As long as Bush and Cheney are handing out corporate welfare to their petroleum, steel and textile industry buddies, they should broaden their sites. I understand that at some level the GOP really believes that the U.S. is better off paying to keep jobs in corporations that are either struggling against foreign competition or trying to keep their retail prices at 25% the rest of the world’s, but an investment in education is just as vital to the economy — short term and long term.

Layoffs were approved at a vote of 4 to 3 at Tuesday night’s school board meeting in Iowa. Cutting Mondays from the school calendar is an idea being used in Kentucky. Eliminating 12th grade is being considered in Colorado. All of these articles mention one signicant item: reduced hours for temporary workers will contribute to budget savings. This means fewer substitute and part-time teachers, mainly. Several of them also mention that they’ll have to wait to see how it affects the children’s education.

These news items should be alarming, but I guess it depends on what “no child left behind” means.

This article from the Stateman is probably only of local interest, but I thought I’d post it since we have a couple of cabbies on the porch.

Caught the Kennedys programme on PBS’ American Experience last night, which proved to be more than just a routine history refresher. It neatly coincided with this article over at Salon I read yesterday (if link no worky, it’s in News & Politics, titled “Welcome to Vietnam, Mr. President”). How? Well I’m so glad you asked.

A raid on Michael Jackson’s ranch was prompted by molestation allegations from a 12 year old boy. While that is not funny — at all — I had to give you this quote:

“The charges will be simple,” Dimond told CNN’s Larry King last night. “Penal code 288, child molesting.”

Hee-hee! She said “penal”!

What’s the difference between Michael Jackson and Elvis?

Today the finalist for the WTC Memorial were revealed. I have my favorite, but am interested in hearing the opinions of everyone on the porch who, thank God, are not architects.

The energy bill passed the House, despite a provision protecting the manufacturers and users of MTBE from litigation with one exception.

…the bill’s fate in the Senate could be complicated by a brouhaha over a gasoline additive, MTBE, that has been found to contaminate drinking water in at least 28 states. The bill would shield MTBE makers of liability in lawsuits unless they are found to be negligent in the handling of the product.

…[Tom] DeLay, R-Texas, had insisted the liability protection be part of the bill.

Sometimes I am so proud of my federal representatives, I could cry. I think Congress should extend this legislation to the makers of crack-cocaine and car bombs over a certain mega-ton rating — as long as they didn’t mishandle it, they should be exempt from litigation.

I’m repeating myself, but I still don’t understand why the oil, gas and electricity industries need the hand-outs included in this $32B (maybe more) bill. I thought one of the standards of the GOP was anti-welfare. Why does Exxon need money to expand their business? If they aren’t making enough, they should either go out of business or increase their prices.