How to Destroy a Top Notch School District: Open a Charter School!

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday August 05, 2012 · 7:54 PM PDT

2012/08/05 · 19:54

In yesterday's War on Workers weekly entry, Laura Clawson had a link to this fascinating story of the Los Altos (CA) school district and their woes with an "extremely litigious charter school." I had heard a little bit about it as Los Altos is near where I live, but the more I read, the more stunned I got. I had to dig a little deeper into this amazingly atrocious but accurate situation.

A Los Altos town marker: stone plinth with wooden Los Altos signs in white script

Los Altos is a fairly wealthy town in Silicon Valley. One unusual thing about governance around here: school districts and city boundaries are rarely the same thing. The Los Altos School District included the even wealthier town of Los Altos Hills, where zoning pretty much requires a minimum site of one acre for each house. That may not sound prohibitive to anyone living outside coastal California, but land in Silicon Valley is so expensive that most homes are built on lots between 5,000 and 8,000 square feet. And that's the houses built 60 years ago!

Houses in Los Altos are unobtainable for under a million. Houses in Los Altos Hills are even pricier. Now watch what happens when the people in the more expensive town organized a charter school when their one and only public school was closed down.

Take a leap over the orange eclaire and see how one of the top school districts in the entire state got completely, and I mean completely screwed by the charter school process.

Poll

348 votes Show Results

What's your position on charter schools?

348 votes Vote Now!

What's your position on charter schools?

Vampire squid

133 votes

Vultures

88 votes

Piranha

40 votes

Jackals

43 votes

Oh come on! They are fluffy bunnies!

29 votes

Elmer's glue pie

15 votes

HELP! My Credit Union wants to become a Bank!

madhaus

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday July 23, 2012 · 2:57 PM PDT

2012/07/23 · 14:57

Big banks have been getting some big lumps, and progressives have responded by encouraging depositors to Move Your Money to a Credit Union. But what if your Credit Union decides it would rather be a bank?

I'm a long time member of Tech CU, which is short for Technology Credit Union. Tech CU was founded 52 years ago, chartered to serve employees of Fairchild Semiconductor in what wasn't even Silicon Valley yet. In 1983 they expanded to serve more high-tech employees and became Technology Federal Credit Union. Today they have $1.7 billion in assets and 74,000 members in six San Francisco Bay Area counties.

Back when I first joined in the late 80s, Tech CU was a Federal Credit Union. I wasn't too clear why they stopped being one, but it looks like they aren't done metamorphisizing. A few weeks ago I received a call from the credit union, telling me there would be an upcoming election on Tech CU becoming a Mutual Savings Bank. Why would they want to do that? I had no information but something sure didn't sit right about that call.

And this morning I heard from them again. The previous caller was friendly. This lady was... Follow me below the squig-a-l'orange and I'll tell you all about it.

Poll

213 votes Show Results

What is your reaction to knowing credit unions can push a bank conversion onto its membership?

213 votes Vote Now!

What is your reaction to knowing credit unions can push a bank conversion onto its membership?

Alright! Do I get a free toaster?

6 votes

I had NO idea! Vultures!

69 votes

tl;dr

4 votes

My credit union is doing this, I'm voting NO!

102 votes

My credit union is doing this, I'm voting YES!

17 votes

Who cares? I don't have a credit union account

3 votes

Any pie left?

12 votes

ACTION DIARY: Support Sandra Fluke... in 30 seconds

madhaus

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday March 03, 2012 · 4:50 PM PST

2012/03/03 · 16:50

This diary is going to be short and sweet, because this is one of the simplest ways for us to show our support to Sandra Fluke.

As you've all been following, Sandra Fluke is the Georgetown Law student who was refused by Darrell Issa's ridiculous He-Man Woman Hater's Club masquerading as a Congressional Hearing on Contraception and whether employers run by religious groups should follow the laws of the land. When Nancy Pelosi invited her to address a minority-convened panel, the Republican leadership of the House blocked televised testimony, which guaranteed even more interest in the hearing.

Then Rush Limbaugh proceeded to make a series of vicious, ugly, personal attacks toward Sandra Fluke over three solid days of broadcasting, because Sandra Fluke had the unmitigated gall to have an opinion about something Rush Limbaugh disagreed with while possessing ladyparts.

Poll

44 votes Show Results

Will you Follow Sandra Fluke?

44 votes Vote Now!

Will you Follow Sandra Fluke?

Yes

5 votes

Hell, Yes!

20 votes

I don't have twitter, but I'm creating an account so I can Follow her

4 votes

I don't want twitter

14 votes

1 vote

Blimp pie

0 votes

Is Komen Planning to Replace Karen Handel?

madhaus

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday February 06, 2012 · 2:07 PM PST

2012/02/06 · 14:07

Susan G. Komen for the Cure has written the textbook on how not to manage an institutional crisis. Last Tuesday, we learned the breast cancer charity was no longer going to fund Planned Parenthood's breast cancer screening and referral work. Their reason for the reversal was that PP was subject to federal and state "investigations," ignoring the political animus that led to the fishing expeditions.

The response from both their own (former) supporters, and supporters of PP, was outraged. Komen then demonstrated how to respond to a confluence of institutional and social media blowups.

Within the past week, Komen has demonstrated the useful techniques of:

Ignoring the problem
Denying there was a problem
Stonewalling the problem
Lying about the problem
Changing their explanations for why there was problem
Becoming the focus of Congressional displeasure
Announcing a weasel-worded "reversal" on their problem policy
Continuing to hope the whole thing would just go away while their Facebook and Twitter devolved into the Mother of All Abortion Debates

But Komen wasn't sinking below the news cycle yet. And one of the repeated demands from aggrieved former supporters was to fire the person responsible for getting a breast cancer charity to take a stand on the divisive politics of abortion. Yes, I'm talking about Karen Handel, Komen's Vice President for Public Policy.

madhaus

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday November 02, 2011 · 9:13 AM PDT

2011/11/02 · 09:13

In a previous diary, I mentioned that I wanted to be part of Operation Move Your Money, so I opened up a new account at a local credit union.

Since my new checks arrived and my initial deposit cleared, it was time to finish the job. Today I closed my accounts at Wells Fargo.

Since I neglected to bring a camera crew and a group of 30 others closing their accounts in solidarity, I don't have a gripping video of an innocent bystander getting arrested.

Wells Fargo Embargo: Move Your Money

Poll

51 votes Show Results

What are you doing about Move Your Money day?

51 votes Vote Now!

What are you doing about Move Your Money day?

Never had an account with a Big Bank, so no need

20 votes

What took you so long? I moved my money out as soon as this was announced!

4 votes

Yes, I moved my money!

13 votes

I opened a new account elsewhere so I can move my money away from those dastardly evil banks

9 votes

Um, what happens on Saturday? The banks will be closed!

1 vote

People think this will make a difference?

1 vote

Not participating. I don't care if Big Banks issue predatory loans, rape the community, forge mortgage paperwork, or create new fees just because they can

1 vote

Banks? Credit unions? I keep my money in a pie tin. I said PIE!

2 votes

Move My Money: Stage I Accomplished (w/poll)

madhaus

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday October 18, 2011 · 5:56 PM PDT

2011/10/18 · 17:56

Today I opened a new account at a local credit union.

I've got an account at Wells Fargo... and it hasn't far to go... away. I called a local credit union, confirmed I could open an account with them, asked a few questions about online banking and ATM use. I was happy with the answers I got, so I headed on over and opened a new set of accounts in person: money market and checking. But I first checked over at Open Secrets to make sure they weren't doing any weird lobbying I wouldn't approve of.

Yes, I'm participating in Move Your Money by Occupying a Credit Union. Read a few little details after the jump.

Poll

45 votes Show Results

Are you participating in Move Your Money?

45 votes Vote Now!

Are you participating in Move Your Money?

Yes, I've already opened a local bank account or credit union account

16 votes

Yes, I've moved my money out of a Big Bank

5 votes

Hell Yes, I got arrested closing my account!

0 votes

No, because I never did business with a Big Bank in the first place

19 votes

No, because there are no good options for me where I live

1 vote

No, I don't care if Big Banks issue predatory loans, rape the community, forge mortgage paperwork, or create new fees just because they can

3 votes

No, what's Move Your Money?

0 votes

DELETE MY F*%ING ACCOUNT, CHASE!

1 vote

The Music Room #16 - Gotta Have Gear

madhaus

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday June 22, 2008 · 6:18 PM PDT

2008/06/22 · 18:18

Every hobby has its own panoply of bizarre-looking tools, machines, and items that a non-hobbyist can't possibly understand by just picking it up and looking at it. Why should music be any different?

No matter what instrument you play, you probably have a few of these items that non-musicians can't identify. Maybe you have some stories you like to tell about them.

See the mystery item? Click thru to find out what it is. If you already know, maybe you can share something even harder to identify.

madhaus

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday June 15, 2008 · 2:04 PM PDT

2008/06/15 · 14:04

It's been too long since I ran one of these! So let's call this one a Fathers Day Present, either to you, your dad, or that special Dad to someone else in your life.

How did your dad affect your view of music? Did he play an instrument? Did he teach you to play? Did you learn because of him? In spite of him? In memory of him?

Strum through and I'll share my story, then you can share yours. Happy Father's Day!

madhaus

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday June 12, 2008 · 8:54 AM PDT

2008/06/12 · 08:54

On Tuesday night, InsultComicDog posted one of the funniest diaries in a long time. John McCain's forward-thinking campaign crew decided he needed one them intertubes websight doohickies, and they set up a swag store too.

But technology isn't McCain's strength. The store had a "feature" that allowed potential customers to write product reviews. So Insult's recommended diary called out some of the jaw-dropping critiques people left about the McCain Golf Kit. Plus there was snarkilicious commentary in the comments, including other product reviews. Good thing it's there; yesterday morning McCain's tubesmeister took down all the reviews and the ability to post them.

Yet one product, all by itself, perfectly captures the epic fail of all that is McCain. Permission is granted to come aboard, so click over to learn why the $200 McCain Nautical Lapel Pin shows the campaign isn't so ship-shape.

madhaus

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday October 28, 2007 · 5:56 PM PDT

2007/10/28 · 17:56

After helping out with the liveblogging effort covering the wildfires in Southern California, I realized it's time to bring back the Music Room series.

Natural disasters can cause havoc in anyone's life. If there's a fire raging near your house, you have minutes to grab what you need and get the heck out.

Today's Music Room topic: have you ever lost any instruments due to a disaster? Play through the bridge and I'll join in on the reprise.

Poll

32 votes Show Results

Ever lost an instrument, and if so, how?

32 votes Vote Now!

Ever lost an instrument, and if so, how?

Nope

15 votes

Fire

0 votes

Flood

0 votes

Hurricane

1 vote

Earthquake

0 votes

Blizzard

0 votes

Volcano

0 votes

Hailstones

0 votes

Other - explain

13 votes

Pie fight

3 votes

California Wildfires: Liveblog XXXV -- 9:24 PM PDT

madhaus

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday October 25, 2007 · 9:24 PM PDT

2007/10/25 · 21:24

DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS DIARY. Go RECOMMEND THE MOTHERSHIP and keep it in the Recommended Diary list.

This is the thirty-fifth in a series of diaries providing information regarding the California wildfires to those who most need it.

The DKos community is providing extraordinary coverage of the California Fires. What makes this site different from the typical media bubbleheads is that community members are giving real-time information regarding evacuations and fire locations.

Many of you are directly affected, many have family in danger, and most of us just hope and pray for the safety of our fellow citizens.

From all of us in Northern California, we are with you in spirit. Our prayer is for calm skies, no winds, more humidity, lower temps, and safety for you all. The forecast is for lower temperatures and so far the wind and humidity are cooperating.

madhaus

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday June 10, 2007 · 6:03 PM PDT

2007/06/10 · 18:03

After the horrific Columbine school shooting, some people blamed video games for the perpetrators' violent behavior. Scores of war simulations, shooting fantasies, and violent attack games, the critics alleged, lead to an acceptance of horrendous and otherwise unacceptable behavior.

So most parents should welcome a musical video game like Guitar Hero as something wonderful. Players earn points by playing a guitar-shaped controller along with a song, scoring higher the longer they can keep up a run of correct notes and rhythm values. And a rock star is a healthier role model than a deranged killer or a lunatic car thief.

That's all very well, unless you happen to be a musician. Then, Guitar Hero isn't the wonderful game that makes Playstation 2 safe for the living room. Click the strum bar to find out why.

Poll

60 votes Show Results

Ever Played Guitar Hero?

60 votes Vote Now!

Ever Played Guitar Hero?

Yep, love it!

19 votes

My kids play and I approve

2 votes

My kids play and I don't care

0 votes

My kids play and I despair

1 vote

Hate it! This is not how you play a guitar!

11 votes

Saw it but don't care one way or the other.

10 votes

Guitar Hero? What's that, a brand of capo?

17 votes

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RSS

How to Destroy a Top Notch School District: Open a Charter School!

HELP! My Credit Union wants to become a Bank!

ACTION DIARY: Support Sandra Fluke... in 30 seconds

Is Komen Planning to Replace Karen Handel?

Move My Money: Complete! Hyah, Wells Fargo! (+ poll!)

Move My Money: Stage I Accomplished (w/poll)

The Music Room #16 - Gotta Have Gear

The Music Room #15 - Fathers Day Edition

McCain's campaign on fire, reversed, stopped

The Music Room Returns! #14 - CA Wildfire Edition

California Wildfires: Liveblog XXXV -- 9:24 PM PDT

Music Room #13 - Guitar Hero, Threat or Menace?