"They are providing cover for those board members to drag our kids' classrooms through the cultural wars again."
— Kathy Miller, president of the Texas Freedom Network, observing that the "experts" appointed by social conservative members of the State Board of Education lack the proper credentials to be reviewing the social studies curriculum and were mainly appointed because they "mirror the far-right agenda" of the members who appointed them.

Full article:Texas education board tackles standards for social studies

"...is the Republican Party afraid that if we educate our schoolchildren, then nobody will be left dumb enough to be a Republican. There, I’ve said it. I just wonder if these people have no shame.

Remarks of President Barack Obama – Address to a Joint Session of Congress on Health Care

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009, Washington, DC

Madame Speaker, Vice President Biden, Members of Congress, and the American people:

When I spoke here last winter, this nation was facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We were losing an average of 700,000 jobs per month. Credit was frozen. And our financial system was on the verge of collapse.

As any American who is still looking for work or a way to pay their bills will tell you, we are by no means out of the woods. A full and vibrant recovery is many months away. And I will not let up until those Americans who seek jobs can find them; until those businesses that seek capital and credit can thrive; until all responsible homeowners can stay in their homes. That is our ultimate goal. But thanks to the bold and decisive action we have taken since January, I can stand here with confidence and say that we have pulled this economy back from the brink. I want to thank the members of this body for your efforts and your support in these last several months, and especially those who have taken the difficult votes that have put us on a path to recovery. I also want to thank the American people for their patience and resolve during this trying time for our nation.

But we did not come here just to clean up crises. We came to build a future. So tonight, I return to speak to all of you about an issue that is central to that future – and that is the issue of health care.

I am not the first President to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last.

Prepared Remarks of President Barack Obama
Back to School Event
Arlington, Virginia — September 8, 2009

The President: Hello everyone – how’s everybody doing today? I’m here with students at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia. And we’ve got students tuning in from all across America, kindergarten through twelfth grade. I’m glad you all could join us today. 

I know that for many of you, today is the first day of school. And for those of you in kindergarten, or starting middle or high school, it’s your first day in a new school, so it’s understandable if you’re a little nervous. I imagine there are some seniors out there who are feeling pretty good right now, with just one more year to go. And no matter what grade you’re in, some of you are probably wishing it were still summer, and you could’ve stayed in bed just a little longer this morning.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

President Obama has announced three bedrock requirements for real health care reform:

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• Reduce Costs — Rising health care costs are crushing the budgets of governments, businesses, individuals and families and they must be brought under control
• Guarantee Choice — Every American must have the freedom to choose their plan and doctor – including the choice of a public insurance option
• Ensure Quality Care for All — All Americans must have quality and affordable health care

An estimated 2.9 million Texans would gain health insurance coverage by 2013 under a plan proposed by House Democrats, according to Families USA, an advocacy group backing Democratic efforts to overhaul healthcare. That number will grow to 4.6 million by 2019... [Read more at Star-Telegram.com]

In the case of armed conflict not of an international character occurring in the territory of one of the High Contracting Parties, each Party to the conflict shall be bound to apply, as a minimum, the following provisions:

(1) Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and those placed 'hors de combat' by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause, shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction founded on race, colour, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria.

To this end, the following acts are and shall remain prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever with respect to the above-mentioned persons:

(a) violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture;

(b) taking of hostages;

(c) outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment;

     Because it's never too early to start thinking about it, we created a table of offices up for election in 2010.  Fort Bend is trending Democratic over the past three elections, so all of these local offices will winnable by a Democrat in 2010.

Take a look at these offices and let us know if you're interested in running for any of them.  We will get you the necessary information to get you started.

Click READ MORE at the bottom of this entry to see the list.