TACO - new standardized tests

"Since the average life of previous statewide tests (TABS, TEAMS. TAAS,
and now TAKS) has been five years, it is not too early to plan for the
next test. The new instrument will be the Texas Assessment of Cognitive
Operations (TACO). It will have a remedial version (Soft TACO), a
regular version (Hard TACO), and an advanced version with many more pages
(the Gordita.) It will be graded on a normal curve (the TACO Bell).
Districts receiving the lowest scores will be put on probation with a
Basic Educational Appraisal-Not Satisfactory (BEANS). A second low
rating earns the dreaded Supplement Remediation Factor for Individualized
Education Deficits (REFRIED BEANS). This rating will cause a lot of hot
air at campus faculty meetings."

Got from an email I received today .

When will this end ?

Offensive furniture label traced to China when a sofa bought in Toronto showed up with a label that offended the buyer . It seems that somewhere along the line from manufacturer to furniture store , the color tag was translated from Chinese to English in an unfortunate manner . The color - dark brown - came out as Ni....er brown . This deeply offended the buyer and has "taken a toll" on her family !
She wants more than an apology of course , because she had visitors who would not even sit on the sofa !

(The buyer) is consulting with a lawyer and wants compensation. Last week, she filed a report with the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

Commission spokeswoman Afroze Edwards said the case is in the initial stages and could take six months to two years to resolve.

Moore, 30, has three young children, and said the issue has taken a toll on her family.

This kind of thing is all too often pursued in the courts because no one wants to take responsibility , and some don't recognize that "stuff" happens in this world . Is the sofa any worse than if the label had been correct ? NO !!!
I read the story
here from MSNBC.

Oklahoma trying to set an example

Oklahoma Senate passes tough Immigration bill

The Senate will send to the Oklahoma House a bill that will set an example for other states if the governor signs it , and it stands up to legal challenges . This bill would bar illegal immigrants from jobs and public benefits , and set fines and punishments for companies that knowingly hire illegals to gain economic advantage .

The measure also contains provisions to ensure that only citizens and legal immigrants receive taxpayer-supported benefits and gives state and local law enforcement officials the power to enforce federal immigration law.

One opponent's comment was -

“This misguided approach panders to anti-immigration sentiment by appearing tough on undocumented immigrants,” said Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, D-Tulsa. She said immigrants come to the U.S. for jobs and opportunity, not to access public benefits.

Good news from colleges

Despite the onslaught of liberal influence on college campuses and college students by left-leaning professors , it seems the youth are becoming more politically aware and not wholly mislead by the left .
It is refreshing to see young people interested in politics and at least thinking for themselves . This Harvard University study shows more commitment to voting and often discussions center around politics rather than celebrity gossip .
Voter turn out is on the rise and will be even greater in 2008 than 2001 and 2004 , with a good mix of Republican and Democrat followers along with a large percentage of independants and unaffiliated voters for the candidates to campaign to .

In the seven years we have been conducting this national poll, we have seen a marked difference in political engagement and attitudes of young people, poll director John Della Volpe said.

Here is the article from The Washington Times

Liberal approach to the War on Terror

I think we should all read this article about how Liberals see war .
Liberal Approach - from The Post Chronicle by John W. Lillpop

"Can't We All Just Get Along?"
By Satire by John W. Lillpop

Most modern liberals believe that military force is an old fashioned and outdated method for conflict resolution, and one that should be consigned to the dustbin of history.

To the liberal mindset, war is sooooo 20th century. Like VCRs, heterosexual marriage, and Kindergarten without condoms and cucumbers, war is no longer fashionable, or even tolerable.

So-called progressives now embrace the Rodney King strategery for dealing with disagreements and rivalries.

Recognizing the liberal philosophy for what it is helps to explain Speaker Nancy Pelosi's bizarre behavior on the floor of the U.S. House and her trip to the middle east.

We now know exactly what Pelosi said to Syrian President Assad during her stop in Damascus.

"Can't we all just get along?" Speaker Pelosi asked the shocked Assad.

Unfortunately, Pelosi is naive enough to believe the murdering terrorist when he replied, "Of course we can, madam Speaker. Of course we can!"

This satirical article hits the nail on the head !

Taxing Internet Radio

I listen to several internet radio stations and independant streams , and you might also , so you should be aware of the attempts to tax it out of existence. The Copyright Royalty Board is wanting to impose high fees on webcasters, businesses that broadcast music over the Internet.
Read this about the situation .

Black and Right

Everyone should see this video of Bob Parks . His message to the troops is forthright and powerful .
Youtube video

The Elitist Pig

I recently found a blog to read ( as if I don't already read enough of them ) that will be a regular stop for me . The Elitist Pig written by Dave Nalle ,who has worked as a magazine editor, a freelance writer, a capitol hill staffer, a game designer and a history professor. He now designs fonts for a living and lives with his family in a Potemkin village just outside Austin , Texas .
Although his posts are much lenghthier than most , I find them thorough and insightful , definitely right-wing , and guaranteed to be politically incorrect . It is good to hear someone living in Austin with this sort of view , since some of us know Austin , Texas as " 90 square miles surrounded by reality ."
Dave's most recent post is spot on about the irresponsibility , arrogance , and greed of Democrats .
I urge everyone to check him out , you will find him worth reading .

For example -

Buying votes to win elections is a long-established tradition for the Democrat party going back to the days when poor blacks in the south would sell their votes for a couple of dollars and continuing today with the efforts of ACORN to buy votes in dozens of states nationwide. Now it turns out that the techniques which work so well with voters work equally well on Capitol Hill as demonstrated this week with the passage of the new Supplemental Spending bill.

He goes on to say -

There are plenty of other reasons to object to the supplemental spending bill, but the pork really is the crowning insult. I understand that Democrats don't see the point of keeping peacekeeping forces in the most volatile country in the Middle East to stop civil war from erupting and spreading through the area. They're irresponsible. I get it. They have understandable political reasons for their irresponsibility. But it shows an unbelievable arrogance to top their irresponsibility with pure unadulterated greed.

RIGHT on , Dave !

Cut and run proposals are foolish

The Democrat's refusals to budge on their troop withdrawal plans are foolish and plain idiotic . Once again they are showing us that their only reasons are to paint Bush and his administration with the tarbrush of shame for defending Democracy .
Despite the truth that the funding bills are necessary for our troops' safety and well-being , they insist on telegraphing to the terrorists a date by which we will withdraw and leave the Iraqui populace open to worse abuse and strife than even Sadaam caused .
If we withdraw too soon , the region will open up to who knows who to come in and establish an even worse regime in the area , Iran most likely .
We all know the funding will be passed , because no sane member of Congress wants to be seen as unsupportive of the troops . But , stalling them this way is irresponsible of the Democrats . There are other ways to push the administration to end the involvement in the conflict in Iraq .
Neither of the funding bills currently being touted will pass if the pull-out date is still there when Bush has it on his desk . He has promised to , and will , veto . The Democrats don't have enough votes to override it , and I question whether it is even constitutional for them to pass such items infringing on the Commander-In-Chief's duties .
I know a majority of Americans want us out of Iraq , but I doubt that that majority wants more of our soldiers and more innocent Iraquis killed .

Changes to Randomview

Randomview has changed a little , I hope the changes don't bother all THREE or FOUR of my faithful visitors !
Please comment for or against . I am trying to shake it up a little to make it more attractive .
Added are a newsline , and a Youtube feature . Youtube videos are on the right sidebar and rotate . If you click on one , it will show at the top of the posts right here on the page . Randomview takes no responsibility for the content , truth , or falsehood of any video or news item viewed through these links . I don't have any control over which videos or news stories are offered .