I'm enjoying one of Idaho Statesman opinion editor Kevin Richert's characteristically lively discussions. On his blog and Facebook page is the latest press release from the Idaho Democratic Party.

Here's the full news release:

Idaho voters are astounded at the radical right-hand turn taken by the Idaho Republican Party at its recent state convention. It is now clear that the “new” Idaho Republican Party is interested not in governing but in ruling our state and its people. The recent convention approved platform planks that would take away the right of Idahoans to vote for their U.S. senator, require Republican candidates for public office to sign a “loyalty” oath and “order” a candidate for Ada County Commission who has spent a lifetime in public service to renounce his candidacy because he has from time to time reached out to Democrats in working to solve common problems.

The citizens of Idaho want elected officials who work together to solve the problems that are important to them and their children,

Given the choice of munching on a rocket ship or broccoli (yuck!), who wouldn’t want to eat a rocket ship? Monsters, of course! MONSTERS DON’T EAT BROCCOLI (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers/Ages 5–8) by Barbara Jean Hicks with illustrations by Sue Hendra is a rollicking picture book that will have young readers laughing out loud as monsters try their hardest to avoid eating anything green—while parents will approve of this nondidactic celebration of vegetables!

In this hilarious story, monsters insist that they simply do not like broccoli. They’d rather snack on tractors, a rocket ship, or even a “wheely, steely stew”—just as long as it’s not broccoli! So when they suddenly find themselves munching on “a clump of giant maples and their yummy, gummy bark,” they’re shocked to discover that broccoli is actually delicious!

With vibrant illustrations coupled with rhyming text and the singsong refrain, “Fum, foe, fie, fee, monsters don’t eat broccoli!” MONSTERS DON’T EAT BROCCOLI will make little ones think twice... (more)

I'm testing it out.

In response to concerns from Idaho parents, teachers and school administrators, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has reintroduced bipartisan legislation to bring needed reforms to the “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB) Act.  The Enhancing Flexibility for Effective Schools (EFES) Act is similar to legislation previously introduced by Crapo and Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas).

Both Senators and their staff members consulted with education leaders, school board members and interested citizens from their respective states on what kinds of changes are needed for NCLB to work better.

“Education works best when local parents, teachers and administrators are able to control decision-making,” Crapo said.  “These reforms will bring needed relief from the unneeded and unintended consequences of what overall is very good legislation.  The NCLB Act has improved the performance of many students, but uncertainty over the adequate yearly process assessment models and dealing with the special needs of some students were... (more)

A Google software program called SketchUp, which was intended largely for architects and design professionals, has found a very unexpected and welcome fan base-children with autism. SketchUp is entertaining kids with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as well as providing them with skills that might one day help them as they age out of school and into the workforce.

The University of Utah, Google and Universal Studios Creative hosted a free workshop and tutorial on the SketchUp software for parents and teachers of children with autistic characteristics. The SketchUp workshop took place on Saturday.

Original Google SketchUp designer Chris Cronin discussed the history of SketchUp along with Steve Michael Gross, Universal Creative designer, demonstrated how he used the program in designing Harry Potter, Transformers and King Kong, among other films. The presentations were followed by a hands-on workshop.

Cronin recalls the first connections made between the software program and ASD, explaining that a number of years ago... (more)

From the time the National Gallery on Writing opens for viewing on October 20, 2009, until June of 2010, Americans will be able to see just how writing is changing. Viewers will see firsthand compositions that matter to their authors. This picture, different from collections of school or work writing, will allow NCTE, and its 15 national partners, to begin reshaping a writing pedagogy to better develop writers of the future.

Hugh Burns of Texas Women's University documents the changes we're seeing in writing in his 1-minute video "Kairos 14.1 Disputatio Text," while children's author James Cross Giblin speaks about the great satisfaction he gets from writing a sentence that "clearly, simply, and visibly" says just what he means to say.

This is exciting news for those of us who teach basic writing and composition.

Idaho Congressman secures funding for Boise Geothermal Expansion and Idaho State University’s Medical Isotope Production Project

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, today announced the inclusion of funding for a program to produce medical isotopes from accelerators at Idaho State University and the expansion of the City of Boise’s geothermal system to Boise State University as part of legislation funding the Department of Energy. The legislation was approved today in the House of Representatives by a vote of 320-97.

Among its many provisions, the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill includes $1.5 million in funding for the development of a medical isotope production facility at the Idaho Accelerator Center at Idaho State University. The facility will help meet our nation’s demand for medical isotopes and greatly increase the nuclear research and education capabilities of Idaho State University... (more)

There are over a half million dollars of in-kind scholarships available through the Miss Idaho USA and Miss Teen Idaho USA pageants and their partnership with Lindenwood University.

When one sits in the Hoop Of The People, one must be responsible because All of Creation is related. And the hurt of one is the hurt of all. And the honor of one is the honor of all. And whatever we do effects everything in the universe. -- Native American Proverb

Shoshonean Nation geographically existed over the territories from Mexico to Canada. We were hunters and gathers who moved with the seasons to gather various foods and products. We called ourselves the names of the food we ate (Augi Dika, Tuka Dika, Coo chun Dika) from our geographical areas. Some of the tribes composed of the nation are tribes known today as the Shoshones, Bannock, Paiute, Comanche, Hopi, Ute, Cahuilla, Mission, and other linguistic Uto Aztecan speaking groups.

the Tribes official website reads. Over the years, the relationship between the Tribes and higher education has been in need of enrichment. Idaho State University faculty, staff and community members have spent many years discussing ways to improve the student experience for native... (more)

Below is one of the best pieces I've lately seen, regarding how social media is rapidly changing, and in some cases, taking over our lives. This diary offers one person's solution to what many feel are growing problems.

***

By Julie Fanselow,

Here's my resolution for 2010: I won't log onto Facebook - or anywhere else online, for that matter - until after I've put in three hours each weekday morning of working without the 'net.

I love being a netizen, and I especially love Facebook. My time at the Idaho Democratic Party coincided with the period when seemingly everyone signed up here. During the 2009 Idaho Legislature, Democrats and our allies used it to organize everything from a campaign calling for better child care laws to protesting the first-ever state budget cuts to our neighborhood schools. Just before the end of the year, Facebook helped rapidly spread awareness of the gubernatorial campaign of Keith Allred, who promises to move beyond hyper-partisan politics to get Idaho working again. Facebook is, hands... (more)

You just have to vote for a family values mother and business owner who is pictured with a shotgun on her website.

My family wishes Christy Perry the best in her campaign for Idaho State Representative, Canyon County District 13B.

Boy, do I love this state!

See: http://www.christyperryforidaho.com/

Republicans are seriously retooling in order to try to win back the congressional seat held by Walt Minnick.

Executive Director Jonathan Parker announced that Lindsay Hemmer has been hired as the 2010 Victory Director for the Idaho Republican Party. The Victory Director's primary responsibility is to help State Rep. Raul Labrador and the Idaho GOP reclaim the First Congressional District. Lindsay comes to Idaho from Arizona where she ran In-House Communications, a consulting and marketing firm.

This is a shrewd move by the Idaho Party and its statewide chair, Norm Semanko.

"We are really looking forward to having Lindsay join the team and help us reclaim the First Congressional District," said Parker. Lindsay's experience working with the Arizona Republican Party will play a vital role in securing Republican victories in Idaho in 2010.

Lindsay is a graduate of Hillsdale College in Michigan where she graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Since graduation, Lindsay has lived in Phoenix, Arizona... (more)

by Michael Strickland

So you're looking for a new face in government?

In this age when divisiveness and anger seem to place clouds of confusion over real leadership and character, you want someone who can be trusted. Fortunately, quality people shine through clearly when opportunity and need arises.

That is why I am confident that Christy Perry should be and will be the next state legislator to hold Canyon County Seat 13B. Today's political playing field can often seem like a maze. But those looking for the facts about Christy Perry can find them at the forefront of the dialogue:

"I have had the opportunity to work personally with Christy and she has consistently demonstrated herself to be an intelligent, capable leader who has the best interests of both the citizens of Canyon County and the State of Idaho at heart," said Bruce Newcomb Former Idaho Speaker of the House. Many voices around the state also agree with former Idaho State Legislator Celia Gould, who added: "As a former legislator myself, I understand the... (more)

With so many teachers on The JHub, it is always a joy to think about creative ways to enhance the learning environment in schools. About 10 years ago, while performing author visits in East Lyme, CT, I met a teacher who's approach has positively influenced my classrooms to this day. We taught. We shared poetry. We hung out after school and discussed issues of race, class, gender, pedagogy, art, and literature into the night. But the part that intrigued me the most was a strategy he demonstrated: The Responsive Classroom (RC).

RC is an approach to teaching and learning that fosters safe, challenging, and joyful classrooms and schools, kindergarten through eighth grade. Developed by classroom teachers, it consists of practical strategies for bringing together social and academic learning throughout the school day

the organization's website reads. Below is an email interview I iniated with that teacher, Andy Dousis, author of The Research-Ready Classroom: Differentiating Instruction Across Content Areas, with... (more)

Have you called Representatives Walt Minnick or Mike Simpson to express your support for emergency funds to save education jobs in Idaho? The proposal is still pending in the House, and your voice is needed to encourage votes for its passage.

Take a few minutes now to call Congressman Minnick (at 202-225-6611) or Congressman Simpson (202-225-5531) and ask them to support the inclusion of education job funds in the supplemental appropriations bill now before Congress. The NEA estimates that the $115 million Idaho stands to receive from the bill would save 1,908 jobs in K-12 education. Nationwide, Sen. Tom Harkin’s proposal for $23 billion in aid to states would prevent the layoffs of more than 300,000 people working in education.

In a May 27 memo from the Economic Policy Institute, Josh Bivens writes: “A misplaced obsession with the size of federal budget deficits remains the single biggest obstacle to enacting new measures to create jobs on a scale commensurate with the crisis in the American labor market.” Citing... (more)

1. True or False... If I’m wearing sunscreen, I can stay in the sun as long as I want.

2. True or False... I can’t get skin cancer because my routine doesn’t include any outdoor activities.

3. True or False... A sunscreen labeled SPF 30 blocks twice as much UV radiation as one labeled SPF 15.

4. True or False... It’s safe to let my children stay in the pool all day if they slip on a T-shirt after a couple of hours and reapply sunscreen to their faces, arms and legs.

5. True or False... Getting a “base tan” at an indoor tanning salon is a good way to prevent sunburn when I go to the beach later this summer.

Consultant Christy Stansel has answers to these and many other skin care questions.

See: http://www.idahoarbonne.myarbonne.com/

IDAHO FALLS — U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, both Republicans, say they oppose repealing the 17th Amendment that provides for direct election of senators by the public.

The repeal is a goal approved by the Idaho Republican Party at its convention last month.

The 17th Amendment was adopted in 1913 after a decade of problems with state legislatures unable to agree on a candidate to fill vacant U.S. Senate seats. The move for change also gained traction amid bribery scandals that led to some senators being removed from office.

reads a story in today's Idaho Press Tribune.

I first heard about this issue on the Facebook page of Brian Cronin, who posted:

This, you gotta read to believe. And if you don't have time, here's the re-cap: Both leading Republican candidates for US Congress in CD1 believe that legislators--not voters--should elect US Senators. And they're being egged on by the Tea Party. Please, please, please tell me voters are paying attention to this!

Cronin, a Democrat, is an Idaho State Representative... (more)

NAMPA, Idaho's Northwest Nazarene University will host the 2010 Pastors and Leaders Conference (PALCON) for the Church of the Nazarene July 27-29, 2010 sponsored by the Board of General Superintendents and the Office of Clergy Development. The conference is built around the theme "Rooted in Missional Passion," and is designed for clergy, both assigned and unassigned, as well as deacons, elders, chaplains, evangelists, staff ministers, students entering the ministry, missionaries on furlough and retirees. Conference presenters include Nazarene General Superintendent Dr. Jerry Porter, and Dr. Leonard Sweet, a world-renown author, lecturer and futurist.

Dr. Porter has written for various Nazarene publications and is known primarily as a missionary evangelist. Porter and his wife Toni were appointed missionaries to the Dominican Republic in 1977 to help launch the work of the Church of the Nazarene. The assignment included church planting and directing the theological education by extension program. Following... (more)

"A wish! A wish!" cried a be-sandaled, be-kimonoed woman to His Imperial Majesty Emperor Hirohito as his automobile slowed up to enter the palace gates. Stalwart police seized her; the Emperor passed on. Investigation showed the woman to be a member of a patriotic society, the Miyazaki, concerned with obtaining female suffrage. She had, she admitted, been much irked when government officials had prevented her from voting by proxy for her husband. She, therefore, had resolved to ask the Emperor "with reverence" to accord patriotic women the same political rights as enjoyed by men. - from Time Magazine: Monday, Nov. 7, 1927.

When a team of young Americans began writing a new constitution for Japan in early 1946, Beate Sirota was enlisted to help. Assigned to the subcommittee dedicated to writing the section of the constitution devoted to civil rights, she insisted upon the insertion into the constitution of a clause guaranteeing equality between men and women. The Constitution of Japan remains unrevised to this... (more)