What makes a successful teacher?
July 9, 2009
by David SafierIf anyone knew exactly what qualities it takes to make a successful teacher, we'd have half our education problems solved. Having said that, Wendy Kopp, the founder of Teach for America, is interviewed in the NY Times, and she has some thoughts on how to predict who will be successful, which, I think,
Inhofe On Franken: “He kind of looked like a clown …”
July 9, 2009
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: OK, I'll take the bait. Oklahoma's anti-science Flat Earth Society Sen. James Inhofe (R-Big Oil) (photo right) was less than gracious upon meeting the Senate's newest member, Sen. Al Franken (D-MN). BarbinMD h/t Daily Kos reports: After the welcoming words Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) had last week for then-incoming Senator Al Franken:
More momentum for the public option
July 9, 2009
by David SafierYesterday I took Rep. Giffords to task for waffling on the topic of the public option in health care reform. Her position (lack of a position?) is becoming lonelier, and less tenable, by the minute. Today's Star editorial comes out for the public option in no uncertain terms. A public option is necessary.
Sylvia Allen’s “6,000 years” makes Daily Kos
July 8, 2009
by David Safier FLASH!!!!! This just in. Sylvia Allen is one of Keith Olbermann's Worst People in the World on tonight's show! Following the Arizona Guardian's lead, I posted a clip of Sen. Sylvia Allen saying, not once but twice, that "This earth's been here 6,000 years." The clip has gone viral. Today it made
The revolving door: Former members of Congress, staffers descend on capitol hill as lobbyists against health care reform
July 8, 2009
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The Washington Post reported on Monday about the dreaded revolving door of former members of Congress and staffers returning to their old haunts as lobbyists for some good old fashioned influence peddling on behalf of corporations, in this case Big Pharma and Big Insurance. Former Lawmakers and Congressional Staffers Hired to Lobby
Doctor Howard Dean: Democrats only need 51 votes in Senate to pass health care reform
July 8, 2009
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Doctor Howard Dean was a guest on Countdown last night and he made the point that I have made here previously: Democrats don't need 60 votes for cloture in the Senate to end a filibuster by Republicans of health care reform. Only 51 votes are needed in the Senate because the health
Progressive Caucus: no trigger for public option in health care reform
July 8, 2009
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Let me begin with the disclaimer that I have never been enamored with Rahm Emanuel. He was President Clinton's Assistant to the President for Political Affairs and then Senior Advisor to the President for Policy and Strategy. He was the leading strategist in the unsuccessful White House efforts to institute universal healthcare.
Organizing for America under-utilized in the movement for health care reform
July 8, 2009
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: I recently attended one of the Organizing for America (formerly known as Obama for America) "salons," or "discussions" on health care. With all due respect to OfA, I was most unimpressed and disappointed. I thought that maybe it was just the salon I attended, so I asked around and spoke with several
