WA Legislature Done...Maybe

After passing a two year budget that makes a lot of painful cuts to the budget, most of the work of the WA Legislative Session is done this year. However, Governor Gregoire may call them back into session to deal with some bills that couldn't be finished by this weekend's deadline.

State Lawmakers May Go Into Special Session

Also, here is a listing of some of the key bills, besides the budget, that did pass.

Liz Cheney Tries to Defend Her Father's Role in Approving Torture

This was hard for me to watch without wanting to scream at her.

Just as a preview - she bases a lot of her argument on the contention that waterboarding and other techniques approved by our former Vice-President were not torture. Unbelievable!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

The Recession Hits WA State Budget Hard

Lawmakers in Olympia appear to be close to agreeing on a budget for our State for the next two years. It cuts deeply into programs that will impact many of us - including the Highline School District.

I hope to add more to this posting later, but here is the latest from the Seattle Times:
State budget slices billions, pain spread around | Seattle Times Newspaper

Justices Hear Arguments on Strip Search of a Minor in School

I've commented on this case before in this blog, and mentioned it as an example in class. Yesterday the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case. Here is a discussion of what went on there from the NewsHour on PBS:

Torture Memos - Obama's Controversial Decision

I wish I had time to comment in more detail, but for now, here are some links to the news regarding President Obama's decision which involved:

1. the release of previously classified documents and memos detailing the harsh interrogations (or torture if you see it that way) conducted by the C.I.A. during the Bush years; and
2. not prosecuting members of the CIA that were carrying out methods which the Bush White House deemed to be legal (but may in fact NOT have been legal).

This decision was a compromise, and a lot of people were unhappy that it didn't go farther in one direction than the other. Check out info in the following articles for details and let me know what you think about this:

Interrogation Memos Detail Harsh Tactics by the C.I.A. - NYTimes.com

Memo Says Prisoner Was Waterboarded 183 Times - NYTimes.com

Pressure Grows to Investigate Interrogations

"Day of Silence" for gay rights draws controversy

MRHS has had students participate in the "Day of Silence" for gay rights for many years now. Thankfully, it has never become an issue here - I think it is a very appropriate way to draw attention to the fact that many students that are gay often are the victims of harassment and must be "silent" or hide their sexual orientation.

Of course there are people that are still not accepting of gay rights, and one parent at Mt. Si High School has made this an issue in recent years. His story is below. For more on the National Day of Silence, click on this link.

Local News Activists oppose schools' "Day of Silence" for gay rights Seattle Times Newspaper

Another sad story in which anti-gay bullying played a role is recounted in this story:

11-Year-Old Hangs Himself after Enduring Daily Anti-Gay Bullying

A Right to Wear Sagging Pants???

A town in Florida recently passed an ordinance against the wearing of "sagging pants". Yes, the type I tell students to pull up from time to time at MRHS.

But that is an issue of a school dress code (and me not wanting to see anyone's underwear) on a school campus.

What about in public? That is the basis of a lawsuit playing itself out in Florida. Check out the article for details and give me your opinions.

Ban on Drooping Drawers Faces Legal Challenge

A similar ban exists in Flint, Michigan. Here is a drawing the police came up with to help people abide by the law:

Tax Day Protests

Tea Parties? Pirates? You will excuse me if I feel as though I'm in a time warp and I've been transported back in time to the 1770's.

Across the nation, on the day of the deadline to file tax returns with the federal government, "Tea Parties" were organized to protest taxes.

Mostly, these protesters were protesting the stimulus plan of the Obama administration as well as other budgetary and economic policies of the President. While I applaud anyone for exercising their political rights, I really didn't see the point of these "tea parties" which seemed pretty lame. The organizations supporting these tea parties complain about high taxes, but don't offer any practical solutions to the severe economic problems our nation is facing.

The simple fact is this: If people aren't spending money, banks aren't lending money, and businesses are cutting back on production, someone has to step in and fill the void or our economy will continue to spiral downward. Now is the right time for government spending to pick up the slack, and jump-start the economy on a road to recovery.

President Herbert Hoover tried doing little at the start of the Great Depression in the 1930's. It didn't work then, and it's not a good idea now.

Read up on the protests and let me know what you think. From the New York Times:

Tax Day Is Met With Tea Parties

From the Seattle Times: Despite "tea party" tempest, taxes down, dropping

Thousands in Puget Sound region protest government spending

Unemployment up in WA State

We all know the economy is in trouble, but new data out today confirms that lots of people here in our state have lost their jobs.

9.2% unemployment in state -- and expect worse
Washington's economy is deteriorating at a pace not seen since modern record-keeping began more than three decades ago, according to the latest state jobs report.

One of the questions many are asking is whether or not the Federal and State governments should be doing something more or something different in combating our economic problems.

What do you think?

Somali Pirate Update

The American ship captain that was being held hostage was freed after a successful mission by Navy SEALS, but the issue is still very much in the news. Here are some links to help you get caught up on this issue:

In Rescue of Captain, Navy Kills 3 Pirates

How Navy snipers saved captain
The lifeboat containing the tied-up U.S. ship captain and Somali pirates had been bobbing in the water for five days, stalked by a small...

Maersk Alabama crewmen describe how they outfoxed Somali pirates
The crew of 19 — hailing from India, Poland, Detroit — had joined wills to thwart the first attempted hijacking of an American vessel at sea in at least two centuries.

Afghanistan's women rights in danger

During the 1990's, and up until the invasion by U.S. and NATO forces, Afghanistan was under the rule of the Taliban, a political party that imposed a harsh form of fundamenatlist Islam on the nation.

It was a disaster for the rights of women, who were no longer allowed to work, attend school, or go out in public unless wearing a full burka. One of the postitive developments of the new government installed after the invasion was that many of the rights of women were restored.

But now....a new law was passed and signed by President Harmid Kharzai which will place new restrictions on women. Read on to discover what basic rights of women this law would infringe upon:

Afghan Women Protest New Law on Home Life

Opinion | Afghanistan's women again face Taliban oppression | Seattle Times Newspaper

On a related subject, because of the war and other harsh conditions, about 1 in 7 Afghan women are widows. Unfortunately, these widows are often denied basic human rights by a society that shuns them as outcasts.

Click on the following link to watch the video from the New York Times:

A Man's World

After three decades of war, Afghanistan is one of the world's widow capitals. They are ridiculed as prostitutes when they go shopping, and many are unable to rent their own homes.

What's the deal with pirates?

Read below to learn about this unusual situation that a U.S. merchant ship has been caught in.

Somali pirates hijack U.S. ship | Seattle Times Newspaper

Piracy: Somali path to power, prosperity

For young Somalis, piracy offers a life of adventure and money: At sea, they are armed with automatic weapons, rockets and grenades. On land, they are a cross between a town official and a gangster rapper — with grand houses, luxury cars and beautiful wives.

The Issue of Immigration in Washington State

From today's Seattle Times:

Report disputes immigrants' drain on state and local economies | Seattle Times Newspaper

Obama makes trip to Iraq

President Obama made a trip to Iraq this week. See the following link for some details:

In Iraq, Obama underscores support for troops | csmonitor.com

Recent Deadly Shootings

What do you think about the issues of gun control vs. the right to bear arms? Do you think more restrictions on guns would help prevent the kind of tragedies our nation witnessed in the past week?

In recent rampages, killers had permits for guns
Despite eight rampages that have killed 57 people in a month, state gun-control laws appear to be easing — not getting tougher.

Obama Speaks Out Against Nukes as N. Korea Fires Missle

North Korea defied a ban on a missile launch yesterday, upsetting many in East Asia and around the world. Why did N. Korea take this action? Most likely to demonstrate that they are a player in world affairs and must be taken seriously. But this strategy isn't making them any friends. You can read about it here and/or check out some video.

First a background report, then some remarks on nuclear weapons from President Obama who condemned the N. Korean launch.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

From a speech in Prague:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Gay Marriage to Become Legal in Iowa

I was taken by surprise by this news, and as a supporter of gay marriage, I'm happy to read that the unanimous verdict by the Iowa State Supreme Court included the following:

“We are firmly convinced the exclusion of gay and lesbian people from the institution of civil marriage does not substantially further any important governmental objective....We have a constitutional duty to ensure equal protection of the law.”

The Court based it's decision on the following clause of the Iowa Constitution:

All laws of a general nature shall have a uniform operation; the general assembly shall not grant to any citizen or class of citizens, privileges or immunities, which, upon the same terms shall not equally belong to all citizens.

You can read the news story here: Iowa Court Voids Gay Marriage Ban - NYTimes.com

Some basic Q & A about the ruling and what may happen next can be found at http://civilliberty.about.com/od/gendersexuality/tp/Iowa-Same-Sex-Marriage-Ruling.htm