Russ Gibb at Random Articles

Education today

2008-08-17T17:26:08-07:00

Trustees at the Harrold Independent School District in Texas approved a district policy change last October so employees can carry concealed firearms to deter and protect against school shootings, provided the gun-toting teachers follow certain requirements.

In order for teachers and staff to carry a pistol, they must have a Texas license to carry a concealed handgun; must be authorized to carry by the district; must receive training in crisis management and hostile situations and have to use ammunition that is designed to minimize the risk of ricochet in school halls.

Sad News

2008-08-09T10:30:48-07:00

Ann Bewick, A powerful person in the Dearborn media world left us this week for a better world. May God rest her soul.

I have asked the same questions

2008-08-05T13:29:51-07:00

Mr. Gibb,
How is it possible to screw nearly 50 years of former students and no one at DPS seems to care?

Dr. Artis signed a contract that violated DPS policy "The Board will not allow the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for the purpose of marketing or for selling that information (or otherwise providing the information to others for that purpose).".

This started at the end of April with the Alumni Directory Program. Its a letter "from" the principal of the high school you attended telling you to call and give out more information to appear in an directory.

This letter is from a company called Harris Connect Inc. and what they don't tell you is that you have a right to opt out, not appear in the book, and not allow them to sell the information to other 3rd party marketers.

I got this letter and was concerned what information was released, DPS has all former students Social Security numbers in its records. Its taken 6 letters/emails and 3 months, and finally a FOIA request, to find out what information was released. DPS Board Members only comment was they had done similar things, or their kids want to be in the directory when concerns about what data was released.

In the case of Edsel Ford, DPS sold approx. 20,000 records for $0.04 each, good for them $800 for screwing 20,000 people. They shipped permanent records to an outside company and allowed them to collect information, they claim they only took what was allowed. They do not tell you they have the right to then sell this information to other marketers if you "express and interest in products or services". They say only other former students can get copies, but the contract states "close relations" as well. The privacy policy online, if you google Harris Connect Inc. is very different than whats in the contract. This whole program REALLY smells like a scam and is being mishandled at every step by DPS.

Why is DPS stonewalling on this issue? Why when a former student directly asks did you hand out my Social Security Number do you not provide an answer? If DPS gets over 10% of the people to buy an overpriced useless book, they get $5.00 a book sold. (at least for the contract covering Edsel Ford.)

So they broke published DPS policy, one board member claims that policy only applies to current students, the contract also gives Harris Connect the right of first refusal for more student records into the future. Its very possible they have violated FERPA, the federal law protecting students privacy rights. Mr. Gutkowski has "misstated" the privacy policy of Harris Connect Inc. and ignored direct questions about this program.

People are giving out demographic information to a company pretending to be DPS and not asking any questions. They think DPS would never sell out former students. They did and on the cheap.

I guess maybe I am just angry that my privacy was only worth $0.04, and that 19 years after I graduated they decided to try to make a quick buck off of my privacy. Maybe I am pissed at the amount of buck passing and I don't know anything about this program I got in replies to questions. Maybe the fact they did not think enough of a former student to even spell the name right in replies. Maybe that the people we elected might need to remember not to take a dump on the people who put them there, and that it should not be to much work for them to find the answers to simple questions. That pushing someone to have to file a FOIA request to see if they set me up for identity theft might not be the reasonable thing to do.

But then I'm only a Dearborn resident, and graduate of their schools. I should just be a good little sheep and not rock the boat. Or maybe I should let people know whats actually happening and let them decide if they want to be in yet another marketing database. Let the voters know these people violate their own rules to make a few bucks off of their graduates backs.

I'd love to see a story about this on your site letting people know about this, but I'd also like to keep my name out of it. Imagine that, I like my privacy. I've got the letters and emails that backup everything I've said. I'm more than willing to let you copy them and verify my claims. I just think the people should be informed of the facts before they decided to hand out their information to this company who is not being upfront and forthcoming.

public schools?

2008-07-31T15:42:31-07:00

There are two great teacher unions in the USA and I belong to one of them, the American Federation of Teachers. However, I was sorely disappointed when I heard that both Unions had endorsed Barrack Hussein Obama for presidential Democratic candidate; particularly when I found out that Mr.and Mrs Obama, have chosen private education for their children education.

Obamas daughters attend the private University of Chicago laboratory schools where annual tuition ranges from $15,528 for kindergarten to $20,425 for high school. Why is it that so many of our big time politicians, both Republicans and Democrats, talk the talk about public education but walk the walk for private education? Could it be that they believe private schools do a better job of educating young people than public schools?

Stand Up for America Speech

2008-07-30T16:36:22-07:00

By: Beth Chapman,
Alabama State Auditor

Copyright, 2003

I'm here tonight because men and women of the United States military have given their lives for my freedom. I am not here tonight because Sheryl Crowe, Rosie O'Donnell, Jane Fonda, Martin Sheen, the Dixie Chicks, Barbra Streisand, the Beastie Boys, George Clooney or Phil Donahue, sacrificed their lives for me.

If my memory serves me correctly, it was not movie stars or musicians, but the United States Military who fought on the shores of Iwo Jima the jungles of Vietnam , and the beaches of Normandy.

Tonight, I say we should support the President of the United States and the U.S. military and tell the liberal, tree-hugging, hippy, Birkenstock wearing, tie-dyed liberals to go make their movies and music and whine somewhere else.

After all, if they lived in Iraq , they wouldn't be allowed the freedom of speech they're being given here today - - ironically, they would be put to death at the hands of Sadam Husssein or Osama Bin Laden.

I want to know how the very people who are against war because of the loss of life, can possibly be the same people who are for abortion?

They are the same people who are for animal rights but against the rights of the unborn.

The movie stars say they want to go to Iraq and serve as human shields for the Iraqis, I say let them buy a one-way ticket and go.

No one likes war, I hate war. But the one thing I hate more is the fact that this country has been forced into war; innocent people have lost their lives - - and there but for the grace of God, it could have been my brother, my husband, or even worse my own son.

On December 7, 1941 , there are no records of movie stars treading the blazing waters of Pearl Harbor .

On September 11, 2001 ; there are no photos of movie stars standing as human shields against the debris and falling bodies descending from the World Trade Center . There were only policemen and firemen - -underpaid civil servants who gave their all with nothing expected in return.

When the USS Cole was bombed, there were no movie stars guarding the ship - - where were the human shields then?

If America's movie stars want to be human shields, let them shield the gang-ridden streets of Los Angeles, or New York City, let them shield the lives of the children of North Birmingham whose mothers lay them down to sleep on the floor each night to shelter them from stray bullets.

If they want to be human shields, I say let them shield the men and women of honesty and integrity who epitomize courage and embody the spirit of freedom by wearing the proud uniforms of the United States Military. Those are the people who have earned and deserve shielding.

Throughout the course of history, this country has remained free, not because of movie stars and liberal activists but because of brave men and women who hated war too - - but lay down their lives so that we all may live in freedom. After all; What greater love hath no man, that he lay down his life for his friend, but in this case a country.

We should give our military honor and acknowledgment and not let their lives be in vain. If you want to see true human shields, walk through Arlington Cemetery . There lie human shields, heroes, and the BRAVE Americans who didn't get on television and talk about being human shields, they were human shields.

I thank God tonight for freedom - - those who bought and paid for it with their lives in the past - - those who will protect it in the present and defend it in the future.

America has remained silent too long. God-fearing people have remained silent too long.

We must lift our voices united in a humble prayer to God for guidance and the strength and courage to sustain us throughout whatever the future may hold.

After the tragic events of Sept. 11th, my then eleven -year-old son said terrorism is a war against us and them and if you're not one of us, then you're one of them.

So in closing tonight, let us be of one accord, let us stand proud, and let us be the human shields of prayer, encouragement and support for the President, our troops and their families and our country.

May God bless America , the land of the free, the home of the brave and the greatest country on the face of this earth!

Thank you

2008-07-08T18:23:47-07:00

I want to thank all of the people who wished me well after my back surgery. I have been recovering for a month now, but I believe I am finally getting better.

I would like to send a special THANK YOU to the Oakwood hospital staff, Dr. Bustamante, Dr. Harb, Dr. Patel, Dr. Lee, Dr. Dobzyniak, and to all my friends who supported me throughout the recovery.

With special love to my true love Alberta. And of course Mary Jane Dapprich, Tomas Sustek and Kevin Winconek.

I will be raising hell as soon as possible!

Cheers
Russ Gibb

Artis and ACCESS.

2008-06-05T17:28:59-07:00

Dr.John Burl Artis set to take on a new job as Administrative chief operation officer of ACCESS. Beginning August 1, 2008. Congratulation. russ

Honor our military

2008-06-05T11:39:30-07:00

Many time when others are bashing our military men and women who serve our country. I pause and think about several of my students who faithfully served our country. Particularly the several who made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives for our country.
DHS video student, Sean Rinna, is having his film, "Shadow Over My Brothers" honoring our veterans shown at the Detroit Institute of Arts on June 8 Sunday evening at seven.Open to the public.
What an extraordinary accomplishment for a student film maker who is only seventeen years old! We all need to celebrate and support this kind of creative endeavor.It's an amazing video for one so young.

The media lies by omission.

2008-06-03T02:38:02-07:00

Did you see he photo of Obama speaking before a group of "supporters" as far as the eye could see ? The truth of that "mass crowd" grouping allegedly for Obama was that the crowd was there due to a band performance that preceded Obama's presence there. The crowd, essentially, was there in such numbers due to the musical event, not due to Obama. Drudge never corrected his earlier enthusiasm of the crowd as photographed -- after Obama took the stage -- and it created (and has maintained) a false enthusiasm for Obama.

I hear music and so should you.

2008-06-02T17:09:52-07:00

Hi Russ,

This letter goes out to all Dearborn Residents and than some. There is a Board of Education meeting on Monday, June 9th and we are asking for all parents to attend in support of the Dearborn Instrumental Department. We have found out that classes are being cancelled throughout the district but more so in East Dearborn. At the elementary and middle school level they have been all cancelled. At the High School level they have been downsized to two classes. We have also found out that all 3 High School Instrumental Teachers will be laidoff and a traveling teacher will be in place. Our children deserved equal education across the district and with school of choice being cancelled we can not relocate our children to new schools with in the public school sector.

Please whether you have children in music or not - attend, show your support and stand by all students of Dearborn.

thank you
Michelle

wake up Democrats

2008-06-01T08:34:35-07:00

A Christian writes.

2008-05-31T03:12:01-07:00

Russ,

I read this morning in the Free Press of the School Board meeting Tuesday night, and how it was overrun by Muslim parents supporting the firing of long-time coach Jerry Marszalek from the Fordson wrestling team. Apparently, this is a pre-emptive strike from the Fadlallah camp to prevent disciplinary action against that man for his apparently illegal actions.

Fadlallah years ago forbid Trey Hancock from being an assistant coach on the wrestling team. Trey Hancock is the father of at least one All-State wrestling son on Fordson's team, and was the coach of a club team. The problem Fadlallah has with Mr. Hancock is that he is a Christian pastor. Evidently, according to the story, years ago he baptized a young Muslim boy who converted to Christianity. Fadlallah didn't want such an influence around the Muslim boys on the wrestling team. So, Trey Hancock's 'crime' was being Christian.

Fadlallah went further than that, however. As hypocritical as his 'separating Church and State' reasoning was for removing Hancock from his coaching spot (as Islam is promoted constantly at Fordson, including the recent flap over a Valentine's Day survey), it was nothing to the illegal attempt to bar Mr. Hancock from attending his own son's matches.

What this all boils down to is this: A Muslim principal fired two coaches because he didn't like the open expression of Christianity. Imagine the uproar if it were the other way around.

The joy of being a teacher

2008-05-28T18:53:54-07:00

Young Professionals Mark One Year of Saving, Investing, And Financial Advice For Upcoming Generation .Alex was one of my "old" students.

Northville, MI May 29, 2008 Young Professional Finance Blog (youngprofessionalfinance.com) celebrates one year of providing saving, investing, and financial advice for and by young professionals.

YPFB, started by Alex Fisher of Northville, provides insight and advice to young Americans in their 20s as they begin to finish university and move into a career, their own home, and choosing how to live their life.

"Learning how to manage money, becoming financially independent, and giving back to the world," said Fisher, "aren't necessarily skills taught to us in school. Yet, they're very important and they have to be picked-up somewhere."

A recent graduate of the University of MichiganDearborn with a Computer Engineering degree and a minor in Hispanic Studies, Fisher got his first job as an engineer in a new area and realized he had to learn about meeting new people, developing a career, giving back to the community, paying bills, and saving for retirement. He couldn't find a good resource for people just graduating college, and decided to create his own.

Assisted by other young professionals, Fisher contributes to the blog-o-sphere weekly where readers from as far as China check-in for the latest article.

Young Professional Finance Blog has had thousands of visitors in it's first year and even had one of it's stories featured as the number 1 entry on reddit.com's "what's hot" list, a popular destination for many on the web today.

"I'm really amazed at how much traffic and excitement has surrounded the site," said Fisher, adding "it's a great time to be a young professional!"

Young Professional Finance Blog (http://youngprofessionalfinance.com) is a personal finance site for young professionals learning to manage money, to become financially independent, and to give back to the world. Further information is available, contact Alex Fisher at 313.575.4036.

Barack Obama. His record.

2008-05-27T08:31:52-07:00

Just Some of What Defines Barack Obama :

* He voted against banning partial birth abortion.
* He voted no on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions.
* Supports affirmative action in Colleges and Government.
* In 2001 he questioned harsh penalties for drug dealing.
* Says he will deal with street level drug dealing as minimum wage affair.
* Admitted marijuana and cocaine use in high school and in college.
* His religious convictions are very murky.
* He is willing to meet with Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, Kim Jung Il and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
* Has said that one of his first goals after being elected would be to have a conference with all Muslim nations.
* Opposed the Patriot Act.
* First bill he signed that was passed was campaign finance reform.
* Voted No on prohibiting law suits against gun manufacturers.
* Supports universal health-care.
* Voted yes on providing habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees.
* Supports granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.
* Supports extending welfare to illegal immigrants.
* Voted yes on comprehensive immigration reform.
* Voted yes on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security.
* Wants to make the minimum wage a "living wage".
* Voted with Democratic Party 96 percent of 251 votes.
* Is a big believer in the separation of church and state.
* Opposed to any efforts to Privatize Social Security and instead supports increasing the amount of tax paid.
* He voted No on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax
* He voted No on repealing the "Death" Tax
* He wants to raise the Capital Gains Tax.
* Has repeatedly said the surge in Iraq has not succeeded.
* He is ranked as the most liberal Senator in the Senate today and that takes some doing.

What are friends for ?

2008-05-25T08:26:51-07:00

Though no longer a resident of Dearborn, I continue to feel a certain kinship for that special place. You see,Dearborn was my hometown and Russ Gibb was my pal growing up. We shared many adolescent adventures together. In the ensuing years, Russellbob (that's what I call him) and I though I now live in San Francisco, have managed to maintain long-distance contact with one another. Russellbob was a groomsman in my wedding. Though we may have differing views on certain delicate issues (read political), I continue to respect his integrity and stubbornness in mounting his horse and riding off in all directions in support of his views (wrong though they often may be). Russellbob and I recently had occasion to renew our friendship and it was he who made my return to the old hometown one of the memorable moments in my life. I don't always agree with him but I continue to love him.

--by Jim Dunbar