gdp's Comments

Big Hollywood : 2011 Best Picture Nomination Countdown: #10 - 'Black Swan'

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:20:46 +0000

I always want to like Natalie Portman, but there doesn't seem to be much substance to her characters. Mila Kunis just shines on screen.

Big Hollywood : 2011 Best Picture Nomination Countdown: #10 - 'Black Swan'

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:19:58 +0000

I completely agree. I was really disturbed by this movie but didn't like it as much as I wanted to like it. I felt like the story floated without concentrating on its most interesting plot ideas and the camera work at time made me a little sick to my stomach.

Big Government : On Reagan

Mon, 7 Feb 2011 21:56:03 +0000

Agreed. I would like to have a president like Reagan again. I remember the pride I had in the United States and in my president as I was growing up and I would like to feel that again!

Big Government : Teachers Union Honesty Died with Albert Shanker

Mon, 7 Feb 2011 21:52:30 +0000

I agree. It is not the amount of money, but how it is spent. Most teachers (not those I work with here in Los Angeles maybe) will tell you that increasing funding WILL NOT solve the educational problems we are facing. Look at the bureaucracy that has been created as funding has gone up. Take a look at how the standards (what teachers are told they have to teach at each grade level for each subject) have changed. We spend tons of money on character education, crisis intervention, test prep., and more administrators. All of that could all go into the classroom for professional development, providing supplies and updated equipment if government regulation and meddling could get out of the way of many schools and parents could be in charge of feeding, clothing, providing discipline, transporting, and giving character education to their children so schools can do their actual job.

Big Government : Immigrating Prosperity: Part 1, The Battle Lines

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 22:35:31 +0000

You actually make many of the same arguments I've made with people when having this conversation. Unfortunately, both sides seem so entrenched in their own argument that nothing get done to solve the problem. I am looking forward to part 2 of your story.

Big Government : Senate Republicans to FCC: No net neutrality

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 19:46:26 +0000

Where is the ACLU on this?

Big Government : Americans Have It Right: Ditch Tenure, Raise Pay for Effective Teachers

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 19:12:37 +0000

Not do the job for them! I expect parents to make sure their children are properly fed and clothed. I expect parents to discipline their children and teach them how to behave in public. I expect parents to teach their children the value of an education and to reinforce homework/classwork completion and the need to ask questions when you don't understand something.

Big Government : Americans Have It Right: Ditch Tenure, Raise Pay for Effective Teachers

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 18:29:30 +0000

Thanks for the sane analysis.

Big Government : Americans Have It Right: Ditch Tenure, Raise Pay for Effective Teachers

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 18:25:37 +0000

The follwing link may be interesting. https://mail.lausd.net/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=... One problem to eliminating seniority as a factor altogether is that it opens the door to schools being able to fire teachers they don't like. I've been in this situation as the teacher who is at a school screaming for higher standards for my students. It is too easy for administrators to manipulate test scores alone as the deciding factor. Seniority shouldn't the deciding factor, but could it please be in the equation. People need to see classrooms and schools these days to understand the battle teachers are fighting. We need allies not just enemies determined to run us all out of the profession.

Big Government : Americans Have It Right: Ditch Tenure, Raise Pay for Effective Teachers

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 18:20:07 +0000

As a teacher who has worked in a system without a teacher's union and in a system with a teacher's union, I'd like to respond. Thank you for the link to the Gates study. It will be interesting to read the full report in April. I think you may have misprepresented the study by implying its only finding is that teachers can be effectively evaluated only using test scores. The report finds that looking at the IMPROVEMENTS made in test scores, not how many students tested at proficient levels, along with the additional test given to those involved in the study, can be used to evaluate teacher effectiveness and also states the following: Valid feedback does not need to come from test scores alone. Other data can give teachers the information they need to improve, including student opinions of how organized and effective a teacher is. Weirdly, I started writing this reponse to agree with some of what was in the article. I am not a fan of the union. I can't really remember what I was about to agree with, however.

Big Government : Americans Have It Right: Ditch Tenure, Raise Pay for Effective Teachers

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 18:04:01 +0000

Inate intelligence may rely heavily on genetics, but achievement and work ethic can be raised. It takes a combination of school and home effort, however, to make that happen.

Big Government : Americans Have It Right: Ditch Tenure, Raise Pay for Effective Teachers

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 18:02:28 +0000

I agree that a great deal of this has to do with teacher unions. I work in LAUSD and am constantly appalled by the things teachers refuse to do because it "isn't in their contract" or "I want to be compensated for ..." I think some of it also has to do with not being treated as professionals who have the ability to regulate themselves or are recognized for their hard work and achievement. It really is not so black and white and many would hope.

Big Government : Americans Have It Right: Ditch Tenure, Raise Pay for Effective Teachers

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 17:59:46 +0000

Not sure how illegal immigrants give money to the teacher's unions? I know it means serving more children with fewer tax dollars.

Big Government : L.A. Parents Pull the Trigger on School Choice

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 21:18:18 +0000

As a teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District, I'm not sure how I feel about this. On the one hand most of us beg and pray that parents will become interested enough in their children's education to show up and take an interest. On the other, I don't have a great deal of hope that changing this school to a Charter will make any difference at all.

Big Government : L.A. Parents Pull the Trigger on School Choice

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 21:18:14 +0000

As a Union member (forced, not by choice) I'll say that most teachers would be thrilled to have parents interested enough to show up at school. Now let's see if the interest goes beyond signing a piece of paper.

Big Hollywood : Students Against Hummus, Not Hamas

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:25:46 +0000

After reading the comments, I think I am glad that my work blocks videos. As a lover of hummus, I think I'll be buying more Sabra.

Big Hollywood : Hollywood Reporter: Pleasing Republicans Necessary For Big-League TV Success

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:32:32 +0000

I don't know what it means, but if you look at the discrepancy numbers it looks like the numbers of democrats who prefer some "republican" shows is much closer to the republicans who watch "democratic" shows. Could it be that the democrats are just watching more television in general or more democrats have cable?

Big Journalism : Pro-Aborts Demand Privacy Unless Bragging About Abortions on Twitter

Mon, 8 Nov 2010 20:11:15 +0000

Unfortunately, many of the girls who get pregnant are not in the position of being able to go about their lives. In my experience, these girls often come from homes where there is little emotional or financial support, poverty, poor grades, and little or no emphasis on education. These girls having babies only perpetuates a cycle of poverty and ignorance. I agree that kids are pushed my pop culture into believing they are losers if they aren't having sex. Short of really involved parents and such, there isn't much that can be done to turn back that tide. Giving students ALL of the information--abstinence and birth control--the physical AND emotional effects of having sex too early--self-respect and respect for your body--is what needs to be done for them. If they got all the information, maybe more informed choices can be made and young girls will never have to face the issue of having an abortion.

Big Journalism : Pro-Aborts Demand Privacy Unless Bragging About Abortions on Twitter

Mon, 8 Nov 2010 19:05:54 +0000

I completely agree. I worked with a young lady last Spring who told me she was deciding between keeping the baby and abortion. When I brought up adoption she looked horrified and said she could never do that.

Big Journalism : Pro-Aborts Demand Privacy Unless Bragging About Abortions on Twitter

Mon, 8 Nov 2010 19:01:23 +0000

I'm conflicted about abortion because I work with teenagers who do stupid things and can really ruin their lives by getting pregnant. I'd rather see them be really proud and posting #Imademyboyfrienduseacondom or #Igotfreebirthcontrolfromplannedparenthood. It is amazing that having an abortion can be so cavalier, but they can't go into a freaking drug store and buy some condoms!