by Rupe | Oct 9, 2005 | Not So Recent Reads
Author: Jonathan Kozol
Date: 09-Oct-05
Over the past several years, Jonathan Kozol has visited nearly 60 public schools. Virtually everywhere, he finds that conditions have grown worse for inner-city children in the 15 years since federal courts began dismantling the landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. First, a state of nearly absolute apartheid now prevails in thousands of our schools. The segregation of black children has reverted to a level that the nation has not seen since 1968. Few of the students in these schools know white children any longer. Second, a protomilitary form of discipline has now emerged, modeled on stick-and-carrot methods of behavioral control traditionally used in prisons but targeted exclusively at black and Hispanic children. And third, as high-stakes testing takes on pathological and punitive dimensions, liberal education in our inner-city schools has been increasingly replaced by culturally barren and robotic methods of instruction that would be rejected out of hand by schools that serve the mainstream of society.
My thoughts: Very disturbing book. Not surprising though. Having grown up in the city and going to the school in the Bronx, I have experienced first hand what Mr Kozol discribes in his book. This is a must read for anyone who cares about the future of this country.
by Rupe | Oct 8, 2005 | Real Estate
Most of my clients profit from selling their homes, and they often have questions about capital gains tax.
When you sell your primary residence, you are not taxed on your profits if (1) you have lived in the home for two of the last five years and (2) your gain does not exceed $250, 000 as a single taxpayer or $500,000 as a married couple filing jointly. Gains above the limt are taxed at the current rate of 15% for higher income taxpayers and 5% for lower income taxpayers. Whatever your age, you are free to invest all of your gain, or any part of it, or none of it at all in another home without further tax consequences. Homeowners can use this tax-free provision every two years. As set forth in the American Job Creation Act of 2004, properties converted from a 1031 exchange property into a primary residence must be held and used a as primary residence for at least five years to qualify for the tax exemption.
Consult your tax accountant for more detailed information regarding your particular circumstance.
This article was written by Carol Van Wagner of Ellison Realty.
by Rupe | Oct 8, 2005 | Mad Musings
Goddamit! my inside voice is gonna get my ass in trouble again. I am really not one to talk bad about (so called FAT) people, in fact I personally have a few fat friends (hmmm, where have I heard that before), but from time to time, you run in to an aaaghhhh! situation – you know what I mean, and your emotions just get the better of ya.
The fact of the matter is not that I inherently have neg feelings towards fat people, but I feel it towards their fatness. Some fat people have been fat for so long that they think it is normal. It is as though they have developed a fat personality. And boy when you develope that fat personality…..yo a** is done for.
My boy(Marcus) had a fat doctor. I kid you not …a friggin’ fat doctor. What the heck? What would be her advice to lowering blood pressure….hmmm….let me see. On top of that she had mad attitude. Can you believe that….fat with an arrogant attitude. It was like she remembered that she was a doctor, but forgot that she was fat. Had to straighten her out a couple times. Naw…I didn’t straight up tell her to watch her fatness, but a threw a few subtleties her way….nahmeean? In my book fat people have no say in certain things.
by Rupe | Sep 30, 2005 | philosophy-religion
Friend of mine sent me the following post in an email. Pretty interesting:
Charles Schultz Philosophy
The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the “Peanuts” comic strip. You don’t have to actually answer the questions. Just read the e-mail straight through, and you’ll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Acheivements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier?
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
by Rupe | Sep 30, 2005 | Military-Political
I came across the following post during my daily reading and found it pretty interesting. Not that I think the fellow being maligned is headed down the right track, but the self righteous admonition of some within ranks just chaps my hide. Here is an excerpt of the article at DefenseWatch:
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09.23.2005
Navy Coward or Conscientious Objector?
By Matthew Dodd
On September 23, 2005, a small, select group of U.S. Navy officers is scheduled to have an opportunity to help make a very important decision that will potentially affect the good order and discipline in the ranks of all our military Services. Specifically, these officers will recommend the type of administrative discharge to be given to a sailor who has claimed to be a conscientious objector to our ongoing global war on terrorism, and specifically our combat operations in Iraq.
On December 6, 2004, Navy Petty Officer Pablo Paredes showed up at the San Diego pier where his amphibious assault ship, the USS Bonhomme Richard, was scheduled to deploy to the Persian Gulf, in a black tee-shirt with white letters that read, “Like a Cabinet Member, I resign.” At Paredes’ request, there were many media representatives at the pier to report his actions.
R.: Pablo Paredes, Photo: Citizens for Pablo. 
Paredes refused to board the ship, thereby missing his scheduled six month deployment, which is a violation of Article 87 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): “Any person subject to this chapter who through neglect or design misses the movement of a ship, aircraft, or unit with which he is required in the course of duty to move shall be punished as a court martial may direct.”
Click to read the full article
