This is the U.S.A. - English, please

• 07-08-2008 6:10 PM

  In reply to Cita

  rwbeagles Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW, TX Posts 14,907 Points 2,035

  Re: This is the U.S.A. - English, please Reply Contact The confederate flag is flown in many places, I drove thru many just this past vacation....as I said..it has other meanings and anyone who researched the subject like I took the time to do can at least find some information to un demonize it a bit. Nazi and Mexico...hmmm...not quite the same thing I am guessing...but hey...to some people maybe they are...and isn't that sad? Gina H. dog.community Moderator "Carne Asada, is not a crime."

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• 07-08-2008 6:25 PM

  In reply to IrishSetterGrl

  Liilith Joined on 05-22-2008 Posts 40 Points 20

  Re: This is the U.S.A. - English, please Reply Contact I interviewed for a job with the state in lower Michigan.  They were most interested in me, however I was lacking one qualification.  I could not speak Spanish, now this is with the State.  It would have been a social work type position, that's all I'll say, wanting to stay on the side of diplomacy.  I have to say, this irked me a bit.............Such is life I am taking a Spanish Class now, everything you should have learned in high school and did not, we all have to start somewhere;-)

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• 07-08-2008 6:40 PM

  In reply to Liilith

  fuzzy_dogs_mom Joined on 09-10-2007 Davis, CA Posts 6,769 Points 200

  Re: This is the U.S.A. - English, please Reply Contact I agree that there are some places where it wouldn't be appropriate to fly the flags of  other countries ... government buildings, state capitols, etc. ... but I've always thought it would be really nice for the three countries that make up the North American continent to fly all three flags as a symbol of friendship and unity anyplace else that flags are flown.  That could  be shopping malls, schools, amusement parks, whatever. Joyce

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• 07-08-2008 6:54 PM

  In reply to Liilith

  Dog_ma Joined on 06-25-2007 San Diego County, California Posts 1,353 Points 795

  Re: This is the U.S.A. - English, please Reply Contact Liilith:  It would have been a social work type position, that's all I'll say, wanting to stay on the side of diplomacy.  I have to say, this irked me a bit.............Such is life   This is ironic, because social work values meeting people where they are - if a language besides English is what is needed, that is where the people "are."   "Are you a dog trainer?" "No, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night."

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• 07-08-2008 7:40 PM

  In reply to Dog_ma

  sandra_slayton Joined on 09-10-2007 Ingleside, Texas Posts 3,196 Points 0

  Re: This is the U.S.A. - English, please Reply Contact Robert E. Lee high school in Tyler Texas were the Robert E. Lee Rebels and ran around with a huge confederte flag.  Noooo, that offended people.  They are now the Robert E. Lee Raiders (I think that is the name they took) and no Confederate flag. Texas was once under the confederate flag, it is part of their history.  Don't get me wrong, i think the civil war was a horrible thing and it should have never happened.   And I most certainly know it wasn't all about slavery.  Very few southrns actually owned slaves..  They were fighting for their land.  But that doesn't mea the flag should be flown. This is not the Confederate States of America any more, it is the United States of America.  My husband drives  the south all the time, in fact delivered in South Carolina today.   he is in Georgia, Alabama, louisana, Arkansas, missouri, the carolinas,dseveral times a month,I will have to ask him which states still fly the confederate flag.  I know there had been a lot of controversay in several states about it. I have seen the Kiss me I'm irish shirts, but can't ever recall seeing the flg of Ireland flying in fbeside the United States flag in a shopping center or mall.  As i said before, my6 Mom was from Australia, her mohter from England, and he mother from malta.  My Dad;s people came from ireland and Scotland.  I do not wish to see flags of anyof those countries flying with anAmerican flag.  I gave up my Australian citizenship--I had dual ctizenship as Dad was n American and Mom was Australian and I was born in Perth, Western Australia.  I gave i up because I wanted to be a total American and part of America is it' flag.  It is just that simple for me.

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• 07-08-2008 8:14 PM

  In reply to Liilith

  BCMixs Joined on 01-10-2008 Virginia Posts 1,442 Points 25

  Re: This is the U.S.A. - English, please Reply Contact Liilith: I interviewed for a job with the state in lower Michigan.  They were most interested in me, however I was lacking one qualification.  I could not speak Spanish, now this is with the State.  It would have been a social work type position, that's all I'll say, wanting to stay on the side of diplomacy.  I have to say, this irked me a bit.............Such is life I am taking a Spanish Class now, everything you should have learned in high school and did not, we all have to start somewhere;-)     Same here with a job I recently interviewed for (also social work type - crime victim advocate).  They wouldn't even have to train me as I did the job as a volunteer for nearly a year!  But, no habla espanola, no trabajo.  (That's probably ridiculously wrong, which is why I don't have the job - LOL!)  I've been studying Spanish for the past 4 years off and on, getting As in it in my courses in college, but can't hold a conversation and if someone speaks too quickly or I'm trying to respond with something remotely complex, I draw a complete blank.  And it's so NOT the same as learning other languages.  Both my kids moved to other languages in high school (they learned Spanish in Elem. & MS) because of the complexity of Spanish grammar rules.  The language has something like 16 tenses!!!  Both of them have said French and German were WAY EASIER to pick up than Spanish was past Level 1. /whine  30 lbs. by Christmas, down 4.2 lbs., 25.8 to go!!!

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• 07-08-2008 11:10 PM

  In reply to BCMixs

  Bonita of Bwana Joined on 09-14-2007 Foley , Alabama Posts 1,674 Points 4,655

  Re: This is the U.S.A. - English, please Reply Contact BCMixs: Same here with a job I recently interviewed for (also social work type - crime victim advocate).  They wouldn't even have to train me as I did the job as a volunteer for nearly a year!  But, no habla espanola, no trabajo.  (That's probably ridiculously wrong, which is why I don't have the job - LOL!)  I've been studying Spanish for the past 4 years off and on, getting As in it in my courses in college, but can't hold a conversation and if someone speaks too quickly or I'm trying to respond with something remotely complex, I draw a complete blank.  And it's so NOT the same as learning other languages.  Both my kids moved to other languages in high school (they learned Spanish in Elem. & MS) because of the complexity of Spanish grammar rules.  The language has something like 16 tenses!!!  Both of them have said French and German were WAY EASIER to pick up than Spanish was past Level 1. /whine  So this has ME P*ssed off today... My 4 year old grand daughter was the 3 person to be interviewed for PreK 4  that was 4 months ago.  We were denied Pre K 4 classes.... hmmmm I asked "why ?? "    "She is too smart...so she is wait listed."   Well You almost feel dumb for arguing right? Then I get a note saying  she has moved UP the wait list   Yeah !!   She is now 24 on the list for   WHITE GIRLS.... WTF??!!   My three grand daughters have been in Speech therapy for over a year and a half.  They developed Twinspeak... a language that children once in a blue moon find easier than regular English. The Boys understood them and So did the Moms and I , but Grandpa and uncles no chance and strangers thought they spoke a different language!!!    So I call today and ask ... "Where is Ceattle on the Wait List NOW??"   " Good news and Bad news... she is now #4 for WHITE GIRLS  but # 20 on the overall list " they say.      "Excuse me???" Today I am more than a bit angry... Supposedly and according to the Committee, it has NOTHING to do with Race or Ethincity.... excuse me WHITE GIRL???  "No," they explain in patient tones "we do the testing then we choose 9 girls and 9 boys for each pre k class." ...    "Your Grand daughter is not as needy academicaly.."..   "Well" says I, "explain the WHITE GIRL remarks...."   " Oh That , well we test them and then we rank them.."     I get that ...... I mean DUH   ..... " It has NOTHING to do with Race"...... " WHITE GIRL  ??" " NOPE,,,,, See she is smart" "Look" I Said... "I have had a child in the program for the last two years, How is she different from her cousins?" "Well she scored well on her tests..."   "Are you saying that she did better than her cousins?" They live in the same home , have been read the same books and  taught the same things... ALL of them knew the ABCs , 123's  Colors , basic words and the *** and Jane books how did ceattle suddenly get so much smarter than the older two?? "Well we do not know her cousins so we could not tell you if she was smarter ? "  sighhhhhhh "Okay then back to why she isn't in Pre K 4????"  Her cousins Bobby and Caitlyn are a redhead and blonde with waist legnth hair. They are funny and smart and Ceattle shares a room with Cait. "Does it have anything to do with the fact that so many of our new students are Mexican? "  I ask " NO, No NO NO!!" They hurry to tell me. " The class is divided by 9 and 9 , no race', etc yada yada yada.... "But Last year 14 of the 18 students were Mexican ..." I begin... " I am sure you are wrong " the counselor says... " Nope , The year before it was 13 of the 18"  I reply " Can't be" they assure me, " we don't look at race..." " Yeah right " okay I am ticked off but come on!! " I don't want to keep beating a dead horse but my grand daughter is a special needs child, she has been in speech therapy for over a year" " AND you think that makes her more important than another child?" they ask in amazement.. " My understanding of PreK 4 is allowing special needs kids to begin before Kindergarten, letting them have an extra year to acclimate and learn" " Exactly!  This is why so many of the kids MUST be in it" " Fine I agree but how is a child that speaks primarily Spanish more important than a child in Speech Therapy?" " Well it's the opp of that , why would your child in speech therapy deserve more than a non english speaking student?" " Maybe because I and my husband have paid taxes here for nearly 30 years??" " What makes you think the other parents haven't ??!!" " Uh because I met most of them the past two years and they , for the most part ended up here after Hurricane Katrina..." We quibbled a bit more but seriously it was all for NOTHING, she is wait listed for federal aide for Pre school, Wait listed for the Federal Scholarship for Pre school, and Wait listed for DHR since she lives with us, her grandparents so obviously she isn't in "need"  Yep Bob and I planned on a second family in our 50's and 60's.... I closed the phone call asking one more time about the Ethnic thingy......  Once more I was assured her cousins made it in due to acedemic need.... Yeah and the fact my little redhead and blonde's last name is RIVERA meant nothing.... If Ali-Boo-Boo gets in next year you ALL will hear such a Stink going on down here  !! Her last name is Rivera also and  Poor Ceattle's last name is Hicks.... Not exactly an Ethnic flavor to it.... BTW Her big Brother Tristan's last name is the same as mine, Snodgrass.... He did not get in either..... I do not mind making it about Ethinic or Race but PLEASE don't pretend it isn't... They hired extra aides and teachers the pst 3 years all of whom are fluent in Spanish..... But I guess it's me being paraniod......  Yes? Bonita of Bwana       Bonita of Bwana AKC Rhodesian Ridgebacks Champions, Therapy Dogs and Awesome Companions

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• 07-08-2008 11:23 PM

  In reply to Bonita of Bwana

  fuzzy_dogs_mom Joined on 09-10-2007 Davis, CA Posts 6,769 Points 200	Re: This is the U.S.A. - English, please Reply Contact Bonita of Bwana: Then I get a note saying  she has moved UP the wait list   Yeah !!   She is now 24 on the list for   WHITE GIRLS.... WTF??!!  Bonita, I'm speechless!  Is this even legal?? Maybe a bit of publicity ....  Is there anyone higher up you could talk to? Joyce
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• 07-08-2008 11:40 PM

  In reply to Bonita of Bwana

  BCMixs Joined on 01-10-2008 Virginia Posts 1,442 Points 25

  Re: This is the U.S.A. - English, please Reply Contact  That's a mess.  I know the Katrina victims' displacement has caused huge problems for localities who were barely keeping their heads above water as it was!  I hear so much (thank doG my kids are almost done with school) about schools where music, computer, art programs and classes are all being cut to add classrooms and teachers for the ESL classes.  I'm all for helping hands up but not hand outs at the expense of everything else in the school system.  The so-called "experts" wonder why we're behind the world in terms of educating our kids?  Maybe because of decisions like these! WRT social work meeting people where they are, there are also Russians, Asians and Middle Eastern immigrants and residents in need of services, but those languages aren't being required of those of us entering the field.  Even if I spoke Spanish fluently, there would still be a bill for the interpreter in the courtroom and during depositions, because it's not legal otherwise, so where's the real savings?  There's a LanguageLine that allows 3-way calling with an interpreter for any language you might need and the Spanish interpreters are always at the court house, so, I'm still not sure why being bi-lingual trumps a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and specialized coursework in Victim Services.  But in this multi-cultural world, it does. Sorry to piggyback on your rant Bonita, you got me stirred up too!    30 lbs. by Christmas, down 4.2 lbs., 25.8 to go!!!

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• 07-08-2008 11:53 PM

  In reply to Bonita of Bwana

  rwbeagles Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW, TX Posts 14,907 Points 2,035

  Re: This is the U.S.A. - English, please Reply Contact Bonita of Bwana: "But Last year 14 of the 18 students were Mexican ..." If they were born in the USA...they are Americans...like you and your grandkids. I don't know if they were or not...just wanted to point that out. Here PUBLIC Pre-K is ONLY for: ESL...which you understand is any child that speaks primarily any other language at home aside from English. Here that may be Farsi, Vietnamese, Tagalog or Spanish. They TEST these kids to see if they meet the language requirements. PreK 3 is restricted to a certain number...PreK 4 is inclusive of any and all students who qualify. It is also for those children who's parents make under a certain amt of money annually...and also for kids who qualify for free lunch programs... and also...children of active veterans or those who's parents have been killed in war. The kids above...do PreK on the same campus they will attend as Kindergarteners. We have a separate central campus for PreK kids who are special needs in other ways...being learning disabled or disabled. My children did not meet the requirements, and quite honestly because we don't meet the financial req's we could afford to send our kids to PRIVATE preschool. I am not always happy with that...but I also understand my kids tho they'd definitely 100% benefit from Pre-K, and I'd love that is was FREE...they would not do so AS MUCH as kids that do meet the requirements...and eventually without the preparations those kids receive...my kids classroom would be slowed down to accomodate those kids. Gina H. dog.community Moderator "Carne Asada, is not a crime."

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• 07-09-2008 1:22 AM

  In reply to rwbeagles

  sandra_slayton Joined on 09-10-2007 Ingleside, Texas Posts 3,196 Points 0

  Re: This is the U.S.A. - English, please Reply Contact My sister retired from her job as scretary of the dean of the dental school and trhe university (NC in Chapel Hill.  She then took a job working in the office at the little local elementary/middle school in their community.  She has talked about the problems of families moving there and none speak English--and many times the parents don't want to learn.  These parents do not participate in parent-teacher conferences, nor do any work at the school with classes, field trips, etc.  Most are on welfare, kids get feee lunches.  My sister is resntful.  She put in 25 years at the university and is still working to make ends meet.  She and her husband, also retired from the university printing department du to back injury, raised 3 kids, put all 3 thru college.  They scrimped and saved, paid taxes.  They are still paying taxes, which go up and up every year, while some families don't pay a penny in taxes yet get the special education for their kids that many tax payer's children can't get, not to mention free medical care--that is one of the main reasons my sister still works is to have insurance.  Some of my best friends are Mexican and are hard worker and good providers.    I also understand many faimlies fall on dire circumstances and need help.  But when you have 2ed and 3rd generations of any nationality, race, etc that "live off" tax payers, i resent it--and i have known a few white families like this...and one is my oldest son's wife's family.  She actually told me that growing upshe didn't realize they were "white trash".   She put an end to it  for herself--she works 48 to 60 hours a week..One thing i can tell you that I hear over and over is that the Vietnamese are the hardest working people to immigrate to this area.  I also have some of them for friend and believe this is true.  A OR/ER nurse friend of mine made an interesting  comment recently.  She had to go have the old "random pee test" and she said why is it she has to have that test to go out and make money and pay taxes, yet those collecting welfare just waltz in and get her tax dollars.  Why don't they hvae to take the "pee test" and f they fail, it means they  should not get "her money' that she worked so hard for....which she woulnd't get "her share" if she failed the test. One other minor little thing.  My son's best friend is Puerto Rican, name Flores.  he was a cook for  Furr's cafeteria, but got on with Reynolds  about 5 yeas before he met my son.  he told my son to put his application in out there, but  Flores told him that his name really needed to be Gonzales or Garcia to really stand  chance at getting  the job.  But with the name Slayton, he reall didn't ahve much of a chance....and he only got the job because of his name being Flores.  Need isay my sn didn't get the job and he had a lt more experience with machinery than a fry cook from a a cafeteria.  I have a  brother in the Austin fire department.  When he got was hired on 21 years ago, they had to hire so many blacks, so many Mexicans, so many women.  There were white guys that scored in the low 90's that were turned away because the white quota had been filled and they h ad to hire the other "quotas' and some only scored in upper 70/s.  It shouldn't be like that.  The best qualified should have the jobs--even all were mexican or all were black or all were women.  And by the way, several of he lower scoring ones ended up flunking out of fire fighter's school  Perhaps i am starting to get cynical in my old age.  I have had a heart murmur for many, many years, and rheumatoid arthritis for abut 25.  In the last 4 weeks i have been diagnosed wth cataracts, type 2 diabetes, and hypothyroid.  The diabetes was causing bleeding in my left eye.  My first visit to that doctor was $775.  Then last week he did lazer surgery on that dyd to the tune of $1500 for 5 minutes work.  our insurancedpays 80% of what THEY THINK we hould bcharged.  No telling how much we will be stuck with.  An i got back next monrth to see if that lazer srgery did the trick and if not, i will get injections into my eyeball.  no telling what that will cost.  i am still facing cataract surgery in the near future....by the way, we pay $400 a month for our insurance.  Between my high sugar count, my low thyroid and y arthritis, iam dragging tail.    Hubby is worried sick how we will be able to buy my meds and pay my bills and he figures he can never retire--he is 64.  He has worked since he was a teen--joined the navy right after his 17th birthday, was in Cuban during the missle crisis, and has never stopped working.  Why should a truck load of illegals wreck just up the road and are rushed to the hopsital, treated--some helo-flight lifted-- and they don't  have to pay a penny.  Yet my next door neighbor's Mom (they were mexicans) who had worked all her life  AND PAID TAXES here have to go without some of the meds she needs bcause they can't afford them.  I don't think this was the the way our founding fathers envisioned things to be 230 yeas later.

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• 07-09-2008 8:23 AM

  In reply to BCMixs

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,749 Points 330

  Re: This is the U.S.A. - English, please Reply Contact BCMixs: I was so embarassed!  They were speaking English for goodness' sake and I had such a hard time understanding the simplest of greetings such as "How're you going?"  I and a tall gentlemen (long black hair and a beard) came out of a restaurant in England after a good meal.  He said "Boy, I'm stuffed" and people going the opposite direction looked at him very, very strangely. I explained out that "stuffed" in England is slang for "pregnant out-of-wedlock".  American English<-->British English sites http://www.peak.org/~jeremy/dictionary/dictionary/dictionary.php http://www.effingpot.com/ http://www.hps.com/~tpg/ukdict/ http://www.bg-map.com/us-uk.html

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• 07-09-2008 9:09 AM

  In reply to janet_rose

  BCMixs Joined on 01-10-2008 Virginia Posts 1,442 Points 25	Re: This is the U.S.A. - English, please Reply Contact  Only after several faux pas were we informed that "rooting for" a team is not what we wanted to be doing down under!  :)  30 lbs. by Christmas, down 4.2 lbs., 25.8 to go!!!
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• 07-09-2008 9:30 AM

  In reply to Dog_ma

  Liilith Joined on 05-22-2008 Posts 40 Points 20

  Re: This is the U.S.A. - English, please Reply Contact Yes it is, meeting people where they "are."  As I said, this was in lover Michigan, it was for the State of Michigan.  It was working with people that need assistance, IE, housing, food, clothing.  I fully understand that people need help, been there done that.  I don't want to repeat myself, I don't wish to be rude, or sound less than tolerant.  Many of these people weren't from this country.  While I value diversity, if our tax dollars are to assist non-Americans, then perhaps we should assist individuals in adult education to speak English.  There was another position, but I would have had to know how to speak Arabic.

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• 07-09-2008 9:33 AM

  In reply to fuzzy_dogs_mom

  Bonita of Bwana Joined on 09-14-2007 Foley , Alabama Posts 1,674 Points 4,655

  Re: This is the U.S.A. - English, please Reply Contact fuzzy_dogs_mom: Bonita of Bwana: Then I get a note saying  she has moved UP the wait list   Yeah !!   She is now 24 on the list for   WHITE GIRLS.... WTF??!!  Bonita, I'm speechless!  Is this even legal?? Maybe a bit of publicity ....  Is there anyone higher up you could talk to? Joyce We think alike Joyce, I have gone as far "up" as I can, even spoke with DHR as they sometimes have some clout,  They were just thrilled I was not dumping yet more kids into the Foster system.  And as long as they say , almost by rote, we do not pick by race or ethnicity, they are apparently covered. It is when they say things like   " She is whatever number for White Girls and then the number for all kids " You really get a better idea of what is really going on. After becoming very upset on the phone the woman I'd been speaking with called me back ,  She wanted to give me some phone numbers,  for a child care who had gotten federal grants allowing them to give scholarships ( yes Ceattle is waitlisted for that program too) then a number for the Child South office which helps fund child care ( yes we are wait listed on this one as well now since they are limited in funds avail) for DHR again ,  ( they are sending applications and suggestions for anything we might qualify for)  , She then explained she felt really bad about all of this but would have someone from the Speech Therapy department contact me, perhaps after evaluating her speech she can get into therapy through the school early... not classes but at least this is "something"  ... They will even evaluate Alexandra our 3 year old. It is really frustrating , after raising our own kids with never a dime of help from anyone, I managed to cover the now 8 year old's needs...but being retired both the Hubs and I really have to pinch pennies now to afford all 5 of our grandkids.  One set of parents does as much as they can but I shudder to think what would happen if they were out there on their own !!  The other two kids really have had no one BUT the Hubs and I, their mother while a sweet person and one with a good heart has addiction issues and is facing jail time.  Every dime she can make goes for drug testing and her attny and legal fees.   She lives in another state since living here only kept her surrounded by the people she sooo needs to avoid.  Aside from once a week visits and phone calls her participation is limited to dollar store care packages, ( And I am NOT knocking them, anything that reminds a child you love them and are thinking of them is a good thing).  So every year now for the past 4 years I have had to buy the school uniforms, and unlike most areas where schools provide paper and crayons in this area we buy EVERYTHING.  From  pencils and glue to scissors and hand sanitizer...we buy the paper plates that they may use in a class project and the T shirts they will wear when they have a holiday production.... it is up to the parents ( grandparents) to provide the paper towels and some years the toilette paper !!  Every year I spend a few dollars less than $400.00 on each child, that takes care of everything they are supposed to need, then I spend another 50.00 to 100.00 for the extras supplies,  my Mom always did this and now we do, you know there are parents who just can't afford everything. If I can find crayons at a great price I don't buy the 5 they tell me to I buy 20, same for the ruled paper etc.   We donate our uniforms to the school once they have been outgrown in the family.  It helps others  and teaches the kids about community.  Where we once were very comfortable, we now worry.  Second families do that to you. My biggest problem is not just what seems to be an inequality of special needs it is that they are dismissing the fact that she HAS special needs. Apparently if your child is not disruptive and acting out , and if they understand English than being understood is not truly important. Which , forgive me if I am wrong,  not being able to BE understood would create anger and feelings of despair and kids with these feelings ACT OUT !!!!   Arrrgh , try to be proactive and you are penalized.  My kids do show up knowing their ABCs /colors/numbers  etc. They can write their name at 4 and they can sight read many words.  Rather than reward parents who read to the kids and work with them 24/7 , they tell you your child is not needy enough.   My three grand daughters speak their own version of Twin Speak.  The speech therapist and pediatrician tell me they can have therapy 5 xs a week but it is never going to be enough, until they have to get along without a brother or adult to translate for them they will not improve and learn to use the correct pronuciation needed to succeed in life.  On a slightly off to the side note the first visit I had when looking into our move to the South I went into the Golden Dragon , the young lady working the counter was so very pretty, Gorgeous Asian hair, beautiful eyes,  and perfect skin.  She was in a fantastic dress , red with golden embroidery... you know how some people just stay in your mind???  She always has, not simply because she was so pretty , but because the first thing she said to me was " Ya'll wont ta eat in or are ya fixin to take it home?" Her Southern accent was thick as molasses and so unexpected!! Katrina really hit us hard.  My area was without power for two weeks and many families ended up moving here since it was just like "home" . Most thought it would be temporary , but jobs were available. It is a pretty area and many, many homes were so torn up there was n't really anything to go back to anyway. So I get it, every child needs a place and an education.  Our small once totally rural town does not have the tax base to cover all of the needs.  Then add the migrant population for the hotel, farm and construction industry.  Someone else said If they were Born here then they are American .... I don't argue that.  Like others I resent paying all the hospital bills for my daughters and grandkids to keep them off of welfare, yet babies born at the same hospital and the same days had all the perks and zero bills ??  For the  7 babies born the same day as Ceattle ONE was a second generation American...ONE.   Three had health insurance.   Which left 3 who's parents did not speak English  or who had fled flooded areas of the Gulf. And that was just ONE day.  We seem to have a whole bunch of babies being born here lately. We have a lot of Russians, Chechs , Venezulean, Brazilian, Vietnamese  and Mexican folks coming to our little corner of the world.  Where as late as 5 years ago we had Grocery stores closing, Pharmancies closing,  our elementary is over 70 years old, they finally broke ground on the one that has been lobbied for and promised since my 30 year old daughter was in 2nd grade.  ( I remember back then no uniforms and we fund raised to put window ACs in the rooms by selling candy, sodas and wrapping paper). This is NOT a wealthy community.  The new school is going up and we have all been contacted to let us know there are zero funds to put in a playground or to landscape it when the buildings are finished. The library has been funded by grandparents and parents who buy books for their child's and the teacher's birthdays. The Computers are ancient, most were donated.  The Art classes were dumped through the high school level except as a paid for elective. They have not had a Drama class in the past 30 years, Speech for competitive and public speaking  gone, it is an after school club sponsored by the Rotary Club.  We lost 12 teachers in our county last year due to budget crunches BUT they hired  several aides and translators ( Spanish only) for every school in the district. I find it upsetting and confusing and am honest enough to admit it.  I welcome the people and enjoy becoming friends , sharing meals and hanging out with them.... but the cost of the new friends is becoming really high.  And sadly as an adult , I am only paying part of the cost, the kids have to pay the rest. Enough from me on the topic...  thanks for letting me rant !               Bonita of Bwana Bonita of Bwana AKC Rhodesian Ridgebacks Champions, Therapy Dogs and Awesome Companions

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