Rebirth of Socialism?

Unbelievable as it might sound but despite socialism and communisms' failure across the globe a school in Seattle is still promoting them as preferable alternatives to capitalism and having private property rights. This "lesson" is being implemented by banning the imperialist Legos, long known as the tools of greed.

The concept that property ownership as evil is being indoctrinated into students at the Hilltop Center in Seattle.

The teachers first assaulted the idea of ownership. When students expressed resistence to the teachers' distain for ownership rights ("If I buy it, I own it"), the teachers spent several months espousing their Marxist views on equality, power and class-struggle.

Eventually, the hostage Legos were returned to the classroom after the children had sufficiently embraced the viewpoint of their teachers, including that "All structures are public structures" and "All structures will be standard sizes."

Yes, soon we can look forward to the same economic stunning successes that have been demonstrated in North Korea and Cuba. It is unclear whether this new development foreshadows a return of Barney the Dinosaur to national prominence. Nonetheless, it is apparent that the enemies of free enterprise, private property ownership and the American dream are still hard at work.

See the full article.

Inspiration

Public Edumacation

And you thought your public school district had problems?

Inconvenient for Whom?

POWER: GORE MANSION USES 20X AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD; CONSUMPTION INCREASE AFTER 'TRUTH'

The Tennessee Center for Policy Research, an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan research organization committed to achieving a freer, more prosperous Tennessee through free market policy solutions, issued a press release late Monday:

Last night, Al Gore’s global-warming documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, collected an Oscar for best documentary feature, but the Tennessee Center for Policy Research has found that Gore deserves a gold statue for hypocrisy.

Gore’s mansion, [20-room, eight-bathroom] located in the posh Belle Meade area of Nashville, consumes more electricity every month than the average American household uses in an entire year, according to the Nashville Electric Service (NES).

In his documentary, the former Vice President calls on Americans to conserve energy by reducing electricity consumption at home.

The average household in America consumes 10,656 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, according to the Department of Energy. In 2006, Gore devoured nearly 221,000 kWh—more than 20 times the national average.

Last August alone, Gore burned through 22,619 kWh—guzzling more than twice the electricity in one month than an average American family uses in an entire year. As a result of his energy consumption, Gore’s average monthly electric bill topped $1,359.

Since the release of An Inconvenient Truth, Gore’s energy consumption has increased from an average of 16,200 kWh per month in 2005, to 18,400 kWh per month in 2006.

Gore’s extravagant energy use does not stop at his electric bill. Natural gas bills for Gore’s mansion and guest house averaged $1,080 per month last year.

“As the spokesman of choice for the global warming movement, Al Gore has to be willing to walk to walk, not just talk the talk, when it comes to home energy use,” said Tennessee Center for Policy Research President Drew Johnson.

In total, Gore paid nearly $30,000 in combined electricity and natural gas bills for his Nashville estate in 2006.

Schnauzers on Parade

Went to the Internation Kennel Club's (IKC) dog show at McCormick Place in Chicago. I don't know the difference between the IKC and the AKC as far as standards and whatnot. In any event, we got to the Saturday, February 24, 2007, event at around 10 am in order to see the 11:45 am miniature schnauzer competition. We wanted to make sure we got ring-side seating. Which we did.

Unfortunately, the judge was delay in attending allegedly due to the weather. She was an older woman with harsh and angry gray hair. In short, the 8 and 9:30 am competitions could not proceed at Ring 13 (where the miniature schnauzers were scheduled). When the judge finally arrived around 11 am they were running way behind. From our seats we got to watch neighboring rings and so got to see the Yorkie, Bichon Frise and whippet competitions. And Ring 13 was also home for the Giant Schnauzer competitions which was delayed.

When the miniature schnauzers finally took the ring it was almost 3 pm. But like the gritty little dogs themselves the wife and I persevered. It was comical to see how the miniature schnauzer competitors sized each other up (not the handlers). None of the other breeds we saw that day did that. The schnauzers yapped at each other, at passing people, and inanimate objects. Anything to assert schnauzer dominance. I wonder if that counts against them in judging. It really shouldn't since that is a trait of the breed.

I got lots of miniature schnauzer photographs. They all had docked ears for some reason. I had heard that undocked ears had become more common at competitions. We also saw the rumpled Neopolitan mastiffs, Black Russian terriers and the best in show puppy competitions.

Didn't stick around to see the Best in Group competitions or Best in Show since it is a given that the miniature schnauzer will get snubbed again. So why ruin the moment?

All in all, a great time was had by all. Despite the weather which put a damper on our departure from the Chicago Lyric Opera's presentation of Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte due to the wife's open toed footwear not being resistant to the 3 inches of slush that had to be negotiated before we could catch a cab. But that's a story for another day.

Quotable Reagan

A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx.

The Constitution was never meant to prevent people from praying; its declared purpose was to protect their freedom to pray.

I’ve always thought that the common sense and wisdom of the federal government were summed up in a sign they used to have hanging on the Hoover Dam. It said, “Government property. Do not remove.”

A leader, once convinced a particular course of action is the right one, must have the determination to stick with it and be undaunted when the going gets tough.

You and I do not believe that life is so dear and peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery.

According to the experts, I have exceeded my life expectancy by quite a few years. This is a source of great annoyance to some.

Communism works only in heaven where they don’t need it, and in hell where they already have it.

America is as large as the universe, as infinite as space, as limitless as the vision and courage of her people.

This is America; you can do anything here.

You know, when I called the Soviet Union an Evil Empire, I meant it.

Students Attack Teacher Over Confiscated iPod

A Germantown (PA) High School teacher suffered a broken neck Friday during a scuffle with students over a prohibited iPod. The attack happened when 60 year old math teacher Frank Burd took an iPod from a 11th grade member of his class. After class, the 17-year-old student and a 15-year-old freshman then assaulted the teacher in the hallway, knocking him to the ground. The teacher was pushed over to the ground, suffering a gash on his face and two broken bones in his neck according to Paul Vallas, School District of Philadelphia CEO.

The two teens have been charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, and reckless endangerment. So far, the two are being charged as juveniles but that could change depending upon a decision by the District Attorney.

What would have happened if the teacher had tried to take their Legos?

Lawsuit: Cops shot my dog!

February 21, 2007, 5:51 PM CST

A Chicago man who says police shot and killed his dog last year while chasing a fleeing suspect filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the city and two police officers.Calvin Hale, 68, alleges he was in his backyard when a police officer ran into the yard and stumbled on his 10-year-old Akita, Lady.

"The next I know, I heard a shot, and she started to holler," Hale said Wednesday. " I told [the police officer] 'You shot my dog,' and he just kept running."

The incident occurred at about 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 26, 2006, Hale said.Hale said his dog had no history of biting or bad behavior. The lawsuit filed in Cook County (Illinois) Circuit Court seeks unspecified damages of more than $50,000. City officials offered to pay Hale for the dog, but could not reach an agreement on the amount, Law Department spokeswoman Jennifer Hoyle said. She declined to comment on the lawsuit. Hale's attorney, Amy Breyer of Chicago, is one of a small number of lawyers who specialize in animal-related cases and sometimes seek to expand the reach of animal law.Breyer said police could not shoot a child in the yard without justification, and "my feeling is it's not acceptable with non-human family members" either.

Article by Michael J. Higgins, Chicago Tribune staff reporter

A For Effort?

I'm pretty sure these students didn't pass but you have to admire their creativity!

Romanian Prez Questions British Withdrawal Plans

A hasty withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq will cause "chaos and the division of Iraq", according to Romanian president Traian Basescu. Britain has announced plans to reduce its troop contingent while Denmark says it will withdraw its forces by August.

The Romanian president is under increasing pressure at home - from prime minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu and the left-wing opposition - to announce a timeline for withdrawing the country's 600 troops from Iraq. Mr Tariceanu proposed bringing the troops home last year, but was overruled by Mr Basescu, who is commander-in-chief and has the ultimate authority on withdrawing the troops. Defence minister Sorin Frunzaverde, who is close to Basescu, said Romania would make a decision on its troops in a few days. He said Romania had to honour its commitments in Iraq, but "would take into account what its allies will do".

© Copyright Press Association Ltd 2007, All Rights Reserved.

Play Ball!

Yes, pitchers and catchers just reported to spring training last week and position players slowly are filtering in as well. But let me be the first to report: THE CHICAGO CUBS ARE ELIMINATED FROM PLAYOFF CONTENTION.

"What?" you ask, "Didn't the Cubs just bring in a new high profile manager who was wanted by nearly every club with a managerial opening?" Very true. This is supposed to be the "next year" that Cubs fans have been waiting for. But the Cubs have brought in the "It" manager before and while "Dusty" Piniella may breathe some long missing life into the dugout, the talent on the field has to get the job done. I'm still waiting for Piniella's miraculous turnaround to happen in Tampa.

"What about the Cubs free agent signings? Certainly they'll help." Alfonso Soriano is a top notch hitter. Slugging in a pitcher friendly RFK Stadium last year was most impressive especially given the early controversy of his position change. But don't you think he might be looking at the second base position at Wrigley with a jealous eye with the revolving door of so-called talent there? Ronny Cedeno is still just trying to avoid spiking himself after moving to second. Mark LaRosa? Ryan Theriot? Are they really the answer? Just wait. A controversy will be a-brewin'.

The Cubs overpaid for Ted Lilly which will incite Carlos Zambrano to demand even more money or risk yet another clubhouse distraction. As Zambrano (or as he refers to himself "The Big Z") said, "Whatever happens, I don't want to know about a contract during the season. I want to sign with the Cubs before the season starts. If they don't sign me, sorry, but I must go. That's what Carlos Zambrano thinks." Gotta love a guy who talks about himself in the third person. Oh, YEAH!

And, of course, the Cubs didn't just sign new problems. They re-signed Aramis Ramirez. He of the lackadaisical hustle and head-bonking pop-ups. If Piniella can get Ramirez to show some heart, the Cubs may actually have some hope. Nah.

Oops, gotta go. Kerry Wood just got hurt again and Larry Rothschild is helping him and Mark Prior rehab with the infamous towel drills. Ya know, cuz that's been so effective in the past.

Sirius and XM Satellite Radio to Merge?

February 19, 2007 -- Satellite radio operators Sirius and XM are expected to announce their long-awaited merger today, according to a source familiar with the deal. The two sides were locked in negotiations over the weekend trying to hammer out a final agreement with an eye toward going public with the merger today in Washington, D.C., where XM is based, this source said.

Talks were still going on at press time and the deal could fall apart at any time. With antitrust issues of paramount importance, this source said lawyers for both companies were working overtime to fine-tune the language of the agreement and frame the discussion around the deal itself and not regulatory concerns.

The transaction is expected to be structured as a merger of equals, but given Sirius' higher enterprise value, shareholders in the Mel Karmazin-led firm will likely come away with a larger percentage of a combined company. According to the source, XM Chairman Gary Parsons will retain that title in the combined entity, with Karmazin likely taking the CEO role. It is unclear what role, if any, XM CEO Hugh Panero will play.

Combining Sirius and XM would result in a single satellite radio operator with more than 12 million total subscribers. A deal would also marry Sirius content, such as Howard Stern, Frank Sinatra and Nascar with XM's Oprah Winfrey, Bob Dylan and Major League Baseball. More important, analysts widely predict that a deal would also save the two companies nearly $7 billion annually.

Karmazin and Parsons have been dropping hints since last summer about a possible tie-up, believing that competition from terrestrial radio, online radio and mobile music devices such as iPods have not only expanded the marketplace but also lowered the regulatory hurdles to a deal.

In a note on Friday, Bear Stearns analyst Robert Peck speculated that Sirius and XM needed to move quickly before their window of opportunity closed. Gaining regulatory approval "could take up to 15 months; hence, we think any proposed deal needs to be announced by the end of March to close by mid-2008," Peck wrote. On Friday, XM shares hit their lowest point since early November while Sirius shares were approaching 52-week lows. Shares in both companies did trade on heavy volume and ended the session higher, with Sirius gaining 10 cents to close at $3.70 and XM jumping a dollar to $13.98.

Article by Peter Lauria, New York Post

Transylvanian Manor Lures Tourists

MICLOSOARA, Romania - There is only one count in this remote Transylvanian village of 512 souls nestling in the wilds of the Carpathian Mountains - and it isn't Count Dracula.

Count Tibor Kalnoky, a former veterinarian who grew up in France and Germany, moved back to the ancestral home after the fall of communism in 1989. In the last few years he has created one of Romania's most successful tourist ventures out of his ancestral hunting manor - and has counted Britain's Prince Charles among his guests.

Kalnoky's manor, which opened in 2001, lies deep in southern Transylvania, an area where myth and reality are loosely entwined. But you'll hardly hear a word here about Dracula, the Romanian warlord Vlad the Impaler or Bram Stoker's novels. Instead Kalnoky lures guests with the old world of Transylvanian customs.

Many visitors come from Britain and the United States to feast on tasty fare of pork or chicken stew, mashed potato tinged pink by paprika, home-baked cakes served by women dressed in traditional old Hungarian costume. Dinner is washed down with red Romanian wine and guests are warmed by a roaring log fire in the wine cellar before snuggling into decades-old goose eiderdowns in rooms decorated faithfully in the style of the Szeklers - the ethnic Hungarian minority to which Kalnoky belongs.

Take a hike in the hills and you may come across bears and wolves. Bird lovers can look out for eagles, black storks and woodpeckers. You can also travel in a horse and cart for a mountain picnic, cycle to nearby Transylvanian towns or and visit the Kalnoky family hunting lodge. Just north of Miclosoara, there is the cave where the legendary Pied Piper lured the children of Hamelin.

When visitors return to the manor at sundown for dinner, they are serenaded by Szekler music in the soft green drawing room, with antique furniture and dark wooden floors. It's low-key and relaxing.

Kalnoky is modest about his success and the rave reviews he's received over the past few years for his manor and smaller guest houses, which can host a maximum of 20 people. "It's all very unpretentious," says Kalnoky, sipping caraway brandy that is on tap at every moment for the guests.

Article by Alison Mutler, The Associated Press

Blasphemy?

Is it possible? Can the Green Bay Packers actually be considering trading for arch-nemesis, Randy Moss? With Moss' time with the Raiders being extremely forgettable and even Al Davis apparently admitting the mistake, the question remains, was the mistake the Raiders taking Moss at all or not knowing how to properly use him? Given the ineptitude of the Raiders franchise since getting blown out of the 2002 Super Bowl, one has to strongly lean towards the latter option.

In 2005, the Raiders gave up a first round pick (#7 overall), a seventh round pick and linebacker, Napoleon Harris, for Moss. It would take considerably less than that now. Rumors have it that the Raiders would want a second round pick and possibly a back up receiver but other reports have made the price as low as a third or even fourth round pick. Obviously, the cheaper for the Packers the better.

On the other hand, recent developments indicate the Packers have had little to no internal discussion about going after Moss. Given that GM Ted Thompson has focused on building the team through additional draft picks getting Moss would mark a departure from form but with the Return of the Favre and the need to make a playoff run in the near future, adding a potential playmaker like Moss to the offense makes sense. A wide out corps of Donald Driver, Randy Moss and Greg Jennings would be formidible indeed. Ruvell Martin showed promise at the end of the 2006 season and if the troubled Koren Robinson can get himself straightened out, Favre's receiving options would be seemingly endless.

Favre and Moss used to have the same agent and reportedly have mutual respect for each other. The photo above seems to bear that out. Unless, Favre is trying to snap Moss' spine. It's hard to tell. All this would require Packer fans to put Moon-gate behind them (no pun intended). Giving Favre and the Packers an opportunity for a final hurrah would be worth it.

Finally, in the interest of fair and balanced reporting on Moss' infamous 2005 Playoff Mooning of Packers fans it should be noted that following the incident, Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy said that Moss was simply making a "kind of humorous" response to a "tradition" among Packers fans: "They moon the visiting team's bus. And they go all the way. It's not the kind of thing you want to see on national TV, but I understand what it was all about," he said.

2008 Elections

One sunny day in 2008, an old man approached the White House from across Pennsylvania Avenue, where he'd been sitting on a park bench. He spoke to the Marine standing guard and said, "I would like to go in and meet with President Hillary Clinton." The Marine replied, "Sir, Mrs. Clinton is not President and doesn't reside here." The old man said, "Okay," and walked away.

The following day, the same man approached the White House and said to the same Marine, "I would like to go in and meet with President Hillary Clinton". The Marine again told the man, "Sir, as I said yesterday, Mrs. Clinton is not President and doesn't reside here." The man thanked him and again walked away.

The third day, the same man approached the White House and spoke to the very same Marine, saying "I would like to go in and meet with President Hillary Clinton." The Marine, understandably agitated at this point, looked at the man and said, "Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to speak to Mrs. Clinton. I've told you already several times that Mrs. Clinton is not the President and doesn't reside here. Don't you understand?" The old man answered, "Oh, I understand you just fine. I just love hearing your answer!" The Marine snapped to attention, saluted, and said, "See you tomorrow."

Parents behaving badly

February 15, 2007, 2:07 PM CST

AURORA, Ill. -- A father bounded into a youth wrestling match, picked up his son's winning opponent and launched him out of the ring, an episode caught on a home video.

After tossing the 11-year-old boy into the air Sunday, the angry father headed toward the cameraman, the father of the airborne boy.

"I was just wrestling, then the guy throws me," the boy, Nick Nasenbeny of suburban Aurora, told WMAQ-TV in Chicago. It was not known if the boy was injured.

Ray Hoffman, the father in the video and a part-time wrestling coach, told the television station he regrets his behavior and feels embarrassed. He said his son's shoulder was injured. Hoffman also said he will no longer be allowed to coach.

Dean Bogess, a wrestling coach who attended the meet in suburban Rolling Meadows, said Nick was using a legal move to pin his opponent and that the referee was about to stop the match when Hoffman intervened.

"The match was being stopped. He had blown his whistle already," Bogess said.

Nick's father, Dan Nasenbeny, said he was stunned by Hoffman's actions.

"I mean, there is a lot of different ways to stop a match. Not to pick up my son and launch him 5 feet, 10 feet in the air," Nasenbeny said.

Hoffman did not return messages left Thursday by The Associated Press.


Copyright © 2007, The Associated Press

Secret Life of John Amaechi

John Amaechi Comes Out As Former NBA Player

Happy Valentine's Day

Tiffany Sutton apparently wanted to drink up her lover on Valentine's Day - literally, authorities said. Police early this morning arrested Sutton, who they believe may have tricked her acquaintance into having "kinky sex" so she could drink his blood.The victim, 45, and Sutton, 23, were lying in bed naked at early Wednesday when Sutton asked if he wanted to be tied up and he consented, police said. But that's when Sutton reportedly pulled out a knife and cut the victim's leg, police said. Sutton reportedly told him that she "likes to drink blood" and made several cuts to his upper body, police said. He also said Sutton drank a "little bit" of his blood, police said. He was able to break free, run out of his home, but Sutton reportedly followed with a pickaxe, police said.

The victim passed out before his friend found him covered in blood called the police, police said. The unidentified friend also saw Sutton covered in a blanket with no injuries, police said. "She made very few statements, alludes to the fact that it was a very consensual encounter," said Sgt. Mike Horn, a Tempe police spokesman. "He admitted they were drinking and doing drugs."The victim and Sutton were good acquaintances. Sutton is a transient who had been staying with the victim for two days in the 1000 Block of South Lola Lane, near Apache Boulevard and Loop 101 in a shed behind an unoccupied residence, according to what he had told police. Sutton told police she had been living there.

The victim was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries and Sutton was booked into Maricopa County Jail on suspicion of aggravated assault, police said.

Article by Sarah Muench, The Arizona Republic

Who would have thought that you needed a clove of garlic and a wooden stake to have protected sex?

Need to Fear

Well, Hollywood has gone and done it again. Summer of 2007 heralds the release of the Underdog movie. Apart from the fact that it emphasizes how there is no creative juice left in Hollywood, a movie about Underdog sounds good, no? Well, the loveable Shoeshine Boy turned superhero ain't what you remember.

Nope, he isn't animated anymore. Rather, they've gone "Babe" on him. Still, would have been interesting to see how they would get a real dog trained to shine a shoe or open a ring with a pill compartment (or even wear a ring). Of course, they'll work around this and make some sort of experiment gone awry be the cause of his superpowers. So he'll just be a regular dog. And Sweet Polly Purebred won't be an ace reporter, I'm guessing. She'll probably be some tarted up poodle. If they wanted to "improve" the original, they could have at least made Underdog a schnauzer!

Speed of lightning, roar of thunder,
Fighting all who rob or plunder
Underdog, Underdog!


See the Underdog movie trailer: http://home.disney.go.com/movies/

Anti-Schnauzer Snobs

Once again the miniature schnauzer gets hosed at the Westminster Dog Show. The bias against this noble breed is absolutely mind-numbing. Since the miniature schnauzer was first shown at Westminster in 1927, the breed has NEVER won Best in Show. ONLY ONCE has a miniature schnauzer won Best in Group (1947). Supposedly, the dogs are not compared against other breeds but against the standard for the dog's own breed. And not once has a miniature schnauzer been the best as compared to the standard for a miniature schnauzer? Unfathomable. Inconceivable. I guess it's alright. The Westminster and other dog shows are judged by elitist dog snobs who try to impress themselves with their choices every year (they have to do something when soccer season is over). But the miniature schnauzer is the PEOPLE'S CHAMPION and no amount of snobbery can take that away. So, ptttttt on you Westminster. You can take that Dandie Dinmont Terrier, polish him up real nice, turn that sumbitch sideways and shove him straight up your candy-$%#!

Buffy Season 8 Is Coming

Word is out that Joss Whedon will resurrect Buffy (again). Season 8 will be presented in comic book form beginning in March 2007. It will chronicle the Scoobies following the destruction of Sunnydale as well as the effect of an army of Slayerettes running amok. No word on whether a Buffy/Angel movie will ever become a reality before the vampires get too old. But this is something to look forward to at least.

Pre-Order your Buffy #1 here: http://www.tfaw.com/Profile/___14-111?qt=dhprofile1

See? There are worse fans than Philly

German team threatens to walk off if hooligans show up; games canceled

BERLIN (AP) -- The players and coach of German team FC Lokomotive Leipzig threatened Tuesday to walk off the field if hooligans that rampaged over the weekend show up at one of their matches.

About 800 fans of the county league team in Saxony attacked police and security personnel on Saturday. Police said Tuesday 39 officers and six fans were injured. Also, 21 police cars were vandalized.

"We have the right to leave the field if we see these rioters again in the stadium. We want to send out a signal," Leipzig captain Holger Krauss said.

Saxony's soccer officials on Monday canceled 60 matches scheduled for this weekend from state level down to local leagues as a result of Saturday's rioting. They called it an act of solidarity with police and a way to call attention to soccer violence. The fans in Leipzig and Dresden, two cities in the state of Saxony, have instigated some of the worst cases of the fan violence in Germany since it hosted last year's World Cup. German clubs have been warned they could end up playing their games in empty stadiums if fans weren't controlled. In troubled areas like Saxony, soccer matches could be banned from their arenas permanently.

"It can't go on like this," Saxony interior minister Albrecht Buttolo said. "I would rather see empty stadiums than a dead police officer." Soccer officials and police believe the Leipzig hooligans were inspired by the Feb. 2 rioting in Italy that led to the death of a police officer. At the match between Catania and Palermo, 100 people were injured. All professional soccer games were suspended for a week.

"A situation like Italy can't be tolerated here," said Konrad Freiberg, the head of the national police union. Buttolo promised to send district attorneys to the match, who could issue arrest warrants on the spot if violence erupted at a soccer stadium. The police union was upset that five men were taken into custody at the Leipzig rioting, then released because officers lacked an arrest warrant.

Article By Roy Kammerer, Associated Press Writer February 13, 2007

If only we Americans could be as cultured as our European cousins.

Lessons Learned

Larkin teachers forced to shed T-shirts protesting superintendent's raise

About 20 Larkin (Elgin, IL) High School teachers Friday wore T-shirts to school protesting the board's tentative decision to give Elgin Area School District U-46 Superintendent Connie Neale a raise and bonus.

The T-shirts read, "My superintendent got a $40,000 raise and all I got was ... this lousy T-shirt."

District administrators warned the teachers they would be charged with insubordination and suspended without pay if they did not remove the shirts, Elgin Teachers Association President Tim Davis said Monday.

The teachers then either removed the shirts or turned them inside out.

Larkin Principal Rich Webb, under direction from central administration officials, told the teachers they were behaving unprofessionally and disrupting the learning environment by mounting a personal attack against Neale.

The administration officials were acting on advice from their lawyers, who advised them they could discipline teachers who refused to remove the T-shirts.

Webb, U-46 Communications Director Kris Houser and U-46 attorney Pat Broncato did not return phone calls seeking comment Monday.

Lawyers from Franczek Sullivan, the district's principal law firm, however, said Monday they had concluded that teachers' First Amendment rights are limited in an elementary or secondary school setting.

"When that speech is not curriculum-related, and especially where you have impressionable students, you can curtail certain speech rights," said Patricia Whitten of Franczek Sullivan. Constitutional law experts agreed the district had a right to ask the teachers to remove the shirts, citing precedents that say governments can regulate the speech of employees if that speech threatens to disrupt their job.

"I'd say this fits," said Northwestern University constitutional law professor Martin Redish. "A protest of their superior's actions in front of students could easily be characterized as disruptive." Davis disputed the district's interpretation of the incident, saying he wouldn't characterize the T-shirts as unprofessional or a personal attack against Neale.

"It's an indication to me that people are concerned about how the district is using its resources," Davis said.

Neale's contract has been scrutinized since last month, when school board member Dan Rich resigned in protest of the board's tentative decision to give Neale a $20,000 raise and 10 percent, tax-free bonus, bringing her total pay and benefits package to about $420,000 this year.

Teachers said they used the T-shirts as a learning tool to spark discussion.

Davis agreed the T-shirts didn't necessarily disrupt the learning environment. "The way it was worded, it might have drawn some attention, but I don't think it would grind learning to a halt."

Article by Emily Krone, Daily Herald Staff Writer

Why NBA Players Suck

Associated Press

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Animal services officers seized a Great Dane from the mansion of Sacramento Kings star Ron Artest, saying the dog was underfed. Neighbors complained for weeks that the dog - named Socks - appeared to be starving inside a gated area on Artest's $1.85 million estate in rural Loomis, according to a county report. On Jan. 30, animal services officers visited Artest's home and issued a "pre-seizure" notice, warning him that the female Great Dane would be taken into custody if the animal care didn't improve.

Placer County animal services officers returned to Artest's home Monday and removed Socks. Artest has 10 days to request a hearing, county spokeswoman Anita Yoder said. Artest's publicist, Heidi Buech, declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press on Wednesday. The episode has so upset neighbors in Artest's gated community that the homeowners' association plans to vote next week on guidelines that would require members to properly care for their animals.

Artest signed with the Kings last January for $7.15 million this season and $7.8 million in 2007-08, with an $8.45 million player option for 2008-09.

See Artest's lame excuses: http://www.kcra.com/news/10956780/detail.html