Just Say No to Pipeline

The U.S. Senate did not approve the bill allowing for the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. The measure failed by one vote. Americans should realize that the information about massive job creation from the pipeline construction is nothing more than propaganda.

The construction of the pipeline would only create 50 permanent jobs and 9,000 temporary jobs. The oil from the pipeline would flow to Texas where it would then be exported to other countries. The owners of the pipeline have waged a large campaign that is being handled by a public relations firm.

Opposition to the pipeline has come from Native Americans, farmers, environmentalists, and others. One of the more vocal groups has been Canadians http://tinyurl.com/ld62tlu.  

We should not rest until we have completely stopped this pipeline. Those behind the pipeline have not given up their fight (http://tinyurl.com/oukuph8) and neither should we.

If you need a reminder of what an oil spill can do to a community, let me refresh your memory about the tragedy in Kalamazoo (http://archive.freep.com/article/20130623/NEWS06/306230059/Kalamazoo-River-oil-spill).

The Numbers Don't Add Up

John Kasich claimed that he was creating a massive number of jobs. But.....

Plunderbund:

Ohio’s 25-percent governor, measured by the percentage of registered voters who actually voted for John Kasich last Tuesday, will no longer have to face electors. But he cannot escape facing undeniable statistics that show what a poor job creator he has been over the last four years.

Both the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services [ODJFS] and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics [BLS] released a weekly update to new claims for unemployment this morning in a timely fashion, according to George Zeller of Cleveland, a long-time trusted economic analyst.  The numbers again show the Buckeye State performing badly, especially when compared to job growth nationally, which according to the Wall Street Journal is the true measure of job performance.....

...As a result of this week’s newly unfavorable figures, six of Ohio’s seven large multi-county metro regions currently have elevated “job destruction” levels of current new unemployment claims, with only Cleveland-Akron-Lorain-Elyria in the not elevated “job growth” range. Youngstown-Warren soared astonishingly from a favorable figure three weeks ago to the highest elevated job destruction level among the urban regions this week for the third consecutive week....


Here is additional information about layoffs in Ohio because of Kasich's cuts to cities and counties.

>  The Vindicator reports that cuts and layoffs are planned in Youngstown.
 
>   ODJFS has added to the list of planned closings and layoffs in the state.

Sadly, a man has been killed at an Ohio fracking well (see 10TV).

oungstown firefighters walked from the downtown fire station with firefighters from nine other area departments to a city council meeting to protest Youngstown’s plan to reduce its ranks.
Mayor John A. McNally said the city will take a firetruck off the road, starting in January, and not replace eight firefighters who will leave through retirement. It’s a key component of his plan to save the city $1 million annually.
Dave Cook, president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 312, said the walk Wednesday was “to bring more awareness and express our displeasure with the disturbing decision to close a firetruck. Why would you shut down a fire truck in the city with the highest arson rate in Ohio?”
- See more at: http://www.vindy.com/news/2014/nov/13/firefighters-protest-plan/#sthash.qDFC6Jx9.dpuf

oungstown firefighters walked from the downtown fire station with firefighters from nine other area departments to a city council meeting to protest Youngstown’s plan to reduce its ranks.
Mayor John A. McNally said the city will take a firetruck off the road, starting in January, and not replace eight firefighters who will leave through retirement. It’s a key component of his plan to save the city $1 million annually.
Dave Cook, president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 312, said the walk Wednesday was “to bring more awareness and express our displeasure with the disturbing decision to close a firetruck. Why would you shut down a fire truck in the city with the highest arson rate in Ohio?”
- See more at: http://www.vindy.com/news/2014/nov/13/firefighters-protest-plan/#sthash.qDFC6Jx9.dpuf

Paying Attention?

Once again, Ohio parents, teachers, professors, and taxpayers will need to offer their opinion of the latest cockamamie idea to come out of the halls of the Ohio Board of Education.

Plunderbund:

Social media blew up this weekend over proposed changes to Ohio’s Operating Standards by the State Board of Education.  The major issue is a change that seems to eliminate a requirement for districts to have specialists to teach the arts and physical education....

...So as you call and email the members of the State School Board tonight, tomorrow, and for the next month (changes are set to be considered until that time), don’t stop there.  The School Board’s actions are a symptom of the problem that exists at the legislative level where Kasich & Co. simply don’t care about funding public schools adequately.  As long as his kids in a private school are doing okay….

Never stop contacting your legislators about fixing Ohio’s underwhelming school funding “model”.


Taking away the specially certified teachers in the arts does several things:
 (1)  It eliminates the opportunity for students to express themselves through art, music, and movement.
 (2)  It squashes creativity.
 (3)  It puts an unfair burden on principals, classroom teachers, and communities to provide outlets for children.
 (4)  It creates suspicion that the state plans to make further cuts to schools.

Let school board members know exactly how you feel about this proposal.

Word of advice!

I have one word for you:

Vote!

Bring your friends and relatives to vote. If you know of someone that needs a ride to the polls, offer them a ride. Encourage co-workers to get out there and exercise their right to vote!