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Op-Ed: Education Shapes
Our Economy, Then
Both Shape Our System

‘08 Election Offers Remedial Choices For 21st Century.

(EUGENE, Ore.) - Very few people today will disagree that this nation --especially its economy and its schools-- are in “one mell of a hess!” There are unmistakable, undeniable, inevitable -- and insufferable-- reasons, clearly spread on our history for all to see, and understand, now.

That must surely be the first step for any possible rational, reasonable remediation which may return to us what we once had -- a democratic republic, proven in over 200 years of success and development.

Ever since the turbulent 60s and ‘70s, American education has been stagnated and stymied by near-fatal consequences, for itself and for our economy; forced by false choices and false confrontations, cannily compounded by contending political forces for their own malign purposes.

Contaminated Marine Base in Irvine Slated for Public Park and Community Development (VIDEO REPORT)

This is part four in a continuing video news report series on TCE chemical waste stemming from the now-closed El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

(IRVINE, Calif.) - A veil of secrecy seems to cloud and obscure the real facts behind the closure of the El Toro Marine air base. Documents from the Navy confirm that El Toro is a hazardous waste zone. It is not new information, an environmental cleanup project has been underway for some time, but the extent of the problem and the distance the toxic contamination has traveled from the base is a serious issue, particularly for the Irvine community of Woodbridge.

California National Guard at Risk of Losing Critical Support For Education Assistance

At this point, California is the only state in the nation that does not provide some education assistance for members of its National Guard.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - The National Guard Association of California issued a statement that decried recent cuts to educational benefits, announcing in a statement that, "The leadership of the California legislature has yet again, failed the soldiers and airmen of the California National Guard and the citizen’s they have sworn to protect".

In a recent Budget Conference Committee hearing, the Democratic members voted 4-2 against the governor’s budget initiative for The California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program. This year’s endeavor was the sixth year in a row that the California National Guard attempted to seek approval from the legislature for an Education Assistance Program.

The Guard Association says maintaining the state's National Guard Force is essential to an effective state disaster response capability.

Taliban Burn MTN Communication Tower in Ghazni, Afghanistan

Telecom towers coming under new attacks.

(GHAZNI, Afghanistan) - Taliban militants burned an MTN mobile tower Thursday night in Qala Baran, in the Qarabagh district of Afghanistan's Ghazni province.

A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that they destroyed this tower because it didn’t work by Taliban regulations. Five months ago, the Taliban asked mobile companies to switch off their towers between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM.

One of the local residents who goes by the name of Naser, said that all mobile towers in this area were switched off from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM but the MTN was working until 9:00 PM.

Iraqi Elementary School in Rashid Reopens After Refurbishment

A U.S. Army captain in the area says the school refurbishment is a testament to the level of care for the neighborhood.

(BAGHDAD, Iraq) - The al-Harat Elementary School in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad reopened July 31st, after 2 months of refurbishment. The school will open its new doors to more than 1,000 Iraqi boys and girls from 7-12 years old, and 60 teachers in September.

Army officials say that among the improvements made to the school were window unit air conditioners, interior and exterior paint, new doors, new chalkboards and a generator to supply the school with electricity.

"The school looks very good," said Ali, who has served as the school's principal for 25 years. "It is like a new house for the students. Now that we have a new-looking school, it will allow the students to work harder and better."

Iraqi Women Learn to Clown Around

Iraqi refugees learn the value of laughter at UN-backed workshops

(DAMASCUS, Syria) - Dozens of Iraqi refugee women living in Syria are learning how to build their self-confidence, develop relaxation techniques and hone their communication skills thanks to innovative workshops organized by the United Nations refugee agency and the group Clowns Without Borders.

So far, more than 50 Iraqis have participated in workshops in Damascus, the Syrian capital, that involve theatre, humour and communications, according to a press release issued by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Wednesday.

The workshops, part of a UNHCR pilot project, have been conducted by three Spanish members of the international organization Clowns Without Borders and aimed at some of the most vulnerable and neediest refugees from Iraq.

Sheriff`s Deputies Locate Missing 71-Year Old‏ (UPDATE)

John Ira Christiansen was located safely and is home.

(ALOHA, Ore.) - Sheriff's deputies in Washington County say they are pleased to report that John Christiansen who was reported missing yesterday has returned home safely.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office received a call from a family member this morning that Mr. Christensen arrived with his vehicle at his home in Walla Walla. Deputies had Walla Walla Police Department check on the welfare of Mr. Christiansen and they confirmed he was in good health and safe.

Mr. Christiansen's whereabouts for the 14 hours he was reported missing is unknown. His wife was driven by a family member back to Walla Walla.

Red Bull Flugtag in Portland Draws 80,000

Huge crowds watched human-powered aircraft flights in the special event sponsored by Red Bull.

(PORTLAND, Ore. ) - More than 80,000 fans crowded Portland’s riverbanks today for Red Bull Flugtag’s triumphant return to the Rose City.

Legos, pink Vikings and University of Oregon students took to the skies above the Willamette River, but it was Beaverton’s Team Yakima who soared into first place with their larger-than-life Big Wheel craft, and in turn, won a trip to Salzburg, Austria, and a tour of Hangar-7 for the entire team.

Portland’s own Greased Lightning screeched into second place with Danny, Sandy and the whole T-Bird gang wowing the judges with their off-off-off Broadway rendition of the seventies classic show tune and flight distance of 55 feet.

PTSD: The Veterans Avalanche is Here

Phillip Leveque has spent his life as a Combat Infantryman, Physician Pharmacologist and Toxicologist. After surviving WWII, he went on to treat veterans for years who suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

(MOLALLA, Ore.) - As a former Combat Infantry Veteran, victim of PTSD and physician for PTSD veteran victims, I keep my eyes and ears open about any information about the subject. That is how I kept alive as a point man and forward observer during WWII (Read my book about Blood and Guts, General Patton.)

Today is July 29th, 2008. Last night on CBS I heard Katie Couric state that the VA (I suppose) had a new PTSD hotline which had over 50 thousand calls in the last 12 months and 12 thousand vets were under care. What type of care was not indicated but that is progress. My mind asked----"What about the other 38 thousand?" This is Beau coups serious.

Is the Bush Administration Using Blackwater Mercenaries in the DEA?

An extremely angry employee of the dispensary compared the DEA raid to being "robbed by a bunch of thugs downtown."

(LOS ANGELES) - Are members of a disputed mercenary killer group now working with the DEA? A photo from the LA Times shows proof of one of two things; either Blackwater members are now working for the Bush White House's Drug Enforcement Agency, or this semi-illegitimate band of rogue federal cops have worse discipline than any of us ever imagined.