Open Thread
By Greg L | 19 March 2008 | Uncategorized | 75 Comments
Online news seems a little thin today, with no reports from yesterday’s BOCS meeting.
What are you hearing out there?
The opinions expressed here are solely the views of the author, and not representative of the position of any organization, political party, doughnut shop, knitting guild, or waste recycling facility, but may be correctly attributed to the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy. If anything in the above article has offended you, please click here to receive an immediate apology.
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I heard an interesting comment from Mr. Gerhart at the BOCS meeting. He said that he expects student enrollment to increase. That doesn’t seem to match what has been reported in the media.
Manassas Park schools have reported a drop in enrollment of 70 students (since September, presumably). This out of a total enrollment of 2300 students.
Just curious, does anyone know what was going on at the Wachovia bank on Buisness 234 late this morning–the one across the street from Barnes & Noble? I was passing by about 11:20 am and it was surrounded by police cars, with more police (with lights and sirens) approaching. Was there a robbery?
We should be worried about the numbers of excellent Hispanic students people like you all are scaring off. We need this next generation of great young Americans!
LOL @ UnMasMexican!
Whom is really scaring of the Hispanic students? My money is on the rhetoric spewing liberals and open borders crowd.
# UnMasMexican! said on 19 Mar 2008 at 1:15 pm:
We should be worried about the numbers of excellent Hispanic students people like you all are scaring off. We need this next generation of great young Americans!
umm yeeeeah……
UnMas, how old are you, 12?
If you are here legally you should have nothing to be afraid of. It is one thing to steal a loaf of bread to feed your family because it is your only true option. It is quite another to steal the loaf of bread from your neighbor because you are too lazy to go to the store and wait in line with everyone else. This is how the illegals got here. This is why they must go home.
I was going down Sudley Road during the lunch hour. It looks like the Wachovia was robbed - police everywhere and what looked like bank employees or customers being interviewed outside. I could be wrong, but I don’t think so.
The BOCS concluded yesterday’s session without agreeing on an advertised tax rate. A couple of votes was taken at various rates but all failed. There is a lot of flustration, and Caddigan is not bashful about blaiming this on Stewart. When asked what the next step would be if the board did not agree on the advertised rate, Gerhart indicated: 1). the board needed to agree to cancel the April 7 public hearing on the budget; 2) staff needed to plan for much higher degree of financial uncertainity, such as pulling funds out of investment vehicles so there could be more liquidable funds; and 4). start a hiring freeze. The results would cost the county money (like lost interest) and could impact the AAA bond rating. When the board heard this they were concerned and renewed their efforts with a compromise tax rate attempt of $1.00/K by Mike May. It failed with only 2 affirmative votes. With no additional tax rate proposals Stewart attempted to cancel the public session administratively, but Gerhart told him the board had to agree to it. No one would offer the motion to cancel the meeting. There was dead silence for ten seconds. So Stewart asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Again there was dead silence for another ten seconds. Then Caddigan offered the motion to adjourn and someone seconded, and on the vote five agreed to end.
So no advertised tax rate, no mention of future special sessions, and no indications of any agreement.
We need a new generation of excellent students, but it matters not whether they are hispanic, white, black, or any other ethnicity/race/etc. What we do NOT need are illegal immigrants, street gangs, that sort of thing. Legal immigrants have no need to be scared off, there is nothing to fear.
California is making massive cuts in their education budget. They can not afford to educate their students. I think it is time to stop insisting that U.S. taxpayers by to educate students from other countries that are here illegally. WE CAN NOT AFFORD IT!
Should be I think it is time to stop insisting that U.S. taxpayers foot the bill to educate students from other countries that are here illegally. We need to give our own citizen students and other students here legally, the best education we can afford. Illegal alien students are taking money that should go to educate our own.
It was amazing how twice at the Supervisors Meeting they mentioned that poor policeman that was ramed into by a DUI person and he turns out to be an illegal. Wow. Wonder if this woke anyone up,that this goes on everyday.
I realize we need to get the drunks off of the street,but also as important is getting the illegals off of the street. THEY ALL ARE BREAKING THE LAW.
It was amusing to watch last weeks meeting and again this week on trying to set the Tax Rate.
Makes me wonder where the brains went.
Not one of them came up with cuts, such as The Discretionary Funds,that other Fund they have, cutting the big raises for the County Executive and Dept. Heads .Put a freeze on these items and give the employee a cost of living increase. Believe me it won’t pay for the increases in food, utilities and insurance. But it would help.
I also find it appaling that apparently the Chair, Mr. Stewart decided not to have a meeting with the School Board and in fact they did not have a worksession with themselves to talk over the budget. I wonder why??
Have a good day.
It’s past time for the schools to start collecting data on how much it costs us to provide an education to those who are in our jurisdiction without legal authorization, i.e., illegal aliens. There is no law or court case that prevents the schools from collecting these data.
Advocator- I agree. I would like to know how many Manassas City residents got the Prince William County school census. It’s funny that this is the first year that this has ever happened. Double dipping Prince William?
Advocator,
Be simple enough to require proof of residency of the parent or legal guardian for any child enrolling in school.
This would also put a stop to the folks who use a friend or relative’s address to send their child to another school district.
me-n-u, maybe that’s why Mr. County Exec thinks PWC schools’ enrollment will increase - they are sending the census to jurisdictions outside PWC.?
Mustang Marine wife said on 19 Mar 2008 at 1:05 pm:
Just curious, does anyone know what was going on at the Wachovia bank on Buisness 234 late this morning–the one across the street from Barnes & Noble? I was passing by about 11:20 am and it was surrounded by police cars, with more police (with lights and sirens) approaching. Was there a robbery?
The MJM may have a story about that situation in about a week. Then again, maybe not. lol
Unmas: Excellent Hispanic students?? O-kay. Can they go and be excellent students in their home countries? The fact is, the illegal aliens and their children we have here are not the cream of the crop.
Mando said on 19 Mar 2008 at 1:30 pm:
LOL @ UnMasMexican!
Whom is really scaring of the Hispanic students? My money is on the rhetoric spewing liberals and open borders crowd.
Exactamente! It is their own people, for their own purposes doing the scaring off.
starryflights said on 19 Mar 2008 at 2:20 pm:
California is making massive cuts in their education budget. They can not afford to educate their students. I think it is time to stop insisting that U.S. taxpayers by to educate students from other countries that are here illegally. WE CAN NOT AFFORD IT!
The graduation rate for HS students in California is about 67%. Pouring good money after bad won’t help. Get rid of the illegals in that state and all of the taxpayer benefits they receive and they’ll have the money for education. Arnie can’t see the trees for the forest or the illegals sucking dry the taxpayers of California.
“UnMas, how old are you, 12?”
I would guess:
Mentally, 12.
Physically, much older.
Advocator said on 19 Mar 2008 at 2:28 pm:
It’s past time for the schools to start collecting data on how much it costs us to provide an education to those who are in our jurisdiction without legal authorization, i.e., illegal aliens. There is no law or court case that prevents the schools from collecting these data.
Sorry Advocator,
It is illegal for the school system to ask for immigrant status. It is also illegal for them to deny children an education for any reason other than residency in their jurisdiction, legal or illegal. The only way for the school system to deny a child an education is if the child has been expelled by the school board for breaking policy rules.
How many think MI and FL should get “do-over” elections? I do not think they should. They made a choice and they have to live with the consequences. That is the problem today, you do something wrong or don’t obey the rules and it is ok, you can have a do-over because that is the PC thing to do. No one is a looser. BS!!! Someone will loose and someone will win. You have to accept your blatant thumbing of the rules, MI and FL, and live with what you created yourselves.
What happened to the high school teacher who, allegedly, molested three 12-13 year old girls? This was written up with its own thread but has disappeared. Does anyone know what happened?
How does Gerhardt know the student population is increasing? The school system obviously doesn’t know about any increases other than the already predicted growth of 2000 students. Does Gerhardt have information that hasn’t been provided to the school system or the public?
LeRoy, there is absolutely NOTHING either wrong or illegal in collecting information on the legal residency status of students…it’s actually required. It is the schools themselves that have chosen to create a double standard and give obviously non-resident students of non-English speaking parents a pass. YOU try to enroll your child in school and see how many hoops you have to go through, either proving your residency or proving you have a compelling reason for placing your child at that school (which requires a letter from the School Superintendent), and perhaps YOU might get another perspective on this.
I agree that financial data MUST be collected…we collect it on everything else!
Did you read in the Potomac News on Monday that county residents had spontaneously donated over $740 to a fund to fight possible lawsuits against the Rule of Law. The county had to name a spreadsheet to hold the money and titled the fund “donations for legal or enforcement expenditures to fight illegal immigration.”
By the way LeRoy, this is all part of the double standard under which we now live, compliments of a heretofore oblivious public and elected officials with their own agendas…and let’s not forget the greedy.
so Iran is the next target - the next hot bed of Muslim atrocities - and they are quickly becoming a nuclear nation. Where did they get the nuclear blue prints - some point to Russia, to Packistan, to North Korea - according to a NYTimes reporter, they got the nuclear blue prints from none other than the USA. I guess it it to go with the military equipment we sold them a number of years ago.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2006/jan/05/energy.g2
What happened to the high school teacher?
The data collected when enrolling a student in any school is to ensure that the student lives within the boundaries of Prince William County and not the City of Manassas or Manassas Park or some other place. Because of the allocation of funds, it is critical to verify that the student is a Prince William resident and that the student is attenting the designated school for that address.
There is no reason to collect information regarding entrant status. If the schools must educate any student within their jurisdiction, then the information become superfulous and invites litigation.
AWC,
All you need is a utility bill with your name on it and your kid is in. No SS #, no drivers licence, just proof you live in the jurisdiction. What public and elected officials have their own agendas, and what are they, who are they? I am sorry you seem upset, but the schools have no right to ask for legal U.S. status, only in the jurisdiction they serve.
Cite chapter and verse LeRoy…where does it say that no one has the right to ask legal status? It doesn’t exist. It only exists in the rhetoric from such as the MWB and other such organizations and groups who claim that it is “racist” to even ask. Such questions have been asked in the past PURELY for information and planning purposes. I graduated from high school here in PWC back in 1969 and my children graduated from school here and over the years a multitude of “surveys” have been sent home gathering information, so why should this be so different…because they’re (and you’re) paranoid, perhaps? Let ‘em be!
LeRoy said on 19 Mar 2008 at 9:25 pm:
AWC,
All you need is a utility bill with your name on it and your kid is in. No SS #, no drivers licence, just proof you live in the jurisdiction. What public and elected officials have their own agendas, and what are they, who are they? I am sorry you seem upset, but the schools have no right to ask for legal U.S. status, only in the jurisdiction they serve.
And the illegals are scamming the system. You have illegals living in PWC that are sending their kids to Manassas City schools and vice versa. It is a known fact.
Krutis said on 19 Mar 2008 at 6:07 pm:
What happened to the high school teacher who, allegedly, molested three 12-13 year old girls? This was written up with its own thread but has disappeared. Does anyone know what happened?
Check in with the MJM. They have all the answers.
AWC is right. No where does it say that schools can not inquire about a students legal status. Yes we have to educate them but as American citizens we have a right to know how much of our tax dollars are being used to educate people that have no right to be in our country in the first place. The pro illegal alien lobby will hate it when concrete figures about costs associated with illegals becomes known. Their arguments will vanish.
How can you say that children of illegals will excel? It’s pretty sad when the parents can’t read the school holiday schedule and I see these parents parading their kids down the hill to wait on the bus during the first day of spring break this week. It’s been my experience that kids that excel are the ones that have parents that are educated and can take the time when they are preschoolers to teach them to write the alphabet and their name and address, in English I might add. You’re clueless if you think this generation of illegal anchor babies or just plain illegal kids will excel. Just my opinion as a product of two parents who were both teachers and watching my sisters and brothers kids who did and did not take the time in preschool years to have my niece and nephews learning the alphabet, colors, name etc. I have seen the difference.
Round them up, move them out!!!
AWC,
You want to send home a survey? The people you are concerned with have come into our country illegally and you want to send home a survey with there kids to get an idea of how many there are? You will never get “concrete” numbers that way. I can’t site code but I know we have to change the law in order to require folks to prove their here legally. I may have stated things poorly. The schools cannot require legal status information as a prerequisite for attending our schools. If a parent does not want to answer a question they do not have to, and we still have to educate their child.
I am still interested with the names of the politicians you talked about and their agendas.
Anonymous,
I think you are right, it is a known fact that illegals send their kids to schools outside of their jurisdiction. But then again so do legal folks. Its been going on for years.
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080320/OPINION01/803200386/1008
This is an interesting article regarding educating the children of illegal aliens! Oh…of course you cannot cite the “source” leroy (liberals usually don’t use facts).
http://www.judicialwatch.org/blog/mexico-organizing-may-day-marches-u-s
“Mexico Organizing May Day Marches In U.S.”
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/mccain-declines-invitation-to-discuss-immigration-with-hard-line-gop-candidate-2008-03-19.html
“McCain declines invitation to discuss immigration with hard-line GOP candidate”
Imagine that…McAmnesty declining a discussion on immigration!
The Patriot (Got E-Verify?) said on 20 Mar 2008 at 7:26 am:
I would be interested to know just how much money the federal gov’t gives the schools. If we could make up that difference and be able to run the school as we see fit in regards to enrollment, then what would it matter? We would have citizens in PWC that are here to pay their fair share of taxes and have jobs for those with lower skill levels. Where is the downside?
The Patriot (Got E-Verify?) said on 20 Mar 2008 at 8:42 am:
How can they march in the streets? I think this is a perfect time for ICE to be ready to snatch some ILLEGAL aliens. What a perfect time, they will have them all rounded up. I say we get the National Guard on the ready, surround them, and pull them off of the streets. This all happens at the same time. It is time to remove the invaders from the US. A military action like this would not be hard to do. Let ICE oversee the maneuver and get all people involved that need to be involved on a need to know basis. Better yet, you could announce that this will happen and see the numbers diminish for the parades. Take them all in, put them in holding areas until they can be sorted out and deport those here illegally. The US needs to look at this as an opportunity.
Krutis said on 19 Mar 2008 at 6:07 pm:
What happened to the high school teacher who, allegedly, molested three 12-13 year old girls? This was written up with its own thread but has disappeared. Does anyone know what happened?
He’s living in Krusty’s basement!
Wow, I made a trip over to the other blog. Seems some have their panties in a twist over there. Lots of hate and contempt for this blog. On one thread it was about every other post bashing Greg and BVBL. Seems to me like a bunch of chickens clucking in the hen house and accomplishing about as much.
The main difference I see is the apologists have a better foot hold over there.
Anyway, I made a post so I will check on it occasionally to see when it gets removed.
/\/\3|)iç 64, The Federal government only gives the schools about 10% of the money they need, according to Congressional Budget Office. One trillion dollars will be spent on public education and State and Local governments pay 90% of that cost. This is part of the reason California has over a billion dollar deficit, since they have the largest illegal alien population.
There has been talk of telling the Federal government to keep their money and run the schools without all of the Federal mandates. May be a plan.
Krutis said on 19 Mar 2008 at 6:07 pm:
What happened to the high school teacher who, allegedly, molested three 12-13 year old girls? This was written up with its own thread but has disappeared. Does anyone know what happened?
He’s had three bond appeals remanded. Still in jail.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5634125.html
“State panel rejects Latino call for input on curriculum”
It is always about the latinos/hispanics! When will they learn that in America…ALL people are considered equal…regardless of where you are from. Additionally, this just demonstrates that lack of willingness for assimilation.
LeRoy said on 19 Mar 2008 at 5:33 pm: “Sorry Advocator, It is illegal for the school system to ask for immigrant status. It is also illegal for them to deny children an education for any reason other than residency in their jurisdiction, legal or illegal. The only way for the school system to deny a child an education is if the child has been expelled by the school board for breaking policy rules.”
Lo siento mucho, LeRoy, but it is perfectly legal for a school system to ask for proof of legal residency. At the present, it’s just against the holding of a Supreme Court decision to deny them enrollment on the basis of illegal presence. Check Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202. The SCOTUS held as such back in 1982 because the few illegals in that particular TX school system did not constitute a drain on the System’s budget. Fast forward a quarter of a century, with a different SCOTUS panel and different facts regarding how much the Invaders cost us, and you’ll get a different result.
Maureen Wood said on 20 Mar 2008 at 12:19 pm:
I think it would be a good plan. Who is to say the level of education wouldn’t be better without the Gov’t mandates that are not funded properly anyway?
10% of the total budget is not much at all. I understand some smaller rural areas would be hurting, but those who could afford it and wanted to do it should be allowed to. I wouldn’t mind paying a few extra dollars knowing the school system is getting an upgrade. We have to clear out the freeloaders first though.
Advocator said on 20 Mar 2008 at 1:13 pm:
I think if Plyler v Doe were heard today, you would be right. We have to quit with the warm and fuzzy police.
Dave in PWC said on 20 Mar 2008 at 12:47 am:
Round them up, move them out!!!
Get along little dogies! Yippie kai yea!
Just found this:
“Immigration a dividing line in Virginia politics”
November 10, 2007
The Virginia-Pilot (Hampton Roads’ “Washington Post”)
http://hamptonroads.com/node/423771
Here’s a question: when do the other parts of the ordinance kick in? I thought there was much more to this than just apprehending illegals with criminal records. As I recall, certain services were not going to be provided to those who cannot show legal status in this country. Did I miss something?
Resolution, not ordinance. Oops.
Mr. Anon: It turns out that most services are denied to illegals by state laws anyway. It’s a matter of our County employees adhering to those laws. Passing the Resolution caused a scrub of those services and as a consequence of that scrub, county employees were educated on what services illegals should not get. The question I have is what type of identification is being used to “establish” citizenship? Of the remainder of the services, it isn’t very cost effective to “ID” everyone using a park or library.
The 287g agreement and the police inquiry into legal residency were the “meat” of the resolution. As originally drafted, anyone stopped by the police would have been requested to show evidence of legal residence. Instead, the County staff changed it to require evidence only if the officer has “probably cause” to believe the individual is not hear legally. Thus the debate ensued over how “probable cause” is established, and the resultant request for cameras that ostensibly would show the officers did not abuse their discretion in finding probable cause.
Advocator, one thing that must be addressed is the legal resident check while applying for foodstams/WIC. Illegal aliens are known for using their so-called “US Citizen” anchor babies to apply. This should be stopped. Afterall, foodstamps/WIC are meant for ADULTS who cannot make ends meet (due to lack of employment, etc.). How can we address this? ONLY ADULTS should be able to apply for these things using ADULT paperwork.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,340222,00.html
I guess that being enlightened means evacuating one’s bowels in style. Take a look at what Ike Leggett is up to, even during a hiring freeze and budget crunch.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,340135,00.html
Remember, latino/hispanics are white. Calling names is never nice, but how can one be racist against his own race?
Here it is in plain and easy to understand English:
1. If a black person is against illegal immigration are they racist?
2. If a hispanic person is against illegal immigration are they racist?
3. If a caucasion person is against illegal immigration are they racist?
4. If an asian is against illegal immigration are they racist?
Now the homework assignment for liberals, illegal aliens, and legal residents who “aid and abet” illegal aliens is to answer these questions with a YES or NO answer (no fluff).
Patriot:
I hear you, but I doubt if you’ll find much support for implementing measures that may result in malnourished kids! Incidentally, I went to Pet Smart the other day to stock up on food for my security system (Pinscher unLimited), and saw a family stocking up on canned dog food. I don’t think they had any dogs. While this situation is the fault of illegal invader apologists and the traitors who hire the Invaders, I personally could not countenance implementing a program that might result in denying their children the basic necessities of life. There are other issues that should be addressed and are more deserving of our time and effort, e.g., requiring e-verify of all employers in the state, like AZ does; tracking the number of illegal aliens enrolled in the schools in VA; requiring lenders to verify legal residence prior to making loans; confiscating vehicles from drivers who drive without licenses; state-wide 287g agreement, etc. We got lotsa work to do before we take free milk away from kids who, presently, are considered US citizens.
Advocator…you see….I am not advocating “taking away milk from the children”….I am advocating that only adults should be allowed to apply for the foodstamps/wic….so that they go through the “legal check”. If it turns out that they are NOT legal….ICE gets notified and they get no benefits. Surely, due to living in a “bunk house”, there is plenty of food to go around. No one seems to be “starving”. What this plan would do is….ACTUALLY APPLY THE LEGAL CHECK (which is currently being evaded by allowing adults to apply using their children’s information….a gaping LOOPHOLE that must be shut).
Things that enable people to operate illegally in our country include:
1. Free food…via foodstamps/wic, etc. (using the legal check evasion “loophole”).
2. Jobs…via illegal hiring practices.
3. Harboring of illegals by legal residents who “aid and abet”.
These are avenues that must be shut down if we are going to get serious about ACTUALLY resolving our illegal immigration problem. We must make it impossible to operate illegally! No food, No jobs, and prosecute those who “aid and abet”.
Funny, those so-called “poor” illegal aliens pay with foodstamps/wic for a full load of groceries and then cart their 5 kids off in a luxury Eddie Bauer Limited Edition suv…and then magically have money left over to send back “home” south of the border! I don’t buy the “kids are starving” BS!
I think the dog food remark is total BS. Patriot’s observations and mine are the same. If anything, I have seen more obese people, including children, in this area than ever before. In fact I’ll just come out and say that there is an epidemic of fat hispanic women in the area. Go ahead and start with the name calling, but if you’re honest with yourself you’ll admit you have seen the same thing.
The car comments are dead on too. I guess when you don’t pay tax, cram numerous families into one home, and are on the government teat for benefits you can buy a nice ride.
A diet of beans and tortillas will quickly make one obese.
“Afterall, foodstamps/WIC are meant for ADULTS who cannot make ends meet (due to lack of employment, etc.).”
WIC is specifically for children and involves a different set of rules than foodstamps. It only provides for a limited type of goods, such as milk and cereal (don’t know what else…I assume baby food, formula, and other such things). I’m not certain just what the rules are, but I believe that they are much more lax for WIC, and they might not even fall under the federal and state “legal residency” requirement.
Krutis said on 21 Mar 2008 at 1:46 pm:
A diet of beans and tortillas will quickly make one obese.
He knows because he hangs around Taco Bell, trying to pick up chubby girls. Put down that chalupa, mi amigo!
Actually, a diet of McDonalds and Popeye’s will make you obese. I think that’s the problem.
Che’ - FYI; Krutis is a mature, wise and, especially, intelligent woman. Respect expected! (As if ….)
Just slumming it here.
Well said, Krutis. This site would be boring without you.
Che’- which Taco Bell?
Mr. Anon,
I agree with you, all I see around Manassas a large mamacita’s dragging along their chubby kids or pushing them in strollers. You would think that all that walking around would push the pounds off. Especially having to dodge cars when they jaywalk along Sudley.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,340775,00.html Oh, brother.
Krutis said on 21 Mar 2008 at 4:20 pm:
“Che’ - FYI; Krutis is a mature, wise and, especially, intelligent woman. Respect expected! (As if ….)
Just slumming it here.”
So sorry. Please let me correct my error:
A diet of beans and tortillas will quickly make one obese.
SHE knows because SHE hangs around Taco Bell, trying to pick up chubby girls. Put down that chalupa, MI AMIGA!
Actually, a diet of McDonalds and Popeye’s will make you obese. I think that’s the problem.
Senora Krustis also lives in the slums???