Pelosi: President of her own country?

The President of California is headed to Syria despite the objections of the United States.

Saudi’s beginning to play their cards…

Is Saudi Arabia a friend or foe?

Like most questions of that nature the answer lies somewhere in between. Few diplomatic relationships are as sensitive, and hard to understand, as that which exists between the United States and Saudi Arabia. The countries have few common interests.

That said, Saudi Arabia, much like a capitalistic society, maintains focus on self serving interests. When we are needed we are the best of friends. When the U.S. is in need the relationship is reunited. However, when neither needs the other the result is often times cold and unattractive.

Doing what it takes to deal with NCLB

Almost 300,000 reading and math tests taken by Illinois students in 2006 weren’t counted because the state relaxed a rule under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

The Chicago Tribune stated that tests most likely to be discounted were low-income and minority students. Almost one in four black students and one in five low-income students didn’t have their scores counted.

New commercials…Same old Payday Lenders

It was gratifying to see some of our elected officials finally cracking down on the purveyors of payday loans.

Sime: It’s Time for Virginia to limit property tax increases

Op-ed  By Arin Sime

When is a tax hike not a tax hike?

When it is disguised as an assessment increase!

In Virginia, the property taxes you pay are calculated by taking the most recent tax assessment of your home and multiplying it by your locality’s tax rate.  To come up with the property assessment, they attempt to compare your home to similar homes that have sold in the last year, and then guess what someone would be willing to pay for your home.

Most of the time your property will go up in value, which sounds wonderful, until you get your tax bill.

Darfur: A sad reality of a failing UN

The siege and blatant massacre of people in Darfur, Sudan, has been taking place for years while the United Nations remains conflicted on how best to respond. In Kuteri, a village in Darfur, exists an example that represents a consistent picture of a nation shrouded in terrorist activity that is used to control a defenseless people.

Get Ready Waynesboro, the spending spree is about to begin

Waynesboro City Council is about to allocate 1 million dollars for the Wayne Theatre Alliance. No matter that just a couple of weeks ago council discussed transferring the property over to the WTA, because before that happens they want to be sure and provide them with a going away present in the form of your tax payer dollars.

Giuliani: “We don’t like this war…”

America’s mayor doesn’t like the term “war on terror.” Known for his tough stance on crime and national security, the Republican presidential hopeful says that America needs to be more conscious of its image around the world.

“America is seen as a country by too many that wants to have war, or exercises its power too much, pushes its weight around too much,” said the former Mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani, adding, “America is just the opposite kind of country.”

The Science of Artful Teaching

There is growing concern that a shortage of quality teachers exists in the United States.  Accountability is the theme that drives school systems to search for teachers that are ready for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s solutions. A teacher must have a sound educational philosophy, be flexible, and have a thorough understanding of their belief system.  They are then left contemplating their approach to teaching. Is teaching a science, or is teaching an art?  The answer will provide the foundation for their teaching style and set the tone for how learning is achieved in their classroom.

Sayre receives VCAP endorsement

Republican Scott Sayre, running for the nomination for the 24th district Senate seat, received an important endorsement today from the Virginia Conservative Action Pac.

Citing concerns over Republican incumbent Emmitt Hangers positions on a host of economic issues, VPAC has been openly inquisitive in seeking an alternative for the Republican nomination to run against Libertarian Arin Sime. In Sayre the well organized political action group has found a fiscal conservative with an impressive business resume and a passion to run.