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Comments

1. #1
   On May 6th, 2009 at 10:13 am, JDinTX said:

   Great job L.A. No wonder California has so many problems.

2. #2
   On May 6th, 2009 at 10:20 am, jangar said:

   Just like UAW rules. Both industries are bankrupt, and the common denominator is government regulations.

3. #3
   On May 6th, 2009 at 10:27 am, wrcnossen said:

   How did this guy get hired in the first place? The school district pays him and the $14 per hour aid? That is so economically stupid, it is beyond any reason.

   No one has a right to a job. No one has the right to be paid for doing nothing. Break the union, no matter how long the strike lasts. No tenure. I have never seen a teacher’s union work for anyone but themselves, like pigs at the tax trough.

4. #4
   On May 6th, 2009 at 10:30 am, FruNobulux said:

   What’s new? My wife looked after a quadriplegic boy in the public school system. Many of the teachers didn’t teach. Now, in fairness to the teachers, the classrooms were bedlam and the teachers were powerless to do anything about it, so it may not always have been their fault.

5. #5
   On May 6th, 2009 at 10:32 am, verogolfer said:

   Wait,this might be a good idea. Can we pay our Congressmen NOT to pass laws. If we pay them to stay home and do nothing, a lot of problems will be solved.

6. #6
   On May 6th, 2009 at 10:33 am, hawkeye54 said:

   the common denominator is government regulations.

   Add to that unions which wield too much power and want to keep it that way. The unions basic interest is themsselves – collecting dues from its members to lavish on union leadership and buy off politicians. To make sure it keeps money rolling in, its made estremely difficult to fire ineffective and bad union members.

7. #7
   On May 6th, 2009 at 10:35 am, hawkeye54 said:

   Can we pay our Congressmen NOT to pass laws.

   Well, yes its possible. We’d just have to come up consistantly with more money that unions, big business and lawyers.

   That’s a huge challenge.

8. #8
   On May 6th, 2009 at 10:38 am, On-my-soap-box said:

   Paying people not to work? Go figure.

   Let’s see:

   I work 2 jobs
   Pay my taxes
   Pay on 2 mortgages
   Pay my car payments

   …and I call lgm an idiot! Why can’t I just be a liberal and give it all up?

9. #9
   On May 6th, 2009 at 10:39 am, BlameAmericaLast said:

   And people wonder why CA is bankrupt? Figuratively and literally?

10. #10
    On May 6th, 2009 at 10:41 am, RedDog said:

    Remember the “rubber rooms” of New York City? They are even worse. Government schools.

    Government seems to be at the epicenter of all our problems these days. Go figure.

11. #11
    On May 6th, 2009 at 10:43 am, hawkeye54 said:

    And people wonder why CA is bankrupt?

    I know exactly why, and look forward to to the day I when I retire ( If I survive the next 6 years) and see KaliforniaSSR in my rear view mirror.

    Alas, too many people are clueless, and that alone should disqualify them from voting.

12. #12
    On May 6th, 2009 at 10:47 am, RedDog said:

    On May 6th, 2009 at 10:32 am, verogolfer said:
    Wait,this might be a good idea. Can we pay our Congressmen NOT to pass laws. If we pay them to stay home and do nothing, a lot of problems will be solved.

    My solution to all our present economic crises is to furlough Congress for two years at least, roll back their last 6 months legislation, then return them with new constitutional restraints to keep them in a sand box where they can do as little damage as possible. Criminally incompetent politicos cannot be tolerated any longer.

13. #13
    On May 6th, 2009 at 10:47 am, zyzzyg said:

    Seven years?! Seven years to reach a conclusion to whether a teacher harassed a student?

    ‘Housing’ teachers until their cases are resolved is not the issue, the problem is why is it taking so long to resolve the case?

    I suspect there is more going on here that is not being made public. I would like to know if this teacher is being ‘housed’ because the District does not want him in the classroom for any number of reasons, and not because of a harassment charge.

14. #14
    On May 6th, 2009 at 10:48 am, old trooper said:

    Fire them All.

15. #15
    On May 6th, 2009 at 10:48 am, greasywrench said:

    None of this surprises me. My daughter is a graduate of a L.A.U.S.D. School. Around 1998/1999 she took a computer course/lab at San Pedro High School that was equipped with……no computers. And at course completion – she recieved a passing grade. The class consisted of students mainly sitting around and shooting the breeze.

    I was a student at San Pedro High School in 1970 when the BIG strike took place in the Spring. This was the strike that cemented UTLA as the bargaining agent for all LAUSD teachers. Even as a sixteen-year old student it was obvious how much damage the Union was doing to the school system and how they were hated by many of the teachers who were coerced into joining. Now we have/see its (UTLA) legacy in full bloom.

16. #16
    On May 6th, 2009 at 10:49 am, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    Unions were needed once, about a century ago.

    Not any longer.

    Why would we denigrate [teachers] by forcing them to do something they’re not supposed to do?” said A. J. Duffy, who is now president of UTLA, adding that housed teachers are entitled to a presumption of innocence.

17. #17
    On May 6th, 2009 at 10:54 am, On-my-soap-box said:

    On May 6th, 2009 at 10:32 am, verogolfer said:
    Wait,this might be a good idea. Can we pay our Congressmen NOT to pass laws. If we pay them to stay home and do nothing, a lot of problems will be solved.

    I believe we already do!

    SEE

18. #18
    On May 6th, 2009 at 10:56 am, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    Sort of OT, except the unions are protected…

    Obama’s plan for GM wipes out current stockholders, makes US majority stock owner

    ht: Rayra at Gulf Coast Pundit

    Posted by Tyler Durden at 7:34 PM
    In a filing today with the SEC, GM announced that it would issue 60 billion new shares, in order to “pay off” debts to the government, its bondholders and the UAW. And since the government would end up being the majority owner, only the approval of the US Treasury would be needed (talk about a gating factor).

    As a result of the flood of new shares, existing shareholders, much as previously expected, would end up owning 1% of the pro forma equity, and assuming straight mathematic dilution, the shares which closed at $1.85 would be worth a little over 1 cent.

    Specifically, the actions contemplated by the filing are as follows:

    Increase the number of authorized shares of GM common stock to 62 billion shares;
    Reduce the par value of GM common stock from $1 2/3 per share to $0.01 per share; and
    Effect a 1-for-100 reverse stock split of GM common stock, whereby each 100 shares of GM common stock registered in the name of a stockholder at the effective time of the reverse stock split will be converted into one share of GM common stock.
    So much for all mom and pops who bought GM stock today hoping the rolling squeezes would raise it to $10/share before it crumbled to 0… well, actually that may very well happen: no clue yet how “liquidity providers” decided to spin this from a megasqueeze point of view.

    Debtors and stockholders are completely screwed, but government and labor will run GM, ie, pure fascism from Il Duce Obama.

19. #19
    On May 6th, 2009 at 10:57 am, spaceycakes said:

    I have bile rise when I read two words: ‘educators’ and ‘union’.

    Together in the same story, I just projectile vomited with rage all over my monitors.

20. #20
    On May 6th, 2009 at 10:58 am, Flyoverman said:

    To their credit, a few years ago, ABC did a special on the NYC Schools and showed this building they called “The Rubber Room,” where I cannot recall how many teachers were warehoused away from students at a cost of $12 million per year.

    The teachers were not allowed in the classroom, but but due to the NEA contract they had to be allowed to work.

    ABC reported how it took two full years to get a teacher dismissed for sexual misconduct even though the physical evidence was overwhelming.

21. #21
    On May 6th, 2009 at 10:58 am, John Deaux said:

    Paying teachers not to teach

    Given what some of them have been “teaching” kids, this might be a good thing.

22. #22
    On May 6th, 2009 at 11:01 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

    In other news, Arnold comtemplating the decriminalization of marijuana.
    See, everything will be okay. Smoke more dope and these issues with education or lack thereof, will just simply vanish in the haze.

23. #23
    On May 6th, 2009 at 11:03 am, ajmontana said:

    There is nothing rong witf kaliforniyas ejukasion sistum.

24. #24
    On May 6th, 2009 at 11:07 am, BlameAmericaLast said:

    On May 6th, 2009 at 10:48 am, old trooper said:

    Fire them All.

    We can’t. It’s against the union contracts that are written in stone. Impossible to fire anyone here. Including the legislature. The single digit IQ folks keep voting them in.

25. #25
    On May 6th, 2009 at 11:10 am, tre said:

    On May 6th, 2009 at 10:38 am, On-my-soap-box said:
    Why can’t I just be a liberal and give it all up?

    Because, Soap, you have a sense of right-and-wrong, and a desire to EARN your pay.

    I hope those hard-working chemists and pharmacists working for drug companies develop a cure for it soon. We’ll need it if we want to live under Duh One and still be able to look at ourselves in the mirror.

26. #26
    On May 6th, 2009 at 11:14 am, Pasadena Phil said:

    If only this was a major problem. It isn’t. It is one of many problems of which it is not even close to being the worst. There is a fantastic website called “Pension Tsumami” that does a great job reporting on this.

    One of their major finds is that the new CA budget process didn’t even allow the subject of unfunded state pension obligations (the ticking nuclear bomb) to be discussed or mentioned.

    That is the point that most distresses me about our economic problems and our government’s opportunistic strategy: nothing is getting fixed. It’s all just one big power grab for the government while looting those of us in the private sector who played by the rules.

27. #27
    On May 6th, 2009 at 11:18 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

    On May 6th, 2009 at 11:10 am, tre said:
    On May 6th, 2009 at 10:38 am, On-my-soap-box said:
    Why can’t I just be a liberal and give it all up?

    Because you may have something called integrity. But, once you lose it, the rest is a piece of cake! (see congress)

28. #28
    On May 6th, 2009 at 11:20 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    Given what some of them have been “teaching” kids, this might be a good thing.

    But John how will “Our Children” learn Safe Sex and the Joys of a Little Recreational Homosexuality”?

    ajmontana said:

    There is nothing rong witf kaliforniyas ejukasion sistum.

    Sadly that is more true than funny-but it is funny. Will they have to drop Advanced Eubonics? Applying for Aid to Dependent Children and cut back on the prenatal care for Middle School?

    My sister quit teaching after two years–the Urge to Strangle was causing stress. My brother-in-law wears a leather collar to this day whenever someone mentions Teachers-Unions-Self Esteem. Now my brother-in-law is a brave man but we all have our limits

29. #29
    On May 6th, 2009 at 11:22 am, hawkeye54 said:

    The single digit IQ folks keep voting them in.

    I’ve come to the conclusion that there is such a thing as negative IQ. Voters here in California, and PA apparently, seem to keep proving it to me.

30. #30
    On May 6th, 2009 at 11:31 am, Send_Me said:

    Why are “conservatives” so unwilling to remove their children from state-run education?
    A. It indoctrinates children with a secular humanist ideology.
    B. It’s unconstitutional.
    C. Are “conservative” parents merely admitting that they couldn’t do better themselves? I’ve never heard of someone rejecting a job promotion because it was too hard, yet folks seem comfortable with leaving education to the “professionals”.
    D. Imagine the impact if every “conservative” removed their kids from public schools and those without kids helped single parents make ends meet so they could homeschool their children. (I know, I’m talking about something as radical as Christians taking care of the fatherless.)

31. #31
    On May 6th, 2009 at 11:32 am, pressto said:

    No surprise and I bet if you added up all of these cases across that state people would be shocked.

32. #32
    On May 6th, 2009 at 11:34 am, malkin_fan said:

    The nerve of them.

    Who do they think they are…..

    …The UAW????????

33. #33
    On May 6th, 2009 at 11:38 am, Jeff2161 said:

    In Michigan a few years ago, A teacher killed his wife while she was standing at the bus-stop with their kids. He was given Life without Parole but, apparently; the School District did not fire him correctly, per contract. He ended up with some $300,000 back-pay for it. Since he was serving Life without Parole; it would have been cheaper to put him on leave of absence (unpaid) but, I’m sure he would have kept pension rights etc…

34. #34
    On May 6th, 2009 at 11:40 am, Jeff2161 said:

    Tenure is an outdated concept for Public schools since, they should not need protection from ” political ” interference in their duties. IMO, it’s barely logical for colleges.

35. #35
    On May 6th, 2009 at 12:13 pm, right_on said:

    Paying teachers not to teach

    This is a no-brainer. One need only look at California’s student test scores. Going through the motions, is not teaching.

    The liberal teachers union philosophy of “dumbing down” future voters, has proven to be a rousing success. The brainwashed idiots produced by the So. Calif. school systems insure the election and re-election of progressive candidates in perpetuity.

    It’s not the kids’ fault…blame these over-paid ideologues (who, by the way, go on strike every two years, claiming compensation inequity) who dole out their party and union’s propaganda, reinforcing their notions of population bifurcation, anti-Americanism, anti-Caucasianism, and class warfare nonsense.

    Put it all together, and what do you get? A diseased, mentally and ethically challenged majority which is steering the State of California into moral and financial bankruptcy.

    If this wasn’t bad enough, the progressives are spreading this plan to the rest of America, with Congressional and Presidential assistance and blessings.

36. #36
    On May 6th, 2009 at 12:28 pm, Jeff2161 said:

    The end of States rights…UPI reports that federal funding is greatest source of money to states this year. With a FEW tiny strings attached.

    http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2009/05/05/Federal-grants-surpass-state-tax-revenues/UPI-87231241545752/

37. #37
    On May 6th, 2009 at 12:50 pm, md1964 said:

    You cut that out, and end the Freebies and handouts to illegal aliens… and California would be swimming in Surplus cash.

38. #38
    On May 6th, 2009 at 12:59 pm, right_on said:

    You cut that out, and end the Freebies and handouts to illegal aliens… and California would be swimming in Surplus cash.

    Not as long as Democrats hold the purse strings. There is never a liberal cause that they won’t go into hock to fund.

    “Savings? But, but, that money’s just sitting there! There’s so much that we could do with that money!” (Lots of added whining, and pouty lips in discussion!)

39. #39
    On May 6th, 2009 at 1:34 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Debtors and stockholders are completely screwed, but government and labor will run GM

    This is easy. Don’t buy GM…

    As for teachers, home school. I know, not as easy.

40. #40
    On May 6th, 2009 at 1:37 pm, rambler said:

    I see little difference between paying teachers not to teach and paying the stupid to stand in front of students pretending to teach – both are a waste of taxpayer money. If I were a public school student these days, I’d quit, get my GED and go to a Jr college.

41. #41
    On May 6th, 2009 at 2:02 pm, chapoutier said:

    As for teachers, home school. I know, not as easy.

    If you want to pull your kids out of public school, but can’t home school, I would be willing to teach your kids for a small fee. I can’t promise they will learn anything about math or science. But they will come out knowing the difference between a Highland and an Islay single malt.

42. #42
    On May 6th, 2009 at 2:15 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    I can’t promise they will learn anything about math or science. But they will come out knowing the difference between a Highland and an Islay single malt.

    As long as you feed them haggis for lunch, the wee bairns will be just fine…

43. #43
    On May 6th, 2009 at 2:20 pm, Ragspierre said:

    I can’t promise they will learn anything about math or science. But they will come out knowing the difference between a Highland and an Islay single malt.

    Invaluable.

44. #44
    On May 6th, 2009 at 2:25 pm, chapoutier said:

    Invaluable.

    Advanced students can take an elective course in New World Sauvignon Blancs.

45. #45
    On May 6th, 2009 at 2:39 pm, Ragspierre said:

    IF you offered course-work in Malbecs, Cabs, and Merlots AND cigar history, culture, and appreciation…

    you’d be covered up in applications.

    Of course, you’d immediately be the target of a new tax…

46. #46
    On May 6th, 2009 at 2:46 pm, chapoutier said:

    Merlots

    With the exception of right bank Bordeaux, merlot is for pimps and housewives.

47. #47
    On May 6th, 2009 at 2:53 pm, RabbidSquirrel said:

    Keep our fingers crossed. Maybe the government can come through with a Paying-Students-Not-To-Study program.

48. #48
    On May 6th, 2009 at 3:01 pm, chapoutier said:

    Keep our fingers crossed. Maybe the government can come through with a Paying-Students-Not-To-Study program.

    Its called an athletic scholarship.

49. #49
    On May 6th, 2009 at 3:04 pm, RabbidSquirrel said:

    merlot is for pimps and housewives.

    So then who is Malbec for? Pimps that wont smack-a-ho and Gauchos?

50. #50
    On May 6th, 2009 at 3:09 pm, RabbidSquirrel said:

    Its called an athletic scholarship.

    Those are private monies rather than public. But I see your point that Title IX could incorporate a funding amendment.

51. #51
    On May 6th, 2009 at 3:12 pm, rightisright said:

    Giverments and unions working hand in hand to move America in a more efficient and purposeful manner. /sar.

    Two main problems in America, unions and government.

52. #52
    On May 6th, 2009 at 3:36 pm, tre said:

    Chapoutier, looney, leftwing liberal teachers are the REASON to pull them out of public school in the first place. So we’re not gonna hire another one to home school them then.

53. #53
    On May 6th, 2009 at 3:38 pm, chapoutier said:

    Chapoutier, looney, leftwing liberal teachers are the REASON to pull them out of public school in the first place. So we’re not gonna hire another one to home school them then.

    Excuse me, but my theories on why Oregon Pinot Noir is superior to California’s are hardly leftwing or loony.

54. #54
    On May 6th, 2009 at 3:44 pm, John Deaux said:

    On May 6th, 2009 at 2:46 pm, chapoutier said:

    With the exception of right bank Bordeaux, merlot is for pimps and housewives.

    Then who’s Thunderbird Malt Liquor for?

55. #55
    On May 6th, 2009 at 3:50 pm, chapoutier said:

    Then who’s Thunderbird Malt Liquor for?

    Hipsters.

    Oh wait no. Thta’s Pabst Blue Ribbon.

56. #56
    On May 6th, 2009 at 4:16 pm, WarEagle82 said:

    Let’s see. I haven’t taught for the Los Angeles Unified School District for 36 years. I am going to write them and demand MY pay for NOT teaching!

    $68,000 * 36 years = Instant Retirement!

    I LOVE leftards!!!

57. #57
    On May 6th, 2009 at 4:19 pm, graysonret said:

    Aren’t many of the teachers in public schools, today, being paid not to teach anyway, for years? They collect paychecks, but they sure don’t teach. They just fake it. As long as they are “pc” and support the union, their jobs are safe.

58. #58
    On May 6th, 2009 at 5:11 pm, txvet2 said:

    On May 6th, 2009 at 2:46 pm, chapoutier said:

    Merlots

    With the exception of right bank Bordeaux, merlot is for pimps and housewives.

    I’m surprised you’d drink anything from the right bank.

59. #59
    On May 6th, 2009 at 5:15 pm, txvet2 said:

    On May 6th, 2009 at 3:38 pm, chapoutier said:

    I think I’ll stick to Ripple or Thunderbird. It’s nice and cheap and I won’t have to panhandle long to afford a bottle after the current clown class gets through destroying my retirement income.

60. #60
    On May 6th, 2009 at 5:16 pm, txvet2 said:

    On May 6th, 2009 at 4:16 pm, WarEagle82 said:

    That’s a great idea. I haven’t taught for 65 years. I should get my cut too.

61. #61
    On May 6th, 2009 at 5:25 pm, WarEagle82 said:

    txvet2,

    You can afford Ripple or Thunderbird? Your 401k must be doing better than mine.

62. #62
    On May 6th, 2009 at 5:47 pm, corona said:

    I probably have read the L.A. Times for more years than almost anyone else who has read this post. It’s not only leftist editorially, but culturally. That being said, this kind of reporting is why the demise of newspapers should not be celebrated, regardless of your political leaning.

63. #63
    On May 6th, 2009 at 6:34 pm, WarEagle82 said:

    Corona,

    Don’t tell me. You are also still in mourning over the demise of the village crier and court jester, eh?

    Time moves on. Does your TV still use rabbit ears?

64. #64
    On May 6th, 2009 at 10:20 pm, Papa Louie said:

    What a great idea! I bet we could save billions of dollars by paying members of Congress not to work. (If only we had ordered them to stay home a year ago, we would have saved trillions in bailout money.)

65. #65
    On May 7th, 2009 at 6:19 am, tpitman said:

    Last week, Kim was ordered to continue this daily routine at home. District officials said the offices for “housed” employees were becoming too crowded.

    So I guess he puts on his shirt and tie, goes downstairs and “clocks in” at 7:30, takes his 30 minute lunch on schedule, and “clocks out” at 2:30? Does he ever get “bus duty” and stand around in his driveway for awhile?

    Only in California . . .