Blog Archives

Detroit Public Schools: 93% Not Proficient in Reading; 96% Not Proficient in Math

10/31/2015

(CNSNews.com) - In the Detroit public school district, 96 percent of eighth graders are not proficient in mathematics and 93 percent are not proficient in reading.

That is according to the results of the 2015 National Assessment of Educational Progress tests published by the Department of Education’s National Center for Educational Statistics.

Only 4 percent of Detroit public school eighth graders are proficient or better in math and only 7 percent in reading. This is despite the fact that in the 2011-2012 school year—the latest for which the Department of Education has reported the financial data—the Detroit public schools had “total expenditures” of $18,361 per student and “current expenditures” of $13,330 per student.

According to data published by the Detroit Public Schools, the school district’s operating expenses in the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2014 amounted to approximately $14,743 per student.

Nationwide, only 33 percent of public-school eighth graders scored proficient or better in reading in 2015 and only 32 percent scored proficient or better in mathematics.

Read the rest here...

In Detroit it's almost EVERY CHILD LEFT BEHIND!

'Untouchables': Obama Cronies "Protected Wall Street's Most Criminal From Prosecution"

10/31/2015

Via Zerohedge.com

As regular readers already know at SHTF, countless voices have come forward to expose the criminal fraud surrounding the banks, and the bipartisan criminal cover-up taking place in Washington.

Greenwald noted:

The reason there have been no efforts made to criminally investigate is obvious. Former banking regulator and current securities Professor Bill Black told Bill Moyers in 2009 that“Timothy Geithner, the Secretary of the Treasury, and others in the administration, with the banks, are engaged in a cover up to keep us from knowing what went wrong.” In the documentary “Inside Job”, the economist Nouriel Roubini, when asked why there have been no such investigations, replied: “Because then you’d find the culprits.” Underlying all of that is what the Senate’s second-highest ranking Democrat, Dick Durbin, admitted in 2009: the banks “frankly own the place”.

Impunity has been the norm. Systemic money laundering for terrorists, gangs and drug cartels, the likes of which has been officially tied to institutions like HSBC and Wachovia – were settled with fines that represent a slap on the wrist to these ‘too big to jail’ globally-linked banks.

Meanwhile, the next wave is upon us.

Read the rest here...

EMT suspended for trying to save choking girl ???

10/30/2015

New York, NY - A heroic New York EMT who tried in vain last week to save a 7-year-old school girl choking on her lunch said he was suspended because it is against company policy to make a stop without being called.

Qwasi Reid, who works for Assist Ambulance, was transporting a nursing home patient last Wednesday with his partner when he said they were flagged down at a red light by a frantic man who told them that a student was choking. Reid said his partner, who was not reprimanded by the company, told the man they already had a patient and there was nothing they could do.

Reid, who has driven ambulances for four years, said he knew the choking girl took a priority over the transport,

Read the rest here...

Friday Afternoon News Dump 10/30/15: All The News That's Fit To Be Skipped

10/30/2015

Department of Justice Will Release Over 6,000 Federal Prisoners This Weekend

RNC DUMPS NBC FROM DEBATE: NETWORK TRIED TO ‘EMBARRASS OUR CANDIDATES’

S&P Downgrades Saudi Arabia On Slumping Crude, Ballooning Fiscal Deficit

The Shale Massacre: Chevron Fires Another 7,000 After Laying Off 1,500 Three Months Ago

It's official: San Antonio police will not inquire about citizenship status

[T]hink of the MSM as a small Scandinavian village, so far untouched by "diversity." Since everybody knows each other, and follows the same rules, life is calm and good. It's only the outsiders -- those conservatives -- who disrupt the natural harmony.

Waco “Twin Peaks” Surveillance Video Released – Biker Rally – Update Waco PD Not Happy

10/30/2015

Via The Conservative Treehouse

It sounds like CNN has been able to get their hands on a significant amount of data and evidence from the shooting in Waco Texas….

Read the rest here...

Budgetary Scheme Passes Senate at 3am – Two Year Continuing Resolution With Unlimited Debt Ceiling…

10/30/2015

Via The Conservative Treehouse

I refuse to call this a “budget deal”, it’s a scheme to extend federal spending until March of 2017 when the next President’s (whoever gets elected next year) legally required federal budget (for fiscal year 2018) is due.

3:00am? …Jackasses! You know what else passed in the middle of the night when no-one was watching? ObamaCare, that’s what ! 1:27am 12/23/09 – Only a few of us, and Santa of course, were paying attention and throwing bricks at our TV sets. {A Pox On Their Houses}.. Oy, I hate these corrupto-critters.
I’m not even sure why, how, or even ‘if’, President Obama will proffer a Fiscal Year 2017 budget, normally legally required by March 2016, given that congress has already agreed to spend whatever they need through Fiscal Year 2017. Of course that’s without even discussing spending of Fiscal Year 2016 (which began a month ago).

Fiscal Year 2017 – hypothetically due for signature Sept of 2016 – is ‘WHAT’ exactly? Status? Damn interesting seeing as the new Speaker of the House was the former Chairman of the Budget Committee that couldn’t put Fiscal Year 2016 budget on Obama’s desk….

Didn’t you like how the debt, deficit and debt ceiling was debated on CNBC last week. What’s that?.. It wasn’t?… Huh, imagine that. And,… Well,… Oh yeah, I forgot, Paul Ryan was/is also the childhood BFF of RNC Chair Reince Prebius…. say-no-more!

Read the rest here...

Students Walk Out in Support of Fired Deputy

10/30/2015

Hundreds of students walked out of Spring Valley High School in Columbia, South Carolina on Friday morning in support of the deputy sheriff who was fired after violently arresting a black student. Students reportedly chanted "Free Fields" in support of Ben Fields, a school resource officer and football coach who was caught on tape forcibly removing a black student from her desk, allegedly because she was disrupting class. The students walked into the school atrium and then returned to class after administrators addressed them.

Read the rest here...

#FFLFL Freaky Friday Letters From Leaders: The Earl of Frog Jump Defends the Crony Capitalist Ex-Im Bank

10/30/2015

It's been a while since our last letters from leaders post and I apologize for that but this one is perfect timing since the crony capitalists in D.C. have given new life to the Export Import Bank courtesy of the Earl of Frog Jump Tn (Stephen Fincher)

Several constituents contacted the Earl and voiced their opposition to reviving the Export Import Bank and like most of the ruling elites, he glossed over any of their objections and gave the following defense for his support.

The disconnect of the leaders from those they REIGN over continues unabated...

Freaky Fridays Letters From Leaders is a new edition on the Sentinel that will focus on the letters citizens receive from their elite and disconnected legislators. Their disconnect from the average American can be seen in their form letters sent to citizens on any given issue. They need to be called out for their laziness, their deception, and their general indifference to the concerns citizens have. THE PEOPLE are way ahead of their leaders these days and no form letter is going to assuage the concerns we have about our country marching down the road of progressivism with the help of our Republican leaders.

Dear *****,

Thank you for contacting me regarding the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im). I appreciate hearing your views and welcome the opportunity to respond. (Ummm no you don't. That's obvious by your lame form letter and your not addressing the concerns any of your constituents voiced.)

Since its inception, Ex-Im Bank has assisted in advancing our exports and has supported American job creation, filling a critical gap in the market.(Since it's inception, Ex-Im Bank has assisted all of the crony capitalist's men propping themselves up by exploiting the taxpayer to back up their crony capitalist schemes like Enron...REMEMBER THEM?) There's no denying it is time for Congress to overhaul this outdated agency to make it more accountable and transparent, while requiring it to be more solvent and self-sufficient in order to reduce the burden to the taxpayer. These necessary reforms will protect the taxpayer and allow Ex-Im Bank to support American job growth. (So one way you can reduce the burden on the taxpayer for these risky loans is to END the bank. No need to overhaul an outdated agency when you can just end it. Let's be real...this bank is so the Dukes and Earls of the Capitol District can play monopoly money and reward their donors for donating to ...well ....people like YOU! WOW! That's an amazing scheme you got going on there. If only Al CAPONE had known that all he needed to avoid prison for his schemes was to get elected to Congress where it's not legal if we write the rules right? Just ask Jon Corzine)

When U.S. manufacturers make things here in America and sell them overseas, American workers reap the benefits. (Uhuh yes they do captain obvious IT'S CALLED A FREE MARKET, strangely enough, you don't need the Ex-Im Bank for U.S manufacturers to make things here and sell them overseas.) In fact, exports have strengthened the U.S. economy since the recession, expanding from 11 percent of our gross domestic product in 2009 to 13.5 percent in 2014. Increased exports have helped companies seize growth opportunities overseas, which, in turn, drive job growth in Tennessee and in communities across the country. (Well thank you for more proof on how the free market actually works and it seems G.E. and others, who benefit most from the Ex-Im Bank have done swimmingly without the bank ...check this out...In three months without Export-Import Bank, General Electric soars)

In addition to supporting job creation, Ex-Im Bank plays an important role in correcting a growing, competitive disadvantage facing American businesses against countries like China.(Ummm have we made up for the money we lost with Enron? I didn't think so...) Between 2005 and 2013, China's export credit agency increased 867 percent as they secured multiple large export deals. Congress must ensure that U.S. exporters have a seat at the table and are able to compete fairly in growing markets to win business. By supporting U.S. businesses Ex-Im Bank also supports U.S. jobs. (Well those last few sentences are jibberish to me but I have a theory...Funny how the Iran deal gets passed with the help from another Tennessean, the Earl of Chattanooga (Bailout Bob Corker), coincidentally around the time that Iran needs about 400 wide-body Boeing jets.... I'm sure this is all just one billion dollar coincidinc right? And hey, how nice would it be if the good ol Ex-Im Bank was revived and it could dole out a whole bunch of risky loans for the biggest state sponor of terror...Iran?)

Those who advocate for ending the bank overlook the fact that it has filled a glaring void in private-sector financing by providing critical access to capital for businesses for the past eight decades. (A giant glaring void like Enron or is that not the glaring void you were looking for? Hmmm Critical access you say...humbug! The only critical access you are referring to is your donor class which will gain critical access to you when they want you to know the right way to vote and since only 10% of those donating to you come from Tn we understand where your allegiance lies as much we have disdain for it) It also ignores the contributions of exports to our broader economy as we emerge from a financial crisis that crippled many of our nation's most vibrant sectors. (Emerge from a financial crisis???WHEN DID THAT TAKE PLACE??? Oh perhaps you mean the financialization of our economy which stole from the savers and our posterity to enrich the pockets of the 1%. WE HAVE 94,000,000 million Americans not in the workforce so please...stop spewing the media's talking points...if you haven't noticed...no one believes them anymore.)

With my Ex-Im Bank reform legislation, Congress has the opportunity to change the tide. The implementation of 31 significant reforms focused on minimizing tax-payer risk, enhancing accountability, and supporting job growth, will allow Congress the ability to fortify the bank and ensure Ex-Im is able to support American jobs for years to come. (Please Sir CAN I HAVE SOME MORE LIES? 31 reforms for a crony capitalist scheme that should disappear into the corrupt cesspool out of which it was born???...The best way to decipher a letter from your leader is to replace the adjectives in the letter with their opposites...like this...With my Ex-Im Bank unreformed legislation, Congress has the misfortune to not change the tide. The implementation of 31 insignificant reforms focused on maximizing tax-payer risk, decreasing accountability, and crushing job growth, will deny Congress the ability to strengthen the bank and ensure Ex-Im is unable to support American jobs for years to come. Hey, it makes about as much sense as your letter.)

Thank you again for sharing your views on this important issue. If there is ever anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to contact me. (Thanks again for sharing my views? Uhuh, the same ones you didn't even address? Right! Gotcha! Well, there is something you can do for me and so many other constituents and that is resign. I'm quite sure you aren't going to do that. Seriously, though, I am praying for a spiritual revival in D.C. for those leaders who actually might listen to God. Please lay a burden of truth and righteousness on those who might be open to receiving HIS guidance and that the ruling class would stop seeking and doing their own will and start doing the will of God. And if they don't, may they return to their districts where they belong and be replaced by real men/women of honor.)

Sincerely,

Your Most Humble Earl of Frog Jump Stephen L. Fincher
Member of Congress.. (Or the Ruling Elite...same difference)

P.S. The Whigs were a party too...remember them? Yeah, not many people do...

Why Dennis Hastert’s conviction is an outrage

10/30/2015

If you aren’t outraged by what just happened to “disgraced” former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, you’re not paying attention.

No, it doesn’t matter if you think he’s a raging hypocrite.

No, it doesn’t matter even if you think he’s a personal or political sleazebag.

And, no, it doesn’t matter if you’re a Democrat or a liberal or an independent and you despise Hastert because he is a Republican.

None of that matters a damn. We do not have justice in this country only for our friends or our buddies or people we like on TV. Anyone who thinks justice is only for people who are on their “team” should be strapped to a parachute and thrown out of a plane over Afghanistan. You want to live in a tribal chaos? Knock yourself out.

Here in America we are supposed to live under a fair and just system of law, and by any reasonable count this entire case is an absolute disgrace.

Dennis Hastert, now age 73, faces possible jail time after pleading guilty this week to making a series of illegal bank withdrawals and evading federal financial regulations. He denied a second charge of lying to federal investigators about it.

His crime? Withdrawing $1.7 million of his own money from his own bank accounts.

His own money.

His own bank accounts.

Read the rest here...

What is all the flap about a 10 MILLION acre land grab? STOP this 10 MILLION ACRE LAND GRAB over the sage grouse!

10/30/2015

Via The Jackson Press
By Brad Jones
In late September Interior Secretary Sally Jewell announced that the sage grouse would not be listed under the Endangered Species Act, but before mining, energy developers and ranchers could breathe a sigh of relief, the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management submitted its own plan to protect the sage grouse—even though it did not warrant an ESA listing.
The Forest Service and BLM’s Approved Resource Management Plan Amendments for the Great Basin Region would withdraw 10 million acres of land from future mining claims, prohibit oil and gas drilling near the bird’s breeding grounds, and would impose new reviews on livestock grazing permits, according to a Oct. 12 article in the Elko Daily Free Press.
The plan comes with a temporary closure of the land listed, as well as a 90-day comment period, which ends December 23.
The 10 million-plus acres earmarked for withdrawal cover Idaho, Montana, Nevada Oregon, Utah and Wyoming, and the BLM has already posted “off limits” signs on a quarter-million acres, according to a news release from Natural Gas Intelligence.
According to the release, “federal agencies in Utah have temporarily closed more than 233,000 acres of public and national forest lands for up to two years while they determine if the lands’ importance to the ground-based bird habitat is such that they should be made off limits for a longer period.”
In 2011, then-Interior Secretary Ken Salazar asked 10 Western states, including the ones now facing withdrawal, to create state-based conservation plans for the sage grouse. The states complied, in an effort to head off a sage grouse listing, but to no avail, as the feds have decided to go ahead with their plans anyhow.
“Under the federal Land Policy and Management Act, the Interior Secretary can withdraw the lands for a maximum of 20 years, and that can be extended,” according to the Natural Gas Intelligence news release.

Read the rest here...