en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/3200611 Comments by John_Bianchi http://ledgerdispatch.mscsddev.com/2011/11/11/mustang-tiger-hall-of-fame%e2%80%99s-grand-dinner/#IDComment221549637 I'm not able to provide an objective and/or quantitative reason why schools should eliminate sports programs. My comments on this topic are based solely on my feelings - nothing more, nothing less. Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:17:58 +0000 http://ledgerdispatch.mscsddev.com/2011/11/11/mustang-tiger-hall-of-fame%e2%80%99s-grand-dinner/#IDComment221549637 http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/11/12/supervisors-discuss-states-septic-proposal/#IDComment221458242 Katherine - Thanks for your info. I have just one question: How many times in the past has Mr. Israel met with members of the State Water Resources Control Board to discuss AB885? (Written documentation is mandatory when dealing with regulated matters. However, unless there is a personal connection, such correspondence is usually ignored.) Sun, 13 Nov 2011 19:24:11 +0000 http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/11/12/supervisors-discuss-states-septic-proposal/#IDComment221458242 http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/11/12/supervisors-discuss-states-septic-proposal/#IDComment221157308 Sorry, Katherine, I wasn't aware that a "packet" was available. I read Matt's article and AB885, then submitted my comments. If you would, please provide a link so I can review the info. Thanks. Sun, 13 Nov 2011 03:23:53 +0000 http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/11/12/supervisors-discuss-states-septic-proposal/#IDComment221157308 http://ledgerdispatch.mscsddev.com/2011/11/11/mustang-tiger-hall-of-fame%e2%80%99s-grand-dinner/#IDComment221110759 To therodneys: Thanks for pointing out my omission. I'll amend my previous comment to add, "that, except for one exception, Jerry Budrick's story is solely about..." I agree with all of the positive aspects children can obtain by participating in quasi professional sports activities. I just don't think it's appropriate to do so in connection with an educational institution. Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:42:43 +0000 http://ledgerdispatch.mscsddev.com/2011/11/11/mustang-tiger-hall-of-fame%e2%80%99s-grand-dinner/#IDComment221110759 http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/11/12/supervisors-discuss-states-septic-proposal/#IDComment220987532 It would be nice if Amador County Environmental Department Director Mike Israel made specific comments about what he doesn't like about AB885. Instead, all we have are general statements made by someone who appears to have a hidden agenda. Did Mr. Israel submit any comments about AB885 while it was in the planning stage? If so, what were they? I'm somewhat familiar with the regulatory process and there appears to be a lot of facts that are not being reported. I hope Your Elected Officials take the time to read AB885 and ask themselves just what the impact is, both pro and con, before taking Mr. Israel's word. From this article, he strikes me as a person who doesn't know crap about septic systems. Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:39:12 +0000 http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/11/12/supervisors-discuss-states-septic-proposal/#IDComment220987532 http://ledgerdispatch.mscsddev.com/2011/11/11/mustang-tiger-hall-of-fame%e2%80%99s-grand-dinner/#IDComment220696104 One more comment: Jerry Budrick's story is solely about the accomplishments of boys and men engaged in sporting activities supported by area schools. What happened to the girls/women? Why are they left out? Oh, wait - I get it! They're not as good as the boys/men, so don't bother. Being in the band or on the cheer leading squad is good enough for them. Thank heaven that prejudice in education doesn't extend to our sporting activities! Sat, 12 Nov 2011 02:51:25 +0000 http://ledgerdispatch.mscsddev.com/2011/11/11/mustang-tiger-hall-of-fame%e2%80%99s-grand-dinner/#IDComment220696104 http://ledgerdispatch.mscsddev.com/2011/11/11/mustang-tiger-hall-of-fame%e2%80%99s-grand-dinner/#IDComment220681683 I think there's a connection between wanna be's, professional sports, money and the notoriety associated with being a "star." If educational institutions were to pursue athletics for the sake of physical training, there are many alternatives short of imitating what is done professionally. If you want to build a young persons character and prepare him/her for the future, make two years of military service mandatory for every high school graduate or person over the age of eighteen. And please, don't read between the lines or make assumptions about what I've done or how I feel: That type of behavior enters into the realm of bullying, which I'm sure is not the case. Sat, 12 Nov 2011 02:15:19 +0000 http://ledgerdispatch.mscsddev.com/2011/11/11/mustang-tiger-hall-of-fame%e2%80%99s-grand-dinner/#IDComment220681683 http://ledgerdispatch.mscsddev.com/2011/11/11/mustang-tiger-hall-of-fame%e2%80%99s-grand-dinner/#IDComment220565531 How does an athletic department contribute to the education of a student? What does the educational institution do for those without the physical talent to be an effective sport participant (please, don't mention joining the school band!)? Sports training should be done off campus - as far away as possible. It should be team oriented and have nothing to do with an academic institution. It's time that academic institutions leveled the playing field regarding activities that are based on one's physical attributes. Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:35:21 +0000 http://ledgerdispatch.mscsddev.com/2011/11/11/mustang-tiger-hall-of-fame%e2%80%99s-grand-dinner/#IDComment220565531 http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/11/11/ab-109-raises-budgetary-fears/#IDComment220526607 There's never any talk about what makes a person turn to a life of crime and what can be done to stop it. What motivates a person to hurt others and become a burden to society? Does spending time in jail, any jail, tend to make a person kinder and gentler? Is the general treatment of criminals truly a deterrent to their illegal behavior? When released from jail, what does a convicted felon do (TV, sports, politicians and movie actors exempted)? How do they earn a livelihood? What does their future hold for them, their friends and loved ones? Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:44:06 +0000 http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/11/11/ab-109-raises-budgetary-fears/#IDComment220526607 http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/11/11/friends-speak-out-about-soldier-who-died-in-middle-east/#IDComment220521929 Another death and a loss to family and friends. I'm sure the citizens of Qatar feel the pain of losing another U.S. Serviceman as this country's treasure and blood is spilled so they can wake up safe and secure each new morning. In case you're wondering, the U.S of A. has over 180 military bases located in over 130 countries throughout the world. Go Democracy and the Spirit of Peace. Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:31:22 +0000 http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/11/11/friends-speak-out-about-soldier-who-died-in-middle-east/#IDComment220521929 http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/11/11/marijuana-growers-to-face-new-regulations/#IDComment220517556 I've never understood how cigarettes and alcohol can be legally sold while, at the same time, stating that other habitual and addictive drugs are dangerous. Why not embrace reality and spend our tax payer dollars trying to figure out how to convince Your Elected Officials that illicit drugs are okay - legalizing drugs will only affect the morons that fight the war on drugs. I mean, when the war on drugs is over, what will these hard nosed defenders of public purity do? Let's see... They could make obnoxious odors and scents illegal. Yeah, that's it! Problem solved. Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:20:17 +0000 http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/11/11/marijuana-growers-to-face-new-regulations/#IDComment220517556 http://ledgerdispatch.mscsddev.com/2011/11/03/an-email-address-%e2%80%94-is-it-finally-just-too-much/#IDComment220165064 Hey, Molly! Life is complicated. It's no longer sufficient to be a one-trick pony but suck at everything else. If you make your living by communicating, you need to be proficient using all the tools in your kit. Making excuses for the L-D is not going to make matters better for those of us who get stressed out by having to think up a new password every week. Give us a break, please! Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:37:11 +0000 http://ledgerdispatch.mscsddev.com/2011/11/03/an-email-address-%e2%80%94-is-it-finally-just-too-much/#IDComment220165064 http://ledgerdispatch.mscsddev.com/2011/09/23/arrest-log-for-aug-20-to-sept-4/#IDComment220155990 Hold Mackerel! I'm all for operating as transparently as possible, but couldn't this request have been made a little more discreetly? Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:17:19 +0000 http://ledgerdispatch.mscsddev.com/2011/09/23/arrest-log-for-aug-20-to-sept-4/#IDComment220155990 http://ledgerdispatch.mscsddev.com/2011/11/10/christmas-2011-%e2%80%94-the-birth-of-a-new-tradition/#IDComment220154282 Giant Asian Factories? Not so long ago it was Giant Japanese Companies stealing the food from our plate. People, people, people! You need to understand the enemy is not China, Japan, Asia, India, Korea or any other far-flung local that has figured out the secret of selling products in the U.S.A. The problem we face is simple: Your Elected Officials have learned that the path to power, corruption and re-election is through the pocket book of Corporate America. It's not the Chinese stealing American jobs: It's Your Elected Officials who are handing the keys of this country's future to anyone willing to foot their corrupt re-election bill. Your Elected Officials could be working on leveling the international manufacturing playing field so that American labor is just as effective as Chinese labor. Oh, is this giving you a headache? Well, don't worry. As soon as Your Elected Officials figure out how to sell our soil to foreigners, you'll be sending your rent checks to the nearest Chinese-owned bank. Christmas is not being ruined by China, Korea, India or Japan. It's Your Elected Officials that are causing these problems. Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:13:30 +0000 http://ledgerdispatch.mscsddev.com/2011/11/10/christmas-2011-%e2%80%94-the-birth-of-a-new-tradition/#IDComment220154282 http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/11/08/amador-foothill-fall-colors-photo-contest/#IDComment218776760 While the promotion of the winery is obvious, this does seem like it could be a good reason for visitors to come to Amador County. I wonder if the Chamber of Non-commerce would consider contacting other wineries in the area and making it a county-wide event? Nah! Tue, 8 Nov 2011 18:00:35 +0000 http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/11/08/amador-foothill-fall-colors-photo-contest/#IDComment218776760 http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/11/08/lifes-tales-world-war-ii-observation-post-in-amador-county/#IDComment218774927 How were the watch teams recruited? What branch of the armed forces did they report to? Was a written log kept as part of the watch routine? Was the powder magazine empty at the time the watches were stood? How many different watch teams were there? Were the watch teams given food rations? Why was Amador County chosen for a watch post? Tue, 8 Nov 2011 17:55:49 +0000 http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/11/08/lifes-tales-world-war-ii-observation-post-in-amador-county/#IDComment218774927 http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/11/06/water-agency-alters-second-line-fire-protection-policy/#IDComment218527310 Excellent definition! There's nothing worse, or more dangerous, than an ignorant representative of the people. Consultants 1, Citizens/Customers Zero. Tue, 8 Nov 2011 06:57:55 +0000 http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/11/06/water-agency-alters-second-line-fire-protection-policy/#IDComment218527310 http://ledgerdispatch.mscsddev.com/2011/11/03/what-does-it-take-to-get-the-awa-directors-to-listen/#IDComment218525365 I, personally, would never advocate letting the people decide what's in their best interest. Such serious matters are best left to decisions made by those that have been elected to represent the people. Your representative knows whats best for you, as well as knowing what is needed for his/her own re-election. Tue, 8 Nov 2011 06:51:34 +0000 http://ledgerdispatch.mscsddev.com/2011/11/03/what-does-it-take-to-get-the-awa-directors-to-listen/#IDComment218525365 http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/11/06/gold-country-lanes-tricks-treats/#IDComment217777423 This is another in-depth, fact-filled story from the hard working investigative journalist at the L-D. Keep up the good work, and don't print anything that'll cut into your advertising revenue! Phew - Finally got all the "Latest Comments" to myself. Ha ha! Sun, 6 Nov 2011 18:18:49 +0000 http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/11/06/gold-country-lanes-tricks-treats/#IDComment217777423 http://ledgerdispatch.mscsddev.com/2011/11/05/ione-city-council-eyes-retirements-to-cut-costssets-feb-28-date-for-recall-election/#IDComment217775684 Another consultant, this one being a Shepard, to protect the innocent little lambs from the big bad wolf. Consultants are hired so that the end result (higher rates) and associated anger can be deflected towards a non-elected, he comes from out of town, third party. Meanwhile, the responsible individuals sit back and bask in the serenity of the excellent manner in which they plan how they're going to spend future funds obtained from their constituents. When you're dumb, anything is possible. Sun, 6 Nov 2011 18:13:45 +0000 http://ledgerdispatch.mscsddev.com/2011/11/05/ione-city-council-eyes-retirements-to-cut-costssets-feb-28-date-for-recall-election/#IDComment217775684