Educators to teach Gay is OK

The homosexual agenda in this country being waged using liberal educators and the biased MSM will be furthering the indoctrination of our children by promoting it is OK to be gay. That it is morally acceptable to be a fruit.

In this latest attack on morality, the liberally biased MSM is using public broadcasting to transmit this garbage into our homes.

From World Net Daily.....

A nationally distributed training video produced by a "gay" advocacy group – which claims it's been shown on more than 100 public television stations – advises teachers to promote homosexuality as normal and healthy to children as young as kindergarten age, regardless of what values the child has been taught at home.

"We are asking kids to believe this [homosexuality] is right. Not as a matter of moral principle, but as a matter of, we're educating them and this is part of what we consider to be a healthy education," one unidentified teacher said during the videotaped meeting of educators preparing to teach – or as their critics charge, "brainwash" – their students.

That particular response was to a question from another teacher who wondered how to approach homosexual advocacy when a student comes from a background of biblical teaching, that is, that homosexuality is a sin.

"I don't know what to do about this but, as a school are we saying that kids have to support this?

I guess that's what it sounds like to me that we're saying. If a child comes from a background that says homosexuality is not correct, are we telling that child that they're supposed to, this is what you are supposed to do?" asked the teacher.

The answer was a resounding yes.

The comments are just some of what is horrifying parents who now are seeing video clips of the "It's Elementary" video prepared for use in schools.

Brian Camenker, who heads the Mass Resistance organization, which also has publicized the videos, said people are flooding his office with calls, asking what they can do. More....

I feel children have enough hurdles to conquer growing up. They do not need to be poisoned with information pushing acceptance of the deviant lifestyle!

Motorcycles roll into Cleveland for troop rally

From the PD

Bill Curran, post commander of the Viet Nam Veterans Association of Chagrin Falls, tapes photos of local soldiers killed or missing in the Iraq war. Hundreds attended the fifth annual Support Our Troops rally in Public Square this morning. Motorcyclists from across the region converged on Public Square and met with veterans, military families and supporters.

More Iranian Weapons Found in Iraq

NEWS RELEASE

HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND

7115 South Boundary BoulevardMacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101

Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

Title: US, IRAQI RAID IN MAHMUDIYAH NETS IRANIAN-MARKED ROCKETS, MORTARS

Release Date: 4/28/2007

Release Number: 07-01-03P

Description:

Mahmudiyah, Iraq – A U.S. and Iraqi raid in a Mahmudiyah apartment complex detained eight suspected extremists and discovered three caches containing mortar systems, rockets and ammunition April 22.

Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, from Fort Drum, N.Y., discovered the caches at about 6:30 p.m. local time.

Coalition forces have found many weapons caches in the Mahmudiyah area, but most rocket and mortar rounds found there have been deteriorated and apparently intended for use in improvised explosive devices.

In contrast, the 60mm and 82mm mortar systems, three 107mm rockets, three 60mm and three 82mm rounds found in the latest cache were nearly new.

Soldiers of the unit examined the weapons, which were stamped with recent dates and Iranian markings.

Also found was bulk ammunition for a PKC machine gun.The munitions were seized for further investigation.

The detainees were taken into Iraqi Army custody for further questioning.

Terrorist Groups Support Democrat Presidential Candidates

Like this is really a surprise!

Terror groups throughout the world were doing back flips of joy to hear the "agenda of surrender" from democrap presidential candidates in their debate. Terrorists have labeled this debate a victory for the "resistance movements" in muslim countries.

Here are some quotes of the terrorists and their friendly democrats --

Abu Jihad, one of the leaders of Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades -

• This is a moment of glory for the revolutionary movements in the Arab world in general and for the Iraqi resistance movement specifically," I think democrats will do good if they will withdraw as soon as they are in power," ..... if elected to the White House, the Democrats will immediately order a withdrawal from Iraq. He warned if a retreat is not carried out, the U.S. will likely be attacked on the home front.

Abu Nasser Aziz, Deputy Commander Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade -

• "the invasion of Iraq was judged by Allah to be a failure. America needs to stop letting its foreign policy be dictated by the Zionists and the Zionist lobby. The Democrats understand this point and want to prevent this scenario." ...... it was "very good" there are "voices like Hillary and others who are now attacking the Iraq invasion."

Abu Muhammad, a leader of the Islamic Jihad terrorist group

• believes both the Democrats and Republicans are controlled by Israel but said he thinks the Democrats are better for his group's interests.

• "They will keep supporting Israel, but, yes, I think the Democrats are preferred and have a bigger chance of withdrawing from Iraq and making deals with Iran and Syria."

This from their democrat friends.....

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson -

• "The first day, I would get us out of Iraq by diplomacy"

New York Sen. Billary Clinton -

• "If this president does not get us out of Iraq, when I am president, I will"

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama -

• "We are one signature away from ending this war"

The other candidates have all voted to end the war and we all know how the local nut job Dennis Kookcinich feels.

Terrorists, while urging Americans to vote for democrats, have rejected the faulty democrat thought that a withdrawal in Iraq will stop the insurgency in Iraq and will strengthen their resolve to destroy the United States.

Click here to read more on the debate the terrorists loved.

Saudi Arabia drops hammer on Al-Qaeda; Arrests 172 Terrorists

Saudi Arabia, the country that breeds terrorists, is pushing a widespread crack down on terrorists & Al-Qaeda throughout the country.

Charity work is also coming under scrutiny since the terrorists have been using this to raise money among other creative methods. The Saudi government is urging people to watch family members & friends for any suspicious behavior.

From Arab News.....

JEDDAH, 29 April 2007 — Interior Minister Prince Naif said in comments published yesterday that Saudi Arabia would continue its campaign to root out terrorists in the country. He commended the security forces for their efforts to arrest 172 suspected militants belonging to seven terror cells across the country.

“We cannot say that we are done with these deviants,” Prince Naif told Al-Riyadh Arabic daily. “But efforts will continue. The eyes...are wide open and efforts are under way to cleanse our country of every evil,” he said about the Kingdom’s campaign against Al-Qaeda militants.

The Interior Ministry said Friday it had foiled an Al-Qaeda-linked plot to attack oil facilities, military bases and public figures and arrested 172 people, including some who, it said, had trained to use aircraft for suicide attacks.

Most of those arrested were Saudis; others were from Yemen, Nigeria and other countries. Police seized weapons, computers and more than SR20 million in cash.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh denounced the militants for plotting to carry out terrorist attacks inside the Kingdom..... The Muslim World League (MWL) also condemned the terrorist plots, More.....

Normal weekend in Cleveland ; 4 shootings, 1 dead

The peace & quite of Cleveland streets echoes through the night --

From the PD

18-year-old shot and killed Friday night in Slavic Village

Daran Kelly, 18, of East 71st Street, was the city's 36th homicide this year.

He died of gunshots to his head and trunk, Cuyahoga County Deputy Coroner Erica Armstrong said.

His body was found at 7:45 this morning behind a house in the 6600 block of Gertrude Avenue.

Neighbors reported hearing gunfire at about 11 p.m. Friday, Sgt. Daniel Fay said. Detectives found drugs at the scene.

Three people shot Saturday night on Cleveland's East Side

Cleveland Police are investigating a string of East Side shootings Saturday night that landed three people in MetroHealth Medical Center.

Department spokesman Sgt. Daniel Fay said a 22-year-old man was shot in the leg, but he had no information on the other two victims. He said the injuries were not life-threatening.

Police have no suspects or motives in the shootings, which occurred at East 73rd and Central Avenue about 8:15 p.m.

Off-duty FBI agent shot in Lakewood stickup

Lakewood -- An off-duty FBI agent was shot in chest this morning by an armed robber.

The 50-year-old senior agent was discharged from Lakewood Hospital this evening. The FBI won't release his name. He lives in Rocky River.

The agency is offering a $10,000 reward for information.

Scott Wilson, Cleveland FBI spokesman, gave this account of the incident: At about 3 a.m., the agent was driving a friend home. They had just stopped in the 2000 block of Wyandotte Avenue, not far from Madison Avenue.

Two men approached the car. One flung open the passenger'-side door, thrust a gun into the car and demanded money. The agent stomped on the gas pedal, but didn't get away before the man fired.

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Looks like Cleveland should include an armed guard with their residential tax abatement's!

L.A Times sports writer to become a women

L.A. Times sports writer, Mike Penner, is "coming out" of the freak closet. Penner has decided he feels the need to become a woman and push this personal decision into the lives of other people.

Using his position (or switching of positions) in the media to try and tell people that this deviant behavior is normal, is typical of the homo sexual agenda in the MSM.

There is nothing normal about having your "thing" cut off. There is nothing normal about a man becoming a women!

If this thing is dead set on becoming a women, then it should be done outside the public limelight. The Times should fire him if he does not quit.

From the L.A. Times / Mike Penner's last story --

During my 23 years with The Times' sports department, I have held a wide variety of roles and titles. Tennis writer. Angels beat reporter. Olympics writer. Essayist. Sports media critic. NFL columnist. Recent keeper of the Morning Briefing flame.

Today I leave for a few weeks' vacation, and when I return, I will come back in yet another incarnation.

As Christine.

I am a transsexual sportswriter. It has taken more than 40 years, a million tears and hundreds of hours of soul-wrenching therapy for me to work up the courage to type those words. I realize many readers and colleagues and friends will be shocked to read them.

That's OK. I understand that I am not the only one in transition as I move from Mike to Christine. Everyone who knows me and my work will be transitioning as well. That will take time. And that's all right. To borrow a piece of well-worn sports parlance, we will take it one day at a time.

Transsexualism is a complicated and widely misunderstood medical condition. It is a natural occurrence — unusual, no question, but natural. More.....

KSU to disgrace Virginia Tech students memory

In a to be expected, disgusting display, the liberal educators and anti-war activists, will try to tarnish the reputation & memory of the students gunned down at Virginia Tech by a deranged lunatic.

Kent State, the university that hires known terrorists to teach our children, will shamefully be linking the law abiding students innocently gunned down at Virginia Tech, with the KSU students shot in 1970, rightfully so, by Ohio National Guard troops during acts of civil disobedience.

From the PD --

The annual May 4 commemoration of the 1970 killings at Kent State University will include a memorial gesture to the students killed this month at Virginia Tech.

The campus Victory Bell, which rings each year at the time of the Kent State shootings, will also be rung that morning for each of the 32 students killed by a gunman at Virginia Tech.

"With all of the comparisons of what happened there and what happened here, we thought it would be a very timely thing to do," said May 4th Task Force President John Behnken. More.....

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The opportunistic vultures will also be having, Cindy " I Love Chavez" Sheehan & former Hanoi Jane beau & North Vietnamese collaborator, Tom Hayden, spew their anti-American babble to the crowd.

Gunman with permit suspect in shooting

I am very pro gun and strongly support our 2nd Amendment, but the below story shows why the Carry Conceal Law is fundamentally flawed and why I am against it as it is currently written.

To allow someone to legally carry a gun with only 12 hours training (10 hr class time /2 hr range time) is one of the most IRRESPONSIBLE things the gun lobby could have done.

You must be a complete idiot to believe someone can be proficient and has mastered safe handling and responsible use of a firearm in 12 hrs.

The PD story -- (emphasis added)

About 2 a.m., Marlin Briggs, 38, was shot in the stomach at the Honey Do Club on St. Clair Avenue after an unidentified 59-year-old man struggled with Briggs' girlfriend.

Briggs' friend, Earl Grays, 31, ran to a 1997 Monte Carlo and grabbed his .40-caliber Smith and Wesson handgun, which he has a permit to carry.

Grays told police he fired "randomly" toward the bar, a report shows.

But investigators aren't sure that Grays was defending his life.

How many mistakes can a responsible gun owner find in this story?

1. Gun was fired randomly towards the bar.

2. Did not appear to be defending his or anyone else's life.

3. Most likely was under the influence of alcohol

Even if he was in imminent danger, because of his actions, Grays should be charged with unlawfully discharging a firearm, criminal endangering, should lose his weapon and forfeit any right to ever carry and /or own firearm.

Parental Responsibility Law Challenged

I applaud Maple Hts for forcing people to become responsible parents. Some people are already crying the law in which they can charge parents for their children's behavior may be to aggressive and unfair.

Under the Maple Hts law, parents can be charged with a misdemeanor, even if their child is not charged with a crime. The law appears to be directly aimed at parents who refuse to be parents.
Parents showing an active role in disciplining and trying to control their children, will not necessarily be charged. This determination will be made by police and prosecutors.

The law is being challenged in Garfield Municipal Court as to vague.

The City of Bedford has a law and a program similar to Maple Hts. I feel the way Bedford handles and addresses these situations should be a model program, which I will explain below.

Many communities will be watching this one closely.

The PD reports --

Thelma Ephraim was charged because her son, 17, was charged in juvenile court with carrying a concealed weapon, resisting arrest and failure to comply with a police order.

Ephraim's attorneys, Ronald Balbier and Public Defender Jeffrey Lazarus told Garfield Heights Municipal Court Judge Jennifer P. Weiler that the law tries to govern how people parent their kids and to hold them responsible if there kids do anything wrong.

Balbier said as it reads now, parents can be charged with crimes if their children spit on the sidewalk, hurl a rock or get into a fight at school -- even if the child is not charged with any crime.

"It's assuming that anything a kid does wrong is because they weren't raised right," Balbier said. "I've got kids," he said. "They're good, but they could screw up."

The attorneys argued that the law is so vague and broad that a reasonable person wouldn't know how to prevent being charged with a crime that could land them in jail. More....

Unfortunately like typical bleeding heart defense attorneys, the public defender Balbier over exaggerates, but brings up some valid points. But again, I feel it goes to intent of the law and application of the process.

The most important thing here is that kids will be kids.... Some will screw up and get in trouble regardless of who or how 'good' their parents are. It is the gravity & frequency of the trouble, and attitude and involvement of the parent, that needs to be considered.

My father was a policeman for 25 yrs and my mother was a 5' tall God fearing Catholic Italian/Sicilian women who was the most caring Mother in the world. But go ahead and screw up, my Mother had the unique ability to turn anything into a paddle.

I was raised that children have no rights, only the ones 'given' to them by their parents. Children have no expectation to privacy... only the privacy 'given' to them. If the child gives the parent a reason to suspect something is wrong, going through their room, drawers and such, is part of being a responsible parent.

But we must make sure that these laws do not keep kids from being kids. The lessons of screwing up and getting in trouble at a young age builds character, integrity, responsibility, accountability, etc.... "if" there is parental discipline.

In the case such as the one above, it appears the parent does not feel her son was wrong by carrying a gun, resisting arrest and failure to comply. In this case, her teenager having a gun justifies her being charged. For her child to be carrying a gun, this parent has failed miserably.

Does this sound like a potential path to disaster? Think recent shooting on 135th & Kinsman where a 15 year old punk was shot & killed robbing someone at gunpoint.

Now to use the City of Bedford as an example.....

Bedford has had problems with kids walking in the streets and challenging cars, threatening the elderly, etc.... While I am sure is still happens to some extent, it has decreased dramatically and you rarely hear about it.

The City of Bedford and Bedford Municipal Court, with cooperation from the Bedford Police Dept. have made remarkable strides in combating this problem.

Depending on the infraction, children are sent to a Juvenile Diversion Program and will be dealt with on a local level. The kids are made to clean up along roads, parks, etc....

If this does not work and the kids continue causing trouble, the next time they are referred to the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court system.

I believe if a child is picked up more than twice, the parents can then be charged. With incremental steps such as this, it helps weed out the real trouble makers and kids just doing stupid kid stuff,

The successful results are apparent when driving around Bedford. To date, I am unaware of any complaints.

10 Differences between Conservatives And Liberals

This column pretty much speaks for itself, as it is pretty hard to dispute the truth!

From John Hawkins at Town Hall --

10) Conservatives believe that individual Americans have a right to defend themselves and their families with guns and that right cannot be taken away by any method short of a Constitutional Amendment, which conservatives would oppose. Liberals believe by taking arms away from law abiding citizens, they can prevent criminals, who aren't going to abide by gun control laws, from using guns in the commission of crimes.

9) Conservatives believe that we should live in a color blind society where every individual is judged on the content of his character and the merits of his actions. On the other hand, liberals believe that it's ok to discriminate based on race as long as it primarily benefits minority groups.

8) Conservatives are capitalists and believe that entrepreneurs who amass great wealth through their own efforts are good for the country and shouldn't be punished for being successful. Liberals are socialists who view successful business owners as people who cheated the system somehow or got lucky. That's why they don't respect high achievers and see them as little more than piggy banks for their programs.

7) Conservatives believe that abortion ends the life of an innocent child and since we believe that infanticide is wrong, we oppose abortion. Most liberals, despite what they'll tell you, believe that abortion ends the life of an innocent child, but they prefer killing the baby to inconveniencing the mother.

6) Conservatives believe in confronting and defeating enemies of the United States before they can harm American citizens. Liberals believe in using law enforcement measures to deal with terrorism, which means that they feel we should allow terrorists to train, plan, and actually attempt to kill Americans before we try to arrest them -- as if you can just send the police around to pick up a terrorist mastermind hiding in Iran or the wilds of Pakistan.

5) Conservatives, but not necessarily Republicans (which is unfortunate), believe it's vitally important to the future of the country to reduce the size of government, keep taxes low, balance the budget, and get this country out of debt. Liberals, and Democrats for that matter, believe in big government, high taxes, and they have never met a new spending program they didn't like, whether we will have to go into debt to pay for it or not.

4) Conservatives believe that government, by its very nature, tends to be inefficient, incompetent, wasteful, and power hungry. That's why we believe that the government that governs least, governs best. Liberals think that the solution to every problem is another government program. Even when those new programs create new problems, often worse than the ones that were being fixed in the first place, the solution is always....you guessed it, another government program.

3) Conservatives are patriotic, believe that America is a great nation, and are primarily interested in looking out for the good of the country. That's why we believe in "American exceptionalism" and "America first." Liberals are internationalists who are more concerned about what Europeans think of us and staying in the good graces of the corrupt bureaucrats who control the UN than looking out for the best interests of this nation.

2) Conservatives, most of them anyway, believe in God and think that the Constitution has been twisted by liberal judges to illegitimately try to purge Christianity from the public square. We also believe, most of us anyway, that this country has been successful in large part because it is a good, Christian nation and if our country ever turns away from the Lord, it will cease to prosper. Liberals, most of them anyway, are hostile to Christianity. That's why, whether you're talking about a school play at Christmas time, a judge putting the Ten Commandments on the wall of his court, or a store employee saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays," liberals are dedicated to driving reminders of Christianity from polite society.

1) Conservatives believe in pursuing policies because they're pragmatic and because they work. Liberals believe in pursuing policies because they're "nice" and make them feel good. Whether the policies they're advocating actually work or not is of secondary importance to them.

John Hawkins is a professional blogger who runs Right Wing News and Conservative Grapevine,

CA proposes to ban Mom & Dad from school books

In another attack on "Family Values" the State of California continues to push the radical gay agenda.

With the passage of SB 777 all references and /or words referring to what would be considered a "Traditional Family" will be banned from schools. The words Mom & Dad will be REMOVED from text books as they would / could be considered offensive to homosexuals.

The CA State Assembly in not wanting to offend a few, feel it is OK to offend the very fiber of which our country was founded.

Someone please tell me again how there is no homosexual agenda of using the liberal educators & politicians to forcibly indoctrinate our children with acceptance of this garbage.

World Net Daily reports on the homosexual brainwashing of our children --

A plan that has been launched in the California state Assembly – again – could be used to ban references to "mom" and "dad" in public schools statewide by prohibiting anything that would "reflect adversely" on the homosexual lifestyle choice.

It's similar to a plan WND reported was approved by lawmakers last year, but fell by the wayside when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed it.

"SB 777 forcibly thrusts young school children into dealing with sexual issues, requiring that homosexuality, bisexuality and transsexuality be taught in a favorable light," according to an alert issued by the Capitol Resource Institute.

Los Angeles schools already have implemented most of the proposals now pending for districts across the state, and among the changes are:

• "Mom" and "dad" and "husband" and "wife" would have to be edited from all texts.

• Cheerleading and sports teams would have to be gender-neutral.

• Prom kings and queens would be banned, or if featured, would have to be gender neutral so that the king could be female and the queen male.

• Gender-neutral bathrooms could be required for those confused about their gender identity.

• A male who believes he really is female would be allowed into the women's restroom, and a woman believing herself a male would be allowed into a men's room.

• Even scientific information, such has statistics showing AIDS rates in the homosexual community, could be banned. More....

Thank God Arnold don't like Girlie Men!

Update

This is a follow up to my Bedford School Board Member to get grilled on radio by King post.

Oakwood Councilmen Joe Fouche and Robert Townsend have a radio show "Community Voices" every Wednesday from 8-9pm on 1300 AM.

This radio show will hopefully be used to improve the Bedford, Bedford Hts, Walton Hills and Oakwood area. These communities are all part of Bedford School District.

I know I said I was going to grill Bedford School Board Member Tim Tench but.... Well, there sure as hell was no grilling going on! I was not even allowed to get the fire started.

First, I want to give Tim Tench credit for having the guts to be a wide open target and go on the radio.

The other two male Bedford School Board members, Joe Mestnick & Andy Mizsak, do not have the integrity, ability and are not enough of a man to open themselves up like this in a public forum. Instead they opt for the protection of School Board Meetings where they can stifle a free exchange of ideas.

The hosts, Fouche & Townsend began the show with Bedford School Board member Tim Tench, giving a brief history of himself, then talked about No Child Left Behind and State Report Card.

I guess when I pointed out all three were uninformed and mistaken on the NCLB, I hurt their feelings. That was the only question I was allowed to ask.

Under Ohio's version of NCLB after 90 days in a district a new students "scores" are counted against the new school district which they transfer too.

Using the excuses of most failing districts, Tench elaborated that the State Report card is an unfair way to judge schools and NCLB unfairly penalizes districts when new students from failing districts move into Bedford.

The argument of transient kids or "churning" is bringing our schools down is a rambling rant by the mentally unstable and verbally abusive board member Joe Mestnick. Unfortunately, many in our district have foolishly bought into this intellectually vacuous argument.

Nothing against Tim, but this tired and uninformed argument being advanced by our district is flawed - Here's why....

They claim the 90 days allowed by the State of Ohio is not enough time to allow the schools to teach new transfers in -

• The federal NCLB allows students to be in a district for one (1) year before their scores are counted against the school and district. In 2005 Bedford School District, then State Rep. Lance Mason & Congresswomen Tubbs Jones were made aware of this - NOTHING WAS DONE!

Uneducated students from poorly performing districts transferring in?

• I believe in '03- '04 & '04 - '05 school years, the PD showed Garfield City Schools had more students from Cleveland Schools transfer in than Bedford did. Garfield scores JUMPED 20% and Bedford declined.

Does this mean we are to believe the smart kids from Cleveland Schools transferred to Garfield and only the dumb ones came to Bedford?

---------------------------------------

Bedford School Board members complain 90 days is not enough time for to get students transferring in up to speed. Again they have done NOTHING to address this, except to complain and use this as a crutch for their ineffectiveness.

Pretty good huh - blame the kids and the state!

We have a political hack democrat on the Bedford Board who routinely criticizes republicans during school board meetings. Yet does nothing to have his democrat friends, Mason & Tubbs Jones, who have been in power, to change the state law they claim is hurting our district.

I am sorry this is getting long and a bit rambling, but I need to be fair.....

Bedford School Board Member, Joe "Nutjob" Mestnick, who is up for reelection this year, has offered some pretty comical solutions to improve our schools-

• To stop "churning" he proposed that renters cannot be evicted for not paying rent during the school year, if they have children in the district.

• The school district and investors can buy all the apartments within the district and have them razed to stop the churning of students.

AND THE ALL TIME BEST.....

• To raise money for the schools, apple trees can be planted and the new kids could pick apples to sell!

Am I against Bedford Schools - HELL NO! I am against ignorance and retread excuses.

I feel we elect people to get things done, not give excuses of why they can't! Our school board & administration have perfected the art of making excuses.

The first steps needed to improve our schools is to have politicians from both sides move to make Ohio's version of the NCLB to be consistent with the federal guide lines. This will give us a more accurate reflection of our districts performance.

Next, a "Performance Audit" of our district needs to be conducted.

A "Performance Audit" will show where the district is operating efficiently and where they are wasting money. This will create a road map to financial transparency and can lead us back to being successful schools.

Otherwise, we will continue to flounder at the bottom of the pack.

In conclusion, does Bedford have good schools - NO! But we do have the potential to become good schools again.

Note: I will be meeting with Mr. Fouche next week to have further in depth discussion about our schools.

Bedford School Board Member to get grilled on radio by King

On the Radio 1300 AM EVERY Wednesday 8-9 PM"Community Voices" w/Oakwood Village CouncilmenJoe Fouche and Robert TownsendTune in weekly for topics that concern YOU!

Tim Tench, Bedford School Board Member and Bedford Sun Banner Reporter Robert Nozar will be featured on this week's radio show - April 25th

If you missed last week's show, you missed Walton Hills Council President Kevin Hirsch and Walton Hills Councilmen Denny Linville.

I will be calling into the show again.

Depending on how much freedom and time they give me, I will ask an on topic question but…. I will ask Tim Tench - In the spirit of financial transparency, when the communities within Bedford School District can expect a performance audit to be done. Also when can we expect the school board meetings to be broadcast on our school cable channel?

The school board has REFUSED to answer these two questions for at least the last 4 years. Another note, Tim Tench is on the Central Committee for the Cuyahoga County Democrats. Board member Andy Mizsak is also on the dems Central Committee.

My question for Robert Nozar of the Sun Banner will be - Why does the newspaper only report school board policy line and not an accurate reflection of what happens at the school board meetings?

Examples being... Parents asking about students without text books, teachers getting new computers / students working with outdated pc's, over spending accounts by a million dollars, 11 findings against the district by former Auditor Montgomery, etc....

Last week my call took up pretty much the second half of their show. Who knows if they will allow me to do that again?

If you have time please listen to the show. I am quite confident the show will be interesting. If they let me on the air again, I guarantee it!

Kucinich to move for Impeachment of Cheney

Cleveland's own 'Boy Blunder' Dennis Kookcinich feels making a fool of himself and Cleveland with his comedic stumbles at the presidency is not enough of an embarassment.

Kookcinich, who once claimed he is a "Gang Banger for Peace" and feels he is the only true black candidate, will move foward with his push to have VP Cheney impeached.

I heard on the radio this morning that most democrats, as usual, are dismissing Kookcinich's actions as grandstanding. Much like Cuyahoga County Commisioner Taxin' Tim Hagan dismissed the Kook's presidential bid.

From the PD Openers --

First, Dennis Kucinich posted a video on his presidential campaign Web site last month asking whether voters "think it's time" to start asking questions about impeachment.

Although Democratic leaders in the House and Senate have repeatedly expressed their lack of interest in impeaching anybody, the Democratic congressman from Cleveland last week sent an e-mail to his congressional colleagues that offered them a chance to scope out "articles of impeachment" he plans to introduce against Vice President Dick Cheney.

The public will get its first glimpse of Kucinich's plans for Cheney tomorrow at a Capitol Hill press conference, according to the latest news release from Kucinich.

Sort of makes you wonder if, when "so-called" good Cuyahoga County Republicans give a nutjob like Dennis thousands of dollars in campaign donations does it encourage his foolishness?

Al-Qaeda 'Planning Big British Attack'

Britian is gearing up for possible attacks from attacks from Al-Qaeda. This is most likely to coincide with Blair stepping down and trying to instill fear mong the Brits.

Iran-Va-Jahan reports --

AL-QAEDA leaders in Iraq are planning the first “large-scale” terrorist attacks on Britain and other western targets with the help of supporters in Iran, according to a leaked intelligence report. Spy chiefs warn that one operative had said he was planning an attack on “a par with Hiroshima and Nagasaki” in an attempt to “shake the Roman throne”, a reference to the West.

Another plot could be timed to coincide with Tony Blair stepping down as prime minister, an event described by Al-Qaeda planners as a “change in the head of the company”.

The report, produced earlier this month and seen by The Sunday Times, appears to provide evidence that Al-Qaeda is active in Iran and has ambitions far beyond the improvised attacks it has been waging against British and American soldiers in Iraq.

There is no evidence of a formal relationship between Al-Qaeda, a Sunni group, and the Shi’ite regime of President Mah-moud Ahmadinejad, but experts suggest that Iran’s leaders may be turning a blind eye to the terrorist organisation’s activities. More....

Iran & Syria prepare for Summer War

Well it looks like Ninny Pelosi's trip to Syria really accomplished a lot!

Syria & Iran are looking for ways to expand their military cooperation and become a bigger threat to the region.

Persian Journal reports--

Head of high ranking Syrian military delegation in his meeting with the deputy chief of General Command of Iran's Armed Forces stressed on the expansion of military cooperation between the two countries.

Major General Yahya L. Solayman, who is heading a high-ranking delegation from Syrian Armed Forces, is on a one-week visit to Tehran. He met deputy chief of Iran's Armed Forces General Command, Major General Hassani Sa'di.

At the meeting, the two sides emphasized on the development of bilateral military and educational ties.

The Syrian delegation conferred with Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Yahya Rahim-Safavi and Minster of Defense Brigadier General Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar. More.....

Syria is also receiving help from Iran on missile & rocket technology in an alleged build up to start problems in the Golan Heights area.

From World Net Daily --

TEL AVIV – Syria aided by Iran is making preparations for a summer war with Israel, including acquisition of advanced weaponry, placement of missiles near the Jewish state's border, and training and movements of strategic troop battalions, Israeli security officials told WND.

The information follows media interviews last week in which Syrian President Bashar Assad stated he doesn't rule out the possibility of war with Israel. Syrian officials recently have also been warning if Israel doesn't vacate the Golan Heights, Damascus will resort to "resistance." Whole Story....

'Smoking gun' tape indicts Hillary

All the underhanded dealing by Hillary & Bill will now be catching up to her!

I had done a previous post on this here.

From World Net Daily --

A business mogul who says he was Hillary Clinton's biggest donor in her 2000 Senate campaign is preparing to release a newly recovered videotape his lawyer calls "smoking-gun evidence" of the New York Democrat's commission of a series of felonies, each punishable by up to five years in prison.

Peter Franklin Paul, in a civil fraud suit filed against Bill and Hillary Clinton, claims the former president destroyed his entertainment company to get out of a $17 million deal in which Clinton promised to promote the firm in exchange for stock, cash options and massive contributions to his wife's 2000 campaign.

Paul contends he was directed by the Clintons and Democratic Party leaders to foot the bill for a lavish Hollywood gala and fund-raiser prior to the 2000 election that eventually cost him nearly $2 million. Whole Story....

Victim - 1 / Robber - Dead

Score one for the good guys!

This is a perfect reason why guns should NOT be outlawed!

From the PD --

A Cleveland man Saturday night shot and killed a 15-year-old boy who reportedly helped rob the man, police said.

Arthur C. Buford, 15, who was shot in the chest, was taken by EMS to MetroHealth Medical Center where he was pronounced dead about an hour later, according to Cleveland police spokesman Thomas Stacho. Buford was shot and killed after he and an unidentified accomplice reportedly robbed a man at gunpoint on the porch of his house near East 134th Street and Kinsman Road.

Police arrested a 25-year-old Cleveland man, who told police he shot Buford after the robbery, Stacho said. The robbery victim pulled his own gun and shot Buford in self-defense, Stacho said. The shooter's name was unavailable.

Police later found a small caliber handgun nearby believed to have been used in the robbery.

"He ran into the house and called us," Stacho said. "He surrendered and turned over the gun, but we did place him under arrest. He's being held for investigation of murder."

I am intimately familiar with this area from years of repossessing furniture, automobiles and picking up some occasional bail jumpers. You can be sure this is not an area to go for a ride with the family on a Saturday night.

This poor guy was being robbed on HIS OWN PORCH and got arrested. I really hope CPD and the prosecutors find it a justifiable homicide.

I believe it would be safe to say more than a majority of the bloggers could never understand what it is like to live in an area like this. Unless you live in an atmosphere such as this, it is impossible to understand the mind set of some of these knuckleheads out there.

The violent crime rate of Cleveland is over twice the national average. People this is an every day occurrence in some neighborhoods such as this.

E.134th & Kinsman is a pretty rough area, but pales in comparison to the Outhwaite area, Garden Valley Estates or East Cleveland. We used to call East Cleveland - Dodge City! There are many areas where paramedics or Fire Dept. will not go with out a police escort.

I cannot even begin to describe the feeling of seeing my first dead body laying in the street in a pool of blood. Cars driving by, people walking by like nothing happened. After you see the first couple, it is no big deal anymore......

You cannot even begin understand what is like to live in fear inside your own home. Your own home in which you are like a prisoner on lock down after 7:30-8:00pm until sunrise.

Had this guy NOT had a gun to protect himself, we might have been reading about him being killed or the next person this little dead punk may have robbed or killed.

The people in the inner city will be like sitting ducks for these criminals!

New Taliban Video Shows Young Boy Beheading 'American Spy'

I am still waiting to hear the liberal fairy tale about Gitmo......

From Fox News ---

KILI FAQIRAN, Pakistan — The boy with the knife looks barely 12. In a high-pitched voice, he denounces the bound, blindfolded man before him as an American spy. Then he hacks off the captive's head to cries of "God is great!" and hoists it in triumph by the hair.

A video circulating in Pakistan records the grisly death of Ghulam Nabi, a Pakistani militant accused of betraying a top Taliban official who was killed in a December airstrike in Afghanistan.

An Associated Press reporter confirmed Nabi's identity by visiting his family in Kili Faqiran, their remote village in southwestern Pakistan.

The video, which was obtained by AP Television News in the border city of Peshawar on Tuesday, appears authentic and is unprecedented in jihadist propaganda because of the youth of the executioner.

Captions mention Mullah Dadullah, the Taliban's current top commander in southern Afghanistan, although he does not appear in the video. The soundtrack features songs praising Taliban supreme leader Mullah Omar and "Sheikh Osama" — an apparent reference to Osama bin Laden, who is suspected of hiding along the Afghan-Pakistan border.

"He is an American spy. Those who do this kind of thing will get this kind of fate," says his baby-faced executioner, who is not identified.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,267654,00.html#

Click here for the whole story & video....

Iran to be major player in Natural Gas

Let's see....... Has huge oil reserves and wants to develop their natural gas reserves.

Hmmm.... Has an unstable leader that denies the Holocaust, supports terrorism, hell bent to get nuclear weapons and wants to control the region.....

Should we be worried? I think so.......

From Iran Focus --

VIENNA, April 21, 2007 (AFP) - Austria's OMV, the biggest oil and gas group in Central Europe, announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran Saturday to jointly develop a gas field in the Gulf.

As part of its agreement with the National Iranian Oil Company, OMV will help develop parts of the South Pars gas field, one of the largest in the world......

It will also set up a liquefaction facility for the Iran Liquefied Natural Gas project and conclude further supply agreements for LNG from Iran....

State television said OMV would also purchase gas from Iran.

The Islamic republic is keen to become a big gas exporter but has been slow to develop its resources. LNG is natural gas altered for transportation in special tankers.

Gholamhossein Nozari, managing director of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), said three agreements had been signed with OMV, concerning the development of phase 12 of the South Pars gas field as well as construction of an LNG plant.

"Negotiations with the Austrian OMV company ended with an agreement that this company ... participates in the upstream and downstream activities of this project," he was quoted as saying by the Mehr news agency.

He said OMV would take a 10 percent stake in the new plant, from which it would buy 10.2 million tonnes of LNG per year. The report did not give details on when construction would start.

The IRNA news agency said Iran would deliver five billion cubic metres of natural gas per year to Europe via the planned Nabucco pipeline, a 4.6 billion euro project to transport gas from Turkey to Austria. OMV heads the Nabucco consortium. More....

From Persian Journal --

Iran signed a major agreement with Austrian energy group OMV yesterday to help develop the country's vast gas resources and build a plant for liquefied natural gas (LNG).

It is described as Iran's biggest such contract with Europe, and some Iranian media put its total value at up to $30bn over 25 years, including the sale ofbns of cubic metres of natural gas to the continent.

The US, which accuses mullahs of seeking to build atom bombs, has urged its allies not to invest in the Islamic Republic.

Iran sits atop the world's second-largest gas reserves after Russia. But politics, sanctions and construction delays have slowed its gas development and analysts say it is unlikely to become a major exporter for a decade.

Harry Reid in action!

Hi, I'm an Idiot!

No not me!

The idiot prison officials who released a dangerous prisoner after getting a phony fax from a grocery store!

From Fox News --

HICKMAN, Kentucky — Officials mistakenly released a prisoner from a Kentucky facility after receiving a phony fax that ordered him freed, and it took them nearly two weeks to realize it.

The fax contained grammatical errors, was not typed on letterhead and was sent from a local grocery store. The fax falsely claimed that the Kentucky Supreme Court "demanded" Timothy Rouse be released.

Rouse, 19, is charged with beating an elderly man and was at the Kentucky Correctional & Psychiatric Center in La Grange for a mental evaluation. He was released April 6 after officials received the fake court order.

Lexington police arrested Rouse at his mother's home Thursday evening.

"It's outrageous that it happened," Fulton County Attorney Rick Major said. "I'm just glad nobody got hurt because he's dangerous."

Police are still investigating who faxed the letter.

Prison officials did not notice that the fax came from the grocery store because policies did not require checking the source of a faxed order, said the LaGrange facility's director, Greg Taylor.

Cleveland Teachers To Get 'Undeserved' Raises

First, I do not believe the teachers in districts performing poorly as Cleveland schools are deserving of a raise.

Second, we need to demand performance be tied to teachers pay.

Third, teachers are better paid than they lead us to believe.

An overview of the agreement with Cleveland Municipal School District and the Cleveland Teachers Union from the PD --

Total cost: $11 million a year.

Duration: Three years, July 1 to June 30, 2010.

Raise: Up to 9 percent over three years. The first year, a 3 percent raise is guaranteed. In each of the next two years, a 3 percent raise is granted if the state does not cut aid.

Medical insurance: Medical, vision care and prescription benefits remain the same, as does premium sharing at $10 to $30 a month. Main change is that a school employee's working spouse must subscribe to his or her employer's plan, unless second- and third-year raises are not granted. Alternative is for the spouse to enroll in Kaiser Permanente's single plan for $10 a month.

Reduced class sizes in kindergarten through grade three: Now, the average is 25 students to 1 teacher. That goes to 20 to 1 next school year.

Pre-kindergarten classes: All elementaries will have academic preschool for 4-year-olds for the full school day. Some of the staff may come from calling back laid-off teachers who are certified for elementary education.

In-school suspension programs at all high schools: Will open jobs for 132 teachers' aides, union says.

Off With Their Heads! Al-Qaeda linked group cuts off 7 more

Will someone please tell me that liberal fairy tale on the U.S. treatment of the dogs at Gitmo?

From Al Jazeera--

The heads of seven men who were kidnapped by the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group on southern Jolo island have been delivered in sacks to the Philippine army, officials say.

The men - six road workers and a factory worker – were seized at gunpoint in two separate incidents on Monday near the town of Parang.

Major-General Ruben Rafael, commander of military forces in Jolo, said a group of civilians were ordered to deliver the heads by Albader Parad, the Abu Sayyaf commander who operates in Jolo's mountainous townships of Indanan and Parang.

Soldiers had earlier discovered the headless bodies of six men close to Parang town.

Rafael said the beheadings may have been in response to the deaths of more than 70 Abu Sayyaf members, including two leaders, in an eight-month military offensive backed by US troops and equipment. More.....

Taliban demand French withdrawal

I wonder if the current elections in France had anything to do with this kidnapping?

Almost a no brainer to pick on the biggest sissy of a country and try to influence the elections of a spineless mass of people. You can bet if France had a Reagan like candidate, they would know how to deal with hostages and elections.

But since bravery is not in the French vocabulary, these poor saps don't have a chance. The Taliban terrorists will soon be playing soccer with their heads!

From Al Jazeera --

Taliban fighters who say they abducted two French aid workers and three Afghans earlier this month have demanded all French troops withdraw from Afghanistan in one week.

Earlier in the week, the French nationals had appealed to their government to comply with the demand saying that they feared they would be killed soon.

In a statement posted on a website, the group also said they wanted immediate talks with the Afghan government to negotiate the release of Taliban prisoners. "In case of refusal action will be taken against them [the hostages] promptly," the statement said. Whole Story

Condemn Cho but tolerate Islamists?

I have been waiting to see if an article like the one below would be written. This points out how Iraqi civilians are being mass murdered everyday by sectarian strife and religious zealots and this violence against humanity has become accepted by most democrats as long as it is in other countries.

Actually, this type of violence is common place in many Middle Eastern countries. The killings at VT would be just another day in places like Iraq, Israel, Afghan, Somalia, Palestinian territories, etc....

While our troops fighting the "War on Terror" against these religious thugs and are trying to stop this ruthless violence against innocent people, the liberal and democraps in our country want us to pull out and afford the terrorists unfettered access to slaughter as they please.

In all honesty, much of the blood shed at VT can be blamed on the democrats, liberals and American terrorist group the ACLU. Many of the policies they have pushed for can be directly attributed as to how and why these killings took place!

From World Net Daily --

So where is the similar outrage for the perpetrators of similar massacres that are going on daily in Iraq?

The U.S. has had one such event in 230 years, while Iraq has had 230 such events in the past year alone! Doesn't the world mourn for the loss of these thousands of equally innocent victims?

Apparently not. Are Iraqis less important than Americans? Of course not! Does God love them less than he does Americans? Of course not! We are all a part of His family, and we are all equal in the sight of God. So why doesn't the world condemn the murdering Islamo-fascists in Iraq (and elsewhere) like they do this deeply troubled young man from South Korea?

Like him, they are violently angry young men who have planned ahead of time to commit mass murder and suicide. Is this acceptable behavior in a civilized world? If not, then why does the world condemn it in America but seem to tolerate it in Iraq?

Do liberal Democrats and the mainstream media really think that such daily mass murders will stop occurring once the U.S. pulls out of Iraq and Afghanistan? Thousands of years of world history would indicate otherwise.

The truth is we're the ones trying to stop such massacres, not the ones causing them. At Virginia Tech, the "bad guy" was the murderer, not the police! In Iraq, the "bad guys" are the murderers, not the Coalition forces! More....

Iran to fire Home Made Missle

Intent on continuing to become an international pain in the ass, Iran will be test firing a Home Made missle.

While this could become fodder for America's Funniest Home Videos, it shows Iran has no intentions of a peaceful nuclear program.

From FARS News Agency

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Commander of the Islamic Republic navy said that his troops are due to test a missile with a range of over 150 km in the sea.

Speaking to Iran's state-run TV on Wednesday, Rear Admiral Sajjad Kouchaki further stated that the Iranian navy intends to increase its subsurface power, and continued, "If Iran possesses 50 submarines, it will find a good grip of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman."

He also said that the mighty presence of the Iranian navy in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and north of Indian Ocean is tangible for the regional and trans-regional countries, adding that the navy force is striving to reinvigorate its subsurface forces.

Saying that Iran owns the most powerful navy in the Middle-East region, the commander reminded that 90 to 95 percent of the equipment and weapons needed by the navy are designed and manufactured through home-made technology and by the Iranian experts.

He further pointed to the production of dual-purpose torpedoes and test firing of a fast radar-evading missile as among other achievements of the Iranian navy, adding that during future war games, an optimized missile with a range of over 150 km will be test fired.

The Admiral also reminded that the said missile will increase Iran's missile capability and defensive power.

Hastings appointed to Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

I would like to congratulate Jeff Hastings on his appointment to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

S.O.S. Brunnhilda's statement ---

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner announced Thursday the appointment of Jeff Hastings to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

Hastings, who was recommended by the Cuyahoga County Republican Party, is appointed to the elections board effective immediately for the remainder of a four-year term that ends Feb. 29, 2008.

Hastings replaces Republican Sally Florkiewicz, who resigned from the board. The two Democrats and the other Republican on the board have also resigned. Secretary Brunner sought the resignations in the wake of well-publicized problems at the agency.

Secretary Brunner, Ohio's top elections official, said Hastings' experiences as Senior Deputy Attorney General in former Attorney General Jim Petro's Cleveland Office, and as a Common Pleas Court Judge along with his broad experience working with the greater Cleveland community will be assets as he takes his place on the elections board in Ohio's most populous county.

"I'm pleased with the Republican Party's nomination. Jeff Hastings brings experience and commitment that will enhance a mission of exceptional public service by the new board," added Secretary Brunner.

Hastings is currently an attorney with Hastings & Associates in Cleveland.

Hastings also previously served as executive director of the Cuyahoga County Republican Party and as an assistant to the mayor of Lakewood in suburban Cleveland.

Hastings holds a bachelor's degree from Ashland University; a master's degree from Baldwin-Wallace College and a law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

The local Republican Party will be able to submit a recommendation to Secretary Brunner for the other GOP seat on the elections board when the position becomes vacant May 1.

Secretary Brunner has interviewed candidates for the two Democratic seats on the board after the local Democratic Party deferred the entire selection process to her. Brunner expects to appoint the two Democratic seats no later than next week.

-30-

Media Contacts:
Patrick Gallaway, Director of Communications, (614) 752-2450
Jeff Ortega, Assistant Director of Communications, Media, (614) 466-0473.

A Bad Day For Parental Rights

Can California be taking the first step towards state sponsored discipline of the children?

On one hand we have the government asking us to be good parents and be responsible for our children. On the other hand, they want to tell us how to raise our children and dictate what type of punishment is allowed.

It is the right of the parent to punish their child as they see fit. (Insert liberal scream here!).

This does not mean child abuse! There is a big difference between child abuse and a good old fashion ass whippin' from Mom or Dad, though many will try to blur this distinction.

The 'time out' theory has failed miserably! The do-gooders & educators have created culture of 'panty waist children' that expect to be coddled and know they can intimidate the parents by screaming 'child abuse'. isn't this something like the tail is wagging the dog?

I would be willing to bet any amount, that being back handed out of the chair for getting smart accompanied with the phrase, " talk like that again and you will be spitting teeth", is much more effective than time out.

It will have a much longer and deeper learning effect than, "Johnny, will you please go stand nicely in the corner", and in a pleasant, non-excited tone you remind him kindly, "Son, it is impolite to speak like that."

These three long forgotten phases raised generations and worked pretty damn well!

Spare the rod, spoil the child........ Children are to be seen, not heard......... I'll give you something to cry about.......

From World Net Daily --

Democrats on a legislative committee in California have advanced a plan that would make criminals of any parent who uses "a stick, a rod, [or] a switch" to discipline their misbehaving child, and parents rights' organizations are up in arms.

"This was a bad day for parental rights in California," said Karen England, of Capitol Resource Institute.

"Arrogant California legislators have decided … they know how to raise children better than parents. However, we are confident that California parents will make their voice heard and defeat these despicable bills," she said.

California Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Sally Lieber (California Assembly)
The proposal is AB755, a plan by California Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, D-Mountain View, that is billed as a plan for "corporal punishment."

But it does more.

"AB755 biases police officers, social workers, district attorneys and juries to regard traditional methods of child discipline as hateful, harmful abuse," said Randy Thomasson, president of the Campaign for Children and Families. Whole Story.....

In Case You Missed It: Baucus, Rangel Form PAC

Reposted from GOP.com

From The Hill

By Alexander Bolton
April 17, 2007


House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) have set up a joint fundraising committee to collect political contributions they are receiving from lobbyists hoping to win the lawmakers' favor. ...

Rangel is one of several House Democratic chairmen who have been flooded with contributions from lobbyists and political action committees. ...

[Representatives from the business community] certainly are spending money to spend time with him [Rangel]. Rangel's fundraising has soared since he became chairman of Ways and Means, which has jurisdiction over tax, healthcare and trade policy, at the beginning of the year. Rangel raised $761,000, according to a new report he filed with the FEC, by far the most the 76-year-old chairman has ever raised in a three-month period.

Baucus has raised $1 million during the first quarter of 2007 ... He has $2.9 million in cash on hand, a Montana record. ...

Rangel's biggest benefactor this year has been Citigroup Inc. His campaign account received $7,500 from Citigroup's PAC and $41,300 from Citigroup employees.

Rangel's three-month receipts total is more than half of what he raised during the previous two years, according to campaign-finance records. ... In 2005, the last non-election year, the most Rangel raised during a three-month FEC reporting period was $315,000.

Rangel collected $144,000 through the Baucus-Rangel Leadership Fund ...

Rangel and Baucus have held two fundraisers in New York City for their joint account and they are planning more events. ...

[A] procession of lobbyists have already paid their respects. They include Linda Daschle, chair of the public policy group at Baker Donelson and wife of former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), who gave Rangel $2,000; Steve Elmendorf, former chief of staff to then-House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.); and Frederick Graefe, a partner at the Frederick Graefe law office. ...

To View Entire Article, Please Visit: http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/baucus-rangel-form-pac-2007-04-16.html

Al Jazeera reports on Virginia Tech shootings

The following are reports from Al Jazeera on the statements and video the Virginia Tech madman sent to NBC and reaction in S. Korea on the shooting.

From Al Jazeera --

Campus killer sent media videos

Cho sent pictures and videos of himself as well as a profanity-laced letter to the NBC news network

The student who killed 32 people in the United States' worst shooting rampage paused between shootings to mail video clips, photographs of himself brandishing weapons and profanity-laced writings to news network NBC, police say.

Cho Seung-hui, the student, said: "You forced me into a corner and gave me only one option."

NBC said the material included videos and a rambling manifesto-type statement which appeared to have been sent during the two-hour interval between the first and second shooting incidents at Virginia Tech university on Monday.

Cho said in a video that "this didn't have to happen".

"Now you have blood on your hands that you will never wash off," the 23-year-old said, without making clear whom he was speaking to. Whole Story.....

---------------------------------------------

S Korea in shock over US shootings

South Koreans have been reacting with shock and mourning after it emerged that the gunman responsible for the Virginia Tech shootings in the US was a South Korean national.

Candlelit vigils have been held and the South Korean president has made several official statements of condolence over the shootings.

Meanwhile editorials in South Korean newspapers have expressed grief over the shootings and hope that it would not spark a backlash in the US against South Koreans or other Asians.

South Korea has more students studying in the US than any other country.....

"I and our people cannot contain our feelings of huge shock and grief" - Roh Moo-hyun, South Korean President

On Wednesday a march and vigil was held outside the US embassy in Seoul as mourners prayed for the victims.

"I want to express my condolences to the families of the deceased," said Cho Young-chang, Head of the Committee of Korean Pastors of Southern California.

"I'm participating today to apologise, as a true Korean." More.....