"There is a mean spirit on the loose" Day 12

Fist Dap jobsanger via the Los Angeles Times

"Well there's a certain mean spiritness out there, not only in Alabama but in America and that's what makes this election so important."  Senator  Hank Sanders

Remember those words by Alabama State Senator Hank Sanders in response to CNN Talking TeeVee Pundit Head Anderson Cooper's (and others) accusation of a so called "race baiting robo call" made to democratic voters during the Alabama primary?

Well, can you hear him now? Instead of  DEMOCRATS/LIBERALS/PROGRESSIVES  focusing on WHAT was being said , they joined the MEDIA ENABLED, GOP INFUSED, TEAPUBLICANS, and  focus on WHO was saying it.

"We live in a country where health care is a privilege for the wealthy " Senator Bernie Sanders (I.VT)

Need proof?  Look no further than the Lord of Loud promoting the brazen L-I-E that insurance rates are going up in Alabama, based on State Senator Phil Williams ( republican), State Senator Paul Sandford ( republican), and Representative Mike Ball (republican) whining that their insurance rates are going up, and blaming the Affordable Care Act, because they know their base  hates President Obama more than they love themselves. 

I wonder what part of the Affordable Health Care Act is for those who can't afford health insurance don't Williams, Sandford, and Ball understand?   I wonder when their base is going to wake up and realize the people who can afford, and have access to quality, affordable health care don't want them to have the same?

Thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that mandated voluntary participation, 22 states have opted out or are leaning close to opting out of the federal government's Medicaid expansion through the ACA. That means if you make more than 100% of the federal poverty level, you can buy your health insurance coverage through the exchange for a significant discount. If not, you're left to the tender mercies of your state's income thresholds for Medicaid eligibility.
In the Great State of Alabama, the Medicaid income threshold for a family of three is $3,221. Per year. Make more than $3,221 but fall short of the $19,530 required to qualify for Obamacare? You're just about as screwed as the folks stuck in the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole".

And what are some (not to be confused with all) Alabama democrats (and I use that term loosely) doing while the republican mean spirit  is on the lose with a vengeance?  They are fighting Joe Reed like he's  a republican, trying to dilute minority participation in the Alabama Democratic Party under the guise of diversity, because everybody wants to be a minority when it's convenient. But here is the kicker from non other than Left in Alabama's countrycat.

Attempts to stifle dissent and open debate.  Worley took pains to lecture the assembly about "criticizing fellow Democrats."  (it's on the video) According to our new leader, we shouldn't be discussing problems with the party on Facebook or other "technology."  Instead, we should gripe to our spouses.  So I guess family harmony is less important than political lockstep.  
Worley also told the SDEC members that they should be helping to promote the party and recruit candidates because they (members) were the best cheerleaders for the party.  Ok.  She said this with a straight face at a meeting where kicking about 40% of current SDEC members off the committee was an amendment pending on the agenda.

What do you suppose those folks who lost their seats would have said about the party?

That's right, one of the persons who kicked my Ebony Donkey  off Left in Alabama because I dared criticize fellow Democrats , did not follow lockstep with them, and wrote about racism and  classicism,  has the nerve to accuse Acting Democratic Chair Nancy Worley of attempts to stifle dissent and open debate.

Long Sigh

The Hopeless Huntsville City School System redux

The South Huntsville Civic Association hosted a town hall meeting, for new Huntsville City School Superintendent Colonel Casey Wardynski   where he fielded questions from state legislators.  Note these legislators have the power to *cough* improve education *cough*.

Based on the questions and answers posed to and by the state legislators and  gop honchos, there is no HOPE for the Huntsville City Schools, and here's why.

Sen. Clay Scofield fielded questions about Alabama's strict new immigration law, which has been touted as the toughest in the nation. Scofield, R-Arab, said he is proud of the new law.

"The key word in this, ladies and gentlemen, is illegal," Scofield said. "We're not taking away anyone's right to be here."

Scofield said there are still many ways in which immigrants can come to Alabama.

"We want them to do so, and we welcome them to come here," he said. "But we expect it to be done legally."

*Uh, when did Arab, AL become part of the Huntsville City School system?

Not to be left out of the act Representative Mike Ball doesn't believe public school teachers should have job security.

Rep. Mike Ball, R-Madison, was questioned about tenure reform. The Legislature earlier this year passed the Students First Act, which made several changes to how local school districts can fire employees.

"The fact is, for the sake of the teaching profession, it really needed to be addressed," Ball said.

He pointed to "horror stories" across the state in which teachers who were accused of crimes were put on administrative leave with pay until their cases went through the courts. The new tenure law puts time limits on the pay a fired teacher can receive while appealing the termination.

"Contrary to what you may have heard, it was not a horrible, punitive bill that was passed," Ball said. "Due process is still included. It just streamlined the process."

*Note Representative Ball is a republican from Madison, AL.

Representative Howard Sanderford (R) was on hand to attack the Alabama Education Association bragging about their subpoena power and funding for the *ahem* ethics commission. They are going to destroy the AEA by stopping payroll deduction and banning PAC to PAC transfers.

Senator Paul Sanford (R barbecue boy) was questioned about the Constitutionality of recent immigration laws and like a true business owner he voted against the immigration bill even though he agreed with 95% of the bill. Huh?

No South Huntsville Civic Association Meeting would be complete without gop head honcho Hugh Mcginnis spewing his “There is no correlation between money and achievement” spill. If there is no correlation between money and achievement we would still have the segregated schools. Oh wait...

This is exactly why Brown v. Board was enacted, and why when someone yacks about "states rights", it becomes clear some states won't act right. Alabama is one of those states, full of closeted bigots who thinks a "Kardashian" is a country in Africa.

So, is HCS Superintendent Dr. Casey Wardynski going to be the Superintendent for South Huntsville, or is he going to be the Superintendent for ALL of Huntsville?

Time will tell the truth?