Pasadena Star News supports 9-1-1 immunity bill
Posted on 03. Mar, 2010 by kchristieh in politics
The Pasadena Star News supports AB 1999, the 9-1-1 Immunity bill introduced by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino.
To encourage getting help, we support the granting of immunity from criminal prosecution to underage drinkers who call for help for a friend and then stay until medical help arrives.
Under current law, underage drinkers who call 9-1-1 for someone else can be prosecuted themselves. Under a bill by Pasadena Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, the threat of prosecution – a barrier to getting medical attention for a friend – is removed.
They sum it up especially well at the end:
It shouldn’t be a crime to get help for a friend.
At our recent meeting, the La Canada High School PTSA also voted to endorse this bill. Hopefully others will join in, and it will pass in time to save some lives.
Links:
- Read my original blog post about AB 1999.
- See the Pasadena Star News story about AB 1999.
Gunslinger spotted at local Starbucks
Posted on 23. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in local news, politics
Until last night, the only thing I feared when I entered my local Starbucks was that I’d order something that I’m allergic to. That was before a friend told me that when she was at the La Canada Starbucks yesterday, a man entered with a pistol in a holster strapped to his thigh. Here’s the email she sent to me:
I was at Starbucks on Gould today. A guy arrived shortly after I arrived with a pistol in a holster strapped to his thigh. He was wearing a blue jump suit with some type of helicopter insignia. I glanced at the insignia and it looked “made up” to me, sort of a pseudo uniform, but I’m not really sure of that. He was with two friends and they sat down outside.
I was with a friend who said, the guy might be reliable, but it looks like it would be easy to distract him and disarm him. What if some nut took the pistol? Then what? My friend also looked around the parking lot for an official vehicle. We didn’t see anything. Wow.
This is still bothering me, eleven hours later.
She emailed me because several days earlier, I’d emailed her a link to a petition from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence that encouraged people to ask Starbucks to prohibit guns on their premises. I’d been spurred to action by an editorial titled, “Who Can Relax This Way?” that I’d read in the New York Times. Here’s the email I had sent her:
Over the past few months, more and more gun owners have been gathering at restaurants and coffee shops like Starbucks with guns strapped to their hips, intimidating fellow patrons. They are testing open carry laws to see how far they can go. Businesses can legally create policies to prohibit guns from being carried in their establishments — and so far, Peet’s Coffee & Tea and California Pizza Kitchen have heeded customer concerns and barred open carrying.
But Starbucks is refusing to prohibit the “open carrying” of firearms in its stores, despite protests from loyal customers. Starbucks has declined to elaborate beyond this statement: “Starbucks supports the federal, state and local laws of the communities in which we do business.”
The practice of packing heat in places like Starbucks is intimidating and could be potentially dangerous to our families and communities — and it must be stopped at Starbucks.
I just signed a petition telling Starbucks to stand up for the safety of their customers and adopt a nationwide, gun-free policy in all Starbucks stores.
This is surreal. I can’t believe this is actually an issue. But it is, and I have no desire to see someone packing a gun the next time I take my sweet 7th grade small group to Starbucks.
Isn’t it ironic that someone can’t smoke in our Starbucks, but they can pack a gun?
Source: Los Angeles Times, Feb. 11, 2010
The Brady Campaign reports that California actually has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, although it scores poorly when it comes to gun shows. Wikipedia sums up California’s open carry gun laws the best:
Personal possession (i.e. carry) of a loaded firearm is prohibited in incorporated areas (such as inside city limits) or prohibited areas of unincorporated territory without a license to carry or other exemption provided for by law.[15] A license to carry “loaded and exposed” may be issued by a Police Chief or County Sheriff in a county with population of less than 200,000 persons at the last census.[16] No license or permit is required to openly carry a loaded firearm in unincorporated areas where discharge is not prohibited by local ordinance.
Despite these restrictions, there is no section of the California penal code that specifically prohibits open carry of an unloaded handgun (though possession may be restricted or prohibited in certain areas such as a State Park (CCR Title 14, Div.3, chap. 1, s 4313 (a), in a school zone (PC626.9) or federal properties like a Post Office or National Park (36 C.F.R. 2.4(a)).
Carrying a loaded magazine separate from the handgun is also not prohibited under the penal code (Subdivision (g) of California Penal Code 12031 defines what constitutes a loaded weapon).
Just because something’s legal, it doesn’t mean you should do it. When a private citizen carries a gun in public, we don’t know his intentions or whether he’s been trained to use the gun safely. When in danger, I’ll call 911, not the guy at the next table. In the editorial, “Message to Open Carry members: It’s time to put the guns away,” the Contra Costa Times pointed out that “the open carry of weapons could prompt all sorts of consequences never intended or considered by the person exercising his or her constitutional right.”
According to the Popehat blog, even the NRA doesn’t allow people to bring guns onto its premises.
Sign the petition and ask Starbucks to do the same. And, for extra measure, ask your elected officials to close up the gun show loophole.
“Building a Healthier Community” Fair 2/27
Posted on 22. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in health
Eat free food, listen to live music, meet local politicians and celebrities and get your H1N1 flu shot all at once. There’s even a drawing for great prizes. What could be more fun? Check out the “Building a Healthier Community” Fair this Saturday at LCPC. More details are below.
After spending Saturday being healthy, you can join State Senator Carol Liu in walking in the Chinatown Firecracker Run this Sunday, 2/28. See more information here. This is a great opportunity to get to know your State Senator. Download the pdf here and bring it on the day of the run along with a check for $22 made out to the Los Angeles Firecracker Run Committee. It’s a $5 discount off the regular price. Meet at Senator Liu’s booth at the start line on North Broadway, Los Angeles at 7am. Please RSVP to or call .
Using Open Government to Create Change – Forum
Posted on 20. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in politics
Monica Hubbard alerted me to this great League of Women Voters event on March 6th in Pasadena:
From Media Liaison Jackie Knowles:
Subject: Saving democracy
Hedab Tarifi, who was raised in Kuwait, knows what it is like to live under a tyranny and closed government. She relishes the transparency of government in a democracy. But she also knows citizens need to know how to access information and put it to work to improve their communities. A case of use it or lose it.
She will be the keynote speaker at a free public forum, Access to Impact: Using Open Government to Create Change, sponsored by the League of Women Voters Pasadena Area on March 6. Pete Peterson, executive director of Common Sense California, will emcee panelists from media, libraries and government about the challenges and dangers of information gathering.
This community forum is being held on Saturday, March 6, in the vicinity of Northwest Pasadena at the Neighborhood Church to reach a wider audience. Spanish translation will be provided.
This should be an eye-opening event you and your readers/listeners won’t want to miss.
Press Release:
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS PASADENA AREA
NEWS RELEASE BACKGROUND INFORMATION
CONTACT: Monica Hubbard, Social Policy Director League of Women Voters Pasadena Area ()
COMMUNITY INVITED TO FORUM ON CITIZENS RIGHT TO KNOW
Community members in the ten cities served by League of Women Voters Pasadena Area are invited to participate in a forum to discuss open, accessible and transparent government.
“Access to Impact: Using Open Government to Create Change” is scheduled for Saturday, March 6, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Neighborhood Church, 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena. The forum is free. An RSVP is requested at or
Links to the articles referencing Access to Impact in the League’s newsletter are here:
LWV Voter articles (page 1 and 4): http://www.lwvpasadenaarea.org/marvoter.pdf
A flier in English and Spanish is here: http://www.lwvpasadenaarea.org/access%28english&spanish%29.pdf
League of Women Voters Pasadena Area
1353 N Hill Ave
Pasadena CA 91104
Tel (LWV Office)
Assemblymember Portantino introduces 911 Immunity bill
Posted on 18. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in politics
Imagine this: Your underage child is at a party, and like many of his peers, quaffs a few too many brewskis. He manages to remain standing, but one of his buddies falls unconscious on the couch. As the law now stands, if your child calls 911 for his friend, your child could be arrested for the misdemeanor of underage drinking. Therefore, he might decide not to risk calling 911, and hope that his friend “sleeps it off.” That decision could prove deadly. Unfortunately, this decision is made every week in California, sometimes with disastrous results.
California Assemblymember Anthony Portantino has introduced AB 1999 in order to remedy this situation and give young people the incentive to help a friend in need of emergency help. I’d like to think I helped make this happen, as about a month ago I forwarded him an LA Times opinion piece that had been forwarded to me which suggested adopting 911 immunity legislation. I’m proud that our Assemblyman is taking the lead on this. We’d all like to hope that this situation will never occur, but we need to face reality and make sure that when it does, young people have the incentive to do the right thing and help each other out.
Here’s his press release about it:
Assemblymember Portantino Puts Public Safety First With his ‘911 Immunity’ Legislation
Assembly Bill 1999 would protect children seeking assistance for underage drinking.
SACRAMENTO, CA- Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D- La Cañada Flintridge) introduced AB which would protect children engaged in underaged drinking from being prosecuted for seeking medical attention.
This bill would protect an underage drinker, or one or two peers working in concert, who seek emergency medical attention due to alcohol poisoning by granting immunity from criminal prosecution. The immunity could only be granted to the victim and the one or two underage peers acting in concert if they were the original callers and stayed at the scene until the authorities arrived.
“Let me be clear, this bill does not condone underage drinking,” says Assemblymember Portantino. “What it does is decrease barriers for young people that need emergency medical care but are scared to call because they made a mistake.”
Over the last year, there have been several underage Californians that have died due to suspected alcohol poisoning that may have benefited from this law. Friends of the deceased teens have said that they were scared to call for help because they did not want to get in legal trouble.
“This law is about saving lives,” Assemblymember Portantino continued. “It is important that we make sure young people are getting the medical care they need regardless of the circumstances. After they are safe, the consequences of the young person’s actions will be between him or her and their parents.”
A few other states have adopted similar “911 Immunity” laws, and in each there has had bi-partisan support. If this proposal is adopted, California would join Colorado, New Jersey, and Texas in giving underage drinkers a safe way to call for help.
“Underage drinking is a constant problem that we need to continue to improve on, but this proposal is a harm reduction measure that will make calling 911 easier for underage people that really need it,” Assemblymember Portantino concluded.
The bill reads as follows:
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 25662.5 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:
25662.5.
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, it shall not be a crime for a person under the age of 21 years and one or two other persons to knowingly possess or knowingly consume one or more alcoholic beverages if all of the following circumstances exist:
(1) One of the persons under the age of 21 years called 9-1-1 and reported that another person under the age of 21 years was in need of medical assistance due to alcohol consumption.
(2) The person under the age of 21 years was the first person to make the 9-1-1 report.
(3) The person under the age of 21 years and, if applicable, one or two other persons acting in concert with the person under the age of 21 years who made the 9-1-1 report remained on the scene with the person under the age of 21 years in need of medical assistance until assistance arrived and cooperated with medical assistance and law enforcement personnel on the scene.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, it shall not be a crime for the person under the age of 21 years who received medical assistance as provided in subdivision (a) to knowingly possess or knowingly consume one or more alcoholic beverages on private
20 property.
(c) Nothing in this section shall affect liability for any offense that involves activities made dangerous by the consumption of alcohol, including, but not limited to, violations of Section 23152 of the Vehicle code.
The Obameter tracks Obama’s promises
Posted on 27. Jan, 2010 by kchristieh in politics, startling statistics
As you consider tonight’s State of the Union speech, you might want to refer back to the Obameter at PolitiFact. This service of the St. Petersburg Times tracks which of President Obama’s more than 500 promises have been kept, broken, stalled or compromised. The current status is shown in the graphic below. I’ve added the total and the percentages of each.
If you click on the underlined categories to the left, you’ll see which promises are in that category, aside a short explanation of the status of the promise.
I wish there was a chart like this for every politician. I bet that most politicians don’t make so many promises, and that they break more than 3% of the promises they do make.
We’re just 1/4 of the way through this presidential term. I think we should be patient, and understand that the wheels of government move slowly.
The Pasadena Star News should have done its homework before they endorsed La Canada school board candidates
Posted on 30. Oct, 2009 by kchristieh in education, local news, politics, things that bug me
Today’s Pasadena Star News endorses the wrong school board candidates for the wrong reasons. They endorse the three incumbents: Scott Tracy, Joel Peterson, and Susan Boyd. While I agree with their assessment that the incumbents have done a good job in difficult financial times, they also support them because of the following:
The incumbents have fought drug and alcohol use at the high school, developed a new concentration on average teens as well as AP students and have kept class sizes low.
Did the Star-News actually get statistics that support this assertion? Because my impression, and that of the kids and local youth leaders I know, is that they’re wrong on all three counts.
Don’t get me wrong: I love the La Canada schools. I’m happy (and grateful) to send my kids to them, and I’ve put lots of energy and resources into them over the years. But they’re not perfect. And these three points are definitely weak ones. I’ve never heard of as many kids getting busted on and off campus for drug possession as I have this year, and some of the stories I’m hearing about local parties this year would give even the most liberal parent an ulcer. I don’t see much extra effort put into “average” teens, and am not even sure what this effort is supposed to be. This year’s class sizes appear to be either the same or bigger than in past years at the high school level.
The next time the Star-News makes an endorsement, they should do their homework and get the facts from the source instead of taking a candidate’s campaign claims at face value. For democracy to work, we need accurate information.
And yes, for the record, I’m the campaign manager they refer to. I strongly support Neal Millard, and believe that he’ll not only be a good steward of the district’s financial resources, but he’ll tap into his experience with charter and private schools to bring the best ideas from those worlds to our schools. I worked with Neal on the educational foundation board, and found him to be sharp, reliable, creative and diplomatic. Those qualities will allow him to work with teachers, parents and administrators to improve academics, explore new funding avenues, and improve existing programs. You can read more at www.nealmillard.com.
I like all three incumbents: they’re good, hard-working people. I applaud anyone who’s willing to do this tough job, especially these days. I think there’s room for improvement in our schools, however, and believe that Neal Millard brings our best chance for taking our schools to a higher level.
La Canada Flintridge parcel tax passes with nearly 75% of the vote
Posted on 30. Jun, 2009 by kchristieh in economy, education, local news
La Canada Flintridge voters have overwhelmingly approved Measure LC, a tax of $150 per parcel to help fund local schools. Election results as of this evening indicate that nearly 75% of the votes approved of the tax. Some votes have yet to be counted, but they won’t bring the percentage below the 2/3 needed to pass the tax.
This will bring about $900,000 per year to our local school district. It won’t cover the whole shortfall the district will need to cover due to decreased state funding, but it’ll definitely help lessen the pain.
Thanks to all who supported Measure LC and our schools!!
Join the “No 710 Tunnel” Facebook group
Posted on 28. May, 2009 by kchristieh in local news, politics
I’ve created a “” Facebook group. Please join!
Track how many of Obama’s 500 promises he keeps
Posted on 24. Jan, 2009 by kchristieh in cool websites, politics
I don’t think I’ve made 500 promises in my whole lifetime, but apparently that’s about how many promises Barack Obama made before he took office.
The St. Petersburg Times’ Politifact.com is tracking President Obama’s progress toward fulfilling his promises. After three full days in office, here’s where he stands:
I think that’s pretty good, so far! I’m sure he’ll knock some of the easy ones out of the way first, as well as the ones that he’s really passionate about. I looked through the first 100, and they looked good to me. I hope he’s able to fulfill as many of his promises as possible.
Here are the ones he’s kept so far:
On a side note, I hadn’t realized he’d made promises regarding autism research and treatment. (See #81, #82 & #91) That’s so specific, and really cool.
T’was the night before voting – A California poem
Posted on 03. Nov, 2008 by kchristieh in politics
T’was the night before voting, when all through the town,
Not a creature was stirring, be they white, black or brown.
My ballot was mailed at the post office with care
In hopes that Obama’s chances would be more than fair
The teenagers were nestled all snug in their beds
Wearing “Obama” shirts just like they said.
While I at my computer, my dog on my lap,
Had just settled down for one last YouTube rap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my desk to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Pulled up the miniblinds and knocked over the trash.
The moon through the branches of palm trees below
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects I know,
When, what to my wondering eyes should stop,
But a miniature hybrid, and the eighth mischievous prop,
With a talented driver, such a brain and a jock,
I knew in a moment his name was Barack.
More rapid than eagles the propositions they came,
So I whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Yes on 1A! On 2-4! But no 5 through 7!
No on 8, 9 and 10! But yes on R, 12 and 11!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Be gone with you! Gone with you! Gone with you all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild Santa Anas fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the Prius it flew,
With the car full of hope, and Obama too.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney Obama came with a bound.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Inspired all the voters; no task did he shirk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his hybrid, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew with the speed of a missile.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Election Day to all, and to all a good-night.”
Who drives the silver minivan with license plate ending in “354″ who just stole my Obama sign?
Posted on 17. Oct, 2008 by kchristieh in politics
At 11:40 p.m. tonight, I was working at my desk in the front of my house when I noticed a silver minivan drive slowly to the front of our house and turn off its headlights. I turned off my monitor and desk lamp and peered out the window. We’ve been tp’d before, and I don’t want it to happen again.
The minivan backed up, and someone got out of the car near our Obama sign. They got back into the car and drove off. Being the crazy lady I am, I ran outside in my bare feet to see if they’d taken the sign. They had. But they were stupid enough to turn around and drive back past me.
So if you see a silver minivan with a license plate ending in “354″, please ask them if they have my sign. I’d like it back.
Hopefully the Sheriff’s deputies will get them first. I just called them.
California voter guides for propositions and judges
Posted on 12. Oct, 2008 by kchristieh in politics
I wish I didn’t have to vote for propositions and judges. I do my best to research pros and cons before I vote, but I have other work to do. Isn’t this what our elected officials should be doing? Enough venting – it is what it is.
Here are some resources to help Californians decide how to vote in the November, 2008 elections. Other than the official party positions, I’m trying to include non-partisan sites that include pros and cons for each position. Please let me know if you have any to add to the list.
Propositions:
- Official California Voter Information Guide
- Easy Voter Guide
- The California Voter Foundation (calvoter.org)
- California League of Women Voters
- Los Angeles Times
-
California’s propositions:
Stories behind the November ballot initiatives that you won’t find in an official voter guide. (LA Times) - Party positions:
Judges:
A former PTA president’s thoughts on Sarah Palin
Posted on 01. Sep, 2008 by kchristieh in education, my life, parenting, politics
Ouch! I never realized how little respect some people have for PTA presidents until I Googled
this evening. Writers all over the blogosphere are slamming Palin as a VP candidate, and use the phrase “PTA president” as if it’s a derogatory term.
I wish they could have sat at my side when I was an elementary PTA president for two years. It was a tough but rewarding job, and taught me more about leadership than I ever learned in any previous paid job. I managed over 90 positions, countless fundraisers, and many, many volunteer initiatives. I assembled a team of hardworking, talented volunteers, treated them with the respect they deserved and empowered them to do amazing things. I appreciated everything they did because I knew they weren’t doing it for the money, so they could walk at the first sign of trouble. No one did. We all worked incredibly hard, and made the school much better through many hours in the classroom and many dollars raised.
Granted, not every PTA presidency is the same. Some people don’t put as much into it, and some schools don’t encourage it. I was also a president at our junior high, and it was much easier since we didn’t have as many fundraisers and didn’t need to coordinate classroom volunteers. But I still continued to grow in that position.
What’s the problem here? Do I have a skewed view of PTAs just because of my own experience? Or does typically women’s work still automatically command less respect?
In any case, I bet that Sarah Palin was probably a fine PTA president, and probably grew a lot in the position.
On the other hand…the only foreign policy I ever dealt with as PTA president was overseeing “Multicultural Week.” I’d need a lot more experience before I could consider being a vice presidential candidate, and I doubt that being governor of a state with a population the size of the San Gabriel Valley for 20 months would do it. I’m still voting for Obama.
If the School Fix-It Fairy came to me
Posted on 12. Jul, 2008 by kchristieh in education, things that bug me
I’ve spent many years raising money for our woefully underfunded public schools. As I noted back in March, our local schools get less than half the funding per pupil that some school districts in other states get. While money won’t solve everything, you can’t have smaller class sizes and better facilities without money.
Even so, if the School Fix-It Fairy came to me and said she’d grant me one wish for California’s public schools, it would be to give principals and districts the power to reward excellence and get rid of teachers that shouldn’t be teaching. Yesterday’s Slate.com story, Hot for the Wrong Teachers: Why are public schools so bad at hiring good instructors? makes the same point.
There are three basic ways to improve a school’s faculty: take greater care in selecting good teachers upfront, throw out the bad ones who are already teaching, and provide training to make current teachers better. In theory, the first two should have more or less the same effect, and it might seem preferable to focus on never hiring unpromising instructors; once entrenched, it’s nearly impossible in most places to remove teachers from their union-protected jobs.
The story talks about a school principal in NYC that got rid of bad teachers (1/3 of all teachers!) at his school by threatening to give them bad reviews unless they requested a transfer to another school. Of course, while this helped his school, the problems just got transferred to other children.
I wish that we could pay teachers what they’re worth, develop better ways of monitoring teacher performance, solicit feedback from students and parents (aka “The Customers”), teach struggling teachers how to teach better and get rid of teachers that can’t or won’t teach. In the end, more quality people would enter the profession, and our children and our nation would benefit.
The more articles like this I read, the more optimistic I become. Unfortunately, my kids will be out of the system in a few years.
Video of John McCain admitting he doesn’t know how to use a computer
Posted on 07. Jul, 2008 by kchristieh in politics, things that bug me
It’s 2008. Would you want someone who doesn’t know how to use a computer as President? When asked if he uses a Mac or a PC, here’s what John McCain said to Yahoo News:
“Neither. I’m a illiterate that has to rely on my wife for all of the assistance that I can get.”
Never mind the grammatical errors in that statement. Let’s focus on the fact that a 21st century presidential candidate doesn’t know how to use a computer. Don’t believe it? View :
John McCain’s about to turn 71. I don’t consider that to be a good excuse. My father-in-law, who just turned 75, has his own laptop, checks his email, and uses a spreadsheet. Was he a computer scientist in his younger years? No. A mechanic for TWA. My parents all use their computers, and have for years. My grandfather, who’s 93, and my stepgrandmother, who’s 83, are on Facebook and email me pictures sometimes. Professions? Advertising executive and stay-at-home housewife.
For goodness sakes, Sen. McCain: show some curiosity and initiative and learn to use a computer. I was once told never to trust anyone over 30, but perhaps it’s more appropriate to not trust anyone who refuses to learn to use a computer.
The easiest way to alleviate email stress
Posted on 25. Jun, 2008 by kchristieh in politics
Silly me! When I blogged about ways to alleviate the stress I feel from the constant barrage of emails, I didn’t even think of this one: DON’T READ THEM!
Haha? If only! According to today’s NY Times article, White House Refused to Open Pollutants E-Mail, that’s exactly what the White House did when the EPA sent them a report about global warming:
The White House in December refused to accept the Environmental Protection Agency’s conclusion that greenhouse gases are pollutants that must be controlled, telling agency officials that an e-mail message containing the document would not be opened, senior E.P.A. officials said last week.
Excuse me while I go bury my head back in the sand…
Should we have compulsory national service?
Posted on 18. Feb, 2008 by kchristieh in education, politics, religion
I heard at least five people this weekend state that they support a compulsory service program for young Americans. These plans would require 18-22 year-olds to take a year or two off to serve in the military, teach in underprivileged schools, help senior citizens, or perform some other sort of public service. Some proposed that people who served could have a portion of their college education costs forgiven.
As much as I like the idea of people serving others, when I first heard this I turned to my husband and whispered, “Sounds like another Baby Boomer plot to get the young to do the work for them.” I hate to be cynical, but aren’t the young already going to face a bigger burden trying to pay down our ever-expanding national debt and support the growing ranks of benefit-receiving senior citizens? Also, from Teach for America to Americorps, this generation is performing more public service than any I’ve seen.
Still, the idea has merits. Countries such as Israel and Germany, and religious groups such as the Mormons, have found that compulsory service not only provides much-needed workers, but it also helps bond the workers to each other, to the people they serve, and to the nation or religion that they belong to.
The word “compulsory” is what bothers me. If it’s truly valuable and important to serve, we should provide incentives so that people want to do it. I like the idea of forgiving student loans, as that would help attract intelligent and motivated workers. Perhaps there could also be a housing allowance to help in this tough housing market. In general, I think that people who volunteer will be more excited and therefore more effective at their tasks. Then, perhaps they’d even consider extending their public service as a career.
No new taxes = no new firemen
Posted on 24. Oct, 2007 by kchristieh in local news, politics
Today’s LA Times quotes former San Diego fire Chief Jeff Bowman:
But as we drive to get his mother, he can’t help but go over some of the facts.
Although the city of San Diego has a fire department, the county doesn’t, leaving many suburban and rural areas to rely on volunteer departments. The city has but one firefighting helicopter and just 975 firefighters for 330 square miles and 1.3 million residents.
Compare that, he says, with San Francisco, which has 1,600 firefighters for 60 square miles and 850,000 people.
“San Diego practices the biggest don’t-tax-me campaign I’ve seen,” says Bowman, a proud, lifelong Republican. Fine, he says, don’t raise taxes. But reevaluate how money is spent and redistribute it to public safety.
A number of San Diego suburbs have the same resource problems, he says, and are more inclined to invest in evacuation technology than fire prevention and suppression.
“It’s a lot cheaper,” he says. “I’ve had the hardest time with the culture of ‘We can do more with less.’ “
This would make a great little algebra problem:
San Francisco: (1,600 firefighters / 60 sq. miles) = 27 firefighters / sq. mile
San Diego: (975 firefighters / 330 sq. miles) = 3 firefighters / sq. mileSan Francisco: (850,000 people / 1,600 firefighters) = 531 people / firefighter
San Diego: (1,300,000 people / 975 firefighters) = 1,333 people / firefighter
Perhaps San Francisco’s numbers are favorable since they’re more urban and they remember the earthquake and subsequent fires a century ago. But shouldn’t San Diego remember the lessons of the fires just four years ago?
Prescribing birth control to teens without parental permission
Posted on 18. Oct, 2007 by kchristieh in education, my life, politics, religion
If my daughter has a headache at school, the health clerk can’t give her Tylenol. She’d have to have a note from me, and probably from a doctor, to be able to do so. I’ve even had to sign permission slips to allow adults to slather sunscreen on my kids on trips.
Our school’s not unique in this regard: yesterday’s NY Times article, In a Competitive Middle School, Triage for Aches and Anxieties, reports that the Millburn, NJ middle school nurse has the same restriction:
Conversely, she is limited in what she can give on her own. In litigation-sensitive Millburn, a nurse can administer over-the-counter medications only if the parent has sent in the child’s own bottle, with a doctor’s note.
So I was surprised to read in today’s NY Times that
The Portland (Maine) school board on Wednesday approved a measure allowing middle-school students to gain access to prescription birth control medications without notifying parents.
…
According to the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care, about 30 percent of the 1,700 school-based health centers in the United States provide birth control to students, Dr. Patterson said.
Are there schools out there that won’t give Tylenol without asking parents, but will provide prescription birth control?
I have mixed feelings on this issue. If a girl is sexually active, but afraid to tell her parents, it’s probably good that she has access to birth control. On the other hand, as a parent, I want to know what medications are going into my child’s body. I also want to be able to counsel her on other ramifications of being sexually active, such as STDs and emotional issues. (Though parents should do that anyway.) Also, what if a family’s religious beliefs don’t accept birth control? I know some very conservative families who think it’s wrong.
Either way, it doesn’t make sense if a school can prescribe a prescription medication without parental permission, but can’t administer an over-the-counter drug.
Side note: I don’t think this would happen much in California anyway. Most districts can’t afford real nurses or school-based health centers. Sad, but true.
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Take a step to the left
Posted on 15. Jul, 2007 by kchristieh in education, my life, non-profits
My father has often said that men get more conservative as they age, and women get more liberal.
According to The Writer’s Almanac, that’s true in the case of Ariana Huffington. I love this quote it attributes to her:
“One of the definite changes in my thinking was born of the hard reality I confronted when I discovered how much easier it was raising money for the opera and fashionable museums than for at-risk children. So I came to recognize that the task of overcoming poverty will not be achieved without the raw power of government appropriations.”
I’d bet it’s also easier to raise money for well-endowed universities than at-risk children. There’s a great Slate article about university giving, The Old College Try: Why do alumni give to universities? To get their kids in, of course. I gave to my university before I had kids, and will give even if they don’t apply or get in. But I’ll make sure to give to at-risk children and our church also. Don’t count on me for giving to the opera, however.
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Does money really buy votes?
Posted on 25. Jun, 2007 by kchristieh in articles, cool websites, politics, startling statistics, things that bug me
Why else would special interest groups give money to politicians unless they hoped they’d reward them by voting a certain way? Maplight.org shows the connection between the sources of money that members of the California Legislature and the U.S. Congress received and how they voted on specific issues.
David Pogue NYTimes wrote about it in a recent NY Times Circuits column:
Another mind-blowing example: from the home page, click “California.” Click “Legislators,” then click “Fabian Nunez.” The resulting page shows you how much this guy has collected from each special-interest group — $2.2 million so far — and there, in black-and-white type, how often he voted their way.
Construction unions: 94 percent of the time. Casinos: 95 percent of the time. Law firms: 78 percent of the time. Seems as though if you’re an industry lobbyist, giving this fellow money is a pretty good investment.
I’m sure the PACs and corporations would argue that they give to politicians who will be likely to vote their way anyway. Giving them money helps ensure that they win, and will be in office to vote. However, I think that’s optimistic, and that money does sway votes. Personally, I wish that special interest groups couldn’t give money to candidates or officeholders.
Now to get doctors to stop accepting free samples from pharmeceutical companies.
Below is a screenshot from the data about our former assemblywoman, Carol Liu:
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The British are coming!
Posted on 05. May, 2007 by kchristieh in articles, international, politics
Didn’t we fight the American Revolution to gain our independence from British royalty? If so, then why does our nation continue to be so obsessed with Queen Elizabeth et al? I bet the Brits must laugh so hard when they read stories like today’s “” in today’s NYTimes.
The White House is atwitter over the visit on Monday by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. This is the first visit by the queen since 1991, when Mr. Bush’s father was president. White House aides say the state dinner in her honor is not only the social event of the year, but also of the entire Bush presidency.
It will be closely watched by the social elite for its collision of cultures — Texas swagger meets British prim. Dinner attire is white tie and tails, the first and, perhaps, only white-tie affair of the Bush administration. The president was said to be none too keen on that, but bowed to a higher power, his wife.
For once, I think that Bush should win. Instead of sucking up ingratiating ourselves to our former rulers, I think the White House should host a barbeque with spicy ribs and a mechanical bull.
Funny thing is, the Queen’s so cool she’d probably enjoy it…
Thank You for Smoking
Posted on 17. Dec, 2006 by kchristieh in movies, my life
It’s scary, but obvious: the protagonist in the movie “Thank You for Smoking” bears a strong resemblance to my former step-uncle, NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre. The part that reminded me the most of Wayne was when Nick says that if he can defend big tobacco, he can defend anything. Wayne didn’t start out as a big gun user, and in fact the (non-NRA member) relatives would tease him by giving him wooden and stuffed animal ducks for Christmas. I loved that the MOD (Merchants of Death) included alcohol and firearms!
Incredibly, the film doesn’t show one person smoking…gee, why?? Anyway, great movie, make sure to see it – it’s on Charter Direct.
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