Of course we hold Dems to a higher standard,
why wouldn't we?

Just thank you.

Hey, I like the pictures and everything else, but haven't we had enough teacher bashing? I am neither pale nor out of shape, and I'll be rallying in our state capital with my colleagues.

Good!

I listed the marijuana research knowing full well it would be unpopular, and knowing that some of our members resort to name calling when they don't like what has been said. Just for the record, for the past 30 years of my professional life, I have worked with drug users aged 11 to mid twenties. What happens to some of them is not a joke, and could have been your child or mine.
Just a couple examples: One was high (yes, on pot) standing on top of a moving car, fell off, and was killed. Another blew his head off with a shotgun, one died in a motorcycle accident after using. And thankfully, some are living healthy, productive lives. Believe me, I am happy for those of you who don't have short or long term memory loss, or worse symptoms, but denial and minimizing are unproductive. Most health professionals, educators, and brain researchers that I know, don't think it's a risk worth taking.

It is wishful thinking to say that marijuana is harmless, and there is no longer any doubt that the long term effects on the brain and vital organs are long term. In fact, a respected addictions therapist holds that marijuana is the most devastating drug of all, because by the times the symptoms present, the damage has been done. Many want to dismiss the harmful effects, because they tried it in their youth. Your parents' pot was a very different weed. Today's is seven times more potent. Check the NIDA website, as well as those below.



http://brain.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/conten...
http://www.auntminnie.com/index.asp?sec=se...
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=A...
http://www.empoweredhospital.com/marijuana...

http://www.uc.edu/News/NR.aspx?ID=9011


The following is from an Australian study:
People who use marijuana for a long time can develop abnormalities in their brains, Australian researchers report.
Although growing literature suggests long-term marijuana use is associated with a wide range of adverse health consequences, many people believe it is relatively harmless and should be legalised, the researchers noted. "However, this study shows long-term, heavy cannabis use causes significant brain injury, memory loss, difficulties learning new information and psychotic symptoms, such as delusions of persecution , delusions of mind-reading, and bizarre social behaviours in even non-vulnerable users," said lead researcher Murat Yucel, from the ORYGEN Research Centre and the Neuropsychiatry Centre at the University of Melbourne.
This new evidence plays an important role in further understanding the effects of marijuana and its impact on brain functioning, Yucel said. "The study is the first to show that long-term cannabis use can adversely affect all users, not just those in the high-risk categories such as the young, or those susceptible to mental illness, as previously thought," he said. The report was published in the June issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
In the study, Yucel's team did high-resolution MRIs on 15 men who smoked more than five joints a day for more than 10 years. They compared those with scans of 16 men who did not use marijuana. In addition, all the men took verbal memory tests and were examined for symptoms of psychiatric disorders. "The more marijuana used, the more these individuals were likely to show reduced brain volumes in the hippocampus and amygdala, as well as being more likely to develop symptoms of psychotic disorders and to have significant memory impairment," Yucel said.
In fact, the hippocampus of marijuana users was 12% smaller, and the amygdala was 7.1% smaller than among non-users. In addition, men who used marijuana also had symptoms of psychiatric disorders, Yucel's group found. The hippocampus is associated with the regulation of emotion and memory, while the amygdala controls fear and aggression.
"There is ongoing controversy concerning the long-term effects of cannabis on the brain," Yucel said. "These findings challenge the widespread perception of cannabis as having limited or no harmful effects on brain and behaviour. Although modest use may not lead to significant neurotoxic effects, these results suggest that heavy daily use might indeed be toxic to human brain tissue."
One expert agrees that heavy marijuana use can have negative effects on the brain.
"These findings are not surprising," said Dr Adam Bisaga, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Columbia University and an addiction psychiatrist at New York State Psychiatric Institute. "Chronic use of large amounts of any substance that is affecting neural transmission will most likely invoke adaptive changes and lead to the reorganisation of neural networks, and possibly affect brain structures."
"Heavy users of marijuana probably represent only a very small proportion of users," Bisaga said. "It is not clear if any clinically significant changes can be seen in recreational, infrequent marijuana users, who were not studied here. These findings suggest that public health education, as well as screening, early recognition, and treatment of cannabis dependence, may prevent the progression of the disease and the loss of brain function and related psychiatric complications."

I agree and can't imagine why we would want to encourage anything else that is so destructive.

we've done such a great job with alcohol, let's do the same with mj. Check this site: http://www.learn-about-alcoholism.com/stat...

Someone sent this to me today. Too good not to share:

"Robert P. Watson, Ph.D. Coordinator of American Studies
Lynn University "
Email: rwatson@lynn.edu



I am always being asked to grade Obama's presidency. In place of offering him a grade, I put together a list of his accomplishments thus far. I think you would agree that it is very impressive. His first six months have been even more active than FDRs or LBJs the two standards for such assessments. Yet, there is little media attention given to much of what he has done. Of late, the media is focusing almost exclusively on Obama's critics, without holding them responsible for the uncivil, unconstructive tone of their disagreements or without holding the previous administration responsible for getting us in such a deep hole. The misinformation and venom that now passes for political reporting and civic debate is beyond description.

As such, there is a need to set the record straight. What most impresses me is the fact that Obama has accomplished so much not from a heavy-handed or top-down approach but from a style that has institutionalized efforts to reach across the aisle, encourage vigorous debate, and utilize town halls and panels of experts in the policy-making process. Beyond the accomplishments, the process is good for democracy and our democratic processes have been battered and bruised in recent years.

Let me know if I missed anything in the list (surely I did).



1.. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending
2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices
3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women
4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB
6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information
7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family
8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act
9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible
10. Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House
11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration
12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research
15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
16. New federal funding for science and research labs
17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards
18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
20. New funds for school construction
21. The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out
22. US Auto industry rescue plan
23. Housing rescue plan
24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan
25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying
26. US financial and banking rescue plan
27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards
29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
31. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
32. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
33. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales
39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government
40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba , allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones
43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
44. Expanding vaccination programs
45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters
46. Closed offshore tax safe havens
47. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals
48. Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back
49.. Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices
50. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources
51. Lower drug costs for seniors
52. Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings
53. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel
54. Improved housing for military personnel
55. Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses
56. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals
57. Increasing student loans
58. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program
59. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy
60. Established a new cyber security office
61. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.
62. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts
63. Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness
64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient
65. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced
66. Improving benefits for veterans
67. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration
68. Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud
69. The FDA is now regulating tobacco
70. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules
71. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports
72. Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons
73. Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive
74. Making more loans available to small businesses
75. Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare
76. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court
77. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans
78. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000
79. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel
80. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan
81. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan
82. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans
83. Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production
84. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters
85. Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket
86. Held first Seder in White House
87. Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured
88. Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform
89. Has announced his intention to push for energy reform
90. Has announced his intention to push for education reform.......

Oh, and he built a swing set for the girls outside the Oval Office






I think this last accomplishment shows what kind of man we have for a president. I hope you have a great day.

NCLB is a mess. I am also an educator, and wrote to President Obama several weeks ago with similar issues. I would ask every one who pays taxes, has a child, hell--WAS a child, to write, call, and email your legislators and the President. Race to the Top has to go, high stakes testing has to go, and first and foremost, Arne Duncan has to go.

is raising the drinking age. We now know that until the mid or late twenties, the prefrontal cortex is still developing, the brain cells are not fully myelinated, and the dendrites are furiously blossoming and pruning. This is the worst time to introduce alcohol, nicotine, or other drugs into the brain, (or the liver, which is not fully developed) --not even mentioning the 16,000 deaths per year attributable to alcohol. We're talking permanent damage and a much higher risk of addiction. Not trying to hijack your thread. Reagan was a dolt, but for me, your list would have been more effective without this statement.

are the plastic bags. Great for picking up doggy doodoo.

Great post. As smart, articulate, and reasonable as our president is, we can't expect anyone to fix the last eight years overnight. Not only has he kept us out of a depression, begun bringing troops home from Iraq, and more---he has done so without much help from Congress, and downright mutiny from the GOP.
While I don't agree with some of his decisions, I still don't want my money back. President Obama was and is the best person for the job, and deserves
more credit than he is currently getting.

For several weeks, the Washington Post has distorted the facts and
launched a relentless attack on Montgomery County teachers. They have twisted information regarding the Education Association, used half truths
in reference to teacher salaries (23% raises are NOT "typical"), and have attempted to tarnish the reputation of respected past MCEA leader by ignoring factual information about campaign law and practice.

Today, I called to cancel my subscription. The call taker asked if I would
reconsider, and give the editors a chance to rectify the situation.
"Absolutely NOT, I am done with the Post." She then asked if I would like to take the Post on Fridays and Sundays only, just for the coupons.
"Sorry, NO." Next she offered me a LOWER RATE to continue getting the paper.
Had to refuse. She did take down my complaint and said she would be sure it gets to the editors. Not that it will make any difference, but at least I
am not paying for a paper that has so little regard for educators. No wonder the Post is considered irrelevant. Who needs it?

but you can't take them out.