The Rochester, New York school district has long ranked very low when it comes to graduation rates and test scores in the nation. When the new School Superintendent arrived in town about a year ago, Jean-Claude Brizard vowed to see both test scores, and the graduation rate, go up. True to his word, test scores did indeed improve. The school district may have found a creative way to do so, but at the same time, it’s created quite a stir. Everyone applauded the district when the latest report showed record gains in test scores on state exams. But, it of course also led to the question of just how did they do it.

The process of raising the test scores, as I already mentioned, has caused quite a stir. As a matter of fact, now Superintendent Brizard is worried that the recent Social Studies fiasco could overshadow the school district’s gains on the state exams.

Read on …

In New York State political news, the Independence Party of Monroe County asked for the resignation of Rafael Colon from his chairman’s post. He agreed to the request, and has resigned. The Executive Committee of the County party asked for the resignation of Colon and his wife after reports surfaced that Jack Davis, the Democratic Congressional candidate for the 26th District, paid Blanca Colon $5,000 in consulting fees. On the surface one might say, “So what.” But, here’s the catch, According to Davis’ campaign manager, the goal of the payments had nothing to do with consulting. Instead, he readily admits that the Democratic candidate made the $5,000 payment with the sole goal of building relationships with Independence Party members.

In other words, mulit-millionaire Democratic candidate Jack Davis from the Rochester, New York area, readily admits he’s looking to buy votes.

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A new study, or is it an old study. It’s really hard to tell because most of these things seem to cycle around and around and around. This time there’s a new/old study which says cell phone use might be hazardous to your health. Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, the head of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, is warning his faculty and staff to limit their use of mobile phones. Of course his warning flies in the face of studies that have shown there’s no definitive link between cell phone use and contracting brain cancer.

In issuing his warning, Dr. Heberman states, “At the heart of my concern is that we shouldn’t wait for a definitive study to come out, but err on the side of being safe rather than sorry.” Some scientists have warned about the effects of electromagnetic radiation on the brain since cell phones first hit the market. They stick to the claims even though it’s never been much of a concern among brain specialists.

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At a recent fundraiser for a Texas Congressional candidate, President Bush joked about Wall Street being “drunk.” When asked about the struggling economy, President Bush said, “There’s no question about it. Wall Street got drunk. It got drunk and now it’s got a hangover.” He then went on to pose the question, “How long will it take to sober up and not try to do all those fancy financial instruments?” With that question President Bush was referring to documents representing a legal agreement involving monetary value which some blame for the current mortgage meltdown.

Now some would consider his comments reckless. However, I for one find his comments refreshing. The President of the United States talking candidly, and realistically, about what’s going on with the economy. Some are trying to make this a big political stumble because he made the comments “off camera.” Obviously those tactics are not working. No one is picking up on his comments. Could it be the President is on to something here? Wall Street and other financial institutions spend their days shuffling paper, and in many cases, non-existent funds. Somewhere along the line the bubble had to burst, and I believe that’s partly what we’re seeing here.

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Everyone seems concerned about what will happen at the Summer Olympics this year in Beijing. Many want President Bush, and other leaders, to do a mini-boycott of the games by not showing up for the Opening Ceremonies. Of course in the long run, such a boycott would do absolutely nothing. Others are decrying the games because of human rights issues in China. Still others are upset with the oppression of Christian’s in China. It is no secret that athletes have been told they are not allowed to take Bibles with them to the games.

I guess with all that in mind, I do have a few questions — Did no one think of this earlier? Does this come as a surprise? - and last but certainly not least - Who thought it was a good idea to host the games in Beijing, China in the first place?

Now, on top of the above concerns, lets toss in a fear of terrorist attacks, and smog issues!

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Aside from this blog, I also write another blog called Frame by Frame: A Family-Friendly Guide to the Movies. Starting this Monday, July 21, I’m launching a new weekly feature called Movie Monday.

It’s going to be great fun, and it gives everyone an opportunity to tell others about movies you watched over the weekend. For more information check out the latest blog entry Movie Monday Blog Carnival on my Frame by Frame blog.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

Earlier this week a big news story revolved around a so-called prisoner exchange between the Hezbollah and Israel. At that time I said I didn’t get it, and I still don’t get it. In an earlier blog post I asked the question - Did Carter Do This? - In that post I wondered aloud if the former President Carter, who traveled to speak with the Hezbollah terrorists against the will of the United States government, could claim victory. The former President sat down with Hezbollah and allegedly told them to start playing nice with Israel. If this is what they call nice nice, then I must have a vastly different definition of nice than the former President. First off, in the so-called prisoner exchange earlier this week, Israel received the remains of two soldiers, while Hezbollah received five live Lebanese prisoners. These prisoners by the way, were prisoners because they’re terrorists and murderers. But, nonetheless, the exchange was made. I asked it earlier, and I’ll ask it again - Who brokered this deal!? - Two dead for five alive hardly seems like a deal to me.

Now the recent news out of Hezbollah since what some called an historic day has the Hezbollah militants vowing vengeance on Israel. That’s right, rather than showing gratitude for their release, the five Hezbollah terrorists who were returned to Beirut, Lebanon are pledging to fight Israel. Dressing in military fatigues, the five made their vow at the grave of a Hezbollah commander. One of the former prisoners, Samir Kantar, declared, “We swear by our god to continue on your same path and not retreat.” In other words, the terrorist is continuing to declare his plan to wipe Israel off the face of the earth.

Just who is Kantar? He took part in a 1979 Palestinian guerrilla attack and was convicted by an Israeli court for killing four people, including a father and his four year old daughter. An Israeli spokesperson said, “Kantar is a brutal child murderer who instead of being rejected upon his return, was held up as a rock star.” This is a man who bludgeoned the little four year girl to death with his rifle butt. Now he’s free and back in his own country saying he’s ready to go back to and kill more Israeli’s.

Again, this just doesn’t make sense. It’s things like this that make me very nervous concerning the rhetoric of presidential candidates like Senator Obama. He says “lets just sit down and talk.” Lets all sing a campfire song and get along. If the Senator truly believes that will make things all better again, he needs to take a long hard look at the so-called prisoner exchange and think again. Not only does the Senator need to wake up from his make-believe-land, but I also wonder if many American’s need to wake up from the same make-believe-land.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

All over the news today is the big Hezbollah and Israel swap that took place. Hezbollah handed over the bodies of two dead Israeli soldiers, in exchange for five Lebanese prisoners held by Israel. Many are celebrating this is a huge accomplishment. But I have one question - What makes this such a great deal?

Am I missing something here? The Hezbollah hand over dead soldiers while they receive five live prisoners? Who brokered this deal? Is this why former President Jimmy Carter visited with the Hezbollah a few months ago? Lets remember the former President Carter went on his so-called peace trip without the approval of the United States government. The former President went over there as a renegade and a lose canon. Former President Carter was so pleased when he sat down with Hezbollah saying it was a great move toward peace. Is this what he worked out?

Again, this just doesn’t make sense to me. Maybe the former President arranged to have Habitat for Humanity provide the lumber for the caskets. I just don’t get it.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

We find ourselves in the midst of an election year. That of course means we’re hearing about all the pressing issues of the day. The pollsters are working overtime as well making sure the pressing issues of the day are at the forefront of the voters mind too. As a matter of fact, Match.com and Happen magazine just came out with an all important polling issue — Who’s the better kisser, McCain or Obama?

While Americans haven’t decided whether Senator John McCain or Senator Barack Obama should be in the White House, apparently some people have decided on who the better kisser is. In this groundbreaking and all important survey, 77 percent of the respondents believe Senator Obama would be a better kisser than Senator McCain. Darcey Cameron, the senior director of marketing and advertising for Match.com, said, “While the majority of their member base consider themselves middle of the road, it appears that America is leaning to the left with their lips.”

Am I ever glad they took that poll. Now I can sleep easy at night having that little piece of information.

Come on, give me a break. Once again we’re seeing the dumbing down of politics. We find ourselves in the midst of turbulent times where it’s hard to pin down politicians on the important issues. Instead society seems more fascinated with the good looks, and now kissing abilities, of the candidates. When will the madness end? Sure, many people think it’s funny and think it’s fun when politicians go on late night comedy shows and embarrass themselves. But sooner or later, this whole process will implode. When faced with real issues of a failing economy, terrorists wanting to kill us and an energy crisis, good looks and kissing won’t cut it. What seems like fun now, just might come back to haunt us in the future when we’re looking for a leader who will work well under pressure.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

Potato sack races and three-legged races have been part of kid’s summer experiences and school activities for decades. But that’s no longer the case in Washington, England. School officials there have banned such events from an upcoming sports day because they say the children might hurt themselves.

Say what! Phil Gramm said we live in a society of wimps and he may very well be onto something. No more potato sack or three-legged races because the kids might hurt themselves. Give me a break. Simon Woolley, an education official in County Durham said, “We looked at a three-legged race and a sack race, but what we want to do is minimize the risk to the children.” So, what are the planned events? Woolley went on to say the kids will do some “hopping and running because there’s less chance of the children falling over.” They will also be allow to “toss ping pong balls into a bucket.” You better watch out for that game Mr. Woolley, the kids might get hurt if a ball bounces off the rim and hits them in the eye.

What is this world coming to!? Not only do we live in a society of wimps, but we’re creating a society of wimps. Of course much of the silliness revolves around the fact that we live in an age of litigation where people are looking for any reason to sue just to make a quick buck. As a result, we’re coddling our kids and creating a sense of fear about everything. Personally, I have no idea how my generation ever survived. We rode bicycles without helmets, and took vacations without seat belts. To top it all off, we also took part in potato sack and three-legged races, and from time to time, we even played dodge-ball! When will someone finally stand up and say — “Stop the foolishness!”

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus