Lots of outside study.

I found out from Mrs. Grubb, the science teacher, that no leaf nor insect collections are done in the k-12 now. (Love that name for a biology teacher) She gave me some handouts for my summer rapscallions, and we're doing insects and leaves now.

I'm used to every year the legislature promising property tax reform that ends up stymied by big ag vs private land owners. I'm used to cries of anger for education reform - from both sides of the aisle - in a state that is among the nation's best in public education and teacher preparation.

I'm not even surprised anymore by Steve King and others on the new right spewing bigotry and folks either nodding in agreement or shrugging it off with a "what can you do?" look.

(What can you do? Well, for starts, quit voting for these evil yahoos. Stop giving them money. And when the "pastor" starts a who-would-Jesus-hate rant, get up and walk out of the church. That's what you can do.)

But this year the state GOP has jumped completely onto the crazy train, and nobody seems to care. They've gone full birthed; they want to eliminate most functions of the US government (including agriculture! in Iowa!); nullify all federal laws and court decisions that states don't agree with, including those covering civil rights; do away with all social programs including SS and Medicare/Medicaid; and more in this Randian, successionist, paranoid vein.

link

Whatever you think about Booker, he told the truth, and kept media focus off topics like this.

Might be applicable to a lot more politicians and leaders and generals than just Napoleon.

I'm worried about this country's leaders right now, the pathetic news coverage of events, speeches and policy, AND the slow death of newspapers.

Seems like David Byrne was correct.

"Same as it ever was..."

"What authorities don't have is a belief that the 15-year-old is still alive. Garcia-Torres has been formally charged with one count of kidnapping and one count of murder."

Her mother still holds out hope that she is alive.

It evolved from very critical to a better working relationship.

January 8, 2011:

Zimmerman was once sharply critical of police in Sanford, according to an audio recording of a January 8, 2011, public meeting at Sanford's City Hall obtained by CNN.

"I also have had the opportunity to take ride-alongs with the city of Sanford Police Department and what I saw was disgusting," Zimmerman said at the time. "The officer showed me his favorite hiding spots for taking naps. ... He took two lunch breaks and attended a going away party for one of his fellow officers."

Zimmerman asked members of the city council to repeal the pension of the city's former police chief.

"I would just like to state that the law is written in black and white. It should not and cannot be enforced in the gray for those that are in the thin blue line," he said.

to:

On September 18, 2011, Zimmerman wrote an e-mail to the then-chief of Sanford's police, saying that he had "a completely new perspective" after working closely with the department's community volunteer coordinator.

As to the "neighborhood watch" issues:

Beginning in August 2011, Zimmerman exchanged e-mails with the Sanford police department at least three times, the court documents show. A rash of burglaries that began in July prompted the watch captain to ask the police department to host a neighborhood watch presentation for members of the community.

Zimmerman's e-mails with Sanford police show a cordial, even friendly, relationship. In an e-mail dated September 19, Sanford police volunteer coordinator Wendy Dorival thanked Zimmerman for his "kind words" sent to the chief. He responded, "It was with great pleasure that I sent that e-mail, you deserve the recognition!"

Police records indicate that five burglaries were documented in the neighborhood where Zimmerman lived in less than three months, starting in mid-July.

At the neighborhood watch meeting on September 22, according to court documents, Sanford police distributed contact cards and hosted a presentation on crime-prevention and security measures. Some of the flyers distributed read, "Report suspicious persons...activities...or vehicles." Another reads, "Know your neighbor" -- going on to issue advice on how to "profile" your neighborhood block.