posted on October 31, 2000 09:25:35 PM new
Hi Chococake Looks like I was typing while you posted. If you check out the article I posted the info for I think it spells out Bushes plan and the pros and cons to it. I'm pro-Bush but I don't think this article is bias to him - trying to look at both sides.
I've got a girlfriend who lives in El Paso and she complains about the schools and the pollution level there also. One of the main problems that the schools in that area are trying to overcome is the large number of students that come across the border and are integrated into the school system. It's apparently a big problem to stay on top of the language gap. I can't point to anything that gives a definite answer to the added pollution in that area but I do wonder if part of it is because our bordering neighbor Mexico doesn't have the kind of restrictions on their companies that the U.S. has on pollutants? Just my guess.
posted on October 31, 2000 10:07:34 PM new
mybiddness LOL looks like our fingers are working at the same time tonight.
I'm sure the pollution from Mexico is a factor in El Paso. I thought maybe if I went during the winter it might help. But, that wasn't a good idea either. Found out they burn tires in Mexico for heat. Can you imagine that?
There is that huge refinery right off the main highway in El Paso. Whenever I know we have to go in that direction I bring a wet rag to put over my face. It helps a little.
posted on October 31, 2000 10:18:05 PM new
Bad joke eventer Bad Bad!!! LOL
My friend says that it seems worse in the winter. She has family in Mexico so she won't consider moving but I'm sure it must be effecting her health. It's probably a combination of the tires and the refineries.
posted on November 1, 2000 05:27:07 AM new
I have to chime in here on the education thing. (darn! I like the jokes better! )
Having lived in Arkansas and Tennessee when Clinton and Gore were the respective governors of those states, and having a child in school there, I can say unequivocably from experience, Tennesee had the worst schools that my child has attended--and believe me, there have been several states! (Nope, not military, DH just loves to move! Ack--but that is another story! ) And, they did not have the day laborers or first generation Americans that Texas has.
We also lived in New Mexico, where the schools have a similar situation regarding day laborers and first generation Americans whose first language is not English and it is a real problem to deal with in those schools. Frankly, New Mexico didn't deal with it very well and in speaking with our realtor who was a teacher in Dallas before to moving to NM about a year prior to the time that we moved there, it was her opinion that the New Mexico schools were much much better than the ones in Dallas. They were also considered much much better than the ones in L.A.
I can also agree with mybiddness about the air quality in Mexico. My brother lives near Mexico City and the air pollution there is horrendous! It is like breathing rocks or something! They do have a lot of health problems down there associated with the pollution.
posted on November 1, 2000 06:05:51 AM newHaving lived in Arkansas and Tennessee when Clinton and Gore were the respective governors of those states, and having a child in school there, I can say unequivocably from experience, Tennesee had the worst schools that my child has attended--and believe me, there have been several states! (Nope, not military, DH just loves to move! Ack--but that is another story! ) And, they did not have the day laborers or first generation Americans that Texas has.
Just a clarification. Gore never was the Governor of Tennessee. He was a Congessman and Senator (just prior to running for V.P.). But your assertions regarding education in Tennessee are right on the money.
posted on November 1, 2000 06:35:47 AM new
Boy, AW sure is loading slowly for me this morning.
Mybiddness - Reading your opening post on this thread today about the voting on 11-7 and 11-8 , made me think of something I wanted to ask other posters who live in (or have lived in) small towns or very rural areas.
This being our first time to vote in a national election, since moving to this small town (population 10,000 - mostly rural folks) we were surprised about something. We lived in California most of our lives and had always voted on the first Tuesday of Nov. for the national elections. We only had one election day, when all voters voted.
In our local newspaper here, everyday for the past week, they have been encouraging voters to come to city hall and vote while they're in town. So....vote early...not wait until 11-7. I'd never heard of voting early. Thought the whole USA voted, nationally, on the same day.
posted on November 1, 2000 06:47:18 AM neweventer: In Miami, it's not uncommon for the dead to rise from their graves to go fulfill their civic duty and vote.
posted on November 1, 2000 06:51:45 AM new
In Alabama, it's virtually a requirement. So glad to know my vote can live on long after I've gone to my grave.
posted on November 1, 2000 08:09:58 AM new
Linda K
I always try to vote early. I never vote a straight party ticket so I take a long time in the booth. I feel so guilty about taking a long when there is a line of people behind me waiting to vote.
Yesterday was the biggest crowd I have ever seen for early voting.
posted on November 1, 2000 08:32:32 AM new
Hi! Linda.
We live in a very small rural area. We have early voting. The reason is for those that have disabilities.
We as a family, will vote on 11/7. All voters with disabilities or Seior Citizens go to the head of the voting line even on 11/7.
Wish your son a very Happy Birthday Nov.10. (Marine Corp Birthday)!
tegan So you too do this in your town. I just never realized that it was done this way before. See, no matter how old I get, still new things to learn.
Fred - Always good to see you here, you are such a sweetheart. How's the shoulder doing? Rotater cup, wasn't it? Our son is doing well. He and his wife are loving Hawaii. They hike the mountains/volcanos with waterfalls that are around them on weekends, exploring all they can. Take care.
posted on November 1, 2000 09:08:40 AM new
From My Perspective - this one is a snap.
In the past 8 years in S. California under Federal efforts we now have lost much of the access to public lands and huge tracts of private lands have been placed under federal control as far as what landowners have to do to try to use their property.
Massive sections of the desert are now closed and off limits to access. "Monuments" are created with a stroke of a presidential pen. Access is blocked and the ordinary person denied the use of existing roads.
Roads are neglected and to maintain them is not allowed. When they become impassible, they are no longer "roads" "Roadless" areas then can be made into "Wilderness" areas and withdrawn from access.
Our local National Forest now requires a fee to enter - "Adventure Pass" they call it. They said that it would be a boon for the forest and would make the forest a better place. All that new money has resulted in many more rangers being out there in enforcement and giving tickets for not having an adventure pass. But the campgrounds are the same as in the 1980's. The road that I drove out on during the one time I bought one of the hateful things had not been touched in 20 years. The repairs that my friends and I made in 1982 were still there. BUT I did see 3 Ranger's in their trucks that glared at me and wanted to see my "pass" (to be on public land)
People that pull off the road to let their kids play in the snow now get 97 dollar tickets if they have not paid the fees.
Finally, my land is under hold for no less than 5 endangered species. It is a barren and plowed field - but I have to pay a huge fee and prove that no saltbush, crownscale, checkerspot butterfly, Gnatcatcher, or Kangaroo rat live here - or might live here - or have ever lived here before I build my house. (try proving this negative)
People that tried to disk firebreaks around their homes on their own land were threatened with jail as a fire approached less than 10 miles from here. "Because the K Rat might be hurt" - many homes were lost because of this.
This is madness. No more Gore
Public lands are being shut down and walled off to us all - and the Federal Government now holds private landowners up for ransom on their own property.
No More Gore - Keep public lands available to the public - Keep your own land and not have to get on your knees to the Feds for the right to build your own house on your own property.
Sorry for the rant - but Gore's policies make my skin crawl
posted on November 1, 2000 02:26:00 PM new
Hi Linda_K We have early voting here as well. I usually wait til the last minute though just in case something happens that changes my mind.
BTW, this years election is pretty much a done deal with Bush as the WINNER!!!!!
MSNBC reported their most RELIABLE predictor in this great story:
"GETZ, FOUNDER OF BuyCostumes.com, a Waukesha-based seller of costumes, said the winner of every presidential election for nearly three decades has been foretold by sales figures for rubber masks of the candidates. Based on the records since 1972, they have been right on every time,” said Getz, whose company has compiled sales totals from past election years from five mask manufacturers and 12 costume stores nationwide. And this Halloween season, sales of George W. Bush masks lead those of Al Gore masks 57 percent to 43 percent, according to BuyCostumes.com figures."
posted on November 1, 2000 02:45:06 PM new
mybiddness,
Now you tell me the secret. I have been going about it all wrong. I have been handing out Al Gore buttons and bumper stickers. I should have been handing out Al Gore masks...
BTW, I wear Al Gore and Hillary T-shirts and have Al Gore and Hillary signs up in my yard...
posted on November 1, 2000 03:11:36 PM new
LOL! There were more Bush Halloween masks sold than Gore because Bush is so much scarier than Gore!!! Isn't that what Halloween is all about? Being scared? [well, that and now stale Peeps - sorry Barry{knew you'd be a Gore man} Barris !] BBBBBBWwwwwwwaaaahhahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
)
) And, they did not have the day laborers or first generation Americans that Texas has.
