Forest Lake Principal Steve Massey Is A Hypocrite

After reading about this outrageous decision, I decided to look into the principal's background, only to see if he's had a problem with politics in education before. It seems safe to assume he's been fine with it in the past, as long as the politics were liberal.

A national tour featuring decorated veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan won't be stopping at Forest Lake Area High School today as planned, after school leaders abruptly canceled the visit.

Steve Massey, the school principal, said the decision to cancel was prompted by concerns that the event was becoming political rather than educational and therefore was not suitable for a public school.

Here's the announcement of his appointment in 2003: - a quick aside, the flag was stolen from Central Learning Center soon after Massey left and the VFW came up with money for a new flag pole and flag.

He came to ISD 831 four years ago and spent two years as an assistant principal at Central-Century junior high school. He has worked the past two years as the ALC-Montessori principal at the Central Learning Center.

Prior to coming to Forest Lake, he worked at PEASE Academy, a contract alternative school in the Minneapolis Public Schools system.

He was a guidance counselor and classroom teacher at PEASE from 1989 to 1992. He worked as executive director of PEASE from 1992 to 1999 when he left for his job in Forest Lake.

PEASE stands for Peers Enjoying A Sober Education - offering courses in politics and ecology, with a significant emphasis on Human Rights. So much so, that they were even able to discuss the Iraq War prior to the invasion as part of classwork. From pdf linked at The Advocates.

Through such exercises, students developed critical thinking skills, discovered different news media sources, and learned the value of comparing and contrasting varied information and opinion. Ms. Wilcox found these processes especially helpful when discussions focused on the build-up to the U.S.-led war against Iraq. The
students presented a variety of opinions and perspectives in regard to the developments in Iraq. The format of the classes allowed students to openly express their own beliefs while maintaining respect for one another. Despite differing opinions about the actions in Iraq, the students consistently concluded that they wanted an outcome that was best for the Iraqi people.

More on PEASE from above link - also see here for more:

At P.E.A.S.E. Academy, an alternative sobriety high school in Minneapolis, students have the option of taking a weekly human rights course. The class discusses current events related to international issues, as well as providing an introduction to the concepts of human rights. A local attorney volunteers to co-teach the course each week, and students are encouraged to actively participate in discussion of the issues. In part because of the course, P.E.A.S.E. Academy students have taken initiative to help shape the school policy on harassment. The human rights course fits well with the mission and guidelines of the school, which advocates acceptance, support, respect, and sobriety. At the school's recent graduation ceremony, teachers commented on the virtues of members of the graduating class, citing promotion of human rights and respect for fellow students as two salient qualities.

Comments

[jharp]

in the 2008 report of the Social Security Trustees released today the "actuarial balance" of the system is better than it's been since 1993. Interesting! But how much better?

last year the trustees estimated that Social Security had an overall 75-year deficit of 1.95% of taxable payroll. This year it's 1.70%. That's a pretty substantial improvement. What caused it?

one significant change from 2007: what might that entail?

To be specific, better estimates of the taxes and benefits received by illegal immigrants — or, as the trustees refer to them, "other-immigrants":

*

Illegal immigrants tend to skew young. This benefits the system.
*

Young people have more children than older people. This benefits the system.
*

Some illegal immigrants pay taxes for a few years and then leave. This benefits the system.

Bottom line: "This year's report results in [...] a substantial increase in the number of working-age individuals contributing payroll taxes, but a relatively smaller increase in the number of retirement-age individuals receiving benefits in the latter half of the long-range period." Give or take a bit, it turns out that this shores up the Social Security system to the tune of around $13 billion per year. Thanks, illegal immigrants!

[WAHOO WILLIE]

It's got to be a lie right off because GWB has single handedly ruined everything that ever happened. So I dont trust any economic figures from the govt.....and find it quite strange that you would use them.....
So 13 B out of an estimated 20 million people. Hmmmmmm where's that calculator?

[chris]

You asshats are squandering $12 Billion a month on your silly failed war. I doubt an old fool like you owns a calculator to figure that one out.

[jharp]

"So 13 B out of an estimated 20 million people"

I'm not clear what you mean. I'll answer as soon as I know what your question is.

[WAHOO WILLIE]

Well jharp I guess the question would be how much each of those 20 m are paying into the system. the 20m is low so let's pretend all of those are working and contributing to their fake SSN. I just want to be clear well that the same SSA figures you quote are the same people who also thought Bush's plan to let you keep a smidgen of that SS tax to invest for yourself was a good idea.

[jharp]

templar/willie,

"Just makes me look forward to the same government running the entire health care system."

No one, I repeat no one is proposing the government running the entire health care system.

Do you understand the concept of a single payer system? You know, like the system used by the entire industrial world except us. And at a cost of about 1/3 to 1/2 of what we pay.

Yep, me too, Willie. I shudder when I think about it, especially as I start to get older, and I know that the baby boomers will be flooding the program over the next few years, with less and less working people to pay for it. Add to that the upcoming Social Security time bomb, and I can't even imagine how all this can possibly work.

One suggestion I have have is quit pissing away 12 billion a month in Iraq. Quit bailing out the corporations to the tune of hundreds of billions. And take care of our most expensive health care system in the world. By double! And millions without coverage!

[jharp]

"I guess the question would be how much each of those 20 m are paying into the system."

Enough to throw the balance in our favor by about 13 billion.

If you use the 20 million figure about $650 per person.

[templar knight]

"You asshats are squandering $12 billion a month..."

I'm not a member of Congress. They decide what is spent when and where. You should take your complaints to them. I'm tired of your bullshit here, and your insults. Willie has done nothing to you, so STFU.

[Techie]

Boob, don't worry too much. Your side mocked Bob Dole for his war injuries as well. It's SOP for Leftists.

[jharp]

"Your side mocked Bob Dole for his war injuries as well."

Really? I did not know that.

Was it similar to the purple heart band aids worn by republican delegates at the National Convention?

I'd have to say that was was the disgraceful act I have ever witnessed. Hope the democrats weren't that shameful.

[WAHOO WILLIE]

"If you use the 20 million figure about $650 per person."
So about what a person making 100KPY pays in one month, give or take a bit. What's it, 6.4% now? It doesn't bother you that these immigrants are making slave wages and will never be able to collect on the socsec they're paying in? Well, it is benefitting "us" so I guess it's ok. Just glad I dont have to depend on that little stipend.

"And at a cost of about 1/3 to 1/2 of what we pay." Having been a manager in our medical system let me tell you this. When you have to start paying for all those people who you now pay for (my faves are the ones who call an ambulance as if it were a taxi) and those who pay for themselves. The "cost to us", assuming the kind of coverage we now have, will at least double. That's why people who can afford it come here to get treatment because it doesn't exist back in the workers paradise.

[WAHOO WILLIE]

"Willie has done nothing to you, so STFU."

Temp I appreciate the kindness but know that chrissy is only a mild annoyance. I do have to wonder why Dan doesnt block her though. I mean she *NEVER* contributes anything but hateful insults including calling poster's family members names. It's his board though. You and most of the other peple who post regularly here know that I was and am against this misadventure in the big sandbox all along.I just have sensible reasons and not the dopey "it was all a lie" garbage. Goes to chrissy's real intelligence to snipe at me for wasting money on it.Not only am I not an MC, I dont write the checks either way.

[WAHOO WILLIE]

"Was it similar to the purple heart band aids worn by republican delegates at the National Convention?

I'd have to say that was was the disgraceful act I have ever witnessed. Hope the democrats weren't that shameful."

Harpie, I know you people are deaf and blind to anthing a dem ever did in history, but dude, do you live in this country? In a vacuum? I'll give Kerry props for his service, all 4 months of it and yes his job was more dangerous than Al Gore's. But Kerry was lightly injured, not wounded. Requiring no hospitalization and no recovery. His self proclaimed warrior status is worth a laugh. Senator Dole on the other hand was machine gunned, damn near died and spent months in a hospital coming out with an almost useless whithered arm. Dems made fun of Jim Stockdale and McCain. Sad you dont see a difference

[chris]

"I'm tired of your bullshit"

Tired? A lazy guy like you, tired? From what? Get a job, clownboy - it's not just about making money.

[jharp]

Willie,

With all due respect you are quite mistaken.

"The "cost to us", assuming the kind of coverage we now have, will at least double."

What is more accurate is we are now paying double. Check around. It's true. And we have millions uninsured.

If you'd like I'll dig up the data for you.

[jharp]

Wahoo,

To me, Dole and Kerry both deserve the respect due someone who has risked their life and served our country.

My question and comment referred to to the fact I did not Dole was mocked and I asked if it was similar to the Kerry mocking.

You know, wearing purple band aids at the Republican National Convention.

"Dems made fun of Jim Stockdale and McCain."

Did not know this either. Was it similar to the Max McClellan ads comparing him to Osama bin laden?

[WAHOO WILLIE]

"If you'd like I'll dig up the data for you." Have at it.

"Max McClellan" I believe you mean Max Cleland and comparing him to OBL is not quite like making fun of him being in a wheel chair or any otehr disability....now is it?. Yes the wearing of band aids at the convention was in bad taste but again, nothing like making fun of someones physical disabilities. You seem to have this two wrongs make it right attitude. Because A did it to B it is ok for B to do it to C. Is that your opinion?

[jharp]

No, it is not.

Two wrongs do not make a right and it is pet peeve of mine when folks use that reasoning.

You and I have been here before and it was rekindled by Techie using the two wrongs make a right argument.

You and I agree. It's just I thought the purple band aids were the worst. Especially at a party National Convention.

[seekeronos]

"--- One suggestion I have have is quit pissing away 12 billion a month in Iraq. ---"

Or at least scale it back so that we can withdraw in a reasonable, efficient manner without having to dynamite billions of dollars of hardware to prevent the terrorist (who will most certainly re-occupy the land as we leave). I'd hate to see another Saigon, ca. 1975.

"--- Quit bailing out the corporations to the tune of hundreds of billions. ---"

Yes. Banks that lend ignorantly and speculative home buyers should suffer the full consequences of their greed, without any help from the taxpayers. As for people who were unlucky enough to buy in at the height of the bubble and now face homelessness (lost of sole home/domicile) -- some sort of means-tested FHA-backed capping and partial subsidy of or reset of the crippling interest rate to a more manageable rate would not be out of order.

And federal subsidies of big oil simply need to go away, and be put into alternative energy development.

"--- And take care of our most expensive health care system in the world. By double! And millions without coverage! ---"

This is a regular Grendel's Mama that threatens to be our undoing, along with the impending implosion of Medicaid/SS.

I have no answer for it that I like.

[jharp]

1998 Health Care Spending per capita in $US

U.S.A. 4,178
Switzerland 2,794
Norway 2,425
Germany 2,424
Canada 2,312
Luxembourg 2,215
Denmark 2,133
France 2,077
Australia 2,043
Japan 1,822
Italy 1,783
Sweden 1,746
Finland 1,502
U.K. 1,461

Granted these are 1998 #'s but it was the easiest layout I could find. The U.S. spending is now around 7,000 and we still lead by similar margins.

http://dll.umaine.edu/ble/U.S.%20HCweb.pdf

What most folks don't realize is single payer systems cost less.

[WAHOO WILLIE]

http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/stories/2008/03/07/healthed_0309.html

[jharp]

From the New Endland Journal of Medicine.

"In 1999, health administration costs totaled at least $294.3 billion in the United States, or $1,059 per capita, as compared with $307 per capita in Canada. After exclusions, administration accounted for 31.0 percent of health care expenditures in the United States and 16.7 percent of health care expenditures in Canada"

That's 31 cents of every dollar is spent on administration costs.

You want to focus on controlling costs?

Single Payer. Just like the rest of the world does.

[WAHOO WILLIE]

I saw a Brit kid on tv this week who was born premature. His twin died, but because the Brit system is ill prepared to tend preemies, the kid was over oxegynated and lived with brain damage and blindness. The US has the capability in every state to handle such emergencies. Frankly, if it's my kid, it' worth the extra money.

[IslamoLlama]

"-- What most s/folks/home schooled Americans/ don't realize is single payer systems cost less. --"

Fixed.

"-- I saw a Brit kid on tv this week who was born premature. His twin died, but because the Brit system is ill prepared to tend preemies, the kid was over oxegynated and lived with brain damage and blindness. The US has the capability in every state to handle such emergencies. --"

I'll get you two for one, Willie.

http://thismakesmesick.typepad.com/this_makes_me_sick/2006/02/uc_irvine_hospi.html#more
32 patients died awaiting liver transplants because no full-time surgeon was on staff and viable organs were turned down; Three whistle-blowers were paid a total of $900,000 in settlements that required them not to talk about hospital's fertility clinic problems.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-06-18-texas-health-care_N.htm
Massive hospital overcrowding in Houston.
"-- Onye, 62, waited four hours to be seen. Still, going to the emergency room was faster than getting an appointment. For that, "you have to wait months," Hawkins says. --"

[jharp]

We rank 40th in infant mortality rates. Cuba is ahead of us for God's sake.

And I was addressing reducing administrative costs not reducing available care.

Deaths per 1,000 births

180 United States 6.37 2007 est.
181 Korea, South 6.05 2007 est.
182 Cuba 6.04 2007 est.
183 Faroe Islands 6.01 2007 est.
184 Isle of Man 5.72 2007 est.
185 Italy 5.72 2007 est.
186 New Zealand 5.67 2007 est.
187 Taiwan 5.54 2007 est.
188 San Marino 5.53 2007 est.
189 Greece 5.34 2007 est.
190 Monaco 5.27 2007 est.
191 Republic of Ireland 5.22 2007 est.
192 Jersey 5.08 2007 est.
193 United Kingdom 5.01 2007 est.
194 Gibraltar 4.98 2007 est.
195 Portugal 4.92 2007 est.
196 Netherlands 4.88 2007 est.
197 European Union 4.80 2007 est.
198 Luxembourg 4.68 2007 est.
199 Canada 4.63 2007 est.
200 Guernsey 4.59 2007 est.
201 Liechtenstein 4.58 2007 est.
202 Australia 4.57 2007 est.
203 Belgium 4.56 2007 est.
204 Austria 4.54 2007 est.
205 Denmark 4.45 2007 est.
206 Slovenia 4.35 2007 est.
207 Macau 4.33 2007 est.
208 Spain 4.31 2007 est.
209 Switzerland 4.28 2007 est.
210 Germany 4.08 2007 est.
211 Andorra 4.03 2007 est.
212 Czech Republic 3.86 2007 est.
213 Malta 3.82 2007 est.
214 Norway 3.64 2007 est.
215 Finland 3.52 2007 est.
216 France 3.41 2007 est.
217 Iceland 3.27 2007 est.
218 Hong Kong 2.94 2007 est.
219 Japan 2.80 2007 est.
220 Sweden 2.76 2007 est.
221 Singapore 2.30 2007 est.

[templar knight]

I don't know what the perfect solution would be, but I think the VA is a single payer system, much like Medicare and Medicaid, which are already huge medical programs run by the US Government. Why should I expect the outcome to be any different in a universal system run by the US Government? Someone needs to convince me.

[jharp]

(CNN) -- An estimated 2 million babies die within their first 24 hours each year worldwide and the United States has the second worst newborn mortality rate in the developed world, according to a new report.

American babies are three times more likely to die in their first month as children born in Japan, and newborn mortality is 2.5 times higher in the United States than in Finland, Iceland or Norway, Save the Children researchers found.

Only Latvia, with six deaths per 1,000 live births, has a higher death rate for newborns than the United States, which is tied near the bottom of industrialized nations with Hungary, Malta, Poland and Slovakia with five deaths per 1,000 births.

[templar knight]

Moe, how will universal health care solve the overcrowding problem in Houston? Does univeral health care provide additional funding for building new hospitals, and how will that reduce costs? Does univeral health care cover illegal aliens, who are a major component of overcrowding and overwhelming hospitals in large cities?

[jharp]

"I don't know what the perfect solution would be"

There is no perfect solution. However there are lots of better solutions.

What pisses me off is the misinformation spread by Republicans and the failure by Republicans to even address the issue.

Senator McCain included.

[jharp]

"Moe, how will universal health care solve the overcrowding problem in Houston? Does univeral health care provide additional funding for building new hospitals, and how will that reduce costs?"

Single payer is a better term to use.

It will help by reducing administrative costs by about half.

In the U.S. we spend 31 cents of every dollar on administrative costs.

In the rest of the industrialized world the number is 16 cents.

An estimate of the savings in one year is 300 billion.

[templar knight]

"An estimate of the savings in one year is 300 billion."

An estimate by whom? As a person who has some control over the company I work for(I'm a junior partner), just declaring a savings is vastly different from actually realizing it. My experience is that it will be very difficult to realize those types of savings.

[templar knight]

Here are some of my concerns about a universal health care system.

1. The VA, Medicare, and Medicaid are single payer systems paid for by the US Government. Why should I expect the outcome of univeral health care to be any better than these existing programs?
2. How will universal health care solve overcrowding problems?
3. Are you proposing that the US Government build hospitals under a universal health care system?
4. What is to be done about the problem of illegal aliens under universal health care?
5. Are there proposals for a two-tier program where people with money will receive care above and beyond what other people can receive?

[WAHOO WILLIE]

LLama: So what you're saying is that abuse on a local level is the same as systemic failure? We're back to two wrongs make a right. I've never said the system doesn't need a big ass overhaul and I'd love to see ambulance services paid for hauling dead beats to the doctor. Medicare and Medicade are full of fraud, workers comp is a friggin travesty and decent care in a VA or military hospital is dismal. These are all run by the government and frankly I'm not impressed. However, I now pay 262.00 a month for health insurance and I'm extremely happy with the care I get. If someone can get me the same care for less, I'm all for it.

[jharp]

An estimate by whom?

Per New england Journal of Medicine.

"As a person who has some control over the company I work for(I'm a junior partner), just declaring a savings is vastly different from actually realizing it."

I understand and yes it might not be as easy as simply saying so. But, the rest of the industrial world pays half of the administrative costs of the U.S.

As opposed to doing nothing (the republican solution since 1992) I think it's an excellent place to start.

[jharp]

Some good thoughtful dialogue and thank you for it.

Gotta run so must be brief and will do my best in a very short time.

1. The VA, Medicare, and Medicaid are single payer systems paid for by the US Government. Why should I expect the outcome of univeral health care to be any better than these existing programs?

Check the results of Medicare, the VA. I think you'll be surprised. Far from perfect but from a improvement from our current system.

2. How will universal health care solve overcrowding problems?

Might not help much. But the savings in adminstration costs should help.

3. Are you proposing that the US Government build hospitals under a universal health care system?

No.

4. What is to be done about the problem of illegal aliens under universal health care?

Don't know and can't answer now.

5. Are there proposals for a two-tier program where people with money will receive care above and beyond what other people can receive?

Yes, yes, yes. A ket part of the system

[jharp]

Important read. Please take the time to do so.

I be back later.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2005/0501.longman.html

[BobInStamford]

All this 'patriotic' talk is all well and good and makes you heroes feel better but the fact is that your silly little war is costing entirely too much and has gone on for too long. In 5 years I would have expected that all the Iraqis would be killed by the valiant liberators, but this does not seem to be the case.

Perhaps this, your final year of this noble adventure, will ensure VICTORY through death of all remaining Iraqis.

Stand tall, patriots!!

[IslamoLlama]

"-- Moe, how will universal health care solve the overcrowding problem in Houston? Does univeral health care provide additional funding for building new hospitals, and how will that reduce costs? Does univeral health care cover illegal aliens, who are a major component of overcrowding and overwhelming hospitals in large cities? --"

Part of the reason that hospital ERs are overcrowd stems from their lack of profitability. If you only get paid on half your cases, why expand the facilities? If insurance companies scale back payments for ER services, why put the lion's share of your investment into a large and robust ER program?

Universal medicare promises that every US citizen who walks into an emergency room can cover his visit (assuming the universal medical program covers ER visits, of course). Hospitals, knowing they will get paid, are encouraged to treat as many people as possible. The market for paying patients increases and the supply increases to match accordingly.

And while universal coverage will not decrease the cost of an emergency room visit, it will decrease the cost of a standard check up. Treating someone for colon cancer is exponentially more expensive than giving them routine colonoscopies. Treating someone for a heart murmur is far cheaper than treating that same person for a heart attack. Universal coverage encourages people to see their doctors early and often. And, again, as the number of people seeking treatment - who can pay their bills - increases so does availability. Spreading the cost of medical bills across the entire taxpaying citizenry will significantly reduce the cost of individual treatments.

And a smart government will encourage affordable prices. Medicare Plan D was a disaster because it failed to allow the government to negotiate prices. This was a Republican solution to prescription drug benefits. A Democratic solution - one that allowed the purchase of generic drugs at reasonable rates - would significantly slash the cost of running the program while providing Americans with cheap and readily available pharmaceuticals.

"-- Stand tall, patriots!! --"

Bob, if you have nothing intelligent to say, kindly stfu.

[tally]

boob reminds me of the old black and white movies with tokyo rose.

[joe28]

samo samo. liberals agitating for yet another government program: this time fee medicine and docs. and the fact that the *existing* gummint free meds & docs program - the VA - is famous for its incompetence and lousiness?

hope hope hope! change change change! why, the same government that runs the famously efficient and coat-effective post office will OF COURSE do a *fine* job with life-and-death decisions. uh-huh.

what fools these liberals be.