In The News.

[DevilDawg3097]

The media over here does not like to report anything of significance so here is an article. Lets see what you think.

Russia ends border dispute with China From correspondents in Moscow
October 14, 2008 09:02pm
Article from: Agence France

RUSSIA has ended a decades-old border dispute with China by giving it a stretch of river island territory in a ceremony symbolising the Cold War rivals' warming ties.

Chinese and Russian flags were raised and new border markers erected as part of the handover at China's far north-eastern tip near the Russian city of Khabarovsk, Interfax news agency reported.

A Russian border guard unit withdrew from what is now Chinese territory, leaving behind an empty headquarters and barracks buildings, Interfax said.

Under an agreement signed by the two countries' foreign ministers in July, Russia agreed to give up Tarabarov Island, known as Yinlong in Chinese, and half of Bolshoi Ussuriysky Island, called Heixiazi in Chinese.

"This event completes the delineation and the legal establishment of all parts of the Russian-Chinese border, which is over 4,300km long," Russia's foreign ministry said.

"The border issue, a historical legacy that had been left to Russia and China, has received its complete and final resolution."

Interfax said about 170 sq km of land were handed over of the islands along the Amur River border between Russia and China, which saw skirmishes during the Cold War.

After a bitter rift between the one-time communist allies in the 1960s, both nations deployed enormous tank armies along the border, raising the spectre of a vast land battle in the event of full-scale war.

Recently, however, Russia and China have drawn closer together, motivated by factors including a joint desire to promote economic growth and form a regional counterweight to the power of the United States.

 

[TNVIPER]

One day in the not to distant future we will be at war with both of them....Russia wants to regain her super-power status and China is rapidly going from 3rd world to high tech (with our help)...

 

[DevilDawg3097]

And some more bullshit thanks dems:


(CNN) -- Public school officials in Chicago, Illinois, are recommending approval of a "gay-friendly" high school because harassment and violence are causing gay students to skip class and drop out at alarming rates.


School officials say the proposed school would offer a welcoming, harassment-free environment for gay students.

1 of 2 The School for Social Justice Pride Campus, which officials say will not be exclusive to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, is aimed at being safe and welcoming for any student looking for another school option, said Josh Edelman, executive officer in the Chicago Public Schools' Office of New Schools.

"It is not going to be a 'gay high school,' but yes, in a way, it is meant to target kids who feel they have been victims of bullying for their sexual orientation or perceived orientation," Edelman said.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan announced his recommendation Wednesday. Officials said Pride Campus would be separate physically but be attached administratively to the School for Social Justice.

School officials said the standards and curriculum for the school would be in line with other schools in the district. The school would also offer counseling for students, though because of federal laws, officials cannot ask students about their sexual orientation. The curriculum would not rely on, but would incorporate lessons about, sexual identity in history and literature classes, officials said.

"It's about creating another option for kids," Edelman said. "When it comes down to it, though, it is all about having a choice and providing high-quality options for students, whether they are gay or not."

The school could be a lifeline for students who are struggling for academic success.
iReport.com: Are you in a similar situation? Share your story

Gay and lesbian students are three times more likely to miss school because they feel unsafe, according to a 2003 Chicago Public School District survey. And a study released Wednesday by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network showed similar trends across the country. Is this the best solution? »

The national study, which the group says is the most comprehensive report ever on the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students nationwide, found that 86.2 percent of those students reported being verbally harassed, 44.1 percent physically harassed and 22.1 percent physically assaulted at school in the past year because of their sexual orientation.

This harassment, the study concludes, has affected students' ability to achieve success in school, causing their grade-point level to be, on average, half a point lower than that of heterosexual students nationwide.

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Dropout levels are higher among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students because of more frequent truancy, the study found. Almost 32 percent of those students missed a class because of feeling unsafe, compared with only 5.5 percent of heterosexual students nationwide, the study said.

Truancy and lower grades aren't the only repercussions of anti-gay sentiments in schools, said Kevin Jennings, the founder and executive director of GLSEN. He cited the killing of Lawrence King, a 15-year-old student shot by a classmate in Oxnard, California, in February after King asked to be his valentine.

Jennings said the repercussions of harassment alone underscore the need for Pride Campus.

"If we keep doing nothing, we are going to keep getting these horrifying levels of harassment, greater rates of skipping, not going to college and more tragic violence like the murder of Lawrence King," he said. "Those are our choices. We can continue to do nothing, and we know the results, or we can save young people's lives and offer them an education and a future."

A similar school in New York, the Harvey Milk High School in the East Village, was created because of similar fears.

The school, which had been around since 1985, serving gay and lesbian students, expanded to a "gay-themed" school for 100 students in 2003. The Pride Campus is expected to serve 600 students, school officials said.

Harvey Milk High School, like the Pride Campus, is open to all students regardless of sexual orientation. But unlike the proposed school in Chicago, Harvey Milk requires its attendees to be at risk of dropping out because of harassment.

Harvey Milk boasts a graduation rate of 95 percent of its students -- all of whom were at risk of or had dropped out -- well above the city average of 52 percent.

When the school opened its doors, protesters, led by anti-gay Kansas minister Fred Phelps, screamed at supporters gathered outside to repent for their "sodomite behavior."

Edelman said that while some concerns have been raised about Pride Campus at community meetings, officials have not heard any large-scale opposition.

One Chicago resident said at a meeting that he could not support the school because of his religious beliefs, Edelman said. Others told local media they didn't support the use of public money to create the school. Some thought that if gay students went to the Pride Campus, students in other schools would not learn to accept the gay community. Instead, they suggested, the focus should be working toward acceptance in all schools.

"Absolutely, we should work for [acceptance] across the board," said Jennings, the GLSEN executive director. "But it's not going to change overnight, and in the meantime, these kids aren't going to graduate."

Jennings said that GLSEN research shows acceptance among peers is helped by having a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender support group at school.

The most important factor, according to the GLSEN study, is the existence of a state law that protects students from harassment based on their sexual orientation.

Thirty-nine states, including Illinois and New York, do not have laws offering that specific protection, Jennings said citing the GLSEN study. Some have laws, but they don't specify on what basis the protections apply, which Jennings said was essentially as effective as having no law at all. California, Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin are the only states with specific sexual orientation protections for students.

The Chicago School Board will vote October 22 to approve the School for Social Justice Pride Campus in addition to 17 other proposed schools.


As far as Jennings is concerned, the school board's choice is an easy one.

"The choice they are making is not should we have this kind of school," he said. "The question is 'Are we going to do anything we can to get these kids an education?' And there's only one right answer -- yes

 

[Prof]

China is the 900 lb gorilla on the not too distant horizon. Russia recognizes the fact and is trying to align with it to create an alliance that will be difficult to combat. We are also try in hundreds of ways to get closer to China because of their emerging society. We are already deeply in debt to them, they are becoming a major source of imports and a huge consumer market for our goods. We better find a way to get along...they are unbeatable in a ground conflict and will soon be technologically equal if not superior.

 

[Prof]

And some more bullshit thanks dems:


(CNN) -- Public school officials in Chicago, Illinois, are recommending approval of a "gay-friendly" high school because harassment and violence are causing gay students to skip class and drop out at alarming rates.


School officials say the proposed school would offer a welcoming, harassment-free environment for gay students.

1 of 2 The School for Social Justice Pride Campus, which officials say will not be exclusive to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, is aimed at being safe and welcoming for any student looking for another school option, said Josh Edelman, executive officer in the Chicago Public Schools' Office of New Schools.

"It is not going to be a 'gay high school,' but yes, in a way, it is meant to target kids who feel they have been victims of bullying for their sexual orientation or perceived orientation," Edelman said.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan announced his recommendation Wednesday. Officials said Pride Campus would be separate physically but be attached administratively to the School for Social Justice.

School officials said the standards and curriculum for the school would be in line with other schools in the district. The school would also offer counseling for students, though because of federal laws, officials cannot ask students about their sexual orientation. The curriculum would not rely on, but would incorporate lessons about, sexual identity in history and literature classes, officials said.

"It's about creating another option for kids," Edelman said. "When it comes down to it, though, it is all about having a choice and providing high-quality options for students, whether they are gay or not."

The school could be a lifeline for students who are struggling for academic success.
iReport.com: Are you in a similar situation? Share your story

Gay and lesbian students are three times more likely to miss school because they feel unsafe, according to a 2003 Chicago Public School District survey. And a study released Wednesday by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network showed similar trends across the country. Is this the best solution? »

The national study, which the group says is the most comprehensive report ever on the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students nationwide, found that 86.2 percent of those students reported being verbally harassed, 44.1 percent physically harassed and 22.1 percent physically assaulted at school in the past year because of their sexual orientation.

This harassment, the study concludes, has affected students' ability to achieve success in school, causing their grade-point level to be, on average, half a point lower than that of heterosexual students nationwide.

Don't Miss
In Hollywood, sexuality is less secret, still can be big deal
Actor: More positive portrayals of gays, lesbians needed
Dropout levels are higher among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students because of more frequent truancy, the study found. Almost 32 percent of those students missed a class because of feeling unsafe, compared with only 5.5 percent of heterosexual students nationwide, the study said.

Truancy and lower grades aren't the only repercussions of anti-gay sentiments in schools, said Kevin Jennings, the founder and executive director of GLSEN. He cited the killing of Lawrence King, a 15-year-old student shot by a classmate in Oxnard, California, in February after King asked to be his valentine.

Jennings said the repercussions of harassment alone underscore the need for Pride Campus.

"If we keep doing nothing, we are going to keep getting these horrifying levels of harassment, greater rates of skipping, not going to college and more tragic violence like the murder of Lawrence King," he said. "Those are our choices. We can continue to do nothing, and we know the results, or we can save young people's lives and offer them an education and a future."

A similar school in New York, the Harvey Milk High School in the East Village, was created because of similar fears.

The school, which had been around since 1985, serving gay and lesbian students, expanded to a "gay-themed" school for 100 students in 2003. The Pride Campus is expected to serve 600 students, school officials said.

Harvey Milk High School, like the Pride Campus, is open to all students regardless of sexual orientation. But unlike the proposed school in Chicago, Harvey Milk requires its attendees to be at risk of dropping out because of harassment.

Harvey Milk boasts a graduation rate of 95 percent of its students -- all of whom were at risk of or had dropped out -- well above the city average of 52 percent.

When the school opened its doors, protesters, led by anti-gay Kansas minister Fred Phelps, screamed at supporters gathered outside to repent for their "sodomite behavior."

Edelman said that while some concerns have been raised about Pride Campus at community meetings, officials have not heard any large-scale opposition.

One Chicago resident said at a meeting that he could not support the school because of his religious beliefs, Edelman said. Others told local media they didn't support the use of public money to create the school. Some thought that if gay students went to the Pride Campus, students in other schools would not learn to accept the gay community. Instead, they suggested, the focus should be working toward acceptance in all schools.

"Absolutely, we should work for [acceptance] across the board," said Jennings, the GLSEN executive director. "But it's not going to change overnight, and in the meantime, these kids aren't going to graduate."

Jennings said that GLSEN research shows acceptance among peers is helped by having a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender support group at school.

The most important factor, according to the GLSEN study, is the existence of a state law that protects students from harassment based on their sexual orientation.

Thirty-nine states, including Illinois and New York, do not have laws offering that specific protection, Jennings said citing the GLSEN study. Some have laws, but they don't specify on what basis the protections apply, which Jennings said was essentially as effective as having no law at all. California, Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin are the only states with specific sexual orientation protections for students.

The Chicago School Board will vote October 22 to approve the School for Social Justice Pride Campus in addition to 17 other proposed schools.


As far as Jennings is concerned, the school board's choice is an easy one.

"The choice they are making is not should we have this kind of school," he said. "The question is 'Are we going to do anything we can to get these kids an education?' And there's only one right answer -- yes

Your comment smacks of homophobia. 11% of humanity is homosexual (Except in Iran... ) better get used to this minority, the issue is at what point do we stop considering a group of people a minority cohort. Under the concept of creating special provisions for specific groups...maybe the children of mechanics will have a school for their kids in the future in which no one will be allowed to comment on the grease under the finger nails of their parents.

If your child was being harassed at school you also would want a solution...maybe not this one...but a solution.

 

[DevilDawg3097]

Your comment smacks of homophobia. 11% of humanity is homosexual (Except in Iran... ) better get used to this minority, the issue is at what point do we stop considering a group of people a minority cohort. Under the concept of creating special provisions for specific groups...maybe the children of mechanics will have a school for their kids in the future in which no one will be allowed to comment on the grease under the finger nails of their parents.

If your child was being harassed at school you also would want a solution...maybe not this one...but a solution.

I don't care about homosexuals, I just don't believe they desrve a school of there own, thats the BS and who gets stuck footing the bill. They can smoke whatever pole they want. The reason they stated is bullshit kids other than gays get bullied and ridiculed everyday, shouldn't they get there own schools. The homo shit it getting ridiculous. Also when you assume you Make an ASS out of your self. :thefinger:

 

[Prof]

In your own mind you are right.

 

[ChrisAZ]

I don't care about homosexuals, I just don't believe they desrve a school of there own, thats the BS and who gets stuck footing the bill. They can smoke whatever pole they want. The reason they stated is bullshit kids other than gays get bullied and ridiculed everyday, shouldn't they get there own schools. The homo shit it getting ridiculous. Also when you assume you Make an ASS out of your self. :thefinger:

You seem to be conflicted internally. It's okay, admit it, you're a homophobe.

 

[DevilDawg3097]

You seem to be conflicted internally. It's okay, admit it, you're a homophobe.

Why becuase I prefer not to be politically correct, Just because it is something I don't believe in is not gonna make me change my mind about it call me homophob call me tinkerbell I really can careless. Also I fear nothing, they point I was getting at before the liberal bs came out (get it )Why the hell should we have to build a seperate school for them or are you one of those moronic liberals where every child is a winnner bs. We don't have to worry losing this country in a war we have to worry about all the sisyfied political correctness bleeding heart liberals to give it away because they feel bad about what someone else did bs. If they get there own school how about nerds who get beat up for being smart, or the smelly kid school for kids who don't like the shower or better yet a school for fat lazy spoiled ungrateful little prick who doesn;t want to do homework. Oh yeah thats already starting to happen, since when do children dictat to adults. Wake up sheeple and grab ahold because someone has em and it ain't you. Homophob please If I was gay Id do matthew mccauneghy (s/p):thefinger: :thefinger:

 

[Prof]

Me thinks he protesteth too much...it is easy to point fingers...it is much harder to make your own case in positive terms...its easy to tear down the opposition how about being an advocate for your own position instead?

Do you understand that there is some wisdom in a two party system?

 

[DevilDawg3097]

Do you understand that there is some wisdom in a two party system?[/QUOTE]
Yes i do if the parties can actually be what they say they are Repubs have become democrats democrats have become sociallist and the independent party is not strong enough but they are what the repubs used to be.
I just do not see the change everyone thinks that is comming. Also that is the other problem, it is just a 2 party system kinda makes corruption easier it should be a 50 party system, harder to put that many people in the pocket and when one party controls both the house and senate regardless of presidential veto which ultimately can get voted down. Politics have become, what can I get for myself not what can I do for the people(and dems are the perfect example of pork barrell spending. Please.:marchmellow:
When the blind lead the blind they fall into a pit.:bootyshake:

 

[Prof]

Yes i do if the parties can actually be what they say they are Repubs have become democrats democrats have become sociallist and the independent party is not strong enough but they are what the repubs used to be...

...just a 2 party system kinda makes corruption easier it should be a 50 party system, harder to put that many people in the pocket and when one party controls both the house and senate regardless of presidential veto which ultimately can get voted down. Politics have become, what can I get for myself not what can I do for the people (and dems are the perfect example of pork barrell spending. Please.:marchmellow:
When the blind lead the blind they fall into a pit.:bootyshake:

Hard to argue with your first point...the parties have swapped positions several times this century. But the difficulty with multiple parties is getting anything done because alliances need to be forged and in that process there is so much horse trading that nothing really comes out clean...not that it does with two parties, but the matrix gets so complex that it exacerbates the problem.

It is easy to throw out the term Socialist...but it is really just hyperbole. Socialism is a long way from the positions thrust forward by the party from the left.

 

[DevilDawg3097]

It is easy to throw out the term Socialist...but it is really just hyperbole. Socialism is a long way from the positions thrust forward by the party from the left.[/QUOTE]
I don't mean the same as some think as communism but there is to many who want to see the government have to much power intern creating a socialist society more of marxist socialisim. Plus we are the only country where popular election doesn't mean shit it all boils down to the electoralate voters.
Does my vote really count then. They should do It the same way the founding fathers did 1st president 2nd place vice president etc. That will keep bipartisian bs at a minimum even though the the vp is a useles job unless the pesident dies, oh he may be the leader in the house or senate forgot but they don't listen either. So to sum it up we are fubarted regardless. SO why argue nothing is going to change unless we clean out the house and senate of all the old relics then maybe washington will change and with biden how do you call that change?

 

[TheSickness]

It is easy to throw out the term Socialist...but it is really just hyperbole. Socialism is a long way from the positions thrust forward by the party from the left.

I don't mean the same as some think as communism but there is to many who want to see the government have to much power intern creating a socialist society more of marxist socialisim. Plus we are the only country where popular election doesn't mean shit it all boils down to the electoralate voters.
Does my vote really count then. They should do It the same way the founding fathers did 1st president 2nd place vice president etc. That will keep bipartisian bs at a minimum even though the the vp is a useles job unless the pesident dies, oh he may be the leader in the house or senate forgot but they don't listen either. So to sum it up we are fubarted regardless. SO why argue nothing is going to change unless we clean out the house and senate of all the old relics then maybe washington will change and with biden how do you call that change?[/QUOTE]
Biden forgets more in an hour the Bush has remembered in his lifetime.....There is a change right there

 

[Django]

IMO this issue get more corrupted and digresses with each additional post....

The school (as I understand it) will be designated to address a number of different problems. Primarily to provide a safe environment for those who've been bullied or victimized...

If they'd simply get rid of the bullies and bastards who terrorize others, it would be the same thing..... Put them in a separate school.... It's one or the other.... If you cannot keep bullies from bullying, then you have to create one or more of the aforementioned educational alternatives for one side or the other...

I don't see this as (so much) a gay issue as a bullies vs: victims issue.

If schools are too spineless to either punish or expell the young terrorists in their schools, then perhaps this alternative is a good one.... I think that it's the weenie way out... But it seems that they are just spending money to alleviate any liability that may result from punishing the offenders...

IOW, the schools fear liability and litigation.........

I can see why they wanna provide a special school..... But personally, I think they should bring back the stocks, pillories and severe lashings in the public square.... Particularly for youngsters.... The degradation, humiliation and physical pain would be an excellent deterrant to future miscreance....

I also think that Mikey is a pole smoker......

D

 

[TheSickness]

I approve of Django's last sentance :rock:

 

[Prof]

Django is right. But philosophy and reality are two different things especially in Chicago. The inner city schools are armed camps. I can't imagine teaching in that environment. I think that his approach is correct, but the situation is so bad that this was a fall back position...and I presume that most will support the direction. Most of the parents in the inner city will support the segregation of different students...whether they are the parents of the different children or the parents that have raised the bullies. Its their world...it is the taxes of that community that support the schools...so as Kurt Vonnegut says: "And so it goes..."

I really miss that man.