gdp's Comments

Big Hollywood : Sophia Bush: Latest Celeb Vowing to Leave Country if GOP Wins the White House

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:21:53 +0000

And a black man, wait, he was wealthy..rules him out!

Big Government : Tea Party Senator Rand Paul Returns Half Million to the Treasury

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:00:15 +0000

Only one third are up for re-election every two years, but still we need to start somewhere!

Big Hollywood : 'War Horse' Has Me Seriously Thinking About Skipping Christmas Dinner

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:20:30 +0000

Just the first couple of notes of "In the Arms of an Angel" start the tears welling. My husband is a cruel man, he has been watching the Hallmark channel all month-every sad Christmas story ever made shows up there. It's so bad my cheeks are chapped from the tears.

Big Government : Do Teachers Really Believe They're Paid to Preach Political Views to Kids?

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 03:24:35 +0000

I covered the "Occupy" groups in my senior economics class the other day. While I did point out that I agree with some of the things that they were protesting, I found it ironic that they were doing their protesting using numerous bits and pieces of corporate offerings. I had found a lesson plan with discussion questions that were open ended enough to allow them to discuss their feelings and beliefs about the protests. We actually had a good discussion that day.

Big Government : The Nutty and Dangerous Ideology Behind the #Occupy Movement

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:46:19 +0000

I try!

Big Government : The Nutty and Dangerous Ideology Behind the #Occupy Movement

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:30:37 +0000

Love this video. I use it as an introduction to Government in my high school government class.

Big Government : The Social Security 'Ponzi Scheme' May Be Wedge Issue with Young Voters

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:33:42 +0000

I teach high school economics and one of the first things I tell my students is that "Social Security will not be there for you and if it is, it will not be the way it is now, so start planning for your retirement the minute you get a job." They hear it at least 4 times during the course. I explain how the program was set up, what happened to the "lock box" and why they will not receive any payments themselves even though they are and will continue to pay in.

Big Government : Obama Speech Open Thread

Fri, 9 Sep 2011 01:04:52 +0000

I'm 54 and have nothing saved for retirement either, but they can cap SS at those older than 55 and I will be thrilled.

Big Government : ObamaCare: 'We Have to Pass the Bill So that You Can Find Out What Is in It'

Sun, 7 Aug 2011 17:38:36 +0000

It didn't take long for your prediction to come true! http://www.wbir.com/national/article/179295/16/Ad...

Big Hollywood : For $745 You Too Can Be Insulted By Famed Hollywood Screenwriting Teacher Robert McKee

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 01:01:58 +0000

I love the story consultants on two "Barbie and" movies!! Just what does it take to consult on a Barbie movie??

Big Government : Jerrold Nadler Gets Both the Constitution and Torah Wrong in The Same Interview

Thu, 6 Jan 2011 17:44:38 +0000

I give each of my Government students a copy of the Constitution every semester, it is my gift to them.

Big Government : Teachers: Professionals or 'Education Workers?'

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 22:15:38 +0000

I agree after looking at my post there were some awkward and poorly punctuated sentences, I will have to chalk that up to heat of the moment. Unfortunately I did not proof read my post, so I didn't catch them. Too often I write like I talk. Nonetheless, I stand by my statement that too often on this site all teachers take a bashing for the actions of a few. I do agree with your assessment that a large portion of the problem lies with government intervention. I would love to see the dept. of education dismantled and control of education brought back to the local governments and the communities they serve.

Big Government : Teachers: Professionals or 'Education Workers?'

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 21:07:29 +0000

Substitute teaching is just glorified babysitting,,sorry that is by no stretch of anyone's imagination teaching. You don't have to make lesson plans, make sure that Johnny and Susie pass any test, especially the state mandated ones, all you have to do is keep them in the classroom and make sure they don't kill each other. You are not responsible for anything. And I have done plenty of substitute teaching too, so I know exactly what I am talking about. And since you said you DID a stint I take it that you are no longer doing it,,,so I guess that proves my point, you didn't last in the classroom. By the way, I have had plenty of other jobs too, teaching is what I chose to do because I am good at it. And I never whine about the money, the amount I make is just fine for me.

Big Government : Teachers: Professionals or 'Education Workers?'

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 01:09:29 +0000

I am a teacher and I am a professional. I spent 4 years jumping through the government hoops so I could legally do what I know I was supposed to be doing,,TEACH. For all of you who say "those who can, do, those who can't, teach" try a day in my classroom, then diss me. I really hate feeling like I'm getting bashed every time there is something about education posted on this site. I am a public school teacher who works damn hard teaching my students. I wouldn't belong to a union if I wasn't afraid that some student who didn't do a blasted thing in my class was going to sue me for failing him/her. I have a principal who has told me that I have too many failures in my class and that I need to make things easier for them so our graduation rates don't fall and basically make him look bad. When I lowered my standards to what I could tolerate I still had too many for him, so he hired his brother-in-law who isn't even certified in the discipline to take the ones who are too lazy to breath on their own. As far as the comment about blaming the parents, well, where are they? They don't help their kids with homework, or even ask if they have any, don't show up for open houses, even when their kid could get extra credit, never ask about report cards and only care about them 2 weeks before graduation and it looks like Johnny or Susie won't be walking across the stage. Then they want me to find extra credit or to take assignments that are weeks to months old so they can pass. I love what I do and am willing to help any of my students with anything, but they have to want to learn I can't do that for them. I make my classes, government and economics, as interesting as I can, but I can't force it into their heads. To those of you who say all teachers do is want more money and fewer hours, there are teachers at my school who go far above what is expected of them and do it gladly, for just their normal salary. I am one of the few teachers who think that my pay is just right, I didn't become a teacher for the pay, I simply love to teach. Sorry if this came off as whiny, but when my profession is constantly being bashed I get a bit testy.

Big Hollywood : Sneak Peek at 'Sarah Palin's Alaska': Definitely Not PETA Approved

Sun, 5 Dec 2010 17:33:32 +0000

My husband has a policy that if PETA comes out with any type of statement we eat KFC!

Big Hollywood : Sneak Peek at 'Sarah Palin's Alaska': Definitely Not PETA Approved

Sun, 5 Dec 2010 17:27:32 +0000

One my former students here in Tennessee just went deer hunting for the first time. She was so excited to go, she did awesome-an 8 pointer and an 11 point.

Big Government : Breaking - Power to the People! Repeal Amendment Gaining Strength

Sun, 28 Nov 2010 18:26:04 +0000

One of the first things we need to do is make sure our states quit taking money from the federal government. States love the federal government because it can overspend whereas they cannot. This allows them to provide goodies for everyone without having to pay for them. Until that happens you won't get them signing onto anything that takes the money away.

Breitbart.tv : Obama to Latinos: 'Punish Our Enemies'

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 21:54:32 +0000

I showed this to my government class last spring and they loved it. They asked to see it everyday for weeks. Didn't know how it would go over this year, but I showed it because I think it is wonderful, well, they love it too. I have had one class asking for it everyday since. Guess I need to put it up again.

Big Hollywood : 'Life as We Know It' Review: Formulaic but Worthy Romantic Comedy

Sat, 9 Oct 2010 16:35:03 +0000

We saw it last night and really enjoyed it. Parents will laugh as they remember all the things that go wrong as they learn how to be parents. Singles and couples without kids will enjoy it because it was a good romance.

Big Government : Back to School: Part One

Sun, 12 Sep 2010 23:25:55 +0000

I third that sentiment!