I Don't Have To Pay For Nothing Because I'm Just Me

While I certain do not begrudge someone an education, this video seems to demonstrate why some tax payers are saying "Enough Already!" Judge Judy speaks ‘Moron’ to whom the taxpayers have given $70,000 towards his education (so far). This self-centered, narcissistic, taxpayer-funded third-year college student wants to keep the checks coming but not for his room and board as it is intended, rather to pay for him to party the night away.

Even when Judy explains that the money he's wasting came from taxpayers with certain expectations it seems to be lost upon him. Clearly the "rich" (read tax payer) have to pay more so he can continue his life of indulgence and rip-off, because after all, he's just him.

Oh if only this video could be played in court when the taxpayers demand their money back. This of course will never happen because he is "ENTITLED" to this money and who am I to question how he uses it.

Casey Anthony As A Hustler Centerfold?

The preeminent pornography Larry Flint has allegedly offered Casey Anthony $500,000 plus 10% profits for photo-spread in Hustler.

Larry claims that people have come up to him in droves on his book tour requesting Casey in the nude. He has had more requests about Casey than anyone else ever.

To steal a quote from Casey "Surprise...Surprise".

Can you really blame Larry for making the offer, after all her own attorney announced in open court that Casey is a liar and slut in court? Besides, unlike Casey, Larry is honest about who and what he is and he is in the business of making money.

Perhaps Casey could pose with duck tape on her mouth.

Casey Anthony Mask

Hide the kids because it looks like Casey Anthony will be headed your way come Halloween. I bet you already saw this one coming didn't you.

Actually I think this mask bears and uncanny resemblance to Casey don't you think. The mask does not come with the upgrade, duck tape, but you can always pick that up at the Home Depot along with a laundry bag.

Congressman Wu Has Tiger Blood

Congressman Wu's tiger blood but may have him on the prowl!

Rep. David Wu announced that he will be leaving Congress following a report in The Oregonian last week that an 18-year-old woman complained to his office about an "unwanted sexual encounter."

He's issued a statement announcing his imminent resignation:

It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be a United States Congressman. Rare is the nation in which an immigrant child can become a national political figure. I thank God and my parents for the privilege of being an American.

Now, however, the time has come to hand on the privilege of high office. I cannot care for my family the way I wish while serving in Congress and fighting these very serious allegations.

The wellbeing of my children must come before anything else. With great sadness, I therefore intend to resign effective upon the resolution of the debt-ceiling crisis. This is the right decision for my family, the institution of the House, and my colleagues.

It is also the only correct decision to avoid any distraction from the important work at hand in Washington. I intend to go forward with new resolve and love of family, the State of Oregon, and our nation.

Don't cry for Wu though because he doesn't leave empty handed. His consolation prize will be a pension and benefits worth more than $1 million in his lifetime.

I'd say he'll be doing just grrrrrrrrrrreeeaaat with that kind of walking around money!

Fernbank Museum Tips the Scales of Fun during Annual REPTILE DAY Event with Lizards, Snakes, Turtles & More!

ATLANTA-Fernbank Museum's annual Reptile Day will give visitors an opportunity to
get up-close with dozens of lizards, snakes, turtles, and even a few amphibians,
including frogs! This popular event for visitors of all ages will take place on
Saturday, July 30, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A variety of reptiles-both exotic and native to Georgia-will be on display in the
Museum's Great Hall for visitors to examine up close. Select display animals will be
available for visitors to touch. Fernbank also is partnering with the Georgia
Herpetological Society, the Chattahoochee Nature Center, the Bear Hollow Wildlife
Zoo, My Reptile Guys, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and more. Organizations will
offer many opportunities to ask questions and learn more about the importance of
these exceptional animals. Children will also have the opportunity to create a
leopard gecko hat and see a real leopard gecko from Fernbank's education collection
of live animal ambassadors.

Reptile Day coincides with Fernbank's summer-long programming series, 97 Days & Ways
to Play, which offers visitors a variety of ways to enjoy the summer with giveaways,
events, programs, activities and more. Fernbank's 97 Days & Ways to Play continues
through September 4, 2011.

Reptile Day is included with Museum admission, which is FREE for members, $17.50 for
adults, $16.50 for students and seniors, $15.50 for children ages 3-12, and free for
children ages 2 and under. Purchase Museum tickets at fernbankmuseum.org/97days or
by calling 404.929.6400.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History is located at 767 Clifton Road in Atlanta. For
more information and tickets, visit fernbankmuseum.org. 

Sunday Morning Wreck

It can happen in a second.

Darryl and I had not warning this morning as we began our weekly shopping trip. We parked in the parking lot of CVS and headed towards the store, coupons and shopping list in hand ready to go bargain hunting.

As we came out of the store we heard a loud crash and we looked up to see a car veer off the road heading straight down the embankment towards our car.

No one seemed in control of the vehicle that seemed to be coasting almost in slow motion. While you wanted to run to the car to make sure the driver was OK you were frozen in place partly out of shock and partly because the car was still moving and you knew that you should wait for the vehicle to stop to render aid.

The car barely missing our car and came to a stop as it hit the curb of the CVS.

The car was badly damaged and the driver, a woman, said she couldn't move and we told her that she should try. We had already called 911 as had the other people who had witnessed the accident. The next thing we knew an ambulance and a fire truck had shown up.

We stayed with the woman speaking with her letting her know that help was there. Then after she was loaded onto the ambulance we were questioned by the police as to what we observed.

We were told that the woman in the vehicle that had coasted off the road had broken her ankles but that she would be OK.

I came away shaken by the incident because it could have ended so differently. Life is just so fragile and sometimes we get a wake-up call to remind us that life is precious.

Amy Winehouse Found Dead In Her London Home

 

Troubled diva Amy Winehouse is dead at age 27. Winehouse was found dead Saturday by ambulance crews called to her home in north London's Camden area. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Amy was born in London, England, on September 14, 1983, to Mitch and Janis Winehouse

At 12, Winehouse was accepted into the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School but by the age of 16, she was expelled for "not applying herself" and piercing her nose. That same year, she caught her first big break when a schoolmate and close friend, pop singer Tyler James, passed her demo tape to his label, A&R, who was searching for a jazz vocalist. The opportunity led her to a record deal with Island/Universal.

Winehouse's battled with substance abuse were the subject of much media attention. In various interviews, she admitted to have problems with self-harm, depression and eating disorders.

Please Help Find Baby Kate

Katherine Shelbie Elizabeth Phillips, also known affectionately as “Baby Kate” is now five months old. Born on February 12, 2011, she was last seen on June 29, 2011 when her father, Sean Michael Phillips, sped away with her in his vehicle after arguing with her mother.

Phillips was concerned about telling his parents he had another child. His parents did not know about Kate nor did they ever see her. Phillips had also insisted that they give Baby Kate up for adoption.

Sean Michael Phillips is in the Mason County Jail where his bond is set at $500,000 on kidnapping charges. He is scheduled to return to court on August 3, 2011.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Mason-Oceana Dispatch at 231-869-5858.

The Anthonys Are Bahama Bound

George and Cindy Anthony are going first class as they alighted from a stretch limo and boarded a private charter jet today at the Orlando Executive Airport heading to the Bahamas. Orange County businessman David Deese, is paying for the trip.

It appears that Casey is not the only one living La Bella Vida.

Step Right Up And Dunk Casey Anthony!

The Lexington Lions Club Bluegrass Fair organizers have decided to capitalize on the outrage in the Casey Anthony trial by setting up the Casey Anthony Dunking Booth front and center at the fair.

It appears to be a big "hit". Lots of people were out Monday night snapping photos, calling friends, and talking about the booth.

Participants can pick up a ball and throw it at one of two choices – “guilty” or “innocent.” The goal is to hit one of them, knocking the Anthony look-alike into the cold water below.

Is this in good taste? I suppose it is far better than setting up a "Wack-A-Casey" game or the Casey Anthony Shooting Gallery.

For better or worse, Casey Anthony is a public figure and part of our lexicon. She can expect that there will always be those who will believe that she got away with murder.

Is This What You Really Want? - A Heart Like His

Listen to them but you must solemnly warn them and tell them about the rights of the king who will rule over them (1 Samuel 8:9)

Think about a time when you insisted on having your way, but it turned out to be a mistake. Try to describe who the “king” of your own self-desire treated you.

When I think of this question, I can’t help thinking of how much I “LOVED” my ex-husband. Actually with the 20/20 hindsight that comes only with time, I would say I worshiped him. I was willing to do anything, say anything, be anything just to be with him. This was in spite of the chaotic and abusive nature of the relationship.

I can’t begin to tell you how many times I begged GOD to let us get back together. I bargained with God to allow me to marry him. I pled with God to make me the kind of person that my EX wanted me to be. I beseeched God to keep my ex from beating me and cheating on me. I wanted to find a comfortable way to stay in this relationship despite how it was spiraling out of control.

By seeking my own self-desire the outcome was not good. If instead I had heeded the voices of friends and family members and of course the doubts and warnings God put in my path I orchestrated the suffering I received at the hands of my ex.

How would it affect your next big battle of wills if you approached it with patience, waiting long enough to see what God was really wanting to do in this situation?

It is of course a constant struggle to approach situations with patience and prayer to wait to discover the path where God leads.

Sometimes we need to remember to thank God for unanswered prayers. (Thank you Garth Brooks) Remember that when God doesn’t readily give us what we want when we want it, it is because He knows what our desire would cost us. Faith sometimes means forgoing our desires because we trust Christ to have a better plan for our lives

Where Is Casey? Where Is Casey?

When my youngest son was a little boy I was introduced to a certain bespectacled young man named Waldo who wore a red and white-striped shirt and was always hiding, sometimes in plain sight, you just had to look for him.

Could it be that the shell game that Jose Baez is playing with Casey more to raise the value of his client or is it really for her own protection?

Interestingly enough, there are reports that a woman emerged off of the same plane that Casey Anthony allegedly boarded days earlier.

Now why would she be back in Orlando and why would her attorneys, the ones that are so concerned about Casey's safety?

If the defense wanted to keep this "sighting" private, why would the person coming off of the plane wearing the same clothes that Casey Anthony wore the day of her jail release? Is this a game Baez et. al is playing with the media or is Baez trying to make sure his commodity stays newsworthy?

Casey Anthony's Set To Cash In With Million Dollar Deal

The Son of Sam Law is any law designed to keep criminals from profiting from their crimes, often by selling their stories to publishers. Such laws often authorize the state to seize money earned from such a deal and use it to compensate the criminal's victims.

I bring up this law simply because in light of the verdict in the Casey Anthony trial many people are concerned about Casey's ability to profit of the circumstances surrounding the death of Casey Anthony.

The Son of Sam Law does not apply to Casey Anthony because she was acquitted of the murder charges.

It's "not impossible" to expect Anthony to get an advance between $750,000 and $1 million or for her receive a cut from the sales of the book. If a TV or film studio acquires the rights to it.

It is being reported that book publishers in New York are in a bidding war to land Anthony’s tell-all book. The price tag is up to $3 million, according to ABC News.

As a matter of fact, it was reported yesterday that Casey had been offered $1 million to appear on The Jerry Springer Show.

According to these reports, not only does host Jerry Springer want Casey, he also wants her parents Cindy and George Anthony and her brother Lee Anthony.

The Jerry Springer Show claims that they have not made any monetary offer to Casey Anthony and her family to appear on the program, nor will they.

Meanwhile, Casey Anthony is not the only one who may profit from the death of little Casey Anthony. The network news divisions reported being approached by Rick French, a publicist from North Carolina, who said he represented Juror No. 6. One network executive said the fee being demanded to talk to Juror No. 6 was $50,000.

Don't Allow Caylee's Death To Be In Vain

If you go to church any length of time your priest or minister is going to deliver a particular sermon that you will find very timely as well as a gentle nudge to get you back on the right path.

My husband generally does not like to go to mass and I generally don't make a big deal about nagging him. This week was different though because he actually told me that he wanted to go to mass.

Truthfully I thought he'd tell me he changed his mind by the time Sunday rolled around but come Sunday morning he was ready to go to mass. He was hoping that he would hear something that would answer a pressing question in his mind.

Isn't it funny that the message today was a reminder to me about forgiveness.

Today's reading from the New Testament was from Matthew 13:24-30.

Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

“ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

“ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ”

Generally this parable is interpreted to show that both believers and unbelievers will co-exist until the end of the world and the coming of Christ. My priest though brought it back home when he said that there are times when we ask ourselves, "How can God allow people who do bad things to live among us?" We were reminded that God gives us all the opportunity for forgiveness and spiritual growth and that God will be judge in the end and not those of us here on earth.

My mind went straight to Casey Anthony. It also went straight to the internal debate I have about the death penalty. If we are all children of God, if all lives are sacred, then how can we as humans support the death penalty? On the other hand are there not cases that cry out for the ultimate punishment of death and wouldn't one such case involve the murder of a child.

Like so many others I felt that I was mourning the life of a child that was cut short and for whom many of us, myself included felt found no justice in the courts.

You could see signs of this in many people that reacted to learning of the verdict in the Casey Anthony case with numbed disbelief. You could see the pain in the eyes of people outside of the court house and at the the tribute that many seemed to be suffering an empty feeling of pain as the shock of the verdict wore off. These were the tears we cried for Caylee that we'd searched for in her own mother's eyes.

Then the frustration gives way to anger which is actually one of the normal phases of grief. Some may lash out and lay blame for the death on Casey Anthony and they release of bottled up emotion that they feel.

Some people rail against fate, questioning "Why Caylee?" You may also try to bargain in vain with the powers that be why such a thing could happen to such an innocent child.

Hopefully many of us who have been affected by this case in one way or another will find some sort of ACCEPTANCE (this does not mean condoning the crime)not and HOPE that this will never happen to another child by doing something positive so there can finally be justice for Caylee.

Please sign the petition for Caylee's law. Don't let Caylee's death be in vain.

Is Casey Is Going To Cali

It is being reported that a plane left the Orlando Executive Airport around 3AM. It taxied out of the hanger without lights. At the end of the runway, lights came on, it took off. No flight plan was filed. Aircraft was a single engine turbo prop, registered to an address in California where Atty. Tony Macaluso has his office.

When Macaluso first came on Team Anthony in March, 2009, he was already facing charges with the California Bar Association. The Notice of Disciplinary Charges against him were filed on January 13, 2009. At that time, Macaluso was charged with eight counts. They consisted of one count of Moral Turpitude-Issuing NSF Checks, two counts of Failure to Maintain Client Funds in Trust Account, three counts of Moral Turpitude-Misappropriation, on count of Failure to Maintain Client Funds in Trust Account, and one count of Misuse of Client Trust Account.

Apparently, Macaluso had used about $170,00 from clients trust accounts for expenses in his business, including the leasing of a jet. While he is not accused of stealing any money and states the money was returned to the accounts, this definitely fits into the category of misappropriation of funds.

Hmmmmm.... leasing of a jet. Very interesting.

Don't forget Peace Walk for Caylee is scheduled for today at 2 PM from the memorial site in Orlando. If you are anywhere in the area please come out and show your support for Caylee!

Casey Anthony Is A Free Woman

After being acquitted of first-degree murder in the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee, Casey Anthony was released last night just after midnight.

Anthony was given $537.68 in cash and accompanied by two sheriff's deputies armed with semi-automatic rifles.

Casey Anthony was greeted with shouts of 'killer' and protesters holding placards with the words 'murderer' and 'devil' when she exited the Orange County Jail.

Where Casey will go now is anybody's guess. Her father has made it apparent that she is not welcome home. There has been speculation that she might go to Puerto Rico and there was early speculation that a distant relative of her mother Cindy who lives in Texas might take her in for awhile.

What will Casey do with her life is an even more difficult question to answer. She is a high school drop-out with virtually no work experience in a very difficult economy. Putting that aside though, who would want to hire the "Most Hated Mother in America"?

Do you honestly think that a diner at Cracker Barrel would want her to take their order? Would your local bank hire her? Can you imagine anyone wanting to drop their child off at a daycare center where she would be employed?

Despite all this agents say that her story was highly marketable, despite the furor over the verdict. As a matter of fact Jose Baez is still pitching photos of Casey's first days out and an exclusive interview with her.

Casey is going to have to do something because she has a defamation lawsuit for slander by a woman who shares the name of a nanny Ms. Anthony invented. When Casey had told the police that a nanny, nicknamed “Zanny the Nanny,” kidnapped Caylee she began receiving death threats and now has difficulty securing employment herself though no fault of her own.

Texas company, EquuSearch, which helps find missing people has also sued Ms. Anthony and is asking for $100,000 in expenses it incurred in its search for Caylee.

Let's take our collective anger and turn it into a positive force by signing the petition to make it a felony for a parent/guardian to not report a child's disappearance is a timely manner.

Help make a change, people! No parent should get a free pass of 31 days ever again!

Would You Allow Casey Anthony To Babysit Your Children?

By now most of America is aware that Casey Anthony has been found not guilty. Given the fact that there is a legislative proposal in San Francisco that seeks to make ex-cons and felons a protected class, I was wondering if this might prevent you from denying Casey Anthony a position in child care.

While Casey Anthony was found not guilty on murder charges she is a convicted felon and therefore in many states this could affect her ability to find employment.

For example, as a teacher, I am required to undergo a background check. If I have ever been arrested or convicted for an act of moral turpitude a school district could chose not to offer me employment. After all, if I used to sell crack on the street to small children would you really want me teaching your kids?

That's why I'm glad that Joy Behar articulated the question I've wanted to ask Casey Anthony's lawyer Dorothy Clay Sims.

Does it really take a body language specialist to tell us that there is NO WAY that Ms. Sims would trust Casey with her cat let alone her own children?

I wonder if her hesitancy might be because she actually thinks that Casey is a dangerous psychopath and a pathological liar and a killer.

Good-bye GACTE Hello Home!

Note to self: You cannot drink even one glass of wine if you are taking medication.

I woke up today with 76 trombones leading the big parade in my head and while the pounding reminded me of the mistake I made by imbibing the night before, I wondered how in the world I was going to roll out of bed and head on over to the GACTE meeting.

Obviously I am not a big drinker and never have been but one would think that one small glass of wine would not have such serious ramifications.

I turned to look at the clock in my room which caused my head to swim and my stomach to turn.

I was barely able to dart to the bathroom quick enough to audition for a part in the Philip's colon health commercial with the crazy Colon lady who wants to let you know she'll help you with bouts of gas and diarrhea.

My trips back and forth between the bed and the bathroom finally subsided after I finally had a long hot shower, a Green Tea Frappuccino from Starbucks, and some aspirin. A quick trip down to the whirlpool helped too.

Thankfully most of my packing had been done the night before and the room had been prepaid. It made checking out so much easier.

I finally ran into my boss this morning as well as my new co-worker. We were all checking out and getting ready to head on over to the Waverly for the close of the GACTE Conference.

The Conference convened with a brunch that included election results, awards, and door prizes. I did not win any prizes by the way.

Before I hit the road I stopped off at the Cheesecake Factory and ordered a BBQ Chicken salad. It's made with avocado, tomato, grilled corn, black Beans, cucumber and Romaine all tossed with their Barbeque Ranch Dressing and topped with lots of Crispy Fried onion strings.

I had planned to take this home to my husband for the two of us to share along with a slice of cheesecake. This is my one disappointment because I had ordered one kind of cheesecake and I didn't check my order before I drove home.

I arrived home about fifteen minutes before Darryl. When he arrived home I surprised him with the meal from Cheesecake Factory and that's when I realized that they gave me the WRONG kind of cheesecake. They gave me a German Chocolate Cheesecake and although it was OK but I had craved the Oreo Cookie cheesecake I'd ordered all the way home. Since I live over an hour away it's not worth it to drive all the way back.

It's good to be home though. Atlas was so glad to see me. All he could do was jump up and down on me and not allow me out of his site.

Darryl was also glad to see me and let me know that even just three days apart was difficult.

We spent some time swimming in our pool which is finally clean. Thank goodness because this has been the longest it's ever taken us to open our pool.

I feel like clicking the heels of my ruby red slippers together and reciting "There's no place like home. There's no place like home."

Sean Michael Phillips Appears In Court Today

Sean Michael Phillips appeared in court today wearing a bullet proof vest. Phillips, 21, the father of Baby Kate’s sister and the man charged with kidnapping her, had just received deployment papers to Afghanistan.

GACTE, BCS, & Passion Tea Oh My

Today was Division Programs Day at the 64th Annual GACTE and it couldn't have begun any better. I know it sounds crazy but they actually had my FAVORITE TAZO Tea, Passion Tea, as my students would say OMG! It made up for the fact that I had to hustle myself over to the Waverly this morning at 8AM on a summer day.

My first session was entitled, "Quick, Easy ways to Become A Standards-Based Classroom (MS &HS). To be honest, in the past my favorite thing about these workshops were finding new ideas to incorporate into my classroom which has always meant lugging home tons of paper. Not this time. It seems like every session I attended offered to email you the material or provided you a link for the material. Won't Al Gore be so very happy?

I was looking forward to the second session, "Engaging Pupils in the Classroom by Embedding Projects into the Curriculum (HS)" because it promised a project resource CD for all attendees! Obviously others felt the same way because the session was packed and I had heard people discussing that this was why they chose to attend that particular session.

While the instructor did not have those CD's available, she did have a very good reason and her presentation made up for leaving empty handed.

I was going to eat lunch with the people in my area, I changed my mind last minute. The reason for this was that while other instructors were filing out of their sessions they began heading over to the tables which were almost completely set. A few teachers headed over to various tables when a couple of women at the Dias that were part of GACTE asked them to just wait. Then a few more people began heading for the tables and the women had to repeat themselves. I just didn't feel like hugging the walls, staring at tables, like a vulture waiting for its turn at the carcass.

I decided to head on over to Cumberland Mall instead and pick a restaurant. While I was trying to decide between a couple of restaurants I'd never been too, I decided to visit the Cheesecake Factory because they last time I'd eaten there it was SO good.

I ordered the Santa Fe Salad from the lunch menu but trust me, even though they say it's smaller, it's still HUGE. I had to divide it in half and bring the other half back to the hotel for another meal. Thank goodness I didn't eat the bread because then I wouldn't have been able to eat my half serving of salad.

Of course, I couldn't very well have gone to the Cheesecake Factory and NOT had any cheesecake now could I? I guess I could, technically I did, but I did ask them to pack that up to go also. It was so very hard to decide but I decided to try the vanilla bean cheesecake which I will share with my husband on Wednesday when I go home.

I arrived back at the Waverly just in time to watch the hotel staff serve a steak to the other attendees. I did wonder if perhaps I'd made the wrong choice, but I don't think I'll be regretting my choice when I'm eating that cheesecake later.

I finally took the opportunity to head on over to the hotel pool and swim a little bit as well as take advantage of the whirlpool.

There is a GACTE Networking Reception but I probably won't be attending. I still feel a bit uncomfortable when I'm around others in a room where I hardly know anyone. I say this even though I did briefly attend the small mixer here at the hotel and I did take a seat at one of the tables in the Business Education luncheon even though I didn't eat anything.

I didn't wind up babbling or analyzing every word I said, berating myself for every perceived mistake. I spoke with a teacher from Thomasville City Schools who owns a coffee shop and he explained to me about why Starbucks has such a bitter taste. It was really very interesting.

As I write this post the sky has finally opened wide and there heavy pouring rain is providing a respite from today's heat despite warnings of dangerous lightning, and gusty winds.

Unfortunately, the Weather Service has issued another heat advisory for metro Atlanta for Wednesday for heat indices topping 105. Can you say HOT?

What I Learned At GACTE

 

 

For the next several days I will be attending the 64th Annual GACTE Conference. 

As I explained yesterday I wound up arriving much later than I had originally hoped to arrive but after breakfast today I headed over to registration to retrieve my packet. 

I wound up bumping into two of my co-workers. Each of us all had the same question, "Did you see the boss?" We all had the same reason to ask this question because we all wanted to make sure that she knew that we had shown up and attended all of the meetings. 

 
The first General Interest Session I attended was entitled, "Engage, Excite, Educate! It was conducted by Dr. Marilyn Skinner who I thought had a plethora of online resources available for teachers to use in the classroom. Some I had already known about but others were new and I'm excited about investigating them further.

The second General Interest Session I attended was entitled job Search Readiness-The New job Market and How to Help Students Succeed. As the media reminds us constantly, we are living in the new normal and I for one have been worried about how I can help my students find a job after graduation. 

Several things impressed me about this session and one of them was the fact that Judi Adams of RightChanges.biz actually spelled out to those in attendance the TRUE Unemployment numbers. When I explained them to my students many of them had no idea that the real unemployment numbers are between 16%-20% but the government is quick not to calculate them in a more transparent manner and therefore release the unemployment figure as being 9.2%. 

After the morning workshops my co-worker and I headed out for lunch over to Schlotzsky's. I don't know if I'd ever eaten there before but i can tell you that I really loved their Greek salad. I probably would have liked it even more if I hadn't managed to get a large squirt of salad dressing on the front of my dress.

At 2PM I was able to view the Career Tech Expo and view the various exhibitors tables. I also got to enter to winner some of these exciting prizes:
IPad2-Night Weekend Stay at the Renaissance Waverly with Breakfast for 2
iPod Touch
and other prizes donated by exhibitors. Wish me luck. They will be drawing for prizes on Wednesday and you can only win if you attend the GACTE Awards Brunch and Business Meeting on July 13th

In order to receive learning credit for this conference I had to pick up all conference materials at the registration desk and attend all activities and breakout session. Approximately one month after the conference concludes, I will be sent an e-mail which includes a link allowing me to evaluate the conference. This survey will require the CTAERN password, which allows GACTE to confirm participants ho have completed the final required evaluation step. Once I have completed the on-line survey I will be issued a Professional Learning Contact Hour Certficate that reflects the 20 contact hours recommended for participation in this conference.

 

 

 

   

 

 

Vitriol & The Aftermath of The Casey Anthony

According to a recent survey 2 in 3 Americans think Casey Anthony is guilty. Another survey found that 86% of African Americans believe Casey Anthony is guilty of the death of her two year old daughter, Caylee. 

Many of them wonder like I do if Casey would have received the same treatment had her name been Laquita Jackson. 

 

Casey Anthony has become the most hated woman in America and you don't have to look far for the proof. From a Facebook account called "I HATE Casey Anthony" which include a photo of Casey pointing a gun to her head to people declaring that they want to punch Casey Anthony in the throat I don't blame Casey's attorney's for being fearful for Casey's safety.

I am concerned about the outrage and anger that has been directed at the jury members. While I personally don't feel that they decided the case correctly, and I find it distasteful that some are hoping to profit on this tragic death, I don't hate these jurors as some do. They had a difficult job to do and now many of them are receiving death threats. 

The woman, known only as juror number 12 left her job and went into hiding fearing co-workers would 'want her head on a platter'.

Is it any wonder that Judge Belvin Perry revealing on Thursday that he would not release to the public the names of the jurors for their own safety?

 

Please remember, that while Casey Anthony is scheduled to be released on July 17th, you must NOT take the law into your own hands. We are a country of laws and the jury has spoken even if we disagree we can NOT allow ourselves to become a nation of vigilantism. 

In the meantime please do something positive in Cayee Anthony's memory. There is a petition online for a new law created called Caylee's Law that will make it a felony for a parent or guardian to not notify law enforcement of a child going missing within 24 hours

Please join others who want to find justice for Caylee

Should Mason Have Been Giving Himself The Finger?

When Cheney Mason was lecturing those who don't that he hoped that this has been a lesson to those who have indulged in media assassination for the past three years with bias, prejudice, and incompetent talking heads was he perhaps the pot calling the kettle black?

If you view the following video, he had acted as a talking head before joining Casey's dream team saying what would be and how it would be. I suppose that since he says that he is discussed by some of the lawyers who did this, he'd conveniently forgotten this little television appearance.

When Cheney Mason was lecturing those who don't that he hoped that this has been a lesson to those who have indulged in media assassination for the past three years with bias, prejudice, and incompetent talking heads was he perhaps the pot calling the kettle black?

If you view the following video, he had acted as a talking head before joining Casey's dream team saying what would be and how it would be. I suppose that since he says that he is discussed by some of the lawyers who did this, he'd conveniently forgotten this little television appearance.

Perhaps that's why he presented this classy hand signal to let us know that he is still number one.

In the meantime, Casey's release date has been pushed back a few days and she is now scheduled to be released July 17th.

Jose Baez Gets Dropped By Hollywood Agent

Oh darn. Hollywood Baez has lost his Hollywood agent in a matter of hours. I guess it's true when they say that the public is fickle.

It was originally announced that Jim Griffin of Paradigm would represent Baez and explore opportunities in publishing, motion pictures and television, according to several reports Thursday afternoon.

Now, according to an internal Paradigm memo Paradigm has informed Jose Baez tonight that we will not be representing him.”

Guess Paradigm remembered that old adage about lying with the dogs and getting up with fleas.

By the way, there is a Facebook group that believe Casey Anthony is Guilty, and should not profit from book deals, interview licenses, movie deals, reality type shows.

What we can do, is not buy her book, not watch her made for TV movie, not do anything that would support Casey Anthony from profiting from her daughter Caylee's death. 

Former First Lady Betty Ford Dead

 Betty Ford died Friday at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California. Her cause of death was not immediately clear. Betty Ford (April 8, 1918 – July 8, 2011) was the wife of former United States President Gerald Ford and served as the First Lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977. As First Lady, Ford was active in social policy and shattered precedents as a politically active presidential wife.

Throughout her husband's term in office, she maintained high approval ratings despite opposition from some conservative Republicans who objected to her more moderate and liberal positions on social issues. Ford was noted for raising breast cancer awareness following her 1974 mastectomy and was a passionate supporter of, and activist for, the Equal Rights Amendment. Pro-choice on abortion and a leader in the Women's Movement, she gained fame as one of the most candid first ladies in history, commenting on every hot-button issue of the time, including feminism, equal pay, ERA, sex, drugs, abortion, and gun control. She also raised awareness of addiction when she announced her long-running battle with alcoholism in the 1970s.

Even President Barak Obama noted that throughout her long and active life, Elizabeth Anne Ford distinguished herself through her courage and compassion. As our nation's first lady, she was a powerful advocate for women's health and women's rights. After leaving the White House, Mrs. Ford helped reduce the social stigma surrounding addiction and inspired thousands to seek much-needed treatment. While her death is a cause for sadness, we know that organizations such as the Betty Ford Center will honor her legacy by giving countless Americans a new lease on life.

Casey Anthony To Be Free Next Wednesday

 

It's all over but the paperwork for Casey Anthony as she will be freed into society next Wednesday after having been found not guilty in the death of her child.

Before court began this morning Casey was animated, smiling and occasionally played with her hair. Her demeanor changed, however, to stone-faced when she heard she would be spending a little more time in jail.

Outside the courthouse there was increased police presence and a throng of protesters gathered near the courthouse, holding signs that said "Arrest the Jury!!" and "Jurors 1-12 Guilty of Murder."

The one source of comic relief (if comic relief can be found in the face of this tragedy) a young man held a sign asking Casey Anthony to marry him.

I was not the only one shocked as a representative of HLN actually interviewed this guy asking him just how he planned to ask her to marry him and why he wanted to marry her.

"I would date her," said the sign's holder Tim Allen. "Everyone deserves a second chance.

Speaking of jurors, one of the jurors, Jennifer Ford, told ABC News in an interview "I did not say she was innocent," Ford said. "I just said there was not enough evidence. If you cannot prove what the crime was, you cannot determine what the punishment should be. “it was because "we were sick to our stomach to get that verdict."

"We were crying and not just the women. It was emotional and we weren't ready."

I guess she was ready when ABC decided to take her and her immediate family as well as nieces and other family members for an all expense paid to Disney World in return for her interview. (May I interject her that she's a far better negotiator than Judas. After all he only got 30 pieces of silver.)

Jennifer Ford isn't the only juror who wants you to know that if the price is right the flight's tonight.

According to TMZ a publicist for the unidentified juror is sending a letter to media outlets, claiming, "Our client -- a married, college-educated, 33-year-old white male with two young children -- is willing to consider granting one or more media interviews so long as the opportunities are paid."

This just in....

According to the Orange County Sheriff Office spokesman Cpl. Susan Soto, hours after Casey Anthony was sentenced for lying to investigators about the disappearance of her daughter, lightning struck the area of a makeshift memorial where Caylee Anthony's skeletal remains were found dumped.

I found this particularly interesting because when the jury was sent home after their first day of deliberation, a storm blew in with heavy downpour and strong winds.

Am I the only one who senses there may be a message here?