As most of you know, I've been very hard on Bibb School Superintendent Dr. Romain Dallemand in the past....Today will be no exception.

I was forwarded 1044 pages of reciepts that the Macon Telegraph recieved for their story that appeared yesterday,  from some citizens who have been highly concerned about the good doctor and the expenses he and his department have incurred over the past year.  To say that there are questions is an understatement....But here's my first list based on what I've gone over...

1.  Why are the taxpayers of Macon paying for you to have lunch with Virgil Adams on May 20, 2011 and again on January 10, 2012 at Marco's?  Adams is an attorney for Bibb County....What type of school business did you need to discuss with him?

2.  The next day, May 21, why was it necessary for you to have a room at taxpayer expense at the Marriott here in Macon?  It says 'room for Dr. Dallemand during graduation', but why did you need that?  Cindy Womack, another employee of the Bibb County Board of Education asked the same thing in an email....But I never saw a response...

3.  Why do you find the need to have room service at every convention you go to?  Almost every hotel bill has at least one room service charge attached...Ruth's Chris Steak House is conveniently located in the Embassy Suites where you stayed at on your trip to Huntsville, Alabama....Oh, and why do you feel the need to upgrade a room that is already $199 per night for an addition $30 per night like you did at the Hotel 1000 in Seattle? 

4.  Why was it necessary to fly to Chicago to meet with PROACT, the company who helped select you as well as give you suggestions for your 'Dream Team'?  Wouldn't a phone call do to tell them about the qualifications you were looking for?

5.  I would like to thank you for the two reimbursements that you made to the taxpayers for your health club visit in New Orleans.  That $43.80 will come in handy.  That being said, since you know that you know the procedures to reimburse, why aren't there more reimbursements being made if you go over your per diem as per state law?  (You did miss the $23.26 listed as 'spirits' on the same bill though....Naughty, naughty....you can't buy liquor on the BOE credit card.)

6.  What type of school business did you have with Macon Telegraph editor Charles Richardson at Marco's on June 20?  I feel sorry for Charles though...Apparently you don't like him as much as Virgil Adams (or Billy Pitts, see below).  You only spent $34.57 on Charles while one meal with Adams was $126.80.

7.  Why did you pay for Billy Pitts' dinner at Marco's?  Pitts is the owner of Mutual Financial Group here in Macon and can probably afford his own $109.89 meal at Marco's....Well, he and Adams are on the Board of Directors for the 100 Black Men of Macon..Are you trying to become 101 Dr. Dallemand?

8.  Are you grooming Edward Judie to take your place when you leave?  He's taken a few trips as well...Atlanta, Raleigh, New Orleans, Pine Mountain, Savannah...He seems to live it up too, just like his mentor...(We shall now call you 'Papa-Doc' and Mr. Judie 'Baby-Doc'. ) And why are the taxpayers of Bibb County paying for Mr. Judie's textbooks?  It seems that he is getting his Doctorate from City University of Seattle...I just got an email from Cindy Singleton, who is Executive Assistant to the Dean, stating that at least one textbook that was purchased by the taxpayers for over $100, Leadership: Enhancing the Lessons of Experience, is used in the first class needed for a Doctorate.  I'm still waiting for an answer on the other two titles that were purchased from Alibris...

Well, I know these are rhetorical questions Doctor...At least for you.  I hope the citizens of Macon-Bibb will try to get you to answer them for us all.

In 1984, Vice President Walter Mondale was 40 delegates short of the
number of delegates necessary to win the Democratic Presidential
nomination.  It was the last time that a national party convention
opened without its Presidential nominee having been decided by its state
primaries and caucuses.  Mondale easily won the nomination at the
Democratic National Convention, only to lose decisively to President
Ronald Reagan in the 1984 General Election.

Until midway through the 20th century, national party conventions picked
the Presidential candidates for the national political parties.  But,
both parties learned that without a nominee being selected beforehand,
conventions can be dangerous things.

One of the best examples was the 1924 Democratic National Convention
when the Democratic party was split.  In 1924, Democrats did not pick
their nominee until the 103rd ballot and that was only after someone
other than the leading contenders emerged and won the nomination.  1924
Democratic nominee John W. Davis went on to lose to President Calvin
Coolidge.

Since President Franklin Roosevelt, nominees picked at the party
conventions have not fared well.  In 1948, Republican Thomas Dewey lost
to President Harry Truman; in 1952, Democrat Adlai Stevenson lost to
President Dwight Eisenhower.  Not surprisingly, the national political
parties moved steadily away from having their national conventions pick
their nominee.  Instead, they moved toward the current system of
primaries and caucuses.

According to conventional wisdom, the current process can vet the
candidates, expose any flaws, and nominate the strongest candidate.  If
things get a little wacky, 'Super- delegates' can act as a safeguard
against the unexpected.

Under the current process, incumbent Presidents (like President Jimmy
Carter and President George Bush) and establishment candidates (like
Vice President Walter Mondale and Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole) have
appeared to have the edge even when they may not have been the strongest
candidates for the General Election.  That was then.

The internet and cable news changed all that.

In 2008, Senator Hillary Clinton was the clear choice of party insiders
and the Democratic Party establishment.  By all accounts, the system was
supposed to help candidates just like her.  As a result, she was the
presumptive nominee before she had the first delegate.  If things got a
little shaky, the Super-delegates could put her over the top.  Of
course, it did not work out that way.  In fact, nothing went according
to script in 2008.  In the end, the Super-delegates ended up putting
then-Senator Barack Obama over the top - to the surprise of virtually
every Democratic political insider in the country.

Now comes the 2012 GOP Presidential nomination.  With 7 different
frontrunners, it has been a real roller coaster ride - with no single
candidate taking control of the race.  The only thing certain about the
2012 GOP race is that nothing is certain.

Just when it appeared that Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney had the
political train moving with wins in Iowa and New Hampshire, things
changed.  It turned out that he did not win in Iowa and then he was
beaten in South Carolina by former Speaker Newt Gingrich.  Then, just
when it appeared that it was a two-man race between Romney and Gingrich,
former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum won Missouri, Colorado, and
Minnesota.

To win the nomination, one of the three must lock down 1,144 delegates
before the convention.  So far, no one is close.  To put it in
perspective, if a building (like the Empire State Building) was 1,144
feet high, none of the candidates has yet passed the third floor - AND
the process forces them all to take the stairs.  Here's why.

Delegates are 'proportioned' in most states.  Georgia is a good example.
Georgia has the most delegates (76) of any state on Super Tuesday -
three of which are Super delegates.  Yet, Georgia's 73 available
delegates are divided between at-large delegates (31) and Congressional
delegates (42) with three per Congressional district.  The candidate
receiving the most primary votes in a Congressional District gets two
votes, and the second place finisher gets one.  The at-large delegates
are also then divided.

So, Georgia's winner gets more delegates, but the loser gets delegates
as well.  This kind of process is repeated in most other states around
the country with only a few elevators (or winner-take-all states) and
lots of stairs.

With three major candidates still in the race, and proportioned
delegates, no candidate can actually run away with the nomination any
time soon.  Yet, while the process starts pretty slow, it ends with a
bang.  Two big states and the Super-delegates tell the story.

Texas (155 delegates), California (172 delegates), and Super-delegates
(123) account for 450 delegates - or 40% of the delegates needed for the
nomination.  Texas's primary is delayed; California's (not till June
5th) is winner-take-all; and the Super-delegates are unpledged.
Basically, at the end, things will happen quickly.

Rick Santorum is definitely not Catholic lite..

 

Unlike Chris Christie, Rudy Giuliani or Marco Rubio, Santorum wears his Catholicism on his sleeve and across that sweater vest.

Let's explore Santorum's heavy metal Catholicism.

His version of  “Give me that old time religion,” sings of the only one true Church in Rome.

In a 2008 speech, Santorum said that “mainline Protestantism" is now “gone from the world of Christianity.” Thus he ex-communicated some 45 million American Christians.

In Ohio recently, he said President Obama's agenda is based on "some phony theology; not a theology based on the Bible. A different theology...He later suggested that the president practices a different kind of Christianity.”

So much for Santorum on religious pluralism and tolerance.

He has weighed in on women's health and social issues. On human sexuality, he preaches the Catholic Church's message: a message crafted by unmarried males.

On contraception,  he talks about the “dangers of contraception in this country, the whole sexual libertine idea. Many in the Christian faith have said, 'Well, that’s okay. Contraception’s okay. It's not okay because it’s a license to do things in the sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be.”


Santorum also says birth control harms women and society

On prenatal testing, he said it would lead to more abortions. “A lot of prenatal tests are done to identify deformities in utero, and the customary procedure is to encourage abortions.”

On abortion, Santorum is standard Catholic- and Republican - pro-life. On gay marriage, he naturally opposes  it. However, on homosexuality itself, his standard is over the top.

According to Santorum, there is no right to privacy in the Constitution regarding consensual  sexual relations between  adults in one's own home.

Recently, he even had to deny that he ever compared gay marriage to “man on dog.”

So much for Santorum on women's health and social issues.

In 1960, America elected its first Catholic president. The ugly history of anti-Catholic bigotry was broken.

John F. Kennedy understood the First Amendment's “no establishment” clause. He spoke eloquently about it in September,1960 to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association:

“I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute; where no Catholic prelate would tell the President - should he be Catholic - how to act...I believe in an America that is officially neither Catholic, Protestant nor Jewish; where no public official either requests or accept instructions on public policy from the Pope...”

President Kennedy put to rest the American public's fear of a Papist in the White House. Rick Santorum has reignited that fear. The problem with Catholicism is not Catholicism. The problem with Catholicism is Rick Santorum.

Would a President Santorum follow the principles in Kennedy's speech? Would he uphold the Constitution and “faithfully execute” our nation's laws? Would be respect the religious faith of others? And most importantly, would he allow meat to be served in the White House on Fridays?

In his 2006 bid for re-election to the senate, Santorum lost by 700,000+ votes. It was the largest margin of defeat for an incumbent senator since 1980 and the largest losing margin for an incumbent Republican senator ever. He lost to a pro-life, Catholic, Democrat Bob Casey, Jr. Hmm.

Unemployment is still painfully high, Americans remain dissatisfied with the country’s direction, even the most favorable polls show President Obama’s approval at barely 50 percent and yet, the Republican Party is offering us Rick Santorum. Social conservatism is a losing proposition in the 2012 election.

Rick Santorum is an embarrassment to the Republican Party not because he is Catholic. He is an embarrassment because his brand of Catholicism is dangerously theocratic and Ayatollah-like. His so called “conservatism” is precisely the kind Barry Goldwater warned against.

San-to-rum..it has a nice, Papal ring to it

Habemus Papam! Pope Santorun I.

According to Andrea Saul with the Romney campaign:  "With eight other states voting on March 6th, we will be campaigning in other parts of the country and unable to schedule the CNN Georgia debate.  We have participated in 20 debates, including 8 from CNN."

This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.

We've become a nation dependent on government.

 

The “I'm owed,” gimme, entitlement mentality is now the norm for a disturbingly large number of Americans who shouldn't be receiving any public assistance.

Our vaunted “safety net” has morphed into a dazzling array of federal programs. They're not just of necessity any longer but a lifestyle of choice for many indolent freeloaders.

These issues are graphically displayed in a new report by the Heritage Foundation on the American public's dependence on the federal government in President Obama's ObamaNation.

ñ     Dependence on the federal government is up 23% in just two years.

ñ     67 million Americans are now replying on some form of federal program.

ñ     Dependence programs now account for some 70% of  the federal budget.

ñ     Almost half (49.5%) of Americans didn't pay income taxes in 2009, the latest year for which the researchers have data.

ñ     The number of people dependent on the federal government shot up 7.5% in the past two years

ñ     In 2010, for the first time ever, average spending on dependence programs per recipient exceeded the country's per-capita disposable income.

The recession isn't the main cause of the rise in dependence in ObamaNation.

.

The Heritage reports says the “team's research shows that economic effects account for only one-fifth of the change in the Index of Dependence on Government.”

These government dependence programs set the standard for waste, fraud and abuse.

The Heritage report also quotes Larry Summers, Obama's former economic adviser: “government assistance programs contribute to long-term unemployment ... by providing an incentive, and the means, not to work."

 In an attempt to rein in “this incentive not to work,” the Georgia Department of  Labor is implementing new hardware to detect fraudulent unemployment claims.

And unemployment compensation is just the tip of the fraudulent iceberg

Other dependence programs are also full of parasites who've learned to scam the system - even boasting about it.

Medicaid and SSI are rife with beneficiaries who shouldn't be on the dole. Then there's Food Stamps, a program famously flawed for its misuse. And we have teenage girls downloading out-of-wedlock babies and getting AFDC checks to foot the bills.

.

The same crowd of freeloaders who line-up to be the first to purchase a $200 pair of Air Jordans, are lined-up the next day to apply for subsidized federal housing assistance: with high tech cellphones in hand.

And dependence programs keep growing in ObamaNation.

The federal government, in addition to school lunches, is now in the supper business as part of its Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids legislation passed in 2010. I guess Food Stamps aren't enough.

Where will it end?

Dependence programs breed people who don't work for a living but vote for a living. And they vote for the party of government - the Democratic Party. These voters are a vital part of Obama's constituency.

Our dependent nation, ObamaNation resembles that of European-style welfare states. And as it grows, bondage is sure to follow:

“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship... to dependence, from dependence again to bondage.” (Author Unknown,Unverified).

ObamaNation? It's an Abomination!

Back in 2010 before the hiring of Bibb County School Superintendent Romain Dallemand, I wrote an article called ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Dallemand and Mr. Hyde’ warning the citizens about the good doctor and what he has done in the past.  Unfortunately, the ‘Macon Miracle’ plan is proving me to be correct.  Below is a few of the things that Dallemand did before he came to Bibb County but I’ve updated it to show some things he’s done while he’s been here.      It appears from every source that I have checked Dr. Dallemand is not a problem solver, but rather a problem instigator, Controversy has surrounded him consistently in his last position as School Superintendent in Rochester almost from the day he was hired in April of 2007.     

     Less than six months after taking office, Dallemand created a position called “Diversity Recruitment and Retention Coordinator”, which he filled with a former associate from his previous position in Hartford, Connecticut, LaToiya Glass.  Although it is unclear who eventually eliminated this position, Ms. Glass, who’s previous qualifications only include being a minority recruiter, was moved into the position of Human Resource Director, when the aforementioned “Diversity Coordinator” position was cut.  Ms. Glass was also given a pay raise for this, although she is apparently unqualified to be an HR Director as the school system has had to hire outside counsel on several occasions and spend several thousands of dollars to negotiate contracts between the school system and the Rochester Education Association, better known as the union.    According to the REA website, they are without a contract and have been for over 444 days. 

     As a precursor of what is to become a prevalent theme throughout Dallemend’s tenure in Rochester, at his six-month review, it is reported that he has poor communication with staff members.  (To be fair to Dallemand, he was given high marks for building quick relations within the community, data analysis, and focusing on closing the “achievement gap” between the best students and the poorest students.)

     Along the same time, even though the Rochester School District was having financial difficulties, Dallemand purchased a desk that cost almost $5000.  Apparently, when the taxpaying public found out about the desk, Dallemand hid the desk off of school property.  Cheryl Coryea, then the director of business services for the school district, informed Dallemand that this was not legal or ethical, a warning that fell upon deaf ears.  In her complaint against the school district, filed in the Olmsted County District Court, Coryea states further that “Dallemand was directing school district employees to take hiring actions that she believed violated state and federal law.  Specifically, Dallemand allegedly had instructed employees to delay hiring a wellness coordinator from a pool of qualified non minority candidates in order to find and hire a minority candidate.  Coryea brought that issue to the attention of the school district’s attorney.”  

     According to the lawsuit, Dallemand wrote Coryea a “memorandum criticizing her performance.”  Coryea responded to Dallemand questioning if her reporting his hiring practices is what triggered the bad memo.  A few weeks later, on January 3, 2008, Dallemand again wrote to Coryea, “criticizing (her) for raising ‘information that does not respond to his points’ and then scheduled a face to face meeting with her.  Later that day, Coryea reported “Dallemand’s offsite storage of the glass desk to the school board chairperson.  She also reported that Dallemand’s failure to document significant charges for meals at meetings would be considered illegal by the state auditor.”  The meeting that Dallemand called with Coryea never happened.  He fired her the next day, effective January 31st.  (In correspondence with Coryea, Dallemand also “acknowledged that her termination was based in part on her reporting of the desk.”)  In September of 2010, the Minnesota Court of Appeals overturned a district court ruling that had previously dismissed Ms. Coryea’s whistleblower allegations.  The court found in its decision that the “allegations support Coryea’s whistleblower claim.”   (Remember this story…It will be more relevant by the end of my article.)

     A little over a month later, in March, 2008, Dallemand announced that he would be adopting a model for closing the “achievement gap” from the Efficacy Institute of Waltham, Massachusetts; a system that rewards students for effort rather than ability.  The idea drew sharp criticism, although there was some support for it as well.    In other words, young Johnny has tried so hard, we’re going to give him the same marks as young Suzie who scored higher on her test.  Some things have to be faced.  There is a difference in students’ abilities to learn, no matter how much effort is put behind it.   

          We now fast-forward to February, 2009 as the Rochester school board cuts $9.3 million from the 2010 budget.  In a hint of C. Jack Ellis, Dallemand’s recommendations included a budget of $150K in travel expenses, only a $60K cut in administrative salaries and only a $188K cut in principals and assistant salaries.  No where in his recommendations are there any cuts called for in the Superintendent’s pay…Interesting.  Bibb County teachers had better read this…(Again, in fairness to Dr. Dallemand, he did waive a $8250 bonus in March of 2009 and agreed to a pay freeze for 2010 in June of 2009.)

          Later in the month of June, several students and parents of the Rochester school district gather in the rain at Rochester’s Central Park to rally in opposition of Dr. Dallemand and his contract renewal the following September.  According to NBC affiliate KTTC, “One concerned parent told the crowd, ‘We have many friends who are teachers in this school district and they are so intimidated, they cannot speak out, they cannot say anything at meetings.”  Others held signs that read “I represent a scared staff member.”    All present stated that they were “no longer confident in the direction he (Dallemand) has taken the district in.”     They had so little confidence, as a matter of fact, that they started a website called “Campaign of No Confidence.”  Even in Sharon Patterson’s worst days, I don’t recall a specific website popping up.  Despite the website and the protestors efforts, the school board decided to renew Dallemand’s contract three years in a 4-3 vote.  (Sound familiar?  A one vote margin…The same margin Dallemand was approved by on the Bibb County vote..)

          On September 10, 2010 Rochester school board member and Vice-chairwoman Cris Fischer submitted her resignation from the board, stating that “the present direction from leadership is lacking long-range planning, organizational management, and open and honest communication.”  Fisher had voted against Dallemand’s contract renewal the previous year, citing that she perceived a “culture of fear” in the district and declining teacher morale”  She also stated that she had been among one of three board members who failed to attend a meeting in “apparent protest over a district hiring decision.”

          Dr. Dallemand took over the Bibb County School System in February, 2011.  On his first day on the job an Appling Middle School student was arrested for carrying a gun and possessing marijuana.  Dallemand is quoted by the Macon Telegraph saying, “I’m very concerned about the safety of the students. Schools have to be conducive for students to learn and staff members to teach.”  If there is so much concern, why isn't this addressed in "The Macon Miracle"?

          Since his take over, Dallemand apparently has mistaken himself for Donald Trump.  According to another Telegraph article, $68,000 was spent for furniture last year.  He also had a board room soundproofed at a cost of $4500.  (Rumor has it that he gets so loud during meetings that he wants the yelling contained.)  A new coat of paint in the central office cost almost $20,000.  All this and the students have to share books and beg for paper.  Maybe Donald Trump wasn’t a good comparison.  Ferdinand Marcos may be a better one.  (I would say Saddam Hussein, but I don’t want to be insensitive.) 

          Now comes “The Macon Miracle” that should be called the Macon Albatross for the millions of dollars that this is going to hang around the necks of the taxpayers of Bibb County for decades to come should it pass.  Longer school days, year-round school, 12 schools closing in an already crowded system and mandatory Mandarin Chinese spoke by all are just part of the folly.  Not to mention that Dallemand wants to break elementary school down to K to 3, middle school 4 to 8 and high school 8-12.  (Do you really want your innocent 4th grader associating with 8th graders?)  Add to this that Dallemand won’t put a price tag on the whole debacle…and that it is estimated that it will cost the system about $7 million dollars just to start it….Well….you catch my drift.  Oh yeah, and Dr. Dallemand put out a bid for a marketing firm to “effectively communicate the message of “‘The Macon Miracle” through print and video mediums

and Increase public recognition and support for “The Macon Miracle”.  I wonder how much this is going to cost?  (Dallemand has already rented out the Centreplex to roll out “The Miracle” complete with Chinese acrobats, exploding confetti cannons and all the bells and whistles…AT YOUR EXPENSE!!!...and yes….I’m serious.)

 The Macon Miracle states that Glenn Singleton's Pacific Educational Group will be involved as consultants...In an email from Singleton’s assistant Carrie Streeter, Singleton denies that is ‘any work scheduled for the Bibb County Board of Education.” I have followed up questioning if there have been talks between Singleton and Dallemand but have not received an answer as of press time, but I did get an email from a spokesman from the Bibb County School System who states that ‘I asked about your request and was told the District does not have any contract or affiliation with Pacific Educational Group’.  I did some research on Singleton…One website, www.openmarket.org, speaks VERY ‘highly’ of him and his techniques, saying that Singleton has “become a rich man by preaching racism, hate, and scapegoating. School systems hire him for hundreds of thousands of dollars to insult and scapegoat teachers and students based on their race under the guise of “diversity training.” That embarrasses the school systems that hire him in high-profile legal cases. Yet foolish school superintendents continue to hire him at exorbitant rates.”  In a San Francisco Chronicle article written on November 12, 2007 states that ‘”contrary to widely held views that parents play a strong role in whether their children do well academically, Singleton believes the schools, not parents, are the biggest influence.”  Oh it gets better… "If we were to say that black or brown kids don't perform as well because of their parents, we're saying black and brown parents aren't as effective as white parents," Singleton told The Chronicle. "That's pretty much a racist statement."

At schools with large numbers of black and Latino students, white teachers are not only culturally unfamiliar with their students, they are often the "least seasoned and skilled" at teaching, he said. 

 

Singleton has been highly controversial for years.  He consulted with the Chapel-Hill Carrboro City School System in North Carolina where he had them implement a system of humiliation that have even been rejected in Communist China. 

“In an exercise called "The Color Line," they [teachers] answer 26 questions on a 0 to 5 scale, such as: "When I am told about our national heritage or 'civilization,' I am shown that people of my race made it what it is." Or"I can take a job with an affirmative action employer without having co-workers on the job suspect that I got it because of race." Teachers who feel situations are "often true" put down fives. Threes are for "sometimes true" and zeroes are for" seldom true." After tallying their scores, teachers write the number down, wear them around their necks and line up from highest to lowest.”**

     Further, radio talk show host Neal Boortz wrote in 2007 that “In 2002, Singleton got his hands on Seattle government schools. They hired him to indoctrinate students and staff about racism. So what did he do? He (Singleton) immediately attacked individualism and brands any form of individualism as a form of "cultural racism." He (Singleton) goes on to say that "only whites can be racist."  Boortz then states that “Singleton also says that planning ahead is a white characteristic and it is racist to assume that minorities will do the same. This reminds me of the professor from a predominately black college in Atlanta who, many years ago, said that the use of logic in an argument was racist. There seems to be no end to this nonsense.”  And now there seems to be no end to the nonsense that Dr. Dallemand is bringing to the Bibb County School System at the taxpayers expense.  And though there is a denial from Mr. Singleton, the rumor persists.  I have emailed Superintendent Dallemand asking if he has in fact been in talks with Singleton but have not received an answer yet.  Regardless if he has or has not been in talks with him now, he has hired Mr. Singleton in the past. This shows an obvious lack of good judgment in dealing with racial harmony and is very bad news for Bibb County citizens.   (Goal 3, Strategy 1, Action Step 1 of  Focus on Teaching and Learning in The Macon Miracle Plan reads:   Provide ongoing training in Courageous Conversations by Pacific Education Group.)



     It is also being advertised that the Bibb County School System will start a new program called ‘The Envoy Project’ produced by The Efficacy Institute.  (Check it out on their website at http://www.efficacy.org)  The Envoy Project itself promises to be”implemented within schools as well as community or after-school programs to dramatically improve culture and climate.”  Yep…this is the same company that Dr. Dallemand used while in Rochester.  My question is that if he did so great in Rochester, why was there so much controversy about him?  Why did websites pop up demanding a ‘Vote of No Confidence’ be given to Dr. Dallemand?  Why were there rallies in Rochester held by disgruntled faculty?  (One concerned parent at the rally told the crowd, "We have many friends who are teachers in this school district and they are so intimidated, they cannot speak out, they can not say anything at meetings."  How many Bibb County teachers could say the same thing right now?)*

     Here’s the really bad part of this whole scheme:  If anyone disagrees with Dr. Dallemand and the “Macon Miracle” they will be painted as a racist.  Que Jack Ellis again who said that “"We (African-Americans) want to make sure that we want to express our support to the Superintendent, to the school system, to the school board members and others who are committed to making sure that this school system is one of the best school systems that every child that can learn in this town will learn." Since when did Ellis become a spokesman for the entire black community?

      Yes, we need innovation.  Yes, we need bold ideas.  But we need to work on the pressing issues that confront the Bibb County Schools:

1.  Safety—What a novel concept.  Make it where kids and faculty alike actually feel safe in our schools.

2.  Overspending on plans, projects (ie. ‘The Envoy Project’) and on the administration itself.—Desks for administrators and soundproof rooms don’t educate our children.  This Superintendent is showing a lack of respect for money and wants to throw it away on plans, schemes, pomp and circumstance.  Spend the money on teachers and principals who want to work and help children and get rid of the ones are standing in their way.

3.  Under spending on the students basic needs.—Well paid teachers who can give their students their own books to study is another novel concept that is apparently foreign to Dr. Dallemand.  Mandarin Chinese shouldn’t be taught to a student if they haven’t even grasped being able to spell their own names yet.   Further, closing 12 schools and integrating students into other schools that are already overcrowded sure isn’t a way to increase efficiency and cut costs either.  (I’m sure he’ll be coming back to taxpayers in a few years begging for new schools to cure the overcrowding that will result.)

4.  Improve the graduation rate to an acceptable level.—Face it.  Not everyone should go to college.  Not everyone wants to go to college.  At the same time, our schools should include students who want to learn and not just attend so they can keep in touch with their gang. 

     I sincerely hope that there is a huge enough outcry should the “Macon Miracle” be voted on by the Bibb County School Board that the Board shows good sense and rejects this boondoggle of millions of dollars of waste.  A few weeks ago, Dr. Dallemand was asked to grade himself in his first year.  In true humble fashion, he gave himself an A+.  I personally would give him an incomplete at best.  I also think the easiest thing to do at this point is buy out Dallemand’s contract and send him on his way before it’s too late.  It will be a lot cheaper in the long run. 

*Source:  http://www.kttc.com/Global/story.asp?s=10526938&client

**Source:  http://sites.google.com/site/campaignofnoconfidence535/Home This is a website complete designed to have a “No Confidence Vote” for Dr. Dallemand while he served as Superintendent of the Rochester, Minnesota School System. 

First things first.

Mr. Santorum- mea culpa.

Just last week, I wrote an article asking you to please step aside, drop out of the Republican race, and let Newt and Mitt fight it out for the nomination. I cited your lackluster performances in New Hampshire, South Carolina, Florida and Nevada as reasons for you to step aside. You attempted to position yourself as the “Non-Romney” candidate, and lost that moniker to Newt Gingrich. All hope seemed lost, until the trifecta of caucuses/primaries/beauty contests on Tuesday, February 7, 2012. Only time will tell how we view your overwhelming wins in Colorado, Minnesota, and Missouri in one night (will you raise more money? Will people begin to think you can actually win? Will your national numbers go up? Will Newt supporters see you as a better anti-Romney and cede to you?). For now, sir, you made me eat crow. And for that, I salute you.

And now that my apology is done, back down to the real analysis of the “Santorum February Surprise”. Honestly, did anyone (other than Rick and his wife) see those three victories going squarely in Santorum’s win column? (If you are nodding your head yes, I must remind you that lying is a sin, punishable by death). What do these wins mean? Columns can be written on any number of issues that the three races show about Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and even Ron Paul. I’ll pass on that analysis, and fast forward all the way to August when the Republican Party comes together for their National Convention. When that convention is over, we will all know who the Republican ticket for President and Vice President will be. But before then, I have serious doubts we’ll have any clue. Let’s evaluate:

It takes 1,144 delegates to receive the Republican nomination for President. Thus far, we have 87 delegates pledged to Romney, 35 pledged to Santorum, 32 pledged to Gingrich, and 13 pledged to Paul. In February (and March 3rd), we have 126 delegates left up for grabs before the (not so) Super Tuesday prize of 437. When you look at the Super Tuesday states, it appeared Gingrich was poised to have a big southern day; at least until Santorum’s victories last night. The Super Tuesday states include Gingrich’s former state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Oklahoma three states he should do quite well in. On the flip side, Romney has Massachussetts, Vermont, and Idaho that day as well; states not nearly as rich with delegates, but likely wins for Romney nonetheless. Let us not forget Virginia- a state where Gingrich failed to get his name on the ballot, and looked to be a motherlode state for Romney delegates. But as Lee Corso says, “Not so fast, my friends.” Along comes Santorum to siphon more votes.

So, Super Tuesday may muddy up the waters even more. And what after that? There are a smattering of states that range from the South (Alabama with 50 delegates), to the Midwest (Illinois and Wisconsin, with 69 and 42 delegates, respectively), the Northeast (New York State with 95 delegates), the Rust Belt (Santorum’s home state of Pennsylvania with 72 delegates), and the delegate rich states of anomalic sizes (Texas with 155 delegates and California with 172 of them).

You see how the map favors all three/four of the candidates in some way? Randy Evans has written time and time again on this site about the race heading past Super Tuesday, and I am beginning to agree with him. In fact, I now think that the brokered convention the media talks about is inevitable. I see it playing out like this: Ron Paul will have about 325 delegates by August, and Santorum, Romney and Gingrich will have 750, 725, and 450. In all honesty, I don’t know who will have what number, but I am certain that Romney will be one of the two 700 clubbers. Which puts Gingrich and Santorum in a unique bartering position. It actually puts all three in a unique position, with a lot of who/what, etc.

Bottom line: I see either two of these three top Republican Candidates running on the same ticket together, or a brokered convention where someone like Governor John Kasich of Ohio or Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana could shine.

Who knows?

But again, Mr. Santorum…my apologies, sir. Go do your thing. 

I support Mitt Romney for the GOP presidential nomination. 

However, the more I see and hear, the more I like and admire Ron Paul.

The debates have put him on center stage. He's demonstrated that he can play on the big stage and often times has out performed  his rivals.
Paul's clearly the most affable, principled and consistent candidate in the race. His self-depreciating manner, humor and cheerful persona are infectious:

He seems serenely comfortable in his own skin. He's brainy, a straight talker and talks straight from the heart. He doesn't pander to special interests or - as he says - “kiss the ring” of the likes of a Donald Trump.

Ron Paul's the 76 year old “Happy Warrior” of the Republican Party.

And his message is compelling:

To government, he says, you’re too big, bloated and intrusive; keep your hands out of my pocket and your nose out of my life.

To the world, he says, the United States can't afford to pay your bills any longer or clean-up the mess you've made in your country; we can't export Jeffersonian-style democracy to other peoples - you folks figure it out yourselves. And I'm particularly supportive of what he says about the war in Afghanistan.

And to the American people, he says, its all about liberty; individual freedom.*

Moreover, no candidate for the presidency has ever been more eloquent in expressing his adherence  to and reverence for the Constitution. He's unsurpassed in making the case for Constitutional government.

Of particular note, is the support - even adulation - Paul gets among young people: they love the guy!

They're turned off by the traditional pap and hypocrisy of today's politics and bought and sold politicians. They're  turned on by Paul's gospel of ”leave me alone” Libertarianism and free market capitalism. That support bodes well for the conservative cause and the country's future.

His critics say - and they're many - that he's not really a Republican. His constituents in Texas' 14th congressional district think otherwise. Since 1979, he's been elected to serve 10 terms in the House. In 2010, he received 80.7 percent of the vote against three Republican opponents.

The critics point to Paul's past writings and associations - 22 years ago - as being anti-Semitic and racist. He's disavowed the pamphlets and vehemently denies that he's an anti-Semite or a racist. For some, though, the issue remains troubling as Newt Gingrich’s past does for others.

.And they say he's too extreme; unconventional, even a bit whacky Paul responds by saying that the same was said about the Founding Fathers.

And, yes, some of Paul's supporters are obnoxious, fringe, anarchists-types. But as Ronald Reagan said, “I don't endorse them. They endorse me.”

Ron Paul won't be the Republican presidential nominee. But he's waged a remarkable campaign: his Libertarian message has resonated with many Americans and it will be force in the years to come. It's also become a strong voice within the Republican Party.

And more and more Americans “have opened minds to the to the libertarians’ argument. The essence of which is the common-sensical principle that before government interferes with the freedom of the individual and of individuals making consensual transactions in markets, it ought to have a defensible reason for doing so. It usually does not,” (George Will, “Declaration of independents,” Washington Post, July 29, 2011).

His message is far more important than the messenger or this one election

It's at the very core of conservative thought: liberty; the freedom and sanctity of the individual.

In the Declaration of Independence, the Founders proclaimed that we are endowed “with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness..”

In 1964, another messenger had the same message. Ron Paul's picked-up where Barry Goldwater left off.

*For more information on Paul's position on the issues, go to the link shown below.

Related Articles

“GOP Field of Dreamers: The Libertarian and T-Paw,” (Red County, August 3, 2011)

Former Georgia Secretary of State and Governor's candidate Karen Handel has announced her resignation as Senior Vice-President for policy from the Susan Komen Foundation because of the foundation's controversial funding of Planned Parenthood.  Lifenews.com reported that "Komen initially decided in December to revise its grant-making process to funds grants to agencies that provide direct health services for women — which would eliminate Planned Parenthood since it does not do mammograms. After Planned Parenthood, Democratic members of Congress and the media pounced on Komen for its decision, Komen clarified that Planned Parenthood would still be allowed to submit grant requests but they may or may not be funded."  Handel was one of the architects of Komen's new position.  In a letter from Karen she states,

February 7, 2012

The Honorable Nancy Brinker

CEO, Susan G. Komen for the Cure VIA EMAIL

5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250

Dallas, Texas 75244

Dear Ambassador Brinker:

Susan G. Komen for the Cure has been the recognized leader for more 30 years in the fight against breast cancer here in the US – and increasingly around the world.

As you know, I have always kept Komen’s mission and the women we serve as my highest priority – as they have been for the entire organization, the Komen Affiliates, our many supporters and donors, and the entire community of breast cancer survivors. I have carried out my responsibilities faithfully and in line with the Board’s objectives and the direction provided by you and Liz.

We can all agree that this is a challenging and deeply unsettling situation for all involved in the fight against breast cancer. However, Komen’s decision to change its granting strategy and exit the controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood and its grants was fully vetted by every appropriate level within the organization. At the November Board meeting, the Board received a detailed review of the new model and related criteria. As you will recall, the Board specifically discussed various issues, including the need to protect our mission by ensuring we were not distracted or negatively affected by any other organization’s real or perceived challenges. No objections were made to moving forward.

I am deeply disappointed by the gross mischaracterizations of the strategy, its rationale, and my involvement in it. I openly acknowledge my role in the matter and continue to believe our decision was the best one for Komen’s future and the women we serve. However, the decision to update our granting model was made before I joined Komen, and the controversy related to Planned Parenthood has long been a concern to the organization. Neither the decision nor the changes themselves were based on anyone’s political beliefs or ideology. Rather, both were based on Komen’s mission and how to better serve women, as well as a realization of the need to distance Komen from controversy. I believe that Komen, like any other nonprofit organization, has the right and the responsibility to set criteria and highest standards for how and to whom it grants.

What was a thoughtful and thoroughly reviewed decision – one that would have indeed enabled Komen to deliver even greater community impact – has unfortunately been turned into something about politics. This is entirely untrue. This development should sadden us all greatly.

Just as Komen’s best interests and the fight against breast cancer have always been foremost in every aspect of my work, so too are these my priorities in coming to the decision to resign effective immediately. While I appreciate your raising a possible severance package, I respectfully decline. It is my most sincere hope that Komen is allowed to now refocus its attention and energies on its mission.

Sincerely,
Karen Handel

As a lot of you know, I was a huge supporter of Commissioner Oxendine for Governor and when he failed to make a runoff I endorsed Secretary Handel after I had a very lengthy conversation with her about pro-life issues and her stance.  I took a great deal of heat from friends who felt she wasn't truly pro-life, which I adamantly  argued with after our conversation.  I was proud to support her then and am extremely proud of her now and if you have read the letter you see why.  Karen has even decided to forgo a severance package to do the right thing.  I sincerely hope that she decides to run for office again as she is the epitome of what a Conservative Republican is.  Well done Karen!  

In Sinclair Lewis’ novel, Elmer Gantry, the main character is a traveling salesman, who tries to convince the townspeople that he is a real minister. President Barack Obama has attempted an evangelical con job of his own lately as he has jumped onto the religious front with both feet.

His recent speech at the National Day of Prayer in Washington, D.C. made it sound as if he was a regular Billy Graham! He alluded to his Christian faith and quoted from the Bible to support his stances on raising taxes, overhauling healthcare and regulating Wall Street.

Living by the principle that we are our brother's keeper. Caring for the poor and those in need. These values are old. And they're the ones that have defined my own faith journey,”

Obama said. Many Americans are probably shocked to learn that  Barack Obama had embarked upon a faith journey, since he has had a problem broaching the subject of his personal religious beliefs since he took office.

 Beyond blaming his regular absences from church on the fact that his personal security would be distracting, the President he has kept his religious beliefs or lack of to himself. That not a problem , though, for Americans will defend anyone’s freedom to practice or not practice religion-a precious freedom the Constitution’s Bill of Rights affords to all..

But where was President Barack Obama when questions arose as to his administration’s  treatment and attitude towards Christians? He managed to remain silent on most of them, except when he came right out and said at one point that “America is not a Christian nation.” Now, suddenly, he is a biblical scholar and is humbly trying to follow scripture teachings to be more like Jesus? “You can’t have it both ways, Mr. Obama!” Which is why he seems more like Elmer Gantry, the supreme con man(conning for the campaign) than he does the apostle Paul!

Obama has vacillated on the idea of National Prayer Day itself. During the first one of his presidency in 2009, he held no event at the White House and was missing in action from the National Prayer Day Breakfast. There was a massive outcry from Christians in this country and in the succeeding years since then, the President hasn’t missed one.

 Certain attendees at the Washington Hilton on February 2nd, found the the President’s National Prayer Day speech offensive. Georgia Congressman Phil Gingrey excused himself because he was “disturbed and offended” by the president’s use of prayer and reflection time for partisan politics and campaigning. President Obama had referred to his faith as inspiring him to “to give up tax breaks that I enjoy.”

It is not a huge leap to decide that Obama took the podium at the Prayer rally in an attempt to appear more sympathetic to religious people, most especially Catholics who are deeply offended their own federal government is trying to limit their religious freedom. A controversial clause in the Healthcare bill adopted by the Democrat majority in 2009 demands that all employers of charity, hospital, or schools that are affiliated with any religious group must provide employees with birth control and abortion services. Catholic employers will have to choose between not providing their employers with insurance under Obamacare’s provisions or intentionally going against the tenets of their faith.

The Obamacare policy goes into effect August 1, 2012 but all employers that don’t want to offer their female patients contraceptives, will have an extra year to meet compliance. New York's archbishop said that the President’s administration was giving Catholics "a year to figure out how to violate their consciences.”

The First Amendment guarantees every American the right to worship and practice any religion they so desire, unencumbered by the government. Phoenix bishop, Bishop Thomas Olmstead, is calling for Catholics in Arizona to defy the Obama healthcare requirement He said the issue is being “forced down their throats.” Bishop Olmstead wrote a letter urging Arizona employers to ignore the government mandate even though such lack of action will result in those employers  facing large fines.

“I’m telling them they have to be Catholics first; our beliefs are more important than anything else in our lives. We need to fight this with all means available to us so that this is not imposed, so we are not forced to violate our conscience", Olmstead said.

"When you push people of faith and you tell them the government is going to knock down the wall of separation of church and state and overreach like the Obama administration, you've got a war on your hands," Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, told Fox News.

Last Sunday, archbishops from all over America had their priest read letters from their pulpits denouncing this mandate to go against their faith.

The pronounced organization of Catholics leaders opposed to this mandate and their commitment to winning the argument is strong and widespread. New York Cardinal designate, Timothy Dolan had this to say, “How about letting our elected leaders know that we want religious liberty and rights of consciences restored and the administration's mandate rescinded? We can't afford to strike out on this one."

Bill Donahue, head of the Catholic League says, said he's been contacted by Protestants, Mormons, Jews, and others who want to join forces with the Catholic League and the bishops to overturn the healthcare clause regarding religious institution employers. And now, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio has now entered the controversy by introducing legislation that would block the White House's move.

White House officials are downplaying any political fallout The Obama White House is trying to skew the message to seem like they are worried about the health and well-being of American women. “The issue here is we want to make sure that women, all women, have access to good healthcare,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney

Although the current administration is basing much of its approach to a study showing  that the majority of Catholic women have used contraceptives despite the Catholic doctrine, bishops across the country refer to the fact that the new regulation includes the “morning after “ pill, which opens the abortion can of worms.

Catholic voters played a pivotal role in Obama election in 2008 and could be important again in November. Based on Fox News exit polling data, Catholics made up 27 percent of the electorate three years ago, which translates into an estimated 35 million voters.

Its ironic that President Obama says that his faith leads him to act with charity toward the poor while he ignores the fact that Catholics’ faith leads them to be opposed to birth control. Barack Obama is not being forced to choose between his religion and a new government rule. In fact, he gets to not attend church regularly on Sundays, consistently belittle the role of religion in American life and still claim a religious connection when its convenient to his 2012 campaign.

Unless the President took an wrong turn onto the Road to Damascus, American citizens are not buying that he has suddenly “got religion“! Barack Obama appears to be missing only the hip flask that Gantry’s character carried with him everywhere he went.

If he is not careful, the Republicans’ chosen nominee will not be Barack Obama’s biggest opponent. By continuing to “go to church” to find new supporters for his 2012 election campaign  while simultaneously placing his boot on the throat of religious denominations to enforce his policies, he may boot himself from his Presidential pulpit and end up vanquished to the vestibule.