.” Why in the world are books the librarian thinks are “adult” on a “young adults” booklist?
More here: http://www.wifamilycouncil.org/Media/Radio%20transcripts/2009/771_022309.htm
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
West Bend Library Thumbs Nose at Taxpayers
Since filing a formal letter of complaint with our library and its board members, we (my husband and I) have been asked to follow the library's "three-step policy", which is to a.) meet with the YA Zone librarian, Kristin Pekoll, b.) meet with the library director, Michael Tyree, then, c.) if no agreement can be reached through either of these steps, meet with the library board. Note that before filing the formal complaint with our library, we did call the vice president of the library board, Tom Fink. This gentleman was not aware of any homosexual books or books with explicit sex acts in them. (He did not feel anyone else on the board had knowledge of this issue, either, though we did not validate this.)
We also met with the City Mayor, Kristine Deiss, who appoints the library board. She was unaware of the book issue and was not willing to intervene. Nice.
My husband and I had our first meeting with the young adult librarian, Kristin Pekoll, last night (February 23). The results of that meeting are as follows:
We began with the content of our complaint letter. Mrs. Pekoll told us it is not the library's position to make "value judgements." It was Mrs. Pekoll's intention to ignore the complaint letter and go down the list of books that we had sent and defend each choice. She had each book on a rack in our meeting room, along with stacks of ALA (American Library Association) review magazines and such with bookmarks in them. We explained that our complaint was a general complaint, not an individual book complaint. She did not want to discuss the general concept of homosexual books for youth, but we forged on regardless.
We read an excerpt from "The Perks of Being a Wallflower." This book has a heterosexual oral sex act in very graphic detail. Later on in the book there is a homosexual male-to-male sex act as well, all in detail. We asked Mrs. Pekoll if she felt this was appropriate reading material for an 11-year-old child. Her answer, again, was that she could not make "value judgements" and that this was simply "our opinion." We heard this over and over again.
The library's policy states that they will "represent the best available [materials] to meet the community's needs and interests". We asked Mrs. Pekoll what criteria she used to make the determination of West Bends "needs and interests." Her response was "I talk with the kids a lot. They tell me what they want to read." We confirmed with her that she, indeed, makes her book selections based on what children tell her, nothing more. We asked her how she knows that this is representative of our community. She could not answer. She stated, as well, that even if 95% of the community came forward (as my husband posed this question to her), she would still have to serve the other 5%. We then asked Mrs. Pekoll about her representation of the taxpayers, those who support our local library. Children do not pay taxes, so obviously their requests and desires do not trump the taxpayers. She stood firm on serving the "other 5%."
My husband compared movie ratings to book contents, explaining that our society already had standards in place regarding sexual, violent and language content. Mrs. Pekoll said that those were privately owned institutions, not comparable to the West Bend Library. We made several reasonable requests:
1. That the West Bend Public Library attain — at the very minimum — balance in the selections that the libraries carry on the homosexual issue in the YA Zone. There is no logical or common-sense reason why taxpayer-funded public libraries should make available every latest “gay”-affirming book — including those designed to open up young minds to the false and dangerous notion that homosexuality is normal — while NOT carrying faith-based and ex-”gay” books that oppose a pro-homosexual ideology. REQUEST DENIED.
2. We further asked for the removal of any book in the youth section of our library, i.e., children’s, young adult/YA Zone, that contains perverse and pornographic language.
We requested that any youth web pages referring to topics of a sexual nature, i.e., “Out of the Closet” be removed, or at the very least, password-protected, only accessible with parental authority, such as the practice in place for use of the library computers. REQUEST DENIED.
WE BELIEVE THAT:
1. Our YA Zone librarian is censoring books for our young adults according to her personal belief system, as there are no oppositional, i.e., ex-gay, faith-based materials in the YA Zone. We feel such propaganda and indoctrination of our local youth is inappropriate and unwanted.
2. Our rights as parents have been infringed upon by placing sexually explicit material in the youth section of our library, allowing any child of any age to explore the offensive contents and/or check out the books and take them home unknowingly.
3. Our library is violating their own policy by refusing to give the community what it desires, allowing children to choose, and ignoring the taxpayers who support the library and pay the salaries of the librarians.
4. We offered a list of oppositional books, complete with ISBN numbers (see attachment), yet Mrs. Pekoll rejected our list stating that all but one were acceptable choices as they did not have "professional reviews." (Even though these books were recommended by Americans for Truth About Homosexuality). She could not provide a policy that requires such criteria. Again, this is an unsubstantiated ruling and cannot be verified by this librarian.
5. There is absolutely nothing about Unwanted Same Sex Attraction (SSA) or how homosexuality originates. There is nothing about GID (Gender Identity Disorder) either. Links to informative and supportive web sites should be on your web site. These links need at a minimum to include:
www.pathinfo.org
www.homosexuality101.org
www.exodus-international.org
People leave homosexuality every day. The information is for those wanting it, seeking it, needing it. As the gay community says, it is all about choice and self-determination. The problem with choice is, in order to choose, there must be more than one thing to select from…correct? Our library needs to give everyone with UNWANTED SAME SEX ATTRACTION the resources needed in order to make an educated decision.
We expect our public library to protect children and empower parents to decide what their children can read.
We also met with the City Mayor, Kristine Deiss, who appoints the library board. She was unaware of the book issue and was not willing to intervene. Nice.
My husband and I had our first meeting with the young adult librarian, Kristin Pekoll, last night (February 23). The results of that meeting are as follows:
We began with the content of our complaint letter. Mrs. Pekoll told us it is not the library's position to make "value judgements." It was Mrs. Pekoll's intention to ignore the complaint letter and go down the list of books that we had sent and defend each choice. She had each book on a rack in our meeting room, along with stacks of ALA (American Library Association) review magazines and such with bookmarks in them. We explained that our complaint was a general complaint, not an individual book complaint. She did not want to discuss the general concept of homosexual books for youth, but we forged on regardless.
We read an excerpt from "The Perks of Being a Wallflower." This book has a heterosexual oral sex act in very graphic detail. Later on in the book there is a homosexual male-to-male sex act as well, all in detail. We asked Mrs. Pekoll if she felt this was appropriate reading material for an 11-year-old child. Her answer, again, was that she could not make "value judgements" and that this was simply "our opinion." We heard this over and over again.
The library's policy states that they will "represent the best available [materials] to meet the community's needs and interests". We asked Mrs. Pekoll what criteria she used to make the determination of West Bends "needs and interests." Her response was "I talk with the kids a lot. They tell me what they want to read." We confirmed with her that she, indeed, makes her book selections based on what children tell her, nothing more. We asked her how she knows that this is representative of our community. She could not answer. She stated, as well, that even if 95% of the community came forward (as my husband posed this question to her), she would still have to serve the other 5%. We then asked Mrs. Pekoll about her representation of the taxpayers, those who support our local library. Children do not pay taxes, so obviously their requests and desires do not trump the taxpayers. She stood firm on serving the "other 5%."
My husband compared movie ratings to book contents, explaining that our society already had standards in place regarding sexual, violent and language content. Mrs. Pekoll said that those were privately owned institutions, not comparable to the West Bend Library. We made several reasonable requests:
1. That the West Bend Public Library attain — at the very minimum — balance in the selections that the libraries carry on the homosexual issue in the YA Zone. There is no logical or common-sense reason why taxpayer-funded public libraries should make available every latest “gay”-affirming book — including those designed to open up young minds to the false and dangerous notion that homosexuality is normal — while NOT carrying faith-based and ex-”gay” books that oppose a pro-homosexual ideology. REQUEST DENIED.
2. We further asked for the removal of any book in the youth section of our library, i.e., children’s, young adult/YA Zone, that contains perverse and pornographic language.
We requested that any youth web pages referring to topics of a sexual nature, i.e., “Out of the Closet” be removed, or at the very least, password-protected, only accessible with parental authority, such as the practice in place for use of the library computers. REQUEST DENIED.
WE BELIEVE THAT:
1. Our YA Zone librarian is censoring books for our young adults according to her personal belief system, as there are no oppositional, i.e., ex-gay, faith-based materials in the YA Zone. We feel such propaganda and indoctrination of our local youth is inappropriate and unwanted.
2. Our rights as parents have been infringed upon by placing sexually explicit material in the youth section of our library, allowing any child of any age to explore the offensive contents and/or check out the books and take them home unknowingly.
3. Our library is violating their own policy by refusing to give the community what it desires, allowing children to choose, and ignoring the taxpayers who support the library and pay the salaries of the librarians.
4. We offered a list of oppositional books, complete with ISBN numbers (see attachment), yet Mrs. Pekoll rejected our list stating that all but one were acceptable choices as they did not have "professional reviews." (Even though these books were recommended by Americans for Truth About Homosexuality). She could not provide a policy that requires such criteria. Again, this is an unsubstantiated ruling and cannot be verified by this librarian.
5. There is absolutely nothing about Unwanted Same Sex Attraction (SSA) or how homosexuality originates. There is nothing about GID (Gender Identity Disorder) either. Links to informative and supportive web sites should be on your web site. These links need at a minimum to include:
www.pathinfo.org
www.homosexuality101.org
www.exodus-international.org
People leave homosexuality every day. The information is for those wanting it, seeking it, needing it. As the gay community says, it is all about choice and self-determination. The problem with choice is, in order to choose, there must be more than one thing to select from…correct? Our library needs to give everyone with UNWANTED SAME SEX ATTRACTION the resources needed in order to make an educated decision.
We expect our public library to protect children and empower parents to decide what their children can read.
Monday, February 23, 2009
DOYLE pushes domestic partner benefits
We could have predicted this.
From Wisconsin Family Council:
In his budget address this past Tuesday, Governor Doyle announced that he is proposing giving benefits to people in domestic partner relationships. Noticeably absent were any details. When we were able to look at the 1800-page budget bill (AB 75), we found many, many details--details that showed a radical social agenda being proposed. Beyond that, it is highly likely that what the governor is proposing in his statewide domestic partnershp registry and benefits for those in the registry is unconstitutional.Suffice it to say, what we saw, demanded that we contact our attorneys and get them involved immediately. So, I have already spoken with attorneys at Alliance Defense Fund who are working with us to determine next steps. We've done numerous media interviews over the past few days and have issued an initial press release on this matter. One thing we know is that members of the Joint Finance Committee, where the governor's budget is now, need to hear from citizens. If you click on the link at the end of this message, you can send an email to all of the members of the Joint Finance Committee. We've given you a message you can use, or you can edit it as you wish, which we highly encourage you to do. Let these senators and representatives know you want the domestic partnership registry and the health-care benefits for state employees in domestic partnerships stripped from the budget!
DO YOUR THING.
Click the link below to log in and send your message: http://www.votervoice.net/link/target/friwi29336824.aspx
From Wisconsin Family Council:
In his budget address this past Tuesday, Governor Doyle announced that he is proposing giving benefits to people in domestic partner relationships. Noticeably absent were any details. When we were able to look at the 1800-page budget bill (AB 75), we found many, many details--details that showed a radical social agenda being proposed. Beyond that, it is highly likely that what the governor is proposing in his statewide domestic partnershp registry and benefits for those in the registry is unconstitutional.Suffice it to say, what we saw, demanded that we contact our attorneys and get them involved immediately. So, I have already spoken with attorneys at Alliance Defense Fund who are working with us to determine next steps. We've done numerous media interviews over the past few days and have issued an initial press release on this matter. One thing we know is that members of the Joint Finance Committee, where the governor's budget is now, need to hear from citizens. If you click on the link at the end of this message, you can send an email to all of the members of the Joint Finance Committee. We've given you a message you can use, or you can edit it as you wish, which we highly encourage you to do. Let these senators and representatives know you want the domestic partnership registry and the health-care benefits for state employees in domestic partnerships stripped from the budget!
DO YOUR THING.
Click the link below to log in and send your message: http://www.votervoice.net/link/target/friwi29336824.aspx
Fat Tuesday thought - Clinton
Heard this today....
Fat Tuesday is one day a year in New Orleans where people eat, drink, and run wild. Other days it goes on within a 5-mile radius of Bill Clinton.
DID I SAY THAT?
Dolan announced as next Archbishop of NY
Well, we can all be equally mortified.
Visit "Common Ground" to read Archbishop Dolan's letter pledging financial support for this radical big-government organization. (The link was disabled so I am including this tiny, little copy for you to use your magnifying glasses with. Sorry, it's all I've got.)
The Milwaukee Priest Alliance has 100+ liberal members, many of which encouraged people from the pulpit to vote NO on the Marriage Amendment. Rather than completely cancelling a scandalous anti-Marriage Amendment fundraiser at the Cathedral, Arch. Dolan allowed it to be held in another church.
Yeah. It's true. The legislative agend of the Catholic Conf. is scary.
Tell 'em.
Archbishop Timothy Dolan
President, WI Catholic Conference
P.O. Box 070912
Mil., WI 53207
Bishop Robert Morlino
St. Patrick's Church
404 E. Main Street
Madison, WI 53703
Bishop Jerome Listecki
3710 East Avenue South
LaCrosse, WI 54602
Bishop David Ricken
P.O. Box 23825
Green Bay, WI 54305
Bishop Peter Christensen
1201 Hughitt Avenue
Superior, WI 54880
Visit "Common Ground" to read Archbishop Dolan's letter pledging financial support for this radical big-government organization. (The link was disabled so I am including this tiny, little copy for you to use your magnifying glasses with. Sorry, it's all I've got.)
The Milwaukee Priest Alliance has 100+ liberal members, many of which encouraged people from the pulpit to vote NO on the Marriage Amendment. Rather than completely cancelling a scandalous anti-Marriage Amendment fundraiser at the Cathedral, Arch. Dolan allowed it to be held in another church.
Yeah. It's true. The legislative agend of the Catholic Conf. is scary.
Tell 'em.
Archbishop Timothy Dolan
President, WI Catholic Conference
P.O. Box 070912
Mil., WI 53207
Bishop Robert Morlino
St. Patrick's Church
404 E. Main Street
Madison, WI 53703
Bishop Jerome Listecki
3710 East Avenue South
LaCrosse, WI 54602
Bishop David Ricken
P.O. Box 23825
Green Bay, WI 54305
Bishop Peter Christensen
1201 Hughitt Avenue
Superior, WI 54880
Americans for Prosperity to hold Summit March 7
From AFP
We are grateful for your efforts, along with the more than 465,000 Americans that signed the NoStimulus.com petition. While the liberals in Washington passed the Stimulus package – taxpayers across America send resounding shockwaves through the halls of Congress!
Now we have to send the same message to Madison.
Last week you saw democracy at its worst.
The liberals in Madison passed a 1.2 billion dollar tax increase with little input from the taxpayers of Wisconsin.
The misnamed "stimulus bill", that greatly increases taxes, was signed into law by Gov. Jim Doyle on Thursday -- just three days after the bill was introduced. There were no hearings. So much for transparency.
Enough is enough!
The more than 16,000 members of the Wisconsin Chapter of Americans for Prosperity are making a difference - and we need your help.
Join us in sending a powerful message to the politicians, special interests, and the mainstream media by taking part in the 2nd Annual Defending the American Dream - Wisconsin Summit.
On Saturday, March 7th at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee you can join Wisconsin's foremost free-market voices, top experts on grassroots mobilization, and Wisconsin's largest gathering of grassroots leaders from across our great state in a massive show of force for our shared belief in lower taxes and more limited government.
We have a great program of speakers in the morning and workshops in the afternoon.
Join The Wall Street Journal’s Steve Moore, Joe the Plumber, Congressmen Paul Ryan and Jim Sensenbrenner, Scott Walker, Sheriff David Clarke, Supreme Court Candidate Randy Koschnick, State DPI candidate Rose Fernandez, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, Herman Cain, Vicki McKenna, Pat Snyder and others.
The afternoon workshops focus on critical issues, such as property rights, educational choice, tax and spending, the new media, grassroots training, global warming hysteria will give you the tools you need to communicate with our elected officials and tell them "Enough is enough".
Please register today - We need your voice to be heard in Madison - NOW!
We are grateful for your efforts, along with the more than 465,000 Americans that signed the NoStimulus.com petition. While the liberals in Washington passed the Stimulus package – taxpayers across America send resounding shockwaves through the halls of Congress!
Now we have to send the same message to Madison.
Last week you saw democracy at its worst.
The liberals in Madison passed a 1.2 billion dollar tax increase with little input from the taxpayers of Wisconsin.
The misnamed "stimulus bill", that greatly increases taxes, was signed into law by Gov. Jim Doyle on Thursday -- just three days after the bill was introduced. There were no hearings. So much for transparency.
Enough is enough!
The more than 16,000 members of the Wisconsin Chapter of Americans for Prosperity are making a difference - and we need your help.
Join us in sending a powerful message to the politicians, special interests, and the mainstream media by taking part in the 2nd Annual Defending the American Dream - Wisconsin Summit.
On Saturday, March 7th at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee you can join Wisconsin's foremost free-market voices, top experts on grassroots mobilization, and Wisconsin's largest gathering of grassroots leaders from across our great state in a massive show of force for our shared belief in lower taxes and more limited government.
We have a great program of speakers in the morning and workshops in the afternoon.
Join The Wall Street Journal’s Steve Moore, Joe the Plumber, Congressmen Paul Ryan and Jim Sensenbrenner, Scott Walker, Sheriff David Clarke, Supreme Court Candidate Randy Koschnick, State DPI candidate Rose Fernandez, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, Herman Cain, Vicki McKenna, Pat Snyder and others.
The afternoon workshops focus on critical issues, such as property rights, educational choice, tax and spending, the new media, grassroots training, global warming hysteria will give you the tools you need to communicate with our elected officials and tell them "Enough is enough".
Please register today - We need your voice to be heard in Madison - NOW!
40 Days for Life starts WEDNESDAY
This winter, from February 25th (Ash Wednesday) through April 5th (Palm Sunday) our community will be one of more than 170 cities in 45 states joining together for the largest and longest coordinated pro-life mobilization in history:
40 DAYS FOR LIFE CAMPAIGN
This is a focused pro-life effort that consists of:
40 days of prayer and fasting
40 days of peaceful vigil
40 days of community outreach
We are praying that, with God's help, this roundbreaking effort will markt the beginning of the end of ABORTION in our city -- and throughout AMERICA.
TAKE A STAND FOR LIFE.
While all aspects of 40 Days for Life are crucial in our effort to END ABORTION, the most visible component is the peaceful prayer vigil outside the local abortion (or Planned Parenthood) facility.
You can help make a life-saving impact by joining our local vigil at:
AFFILIATED MEDICAL SERVICES
1428 N. Farwell Avenue Milwaukee WI
(next to Shank Hall)
Visit the website for more information: http://www.40daysforlife.com/about.cfm
40 DAYS FOR LIFE CAMPAIGN
This is a focused pro-life effort that consists of:
40 days of prayer and fasting
40 days of peaceful vigil
40 days of community outreach
We are praying that, with God's help, this roundbreaking effort will markt the beginning of the end of ABORTION in our city -- and throughout AMERICA.
TAKE A STAND FOR LIFE.
While all aspects of 40 Days for Life are crucial in our effort to END ABORTION, the most visible component is the peaceful prayer vigil outside the local abortion (or Planned Parenthood) facility.
You can help make a life-saving impact by joining our local vigil at:
AFFILIATED MEDICAL SERVICES
1428 N. Farwell Avenue Milwaukee WI
(next to Shank Hall)
Visit the website for more information: http://www.40daysforlife.com/about.cfm
MSNBC polling about "In God We Trust" on currency
Hmmmm....
Should the motto "In God We Trust" be removed from U.S. currency?
Yes. It's a violation of the principle of separation of church and state.
No. The motto has historical and patriotic significance and does nothing to establish a state religion.
Perhaps it should read:
No. The motto has historically spiritual significance and is a solid statement of our country's foundational Truth, which we hold dear and will never let go.
Feel free to vote: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10103521/
Should the motto "In God We Trust" be removed from U.S. currency?
Yes. It's a violation of the principle of separation of church and state.
No. The motto has historical and patriotic significance and does nothing to establish a state religion.
Perhaps it should read:
No. The motto has historically spiritual significance and is a solid statement of our country's foundational Truth, which we hold dear and will never let go.
Feel free to vote: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10103521/
Watch Sean Penn ridicule Americans with his pro-gay Oscar acceptance speech
Curtsy to FREEDOM EDEN:
Sean Penn must have been very happy that he won an Academy Award for his performance in Milk. That gave him a platform to slam a lot of Americans in his acceptance speech.
From Reuters:
Sean Penn took home the Oscar for best actor on Sunday for his portrayal of slain San Francisco gay rights activist Harvey Milk in the movie "Milk" and used his win to defend the right of same-sex couples to wed....
"You commie, homo-loving, sons of guns," the sharp-tongued Penn told the audience as he collected his award. "I did not expect this and...I know how hard I make it to appreciate me. (Oh, you bet you do, Sean... It is VERY hard to appreciate you, and what you stand for.)
"The straight actor's portrayal of an openly gay politician was a timely one -- with "Milk" coming out shortly after California's same-sex couples lost their right to marry in a voter referendum. (Very "timely", indeed...)
"I think it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that way," Penn said."We've got to have equal rights for everyone."
Ok, Sean, here is where we draw the line. The only shame that will be upon anyone is the shame on you, your outspoken activism and support of deviant, immoral sexual behavior, and the promotion/advocacy for the next generation to slaughter themselves and their future. Yes, Sean, shame on YOU.
Disgust yourself here:
Sean Penn must have been very happy that he won an Academy Award for his performance in Milk. That gave him a platform to slam a lot of Americans in his acceptance speech.
From Reuters:
Sean Penn took home the Oscar for best actor on Sunday for his portrayal of slain San Francisco gay rights activist Harvey Milk in the movie "Milk" and used his win to defend the right of same-sex couples to wed....
"You commie, homo-loving, sons of guns," the sharp-tongued Penn told the audience as he collected his award. "I did not expect this and...I know how hard I make it to appreciate me. (Oh, you bet you do, Sean... It is VERY hard to appreciate you, and what you stand for.)
"The straight actor's portrayal of an openly gay politician was a timely one -- with "Milk" coming out shortly after California's same-sex couples lost their right to marry in a voter referendum. (Very "timely", indeed...)
"I think it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that way," Penn said."We've got to have equal rights for everyone."
Ok, Sean, here is where we draw the line. The only shame that will be upon anyone is the shame on you, your outspoken activism and support of deviant, immoral sexual behavior, and the promotion/advocacy for the next generation to slaughter themselves and their future. Yes, Sean, shame on YOU.
Disgust yourself here:
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Gay TransAction Scheduled for MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOLS this Friday Feb. 27th across Nation
IS THIS HAPPENING AT YOUR SCHOOL?
GLSEN (Gay/Lesbian/Straight Education Network) is targeting KIDS, some as young as 10, (under the guise of "safety") for their TransAction Day THIS FRIDAY.
Middle/High School Students
BE COUNTED: The more who register, the more impressive the event looks to the media, the public and those who oppose safe schools for all students. GLSEN's Student Organizing Department will keep you connected and help you stay on top of what's going on with all the Days of Action, plus other news!
GLSEN also helps students determine if their community is for or against homosexuality, so they can spend their time and energy advocating.
GLSEN created the Local School Climate Survey (School-Based
Version). It is similar to the national survey except that it is meant to
be given to all students, not just LGBT students. The survey will tell
you how frequently students are hearing anti-LGBT, racist and sexist
remarks in your school. It will also tell you whether students feel safe
or unsafe in school because of their sexual orientation, gender, gender
expression or race. The results of the survey will enable you to assess
the amount of bias at your school and will help you advocate for more
inclusive school policies and practices. In this activity, you will develop
a strategy for using the Local School Climate Survey (School-Based
Version) in your school.
Sample Survey
Questions
• How often do you hear the
expression “That’s so gay” or
“You’re so gay” in school?
Just wondering...how often do you also hear "you are so ugly", "you are such a geek", "you are so fat", "you are stupid"..........
• In the past month, how many
times have you skipped a class
because you felt uncomfor table
or unsafe in that class?
Just wondering.... How many times did other kids skip class because they were ridiculed and felt "unsafe/uncomfortable" regarding their issues with home situations, acne, weight, looks, intelligence....
• When you hear racist remarks
at your school, how often does
another student intervene?
Just wondering.... does racist refer to color? If so, and I think it does, how does this compare to sexual behavior of children?
• When sexist remarks are made
at your school and a teacher or
other school staff person is
present, how often does the
teacher or staff person intervene?
Just wondering..... Does your school have a harassment policy in place? If so, do they use it? Hope they don't single out kids for who they desire to have sex with. That is just a cover to shut up people who are outspoken concerning immoral and unhealthy behaviors. We all know it. Why doesn't GLSEN just say it?
GLSEN (Gay/Lesbian/Straight Education Network) is targeting KIDS, some as young as 10, (under the guise of "safety") for their TransAction Day THIS FRIDAY.
Middle/High School Students
BE COUNTED: The more who register, the more impressive the event looks to the media, the public and those who oppose safe schools for all students. GLSEN's Student Organizing Department will keep you connected and help you stay on top of what's going on with all the Days of Action, plus other news!
GLSEN also helps students determine if their community is for or against homosexuality, so they can spend their time and energy advocating.
GLSEN created the Local School Climate Survey (School-Based
Version). It is similar to the national survey except that it is meant to
be given to all students, not just LGBT students. The survey will tell
you how frequently students are hearing anti-LGBT, racist and sexist
remarks in your school. It will also tell you whether students feel safe
or unsafe in school because of their sexual orientation, gender, gender
expression or race. The results of the survey will enable you to assess
the amount of bias at your school and will help you advocate for more
inclusive school policies and practices. In this activity, you will develop
a strategy for using the Local School Climate Survey (School-Based
Version) in your school.
Sample Survey
Questions
• How often do you hear the
expression “That’s so gay” or
“You’re so gay” in school?
Just wondering...how often do you also hear "you are so ugly", "you are such a geek", "you are so fat", "you are stupid"..........
• In the past month, how many
times have you skipped a class
because you felt uncomfor table
or unsafe in that class?
Just wondering.... How many times did other kids skip class because they were ridiculed and felt "unsafe/uncomfortable" regarding their issues with home situations, acne, weight, looks, intelligence....
• When you hear racist remarks
at your school, how often does
another student intervene?
Just wondering.... does racist refer to color? If so, and I think it does, how does this compare to sexual behavior of children?
• When sexist remarks are made
at your school and a teacher or
other school staff person is
present, how often does the
teacher or staff person intervene?
Just wondering..... Does your school have a harassment policy in place? If so, do they use it? Hope they don't single out kids for who they desire to have sex with. That is just a cover to shut up people who are outspoken concerning immoral and unhealthy behaviors. We all know it. Why doesn't GLSEN just say it?
George Washington's 101 Rules of Civility
We could learn a few things...
Here are a few:
Rule 12: Shake not the head, feet, or legs; roll not the eyes; lift not one eyebrow higher than the other; wry not thy mouth; and bedew no man's face with your spittle by approaching too near him when you speak.
Rule 23: When you see a crime punished, you may be inwardly pleased, but always show pity to the suffering offender.
Rule 42: Let thy ceremonies in courtesy be proper to the dignity of his place with who thou converses, for it is absurd to act the same with a clown and a prince.
Celebrating the birthday of our nation's forefather...
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Tweeting on Twitter - Feelin' green...
But hey, it certainly is interesting! I think I like it!
You can subscribe to my RSS Feed here.
Just click on the lower left-hand side of this blog.
You can subscribe to my RSS Feed here.
Just click on the lower left-hand side of this blog.
WI Family Council/Americal Majority Fires up Candidates and Supporters
I attended a Candidate Training Event today in Fond du lac put on by Wisconsin Family Council/Action and American Majority. The purpose of this bipartisan seminar was to teach candidates and their supporters how to have a successful campaign. Ned Ryun, the president of the American Majority, spoke for half the time, tag-teaming with Chuck Faulkner. From school board member to county commissioner to state senate, the goal of these trainers was to help Wisconsin candidates face and overcome the challenges of running for office.
Topics touched on by the American Majority speakers were:
If you are interested in more info, contact me at mailto:wissupwisconsin@gmail.com
Topics touched on by the American Majority speakers were:
- Communications (Paid and Earned Media)
- The Campaign Plan
- Political Fundraising
- Online Engagement and New Media for Campaigns
- Grassroots Organizing Online and Offline
If you are interested in more info, contact me at mailto:wissupwisconsin@gmail.com
Friday, February 20, 2009
West Bend School District Referendum is a GO
YES, IT'S TRUE. What part about the other examples around us in Wisconsin does our school board not get?
Every school district referendum measure in Wisconsin failed yesterday, according to returns reported on the Department of Public Instruction's referendum Web site.
Voters from Appleton to Salem to Siren said "no" to keeping class sizes stable, maintaining buildings and buying textbooks.
School district has no plans to pull out of April 7 vote
By DWAYNE BUTLER Daily News Staff
By law, school boards across the state have until today to decide whether to withdraw referendum questions scheduled for the spring general election. The West Bend School Board doesn't have any plans to pull back from a $68.85 million referendum that is set for the April 7 ballot. (DON'T BE FOOLED. WITH BONDING, THIS COULD CLIMB AS HIGH AS $103K, ACCORDING TO BAIRD)
“Our board has been committed to letting the community decide on this (referendum) because of the significant, negative decisions that we’ll face should we not do this are going to be substantial,” said West Bend School Board President Joe Carlson. “The board wants the community to make that decision and not have seven people on a board make that decision for them by delaying a referendum.”
The school district is hoping to take advantage of low interest rates and the recent drop in the price of building materials.
The district’s financial adviser, Brian Brewer of Robert W. Baird said in an interview last month that if both questions pass, the mill rate increase is 68 cents (at 4.75 percent interest for 20 years) versus last fall’s estimate of 82 cents (5 percent). The total interest payment sinks from last fall’s $39.96 million to to $36,728,900.
“The information from Baird clearly outlines the cost benefits of this timing for bidding and interest rates,” West Bend School Superintendent Pat Herdrich said via an e-mail. “The board believes the community needs to make the decision on the long-term cost savings and the current conditions for their children.”
Carlson reiterated his comments last month about this being the best time to move forward.
"If you believe that we need to take care of the project as we feel we need to, this is going to be the best time to do that,” he said. “There will be multiple recessions in the next 20 years when we pay these bonds off, so this won't be the last time. But it is the time when we can save the most money by starting it now.”
Carlson added, “I realize that $10 a month may be a lot for someone who is out of work, but we've got 7,000 students in our school buildings and their future depends on what we do.”
Carlson said the board has received letters and e-mails asking them to delay posting of the referendum questions based on the economic downturn. But he's also heard from those favoring the referendum, including one person who says it is the “perfect storm of opportunity because of the low construction costs and the fact that we've got the plan down to almost half the size it was in October of '07.”
The referendum was scheduled for last November's election, but the board opted to delay it when the economy quickly shifted downward and caught many people by surprise. It was approved last month and put on the April ballot.
Every school district referendum measure in Wisconsin failed yesterday, according to returns reported on the Department of Public Instruction's referendum Web site.
Voters from Appleton to Salem to Siren said "no" to keeping class sizes stable, maintaining buildings and buying textbooks.
School district has no plans to pull out of April 7 vote
By DWAYNE BUTLER Daily News Staff
By law, school boards across the state have until today to decide whether to withdraw referendum questions scheduled for the spring general election. The West Bend School Board doesn't have any plans to pull back from a $68.85 million referendum that is set for the April 7 ballot. (DON'T BE FOOLED. WITH BONDING, THIS COULD CLIMB AS HIGH AS $103K, ACCORDING TO BAIRD)
“Our board has been committed to letting the community decide on this (referendum) because of the significant, negative decisions that we’ll face should we not do this are going to be substantial,” said West Bend School Board President Joe Carlson. “The board wants the community to make that decision and not have seven people on a board make that decision for them by delaying a referendum.”
The school district is hoping to take advantage of low interest rates and the recent drop in the price of building materials.
The district’s financial adviser, Brian Brewer of Robert W. Baird said in an interview last month that if both questions pass, the mill rate increase is 68 cents (at 4.75 percent interest for 20 years) versus last fall’s estimate of 82 cents (5 percent). The total interest payment sinks from last fall’s $39.96 million to to $36,728,900.
“The information from Baird clearly outlines the cost benefits of this timing for bidding and interest rates,” West Bend School Superintendent Pat Herdrich said via an e-mail. “The board believes the community needs to make the decision on the long-term cost savings and the current conditions for their children.”
Carlson reiterated his comments last month about this being the best time to move forward.
"If you believe that we need to take care of the project as we feel we need to, this is going to be the best time to do that,” he said. “There will be multiple recessions in the next 20 years when we pay these bonds off, so this won't be the last time. But it is the time when we can save the most money by starting it now.”
Carlson added, “I realize that $10 a month may be a lot for someone who is out of work, but we've got 7,000 students in our school buildings and their future depends on what we do.”
Carlson said the board has received letters and e-mails asking them to delay posting of the referendum questions based on the economic downturn. But he's also heard from those favoring the referendum, including one person who says it is the “perfect storm of opportunity because of the low construction costs and the fact that we've got the plan down to almost half the size it was in October of '07.”
The referendum was scheduled for last November's election, but the board opted to delay it when the economy quickly shifted downward and caught many people by surprise. It was approved last month and put on the April ballot.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Milwaukee Parental Choice Program outlined in Doyle budget bill
The Governor's budget bill includes numerous provisions that impact the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP). They include, but are not limited to:
� Requirements that schools abide by state open meeting and open records laws. Schools would be subject to same enforcement of these statutes as public agencies.
� Requirements that all MPCP schools administer state tests, including those required by No Child Left Behind and the state's third grade reading test.
� Provisions that school must make available to all applicants and to anyone who makes a request a wide range of information, including access to school records and detailed information about test scores and rates of promotion.
� A requirement that all private schools new to the MPCP gain accreditation prior to participation in the MPCP. Schools already in the program must attain accreditation by August 1, 2010.
� A requirement that all teachers and administrators must possess at least a B.A. from an accredited institution. The bill does not require licensing by the Department of Public Instruction.
NICE!
This is great because MPS wastes $ like it is going out of style; their truancy and dropouts rates are pathetic.
Choice saves taxpayers A LOT of $ in this state.
Parents in Milwaukee obviously like it as the program is still going after several years and they have almost maxed out their enrollment space!
� Requirements that schools abide by state open meeting and open records laws. Schools would be subject to same enforcement of these statutes as public agencies.
� Requirements that all MPCP schools administer state tests, including those required by No Child Left Behind and the state's third grade reading test.
� Provisions that school must make available to all applicants and to anyone who makes a request a wide range of information, including access to school records and detailed information about test scores and rates of promotion.
� A requirement that all private schools new to the MPCP gain accreditation prior to participation in the MPCP. Schools already in the program must attain accreditation by August 1, 2010.
� A requirement that all teachers and administrators must possess at least a B.A. from an accredited institution. The bill does not require licensing by the Department of Public Instruction.
NICE!
This is great because MPS wastes $ like it is going out of style; their truancy and dropouts rates are pathetic.
Choice saves taxpayers A LOT of $ in this state.
Parents in Milwaukee obviously like it as the program is still going after several years and they have almost maxed out their enrollment space!
Milwaukee Parental Choice Program outlined in Doyle budget bill
The Governor's budget bill includes numerous provisions that impact the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP). They include, but are not limited to:
� Requirements that schools abide by state open meeting and open records laws. Schools would be subject to same enforcement of these statutes as public agencies.
� Requirements that all MPCP schools administer state tests, including those required by No Child Left Behind and the state's third grade reading test.
� Provisions that school must make available to all applicants and to anyone who makes a request a wide range of information, including access to school records and detailed information about test scores and rates of promotion.
� A requirement that all private schools new to the MPCP gain accreditation prior to participation in the MPCP. Schools already in the program must attain accreditation by August 1, 2010.
� A requirement that all teachers and administrators must possess at least a B.A. from an accredited institution. The bill does not require licensing by the Department of Public Instruction.
NICE!
This is great because MPS wastes $ like it is going out of style; their truancy and dropouts rates are pathetic.
Choice saves taxpayers A LOT of $ in this state.
Parents in Milwaukee obviously like it as the program is still going after several years and they have almost maxed out their enrollment space!
� Requirements that schools abide by state open meeting and open records laws. Schools would be subject to same enforcement of these statutes as public agencies.
� Requirements that all MPCP schools administer state tests, including those required by No Child Left Behind and the state's third grade reading test.
� Provisions that school must make available to all applicants and to anyone who makes a request a wide range of information, including access to school records and detailed information about test scores and rates of promotion.
� A requirement that all private schools new to the MPCP gain accreditation prior to participation in the MPCP. Schools already in the program must attain accreditation by August 1, 2010.
� A requirement that all teachers and administrators must possess at least a B.A. from an accredited institution. The bill does not require licensing by the Department of Public Instruction.
NICE!
This is great because MPS wastes $ like it is going out of style; their truancy and dropouts rates are pathetic.
Choice saves taxpayers A LOT of $ in this state.
Parents in Milwaukee obviously like it as the program is still going after several years and they have almost maxed out their enrollment space!
Little girls in danger - ACS lobbying for HPV vaccine
Here is a disturbing link to the American Cancer Society lobbying report for 2009 discussing their involvement in the drafting of a controversial HPV Vaccine (Gardasil) bill which has not been introduced to the full State Legislature yet.
http://ethics.state.wi.us/scripts/CurrentSession/BandrLobbied.asp?PrinID=2573&start=&start2=
Now that the Democrats are in control of all three branches of our state government, don't be surprised if they try to enact a mandate on all Little Girls in 6th grade to have this questionable shot prior to their entry into public, private and homeschools.
Because the Republicans were in the majority in the State Assembly, we were able to kill this offensive bill during the 2007-08 Session. Between the $360 shot regimen as well as the 3 required office visits, such a statewide mandate would have a tremendous pricetag and serve to financially benefit such organizations as Planned Parenthood, the state's largest abortion provider, as well as the pharmaceutical industry.
http://ethics.state.wi.us/scripts/CurrentSession/BandrLobbied.asp?PrinID=2573&start=&start2=
Now that the Democrats are in control of all three branches of our state government, don't be surprised if they try to enact a mandate on all Little Girls in 6th grade to have this questionable shot prior to their entry into public, private and homeschools.
Because the Republicans were in the majority in the State Assembly, we were able to kill this offensive bill during the 2007-08 Session. Between the $360 shot regimen as well as the 3 required office visits, such a statewide mandate would have a tremendous pricetag and serve to financially benefit such organizations as Planned Parenthood, the state's largest abortion provider, as well as the pharmaceutical industry.
Little girls in danger - ACS lobbying for HPV vaccine
Here is a disturbing link to the American Cancer Society lobbying report for 2009 discussing their involvement in the drafting of a controversial HPV Vaccine (Gardasil) bill which has not been introduced to the full State Legislature yet.
http://ethics.state.wi.us/scripts/CurrentSession/BandrLobbied.asp?PrinID=2573&start=&start2=
Now that the Democrats are in control of all three branches of our state government, don't be surprised if they try to enact a mandate on all Little Girls in 6th grade to have this questionable shot prior to their entry into public, private and homeschools.
Because the Republicans were in the majority in the State Assembly, we were able to kill this offensive bill during the 2007-08 Session. Between the $360 shot regimen as well as the 3 required office visits, such a statewide mandate would have a tremendous pricetag and serve to financially benefit such organizations as Planned Parenthood, the state's largest abortion provider, as well as the pharmaceutical industry.
http://ethics.state.wi.us/scripts/CurrentSession/BandrLobbied.asp?PrinID=2573&start=&start2=
Now that the Democrats are in control of all three branches of our state government, don't be surprised if they try to enact a mandate on all Little Girls in 6th grade to have this questionable shot prior to their entry into public, private and homeschools.
Because the Republicans were in the majority in the State Assembly, we were able to kill this offensive bill during the 2007-08 Session. Between the $360 shot regimen as well as the 3 required office visits, such a statewide mandate would have a tremendous pricetag and serve to financially benefit such organizations as Planned Parenthood, the state's largest abortion provider, as well as the pharmaceutical industry.
A ROSE by any other name is still VICTORY
From her campaign wesbite:
"The results tonight are a testament to the power of our message of reform,” said Fernandez. “Our coalition of concerned parents, excellent teachers and fed up taxpayers proved, yet again, that theycan go toe-to-toe with the most entrenched and well-funded special interests in Wisconsin politics and not flinch.”
While the WEAC spent upwards of $200,000 to get their chosen candidate through the Primary, the Fernandez campaign spent less than $20,000 and relied on an informative website, traditional hard work and citizen to citizen contact.
“Voters will have a clear contrast in April,” said Fernandez. “I want to bring people together to reward excellence in education, promote higher standards, empower parents and protect taxpayers, while we can expect the usual demagoguery from the WEAC-driven defenders of the status quo.”
KUDOS TO ALL WHO GOT THE VOTE OUT!
"The results tonight are a testament to the power of our message of reform,” said Fernandez. “Our coalition of concerned parents, excellent teachers and fed up taxpayers proved, yet again, that theycan go toe-to-toe with the most entrenched and well-funded special interests in Wisconsin politics and not flinch.”
While the WEAC spent upwards of $200,000 to get their chosen candidate through the Primary, the Fernandez campaign spent less than $20,000 and relied on an informative website, traditional hard work and citizen to citizen contact.
“Voters will have a clear contrast in April,” said Fernandez. “I want to bring people together to reward excellence in education, promote higher standards, empower parents and protect taxpayers, while we can expect the usual demagoguery from the WEAC-driven defenders of the status quo.”
KUDOS TO ALL WHO GOT THE VOTE OUT!
A ROSE by any other name is still VICTORY
From her campaign wesbite:
"The results tonight are a testament to the power of our message of reform,” said Fernandez. “Our coalition of concerned parents, excellent teachers and fed up taxpayers proved, yet again, that theycan go toe-to-toe with the most entrenched and well-funded special interests in Wisconsin politics and not flinch.”
While the WEAC spent upwards of $200,000 to get their chosen candidate through the Primary, the Fernandez campaign spent less than $20,000 and relied on an informative website, traditional hard work and citizen to citizen contact.
“Voters will have a clear contrast in April,” said Fernandez. “I want to bring people together to reward excellence in education, promote higher standards, empower parents and protect taxpayers, while we can expect the usual demagoguery from the WEAC-driven defenders of the status quo.”
KUDOS TO ALL WHO GOT THE VOTE OUT!
"The results tonight are a testament to the power of our message of reform,” said Fernandez. “Our coalition of concerned parents, excellent teachers and fed up taxpayers proved, yet again, that theycan go toe-to-toe with the most entrenched and well-funded special interests in Wisconsin politics and not flinch.”
While the WEAC spent upwards of $200,000 to get their chosen candidate through the Primary, the Fernandez campaign spent less than $20,000 and relied on an informative website, traditional hard work and citizen to citizen contact.
“Voters will have a clear contrast in April,” said Fernandez. “I want to bring people together to reward excellence in education, promote higher standards, empower parents and protect taxpayers, while we can expect the usual demagoguery from the WEAC-driven defenders of the status quo.”
KUDOS TO ALL WHO GOT THE VOTE OUT!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Stimulus quote of the day - Take it seriously
“You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.”
Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931-2005
Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931-2005
Stimulus quote of the day - Take it seriously
“You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.”
Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931-2005
Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931-2005
Where is everybody?
I have been thinking these same thoughts and was going to blog it this week. Call Me Mom got it down perfectly, so I'll just post her comments here. Specifically, I am wondering...WHERE ARE ALL THE MEN? I mean, the DADS, THE PASTORS, THE HUSBANDS, THE COLLLEGE YOUTH....THE GODLY CHRISTIAN MEN? This flows right in line with the previous posting from Charlie Sykes.
"Why do we have such problems finding good people to serve in positions of leadership in this country?
I've heard it said that "Character is what you do when no one is looking." The implication being that if your behavior in public is consistent with your behavior in private, then you have strength of character. In my opinion, character is only one half of the equation when we are considering to whom we should give our votes. Character may be what you do when nobody is looking, but leadership is what you do when they are. Character in private does nothing for those who would otherwise be strengthened by your actions. Leadership is crippled when it is not accompanied by good character.
That said, I ask again, why do we have such problems finding good people to serve in positions of leadership in this country?
I submit to you that it is because We the People have become lazy and lacking in discernment. We have before us, in these last months three wonderful examples of what happens when lack of character meets lack of discernment.
I shall start with Mr. Franken.
....
READ THE REST HERE: http://iratetirelessminority.blogspot.com/
"Why do we have such problems finding good people to serve in positions of leadership in this country?
I've heard it said that "Character is what you do when no one is looking." The implication being that if your behavior in public is consistent with your behavior in private, then you have strength of character. In my opinion, character is only one half of the equation when we are considering to whom we should give our votes. Character may be what you do when nobody is looking, but leadership is what you do when they are. Character in private does nothing for those who would otherwise be strengthened by your actions. Leadership is crippled when it is not accompanied by good character.
That said, I ask again, why do we have such problems finding good people to serve in positions of leadership in this country?
I submit to you that it is because We the People have become lazy and lacking in discernment. We have before us, in these last months three wonderful examples of what happens when lack of character meets lack of discernment.
I shall start with Mr. Franken.
....
READ THE REST HERE: http://iratetirelessminority.blogspot.com/
Where is everybody?
I have been thinking these same thoughts and was going to blog it this week. Call Me Mom got it down perfectly, so I'll just post her comments here. Specifically, I am wondering...WHERE ARE ALL THE MEN? I mean, the DADS, THE PASTORS, THE HUSBANDS, THE COLLLEGE YOUTH....THE GODLY CHRISTIAN MEN? This flows right in line with the previous posting from Charlie Sykes.
"Why do we have such problems finding good people to serve in positions of leadership in this country?
I've heard it said that "Character is what you do when no one is looking." The implication being that if your behavior in public is consistent with your behavior in private, then you have strength of character. In my opinion, character is only one half of the equation when we are considering to whom we should give our votes. Character may be what you do when nobody is looking, but leadership is what you do when they are. Character in private does nothing for those who would otherwise be strengthened by your actions. Leadership is crippled when it is not accompanied by good character.
That said, I ask again, why do we have such problems finding good people to serve in positions of leadership in this country?
I submit to you that it is because We the People have become lazy and lacking in discernment. We have before us, in these last months three wonderful examples of what happens when lack of character meets lack of discernment.
I shall start with Mr. Franken.
....
READ THE REST HERE: http://iratetirelessminority.blogspot.com/
"Why do we have such problems finding good people to serve in positions of leadership in this country?
I've heard it said that "Character is what you do when no one is looking." The implication being that if your behavior in public is consistent with your behavior in private, then you have strength of character. In my opinion, character is only one half of the equation when we are considering to whom we should give our votes. Character may be what you do when nobody is looking, but leadership is what you do when they are. Character in private does nothing for those who would otherwise be strengthened by your actions. Leadership is crippled when it is not accompanied by good character.
That said, I ask again, why do we have such problems finding good people to serve in positions of leadership in this country?
I submit to you that it is because We the People have become lazy and lacking in discernment. We have before us, in these last months three wonderful examples of what happens when lack of character meets lack of discernment.
I shall start with Mr. Franken.
....
READ THE REST HERE: http://iratetirelessminority.blogspot.com/
Hell's Kitchen - More than "hell" spoken on vulgar show
I must admit, I am fascinated with cooking shows. I enjoy just about any one of them, from the Iron Chef to Rachel Ray. But I have my limits. I watched "Hells Kitchen" when it first debuted. It was not enjoyable. If anything, it was vulgar and downright stressful. The subject material is innocent, but the language content is beyond measure for inappropriate profanity, not to mention the need for anger management for the Master Chef. Fear and intimidation is not fun. Oh sure, they "bleep" a lot on the show, but let's face it, we all know what is being said. That is enough for me. This show is banned from my house.
"On British television, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay uttered 243 profanities—including 187 f-words—in a two-hour (Jan. 30) installment of Gordon's Great British Nightmare. That's a record for the U.K. Ramsey, the star of several cooking shows worldwide, earned a sharp retort from British Minister of Parliament Don Foster, who called Ramsay's language "beyond a joke." Foster added, "When you hear about this much swearing in a single program, you're tempted to utter an expletive yourself. We have got to tone it down because bad language on TV is seeping into society." [news.com.au 2/2/09 stats, c&e] "
"On British television, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay uttered 243 profanities—including 187 f-words—in a two-hour (Jan. 30) installment of Gordon's Great British Nightmare. That's a record for the U.K. Ramsey, the star of several cooking shows worldwide, earned a sharp retort from British Minister of Parliament Don Foster, who called Ramsay's language "beyond a joke." Foster added, "When you hear about this much swearing in a single program, you're tempted to utter an expletive yourself. We have got to tone it down because bad language on TV is seeping into society." [news.com.au 2/2/09 stats, c&e] "
YA THINK?
HELL'S KITCHEN TRULY IS.
***************************************
Hell's Kitchen - More than "hell" spoken on vulgar show
I must admit, I am fascinated with cooking shows. I enjoy just about any one of them, from the Iron Chef to Rachel Ray. But I have my limits. I watched "Hells Kitchen" when it first debuted. It was not enjoyable. If anything, it was vulgar and downright stressful. The subject material is innocent, but the language content is beyond measure for inappropriate profanity, not to mention the need for anger management for the Master Chef. Fear and intimidation is not fun. Oh sure, they "bleep" a lot on the show, but let's face it, we all know what is being said. That is enough for me. This show is banned from my house.
"On British television, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay uttered 243 profanities—including 187 f-words—in a two-hour (Jan. 30) installment of Gordon's Great British Nightmare. That's a record for the U.K. Ramsey, the star of several cooking shows worldwide, earned a sharp retort from British Minister of Parliament Don Foster, who called Ramsay's language "beyond a joke." Foster added, "When you hear about this much swearing in a single program, you're tempted to utter an expletive yourself. We have got to tone it down because bad language on TV is seeping into society." [news.com.au 2/2/09 stats, c&e] "
"On British television, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay uttered 243 profanities—including 187 f-words—in a two-hour (Jan. 30) installment of Gordon's Great British Nightmare. That's a record for the U.K. Ramsey, the star of several cooking shows worldwide, earned a sharp retort from British Minister of Parliament Don Foster, who called Ramsay's language "beyond a joke." Foster added, "When you hear about this much swearing in a single program, you're tempted to utter an expletive yourself. We have got to tone it down because bad language on TV is seeping into society." [news.com.au 2/2/09 stats, c&e] "
YA THINK?
HELL'S KITCHEN TRULY IS.
***************************************
VOTE TODAY - HERNANADEZ AND VAN MOBLEY
TODAY IS THE DAY.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
VOTE FOR THE TOP TWO CONSERVATIVES FOR SUPT. OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
ROSE FERNANDEZ
AND
VAN MOBLEY
VOTE TODAY - HERNANADEZ AND VAN MOBLEY
TODAY IS THE DAY.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
VOTE FOR THE TOP TWO CONSERVATIVES FOR SUPT. OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
ROSE FERNANDEZ
AND
VAN MOBLEY
Monday, February 16, 2009
Sykes - Will you fight?
Sykes posted a great cartoon that calls for action. I liked it...a lot.
http://www.620wtmj.com/shows/charliesykes/39668717.html
http://www.620wtmj.com/shows/charliesykes/39668717.html
Sykes - Will you fight?
Sykes posted a great cartoon that calls for action. I liked it...a lot.
http://www.620wtmj.com/shows/charliesykes/39668717.html
http://www.620wtmj.com/shows/charliesykes/39668717.html
My Country 'tis of Thee
I'm reminded of what Abraham Lincoln said when he overheard a clergyman say he hoped "the Lord is on our side." Lincoln responded, "I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that this nation should be on the Lord's side."
My Country 'tis of Thee
I'm reminded of what Abraham Lincoln said when he overheard a clergyman say he hoped "the Lord is on our side." Lincoln responded, "I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that this nation should be on the Lord's side."
Sunday, February 15, 2009
West Bend Library serves up GAY books to community YOUTH
Children as young as 11 years old have free access to propaganda-type reading material (I hesitate to call it literature, thanks) that glamorizes and encourages homosexual activity.
Go the on-line SHARE Library website and search for yourself. Look at how many are in the YOUNG ADULT section.
http://www.sharelibraries.info/uhtbin/cgisirsi/AiKmzx0LqA/WESTBEND/111880165/2/5
Here is an excerpt of one on the shelf:
Geography Club (sounds innocent, right? WRONG)
Hartinger, Brent.
Hartinger's debut novel is a fast-paced and funny portrait of contemporary teenagers who may not learn any actual geography in their latest club, but who learn plenty about the treacherous social terrain of a typical American high school.
Publisher:
HarperTempest,
Pub date:
2003.
Pages:
226 p. ;
ISBN:
0060012218
Item info:
1 copy available at West Bend Community Memorial Library.
DESCRIPTION: Russel Middlebrook is convinced he's the only gay kid at Goodkind High School. Then his online gay-chat buddy turns out to be none other than Kevin, the popular but closeted star of the school's baseball team. Soon Russel meets other gay students too. There's his best friend, Min, who reveals that she's bisexual, and her soccer-playing girlfriend, Terese. And there's Terese's politically active friend, Ike.
But how can kids this diverse get together without drawing attention to themselves?
"We just choose a club that's so boring, nobody in their right mind would ever in a million years join it. We could call it Geography Club!"
EXCERPT, WARNING: SEXUALLY INAPPROPRIATE -
Chapter One
I was deep behind enemy lines, in the very heart of the opposing camp. My adversaries were all around me. For the time being, my disguise was holding, but still I felt exposed, naked, as if my secret was obvious to anyone who took the time to look. I knew that any wrong action, however slight, could expose my deception and reveal my true identity. The thought made my skin prickle. The enemy would not take kindly to my infiltration of their ranks, especially not here, in their inner sanctum.
Then Kevin Land leaned over the wooden bench behind my locker and said, "Yo, Middlebrook, let me use your shampoo!"
I was in the high school boys' locker room at the end of third period P.E. class. I'd just come from the showers, and part of the reason I felt naked was because I was naked. I'd slung my wet towel over the metal door of my locker and was standing there all goosebumpy, eager to get dressed and get the hell out of there. Why exactly did I feel like the boys' locker room after third period P.E. was enemy territory -- that the other guys in my class were rival soldiers in some warlike struggle for domination? Well, there's not really a short answer to that question.
"Use your own damn shampoo," I said to Kevin, crouching down in front of my locker, probing the darkness for clean underwear.
Kevin stepped right up next to me and started searching the upper reaches of my locker himself. I could feel the heat of his body, but it did nothing to lessen my goosebumps. "Come on," he said. "Where is it? I know you have some. You always have shampoo, just like you always have clean undies."
I had just found my Jockey shorts, and I was tempted to not give Kevin the satisfaction of seeing he'd been right about me, but I was cold and tired of being exposed. I sat down on the bench, maneuvering my legs through the elastic of my underwear, then pulled them up. I fumbled for the shampoo in my backpack and handed it to Kevin. "Here," I said. "Just bring it back when you're done." Kevin was lean and muscled and dark, with perfect sideburns and a five o'clock shadow by ten in the morning. More important, he was naked too, and suddenly it seemed like there was no place to look in the entire locker room that wasn't his crotch. I glanced away, but there were more visual land mines to avoid -- specifically, the bodies of Leon and Brad and Jarred and Ramone, other guys from our P.E. class, all looking like one of those Abercrombie & Fitch underwear ads come to life.
Okay, maybe there was a short answer to the question of why I felt out of place in the boys' locker room. I liked guys. Seeing them naked, I mean. But -- and this is worth emphasizing -- I liked seeing them naked on the Internet; I had absolutely no interest in seeing them naked, in person, in the boys' locker room after third period P.E. I'd never been naked with a guy -- I mean in a sexual way -- and I had no plans to do it anytime soon. But the fact that I even thought about getting naked with a guy in a sexual way was something that Kevin and Leon and Brad and Jarred and Ramone would never ever understand. I wasn't the most popular guy at Robert L. Goodkind High School, but I wasn't the least popular either. (Kevin Land at least spoke to me, even if it was only to ask for shampoo.) But one sure way to become the least popular guy was to have people think you might be gay. And not being gay wasn't just about not throwing a bone in the showers. It was a whole way of acting around other guys, a level of casualness, of comfort, that says, "I'm one of you. I fit in." I wasn't one of them, I didn't fit in, but they didn't need to know that.
Kevin snatched the shampoo, and I deliberately turned my back to him, stepping awkwardly into my jeans.
"Hey, Middlebrook!" Kevin said to me. "Nice ass!" Leon and Brad and Jarred and Ramone all laughed. Big joke, not exactly at my expense, but in my general vicinity. Some tiny part of me wondered, Do I have a nice ass? Hell, I didn't know. But a much bigger part of me tensed, because I knew this was a test, the kind enemy soldiers in movies give to the hero who they suspect isn't one of them. And from a guy I'd just lent my shampoo to, besides. So much for gratitude.
Everything now depended on my reaction. Would I pass this, Kevin Land's latest test of my manhood?
I glanced back at Kevin, who was still snickering. Halfway down his body, he jiggled, but of course I didn't look.
Instead, I bent over halfway, sticking my rear out in his direction. "You really think so?" I said, squirming back and forth._______________________________________________
It is bad enough that our own library has an "OUT OF THE CLOSET" web page loaded with HOMOSEXUAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS for GRADES 6 through 12. Look for yourself: http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/yaglbtq.htm
The libary feels it should indoctrinate the youth in our community with perverted, inappropriate, sex books that steer them into areas of breaking the law; i.e., underage sex, push towards homosexual lifestyle in a state that rejects same-sex marriage.
Let's take it a step further....
The YOUNG ADULT LIBRARIAN, Kristin Pekoll, has a public Facebook in which she professes she is a "FAN OF HOMOSEXUALS". Perhaps that lends some insight into the materials choices taking place here. http://www.facebook.com/people/Kristin-Lade-Pekoll/720977931
But wait, that's not all....
The head librarian, Michael Tyree, also has a public Facebook. His claim is that is not not just LIBERAL, but that he is VERY LIBERAL. YA THINK?
Here's the clincher, just to be fair!
I looked through each and every book in the Young Adult section containing homosexual/gay/lesbian/transsexual/transgender information for youth (yes, I really did) to see if ANY of them offered information about EX-GAYS, people who have left that lifestyle, and/or the TRUTH behind homosexuality and its origin. Guess what? If there WAS one, I COULD NOT FIND IT.
Go the on-line SHARE Library website and search for yourself. Look at how many are in the YOUNG ADULT section.
http://www.sharelibraries.info/uhtbin/cgisirsi/AiKmzx0LqA/WESTBEND/111880165/2/5
Here is an excerpt of one on the shelf:
Geography Club (sounds innocent, right? WRONG)
Hartinger, Brent.
Hartinger's debut novel is a fast-paced and funny portrait of contemporary teenagers who may not learn any actual geography in their latest club, but who learn plenty about the treacherous social terrain of a typical American high school.
Publisher:
HarperTempest,
Pub date:
2003.
Pages:
226 p. ;
ISBN:
0060012218
Item info:
1 copy available at West Bend Community Memorial Library.
DESCRIPTION: Russel Middlebrook is convinced he's the only gay kid at Goodkind High School. Then his online gay-chat buddy turns out to be none other than Kevin, the popular but closeted star of the school's baseball team. Soon Russel meets other gay students too. There's his best friend, Min, who reveals that she's bisexual, and her soccer-playing girlfriend, Terese. And there's Terese's politically active friend, Ike.
But how can kids this diverse get together without drawing attention to themselves?
"We just choose a club that's so boring, nobody in their right mind would ever in a million years join it. We could call it Geography Club!"
EXCERPT, WARNING: SEXUALLY INAPPROPRIATE -
Chapter One
I was deep behind enemy lines, in the very heart of the opposing camp. My adversaries were all around me. For the time being, my disguise was holding, but still I felt exposed, naked, as if my secret was obvious to anyone who took the time to look. I knew that any wrong action, however slight, could expose my deception and reveal my true identity. The thought made my skin prickle. The enemy would not take kindly to my infiltration of their ranks, especially not here, in their inner sanctum.
Then Kevin Land leaned over the wooden bench behind my locker and said, "Yo, Middlebrook, let me use your shampoo!"
I was in the high school boys' locker room at the end of third period P.E. class. I'd just come from the showers, and part of the reason I felt naked was because I was naked. I'd slung my wet towel over the metal door of my locker and was standing there all goosebumpy, eager to get dressed and get the hell out of there. Why exactly did I feel like the boys' locker room after third period P.E. was enemy territory -- that the other guys in my class were rival soldiers in some warlike struggle for domination? Well, there's not really a short answer to that question.
"Use your own damn shampoo," I said to Kevin, crouching down in front of my locker, probing the darkness for clean underwear.
Kevin stepped right up next to me and started searching the upper reaches of my locker himself. I could feel the heat of his body, but it did nothing to lessen my goosebumps. "Come on," he said. "Where is it? I know you have some. You always have shampoo, just like you always have clean undies."
I had just found my Jockey shorts, and I was tempted to not give Kevin the satisfaction of seeing he'd been right about me, but I was cold and tired of being exposed. I sat down on the bench, maneuvering my legs through the elastic of my underwear, then pulled them up. I fumbled for the shampoo in my backpack and handed it to Kevin. "Here," I said. "Just bring it back when you're done." Kevin was lean and muscled and dark, with perfect sideburns and a five o'clock shadow by ten in the morning. More important, he was naked too, and suddenly it seemed like there was no place to look in the entire locker room that wasn't his crotch. I glanced away, but there were more visual land mines to avoid -- specifically, the bodies of Leon and Brad and Jarred and Ramone, other guys from our P.E. class, all looking like one of those Abercrombie & Fitch underwear ads come to life.
Okay, maybe there was a short answer to the question of why I felt out of place in the boys' locker room. I liked guys. Seeing them naked, I mean. But -- and this is worth emphasizing -- I liked seeing them naked on the Internet; I had absolutely no interest in seeing them naked, in person, in the boys' locker room after third period P.E. I'd never been naked with a guy -- I mean in a sexual way -- and I had no plans to do it anytime soon. But the fact that I even thought about getting naked with a guy in a sexual way was something that Kevin and Leon and Brad and Jarred and Ramone would never ever understand. I wasn't the most popular guy at Robert L. Goodkind High School, but I wasn't the least popular either. (Kevin Land at least spoke to me, even if it was only to ask for shampoo.) But one sure way to become the least popular guy was to have people think you might be gay. And not being gay wasn't just about not throwing a bone in the showers. It was a whole way of acting around other guys, a level of casualness, of comfort, that says, "I'm one of you. I fit in." I wasn't one of them, I didn't fit in, but they didn't need to know that.
Kevin snatched the shampoo, and I deliberately turned my back to him, stepping awkwardly into my jeans.
"Hey, Middlebrook!" Kevin said to me. "Nice ass!" Leon and Brad and Jarred and Ramone all laughed. Big joke, not exactly at my expense, but in my general vicinity. Some tiny part of me wondered, Do I have a nice ass? Hell, I didn't know. But a much bigger part of me tensed, because I knew this was a test, the kind enemy soldiers in movies give to the hero who they suspect isn't one of them. And from a guy I'd just lent my shampoo to, besides. So much for gratitude.
Everything now depended on my reaction. Would I pass this, Kevin Land's latest test of my manhood?
I glanced back at Kevin, who was still snickering. Halfway down his body, he jiggled, but of course I didn't look.
Instead, I bent over halfway, sticking my rear out in his direction. "You really think so?" I said, squirming back and forth.
It is bad enough that our own library has an "OUT OF THE CLOSET" web page loaded with HOMOSEXUAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS for GRADES 6 through 12. Look for yourself: http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/yaglbtq.htm
The libary feels it should indoctrinate the youth in our community with perverted, inappropriate, sex books that steer them into areas of breaking the law; i.e., underage sex, push towards homosexual lifestyle in a state that rejects same-sex marriage.
Let's take it a step further....
The YOUNG ADULT LIBRARIAN, Kristin Pekoll, has a public Facebook in which she professes she is a "FAN OF HOMOSEXUALS". Perhaps that lends some insight into the materials choices taking place here. http://www.facebook.com/people/Kristin-Lade-Pekoll/720977931
But wait, that's not all....
The head librarian, Michael Tyree, also has a public Facebook. His claim is that is not not just LIBERAL, but that he is VERY LIBERAL. YA THINK?
Here's the clincher, just to be fair!
I looked through each and every book in the Young Adult section containing homosexual/gay/lesbian/transsexual/transgender information for youth (yes, I really did) to see if ANY of them offered information about EX-GAYS, people who have left that lifestyle, and/or the TRUTH behind homosexuality and its origin. Guess what? If there WAS one, I COULD NOT FIND IT.
I smell LIBRARY CENSORSHIP.
Both librarians should be fired.
I have filed a formal complaint. YOU SHOULD, TOO.
Call your library and ask to speak to Michael Tyree: 262-335-5151
or
Call your library and ask them to mail you a formal complaint form: 262-335-5151
or
Go to the library and pick up a formal complaint form.
or
Email Michael Tyree: mtyree@west-bendlibrary.org
or
Write a letter to the editor of the West Bend News: dmuckelbauer@conleynet.com
TELL YOUR FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, PASTORS. SPREAD THE WORD.
AND HELP.
West Bend Library serves up GAY books to community YOUTH
Children as young as 11 years old have free access to propaganda-type reading material (I hesitate to call it literature, thanks) that glamorizes and encourages homosexual activity.
Go the on-line SHARE Library website and search for yourself. Look at how many are in the YOUNG ADULT section.
http://www.sharelibraries.info/uhtbin/cgisirsi/AiKmzx0LqA/WESTBEND/111880165/2/5
Here is an excerpt of one on the shelf:
Geography Club (sounds innocent, right? WRONG)
Hartinger, Brent.
Hartinger's debut novel is a fast-paced and funny portrait of contemporary teenagers who may not learn any actual geography in their latest club, but who learn plenty about the treacherous social terrain of a typical American high school.
Publisher:
HarperTempest,
Pub date:
2003.
Pages:
226 p. ;
ISBN:
0060012218
Item info:
1 copy available at West Bend Community Memorial Library.
DESCRIPTION: Russel Middlebrook is convinced he's the only gay kid at Goodkind High School. Then his online gay-chat buddy turns out to be none other than Kevin, the popular but closeted star of the school's baseball team. Soon Russel meets other gay students too. There's his best friend, Min, who reveals that she's bisexual, and her soccer-playing girlfriend, Terese. And there's Terese's politically active friend, Ike.
But how can kids this diverse get together without drawing attention to themselves?
"We just choose a club that's so boring, nobody in their right mind would ever in a million years join it. We could call it Geography Club!"
EXCERPT, WARNING: SEXUALLY INAPPROPRIATE -
Chapter One
I was deep behind enemy lines, in the very heart of the opposing camp. My adversaries were all around me. For the time being, my disguise was holding, but still I felt exposed, naked, as if my secret was obvious to anyone who took the time to look. I knew that any wrong action, however slight, could expose my deception and reveal my true identity. The thought made my skin prickle. The enemy would not take kindly to my infiltration of their ranks, especially not here, in their inner sanctum.
Then Kevin Land leaned over the wooden bench behind my locker and said, "Yo, Middlebrook, let me use your shampoo!"
I was in the high school boys' locker room at the end of third period P.E. class. I'd just come from the showers, and part of the reason I felt naked was because I was naked. I'd slung my wet towel over the metal door of my locker and was standing there all goosebumpy, eager to get dressed and get the hell out of there. Why exactly did I feel like the boys' locker room after third period P.E. was enemy territory -- that the other guys in my class were rival soldiers in some warlike struggle for domination? Well, there's not really a short answer to that question.
"Use your own damn shampoo," I said to Kevin, crouching down in front of my locker, probing the darkness for clean underwear.
Kevin stepped right up next to me and started searching the upper reaches of my locker himself. I could feel the heat of his body, but it did nothing to lessen my goosebumps. "Come on," he said. "Where is it? I know you have some. You always have shampoo, just like you always have clean undies."
I had just found my Jockey shorts, and I was tempted to not give Kevin the satisfaction of seeing he'd been right about me, but I was cold and tired of being exposed. I sat down on the bench, maneuvering my legs through the elastic of my underwear, then pulled them up. I fumbled for the shampoo in my backpack and handed it to Kevin. "Here," I said. "Just bring it back when you're done." Kevin was lean and muscled and dark, with perfect sideburns and a five o'clock shadow by ten in the morning. More important, he was naked too, and suddenly it seemed like there was no place to look in the entire locker room that wasn't his crotch. I glanced away, but there were more visual land mines to avoid -- specifically, the bodies of Leon and Brad and Jarred and Ramone, other guys from our P.E. class, all looking like one of those Abercrombie & Fitch underwear ads come to life.
Okay, maybe there was a short answer to the question of why I felt out of place in the boys' locker room. I liked guys. Seeing them naked, I mean. But -- and this is worth emphasizing -- I liked seeing them naked on the Internet; I had absolutely no interest in seeing them naked, in person, in the boys' locker room after third period P.E. I'd never been naked with a guy -- I mean in a sexual way -- and I had no plans to do it anytime soon. But the fact that I even thought about getting naked with a guy in a sexual way was something that Kevin and Leon and Brad and Jarred and Ramone would never ever understand. I wasn't the most popular guy at Robert L. Goodkind High School, but I wasn't the least popular either. (Kevin Land at least spoke to me, even if it was only to ask for shampoo.) But one sure way to become the least popular guy was to have people think you might be gay. And not being gay wasn't just about not throwing a bone in the showers. It was a whole way of acting around other guys, a level of casualness, of comfort, that says, "I'm one of you. I fit in." I wasn't one of them, I didn't fit in, but they didn't need to know that.
Kevin snatched the shampoo, and I deliberately turned my back to him, stepping awkwardly into my jeans.
"Hey, Middlebrook!" Kevin said to me. "Nice ass!" Leon and Brad and Jarred and Ramone all laughed. Big joke, not exactly at my expense, but in my general vicinity. Some tiny part of me wondered, Do I have a nice ass? Hell, I didn't know. But a much bigger part of me tensed, because I knew this was a test, the kind enemy soldiers in movies give to the hero who they suspect isn't one of them. And from a guy I'd just lent my shampoo to, besides. So much for gratitude.
Everything now depended on my reaction. Would I pass this, Kevin Land's latest test of my manhood?
I glanced back at Kevin, who was still snickering. Halfway down his body, he jiggled, but of course I didn't look.
Instead, I bent over halfway, sticking my rear out in his direction. "You really think so?" I said, squirming back and forth._______________________________________________
It is bad enough that our own library has an "OUT OF THE CLOSET" web page loaded with HOMOSEXUAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS for GRADES 6 through 12. Look for yourself: http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/yaglbtq.htm
The libary feels it should indoctrinate the youth in our community with perverted, inappropriate, sex books that steer them into areas of breaking the law; i.e., underage sex, push towards homosexual lifestyle in a state that rejects same-sex marriage.
Let's take it a step further....
The YOUNG ADULT LIBRARIAN, Kristin Pekoll, has a public Facebook in which she professes she is a "FAN OF HOMOSEXUALS". Perhaps that lends some insight into the materials choices taking place here. http://www.facebook.com/people/Kristin-Lade-Pekoll/720977931
But wait, that's not all....
The head librarian, Michael Tyree, also has a public Facebook. His claim is that is not not just LIBERAL, but that he is VERY LIBERAL. YA THINK?
Here's the clincher, just to be fair!
I looked through each and every book in the Young Adult section containing homosexual/gay/lesbian/transsexual/transgender information for youth (yes, I really did) to see if ANY of them offered information about EX-GAYS, people who have left that lifestyle, and/or the TRUTH behind homosexuality and its origin. Guess what? If there WAS one, I COULD NOT FIND IT.
Go the on-line SHARE Library website and search for yourself. Look at how many are in the YOUNG ADULT section.
http://www.sharelibraries.info/uhtbin/cgisirsi/AiKmzx0LqA/WESTBEND/111880165/2/5
Here is an excerpt of one on the shelf:
Geography Club (sounds innocent, right? WRONG)
Hartinger, Brent.
Hartinger's debut novel is a fast-paced and funny portrait of contemporary teenagers who may not learn any actual geography in their latest club, but who learn plenty about the treacherous social terrain of a typical American high school.
Publisher:
HarperTempest,
Pub date:
2003.
Pages:
226 p. ;
ISBN:
0060012218
Item info:
1 copy available at West Bend Community Memorial Library.
DESCRIPTION: Russel Middlebrook is convinced he's the only gay kid at Goodkind High School. Then his online gay-chat buddy turns out to be none other than Kevin, the popular but closeted star of the school's baseball team. Soon Russel meets other gay students too. There's his best friend, Min, who reveals that she's bisexual, and her soccer-playing girlfriend, Terese. And there's Terese's politically active friend, Ike.
But how can kids this diverse get together without drawing attention to themselves?
"We just choose a club that's so boring, nobody in their right mind would ever in a million years join it. We could call it Geography Club!"
EXCERPT, WARNING: SEXUALLY INAPPROPRIATE -
Chapter One
I was deep behind enemy lines, in the very heart of the opposing camp. My adversaries were all around me. For the time being, my disguise was holding, but still I felt exposed, naked, as if my secret was obvious to anyone who took the time to look. I knew that any wrong action, however slight, could expose my deception and reveal my true identity. The thought made my skin prickle. The enemy would not take kindly to my infiltration of their ranks, especially not here, in their inner sanctum.
Then Kevin Land leaned over the wooden bench behind my locker and said, "Yo, Middlebrook, let me use your shampoo!"
I was in the high school boys' locker room at the end of third period P.E. class. I'd just come from the showers, and part of the reason I felt naked was because I was naked. I'd slung my wet towel over the metal door of my locker and was standing there all goosebumpy, eager to get dressed and get the hell out of there. Why exactly did I feel like the boys' locker room after third period P.E. was enemy territory -- that the other guys in my class were rival soldiers in some warlike struggle for domination? Well, there's not really a short answer to that question.
"Use your own damn shampoo," I said to Kevin, crouching down in front of my locker, probing the darkness for clean underwear.
Kevin stepped right up next to me and started searching the upper reaches of my locker himself. I could feel the heat of his body, but it did nothing to lessen my goosebumps. "Come on," he said. "Where is it? I know you have some. You always have shampoo, just like you always have clean undies."
I had just found my Jockey shorts, and I was tempted to not give Kevin the satisfaction of seeing he'd been right about me, but I was cold and tired of being exposed. I sat down on the bench, maneuvering my legs through the elastic of my underwear, then pulled them up. I fumbled for the shampoo in my backpack and handed it to Kevin. "Here," I said. "Just bring it back when you're done." Kevin was lean and muscled and dark, with perfect sideburns and a five o'clock shadow by ten in the morning. More important, he was naked too, and suddenly it seemed like there was no place to look in the entire locker room that wasn't his crotch. I glanced away, but there were more visual land mines to avoid -- specifically, the bodies of Leon and Brad and Jarred and Ramone, other guys from our P.E. class, all looking like one of those Abercrombie & Fitch underwear ads come to life.
Okay, maybe there was a short answer to the question of why I felt out of place in the boys' locker room. I liked guys. Seeing them naked, I mean. But -- and this is worth emphasizing -- I liked seeing them naked on the Internet; I had absolutely no interest in seeing them naked, in person, in the boys' locker room after third period P.E. I'd never been naked with a guy -- I mean in a sexual way -- and I had no plans to do it anytime soon. But the fact that I even thought about getting naked with a guy in a sexual way was something that Kevin and Leon and Brad and Jarred and Ramone would never ever understand. I wasn't the most popular guy at Robert L. Goodkind High School, but I wasn't the least popular either. (Kevin Land at least spoke to me, even if it was only to ask for shampoo.) But one sure way to become the least popular guy was to have people think you might be gay. And not being gay wasn't just about not throwing a bone in the showers. It was a whole way of acting around other guys, a level of casualness, of comfort, that says, "I'm one of you. I fit in." I wasn't one of them, I didn't fit in, but they didn't need to know that.
Kevin snatched the shampoo, and I deliberately turned my back to him, stepping awkwardly into my jeans.
"Hey, Middlebrook!" Kevin said to me. "Nice ass!" Leon and Brad and Jarred and Ramone all laughed. Big joke, not exactly at my expense, but in my general vicinity. Some tiny part of me wondered, Do I have a nice ass? Hell, I didn't know. But a much bigger part of me tensed, because I knew this was a test, the kind enemy soldiers in movies give to the hero who they suspect isn't one of them. And from a guy I'd just lent my shampoo to, besides. So much for gratitude.
Everything now depended on my reaction. Would I pass this, Kevin Land's latest test of my manhood?
I glanced back at Kevin, who was still snickering. Halfway down his body, he jiggled, but of course I didn't look.
Instead, I bent over halfway, sticking my rear out in his direction. "You really think so?" I said, squirming back and forth.
It is bad enough that our own library has an "OUT OF THE CLOSET" web page loaded with HOMOSEXUAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS for GRADES 6 through 12. Look for yourself: http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/yaglbtq.htm
The libary feels it should indoctrinate the youth in our community with perverted, inappropriate, sex books that steer them into areas of breaking the law; i.e., underage sex, push towards homosexual lifestyle in a state that rejects same-sex marriage.
Let's take it a step further....
The YOUNG ADULT LIBRARIAN, Kristin Pekoll, has a public Facebook in which she professes she is a "FAN OF HOMOSEXUALS". Perhaps that lends some insight into the materials choices taking place here. http://www.facebook.com/people/Kristin-Lade-Pekoll/720977931
But wait, that's not all....
The head librarian, Michael Tyree, also has a public Facebook. His claim is that is not not just LIBERAL, but that he is VERY LIBERAL. YA THINK?
Here's the clincher, just to be fair!
I looked through each and every book in the Young Adult section containing homosexual/gay/lesbian/transsexual/transgender information for youth (yes, I really did) to see if ANY of them offered information about EX-GAYS, people who have left that lifestyle, and/or the TRUTH behind homosexuality and its origin. Guess what? If there WAS one, I COULD NOT FIND IT.
I smell LIBRARY CENSORSHIP.
Both librarians should be fired.
I have filed a formal complaint. YOU SHOULD, TOO.
Call your library and ask to speak to Michael Tyree: 262-335-5151
or
Call your library and ask them to mail you a formal complaint form: 262-335-5151
or
Go to the library and pick up a formal complaint form.
or
Email Michael Tyree: mtyree@west-bendlibrary.org
or
Write a letter to the editor of the West Bend News: dmuckelbauer@conleynet.com
TELL YOUR FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, PASTORS. SPREAD THE WORD.
AND HELP.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
