25,000 LEDs Illuminate The San Francisco Bay Bridge

<iframe width="500" height="281" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kPY5IlxiEYk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

11 Reasons To Get Your Kids Out Of The Government Schools

It should be painfully obvious to everyone by now that it is time to get all of our kids out of the government schools.  The public school system in the United States has been dramatically declining for a long time, and in most areas of the country the public schools are open sewers at this point.  Yes, there are some U.S. public schools that are still very good and that do a decent job of preparing our young people for their adult lives.  But those good schools are the exception to the rule.  Hopefully the school shooting that just happened in Ohio will be a wake up call to millions of parents out there.  Drugs, sex and violence are rampant in American public schools today.  The “teachers” are endlessly pushing specific political and social agendas down the throats of our kids, and the skills that our children really need such as reading, writing and mathematics are often badly neglected.  Hopefully we can get more parents educated about what is really going on in these schools.  After all, why would any parents want to send their children into an environment that is going to be highly destructive for them for six to eight hours a day?

Sadly, “destructive” is not too hard a word to use for the environment in these public schools.  I went to public schools all my life, and they were absolutely horrible.  Unfortunately, they have gotten even worse since the time that I left them.

The following are 11 reasons to get your kids out of the government schools….

#1 You Could Be Arrested For Something That Your Child Does

Yes, you read that correctly.  If your child writes a story or draws a picture which a teacher or an administrator takes the wrong way, you could end up in jail.

The following example is from thestar.com….

A Kitchener father is angry at police after he was arrested at his child’s school and later strip-searched at the police station, all because his 4-year-old daughter drew a picture of a gun in class.

“I’m picking up my kids and then, next thing you know, I’m locked up,” Jessie Sansone, 26, said of his ordeal on Wednesday. “I was in shock. This is completely insane.”

The school principal, police and child welfare officials, however, all stand by their actions. They say they had to investigate to determine whether there was a gun in Sansone’s house that children had access to.

#2 Your Child Could Be Arrested While At School For Just About Anything These Days

As I have written about previously, children all over the United States are being arrested by police in government school classrooms for some absolutely crazy things.  Just check out the following examples….

*A 12-year-old girl named Sarah Bustamantes was recently arrested for spraying herself with perfume at a public school in Texas.

*A 13-year-old kid attending a public school in Albuquerque, New Mexico was recently arrested by police for burping in class.

*A 12-year-old girl at a school in Forest Hills, New York was marched out of her public school in handcuffs by police just because she doodled on her desk. “I love my friends Abby and Faith” was what she reportedly scribbled on her desk.

*When a little girl recently kissed a little boy at one Florida elementary school,  it was considered to be a “possible sex crime” and the police were called out.

#3 Your Child Might Be Bodily Harmed By Security Thugs

All over the nation, public schools students are being bodily injured (sometimes permanently) by school security thugs.  The following are a couple of examples….

*A security thug at one school in California actually fractured the arm of one 16-year-old girl because she left some crumbs on the floor after cleaning up some cake that she had spilled.

*In Allentown, Pennsylvania a 14-year-old girl was tasered in the groin areaby a school security thug even though she had put up her hands in the air to surrender to him.

#4 Virtually Everything That Your Child Does At School Is Being Put Into A Database Somewhere

As I described in a previous article, public schools (in conjunction with the federal government) have become obsessed with watching, monitoring and recording the activities of our kids.

According to the New York Post, the Obama administration is planning a vast new database which will collect all sorts of information about our children.  Is this the kind of information that you want the federal government to keep track of?….

The administration wants this data to include much more than name, address and test scores. According to the National Data Collection Model, the government should collect information on health-care history, family income and family voting status. In its view, public schools offer a golden opportunity to mine reams of data from a captive audience.

#5 Our Kids Are Not Learning Anything In These Public Schools

As I have documented before, American public school students are being dumbed-down and millions of them end up dumb as a rock and yet still are able to graduate from high school somehow….

The following are some of the absolutely amazing results of a study conducted a few years ago by Common Core….

*Only 43 percent of all U.S. high school students knew that the Civil War was fought some time between 1850 and 1900.

*More than a quarter of all U.S. high school students thought that Christopher Columbus made his famous voyage across the Atlantic Ocean after the year 1750.

*Approximately a third of all U.S. high school students did not know that the Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of religion.  (This is a topic that I touched onyesterday).

*Only 60 percent of all U.S. students knew that World War I was fought some time between 1900 and 1950.

Sadly, we are rapidly falling behind the rest of the globe.  At this point, 15-year-olds that attend U.S. public schools do not even rank in the top half of all advanced nations when it comes to math or science literacy.

#6 Our Public School Kids Are Being Forced To Take Large Numbers Of Vaccines

All over the nation, children that have not received all of the “required vaccines”are being banned from school.

Many parents do not want dozens of toxic vaccines injected directly into the bloodstreams of their kids, but in many states today you will not be able to send your kids to the public schools if they don’t submit to the shots.

This is just another reason why all American families should pull their kids out of these government schools immediately.

#7 Exposed To Rampant Sexual Promiscuity

When you send your kid to a government school, you are sending them into an environment where they will be exposed to rampant sexual promiscuity on an endless basis.

When the kids around you are constantly talking about sex and joking about sex, it makes it nearly impossible to escape it.

What makes things even worse is that the “sex education” courses are becoming more detailed and more graphic than ever.  One example of this phenomenon was detailed in the New York Times….

IMAGINE you have a 10- or 11-year-old child, just entering a public middle school. How would you feel if, as part of a class ostensibly about the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, he and his classmates were given “risk cards” that graphically named a variety of solitary and mutual sex acts? Or if, in another lesson, he was encouraged to disregard what you told him about sex, and to rely instead on teachers and health clinic staff members?

In some U.S. public schools, kids are even having sex in the school bathrooms.

Do you want that to happen to your kid?

#8 Teachers Are Having Sex With The Students

It seems like almost every single day there is another news story about teachers having sex with public school students.

The following are just a few of the headlines that I found from this week….

-”More California Teachers Accused Of Sex Crimes”

-”Teacher Accused Of Sex With Student Appears In Court”

-”Queen’s Teacher’s Aide Charged With Child Sex Abuse”

-”Teacher Caught In Bed With Teen Student”

#9 U.S. Public Schools Are Dominated By Radical Control Freaks That Are Teaching Our Kids How To Live Like Slaves

The level of control that is exerted over the lives of children in many of our public schools is absolutely frightening.

I know that I have mentioned the following example several times, but it is worth repeating because it shows just how far things have gone.  One 4-year-old girl recently had her lunch confiscated by a control freak at one U.S. preschool because it did not meet USDA guidelines….

A preschooler at West Hoke Elementary School ate three chicken nuggets for lunch Jan. 30 because the school told her the lunch her mother packed was not nutritious.

The girl’s turkey and cheese sandwich, banana, potato chips, and apple juice did not meet U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines, according to the interpretation of the person who was inspecting all lunch boxes in the More at Four classroom that day.

The Division of Child Development and Early Education at the Department of Health and Human Services requires all lunches served in pre-kindergarten programs – including in-home day care centers – to meet USDA guidelines. That means lunches must consist of one serving of meat, one serving of milk, one serving of grain, and two servings of fruit or vegetables, even if the lunches are brought from home.

Do you want sick control freaks inspecting the lunches that your kids bring from home every single day?

If not, perhaps it is time to pull them out of the government schools.

#10 Specific Social And Political Agendas Are Being Shoved Down The Throats Of Our Kids In U.S. Public Schools

If you think that the government schools are “neutral places” where all social, political and religious beliefs are tolerated, then you are either ignorant or you are delusional.

The truth is that very specific social and political agendas are built into the curriculums of most public schools.  Often, these social and political agendas are the same ones that are being force-fed to public school children in other western nations.

If your children are attending a government school, a system of “right and wrong” is being pounded into their heads that may be very different from what you would teach them.

In one recent New York Times article, a district superintendent admitted that particular agendas are integrated into classroom instruction anywhere that they will fit….

“We’re trying to integrate it into anything where it naturally fits,” said Jackie Taylor, the district’s superintendent. “It might be in a math lesson. How much water are you really using? How can you tell? Teachers look for avenues in almost everything they teach.”

If you want to see where all of this is going, just check out what is going on in Europe.  In the UK, teachers that don’t promote the “correct agenda” face harsh disciplinary action.

Those that control the public schools don’t just want to “educate” your children.

They want to indoctrinate them.

#11 If Your Children Attend Public Schools They Could End Up Dead

Sadly, the school shooting that just happened in Ohio reminds us all once again that this is a matter of life and death.  Our schools are not safe and they are becoming less safe all the time.

While the odds are not great that your children will actually be murdered in our public schools, the truth is that there is a very good chance that they could be scarred for life by the destructive environment in these schools.

Most Americans that have gone through the public school system emerge from it with deep emotional scars.  If you have some of these emotional scars you know exactly what I am talking about.

The vast majority of our public schools are horrible places.  Just ask kids that are going to public high schools right now.  Most of them hate it.

Sometimes people argue that we should keep our children in the public schools so that they can be a “light” and so that they can be a good influence.

Unfortunately, that is just not the reality of the situation.  Our kids go there to be taught, and it is the teachers that have the authority.  Our children are far more likely to be changed by their teachers and their friends than they are to significantly change the system around them.

When you are young and insecure, it can be incredibly difficult to take a stand for what is right when all of your teachers and all of your friends are going the other way.

We need to protect our children and we need to put them into environments where they will be safe, protected and will receive a quality education.

Growing up is hard enough without having to spend 30 to 40 hours a week in a nightmarish hellhole where you will be physically, mentally and emotionally tortured.

So what do all of you think about the state of U.S. public schools?

Do you believe that we should get our kids out of the government schools?

Reference: End of the American Dream

2012 and what it has brought for me

It is that time of the year again where everyone gets their minds going and determines what the year brought for them.   For me it has been a very interesting year, a year that brought forth new ventures and more struggles.   After spending a year and a half in Pennsylvania My wife, daughter and I decided to come back home to California and take a job with a newer company.  It seemed like a great opportunity to get back into the action sports industry but it deemed to be harder and a more stressful lifestyle.  Not so much the action sports industry being hard, but working for the company itself has been a task.   In taking this position I had to work extra hard to put process’s in place but having no direction made it pretty hard to do and the low pay made it that much more  stressful.   We have been back in California for about 10 months now and living with my parents.  Added upon the low pay, STRESS has ridden my body and mind.  But the positive thing is that I have a job.  The other great thing is while working for this company I have decided to take it upon myself to grow their social media since I have started I helped it grow from 7,000 fans on Facebook to 16,000 that is 9,000 fans gained.  I have learned quite a bit while working here for the past few months now, and that is to make sure you back yourself up and record all the work you have done.  Sometimes all that you have is your work.  Unfortunately I am a person that likes to look out for a team and not just myself, I shouldn't say unfortunately. To move away from this subject an on to another great thing in my life for 2012 is that we are having another baby girl!!  With this great news, brings a greater responsibility to get my family on its feet and move out of my parent’s house.  This year has been pretty stressful but I have been ever so grateful for the chances that were given to me and the blessing of another child.  I almost forgot another great thing that happened just a couple of weeks ago my wife and I were sealed in the San Diego Temple.  That is an LDS temple.  Even though 2012 had been a little hard and understanding the hardships for many of those suffering through this terrible economy.  All that I pray for is a great 2013 year where we all can be at our best and drive toward our goals.  God has his plans for all of us individually and what that plan is only he can direct us.   Before the year ends be sure to take a moment and write down some new year’s resolutions and strive to reach those goals and pray for guidance as I will. 

Until next time Artothebeat out! 

A fully operational Death Star, a nationalized Twinkie industry, and motorcycle-riding "judges" who also act as jury and executioner

On the wish lists of Americans: A fully operational Death Star, a nationalized Twinkie industry, and motorcycle-riding "judges" who also act as jury and executioner

The White House's "We the People..." website allows Americans to petition the Obama administration on a variety of issues citizens believe need addressing. Requests range from serious (petition tohave the White House publicly acknowledge the U.S. drone program) to self-interested (federally legalize weed now!) to completely absurd (have Vice-President Joe Biden serve as Guy Fieri's sidekick on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives). Most are angry with the administration, with roughly 70 percent of current petitions asking that individual states — like Texas — be allowed to peacefully secede. What's more: Anyone can create a petition, with the caveat that each request must garner 25,000 signatures in order to be considered for an official White House response. Presented without comment (and in no particular order), here are 11 of the most ridiculous White House petitions awaiting signatures:

1. Secure resources and funding, and begin construction of a Death Star by 2016

Those who sign here petition the United States government to secure funding and resources, and begin construction on a Death Star by 2016. 

By focusing our defense resources into a space-superiority platform and weapon system such as a Death Star, the government can spur job creation in the fields of construction, engineering, space exploration, and more, and strengthen our national defense.

Total signatures: 1,428

2. Allow United States military service members to place their hands in their pockets

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the bonds of service to the United States military, this regretful termination of service to this great nation is often precipitated by inane uniform and personal conduct policies.

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all uniforms have pockets and hands fit perfectly inside them, and they sheathe our knife hands gloriously. It must be acknowledged that placing one's hands in one's pockets is not a sign of disrespect, but a precautionary action to prevent injuries.

Therefore, these undeniable truths being told, the service members of the United States military respectfully request the President of the United States to restore our sacred right to place our hands in our pockets — on or off duty.

Total signatures: 3,730

SEE MORE: 3 reasons President Obama's lunch with Mitt Romney is a good idea

3. Deport everyone that signed a petition to withdraw their state from the USA

SEE MORE: 5 reasons the GOP won't stop bashing Susan Rice

Deport Everyone That Signed A Petition To Withdraw Their State From The United States Of America.

Total signatures: 25,879

4. Build a statue of Master Chief Petty Officer Spartan John-117 on the White House lawn

He deserves more praise for what he has done.

Total signatures: 4,526

5. Nationalize the Twinkie industry

We the undersigned, hereby request Barack Obama to immediately Nationalize the Twinkie industry and prevent our nation from losing her sweet creamy center.

Total signatures: 3,998

6. Establish new legal system of motorcycle riding "judges" who serve as police, judge, jury, and executioner all in one

This is a petition to dissolve the current legal system and replace it with a single Hall of Justice, run by Judges; motorcycle-riding law officers who act as police, judge, jury, and executioner.

Total signatures: 2,972

7. Give us back our incandescent light bulbs! 

In the spirit of liberty and freedom we believe that decisions, such as what kind of lightbulb we use, should not be made by the government but by the individual. The federal government is phasing out incandescent lightbulbs by law and the last incandescent lightbulb factory in America has closed. This is not the role of the government. Not only did this move shift jobs to China (since CFLs are too dangerous to manufacture in America) it has limited the freedom of Americans to make their own choices in how they will light their homes and businesses. The free market should decide which lightbulbs succeed, not the government.

Total signatures: 1,358

8. Provide university graduates ability to trade their diplomas back for 100 percent tuition refunds

Because of the inability of recent college graduates to find gainful employment in order to repay their college debt, and since this college debt cannot be eliminated in bankruptcy, and most of the recent additions to the job market have been in service related industries, the Obama administration should take up the cause of reducing college debt and hold those accountable responsible.

In the name of Consumer Protection, recent college graduates should have the ability to return the diploma and not make any reference to receiving education from the college in exchange for a 100% refund of college tuition. This may be extended with a graduated (ha, get it?) reduction for the last four years, with a red line at January 20, 2008.

Courtesy of @IowaHawkBlog, great thinker of our time

Total signatures: 1,193

9. Have the President attend a Fark.com party. If scheduling does not permit, at least have a beer with Drew Curtis.

Too many serious petitions on this site asking the President to work his butt off. We believe that he should have a chance to have a good time.

Total signatures: 1,111

10. Transfer funds from the drug war to fund the research and development of thegenetic engineering of domestic cat girls

We believe that the genetic engineering of cat girls could be potentially beneficial for the economy and an effective for use as domestic house servant. The money being used to fight the drug war is effectively pointless. We could be using this money to fund other much more important things such as the genetic engineering of cat girls for domestic use. The government could then sell these genetic household workers to boost the economy and try to further decrease the national debt. They could be used around the house so that the homeowners could pursue jobs to also boost the economy.

Total signatures: 838

11. Shut down White House petitions, since they never get a sincere response, few read them & they are ultimately worthless

Since the White House never actually responds to any petitions in sincerity (like letting the one man whose job it is to oppose marijuana to respond to the marijuana legalization initiative, or having the head of the TSA respond to why we can't de-fund the TSA) we should immediately de-fund and dismantle the White House petition website.

In recent days it has become a mockery with petitions for secession from almost every state, and cities wishing to de-secede in such events.

We ask Barack Obama to admit that this is a mockery of democratic process and immediately dissolve this joke of a website.

Total signatures: 852

View this article on TheWeek.com

When the sun turns blue

There have been several recorded times in history when the sun has suddenly turned blue. The scientific explanation for them is even better than the legends people created to explain them long ago. A blue sun allows you to see — briefly — what the skies are like on Mars.
All right, not literally into Mars, but blue suns do happen under circumstances which recreate conditions in the Martian atmosphere. The yellow sun that we have isn't so much yellow as it is an ordinary white star whose light is filtered through our atmosphere. That atmosphere is made up of little particles that scatter blue light. Blue gets thrown around the sky, occasionally coming down to Earth, which is why the sky is that lovely blue color. As all the blue light gets filtered out of the rays of the sun the remaining light skews yellow. So when we look up at the sun itself, we see it as yellow.

On Mars, the reverse happens. The atmosphere doesn't scatter much light because there isn't much atmosphere to be had. What atmosphere there is has picked up a lot of dust, and that flying dust scatters light. Because it's a great deal larger than the particles of air, it scatters longer wavelengths of light, and so red is filtered out instead of blue.

Sometimes on Earth, when there are fires going, or in the wake of a dust-spewing volcano, there is enough red-scattering dust in the air to recreate the look of Mars. The atmosphere does scatter a lot of blue light, but not all blue light. Just enough so the sun looks slightly yellow. The dust so effectively takes care of the red light that what blue light does come down from the sun is the only light that can be seen clearly. The dust doesn't necessarily have to be all around the viewer. If the dust is far off toward the west or east, the sun can be behind it without the viewer necessarily noticing anything wrong - except the sun turning blue.

Blue suns have caused alarm in many areas of the globe, but the most famous American consequence of a blue sun was Nat Turner's Rebellion in 1831, when Nat Turner and several other slaves rebelled in Virginia. The rebellion had been planned well beforehand, but it was said that the blue sun was seen as a starting signal. Scientists are split on exactly what turned the sun blue. Some think it was ash scattered through the air after an eruption from Mount St. Helens. Others have found records of wildfires in Virginia around the time of the rebellion, which would have kicked up dust into the air. The rebellion was ended after only a few days, but it remains a pivotal part of American history, tied in with an extraordinary optic phenomenon.

Source: I09 http://m.io9.com/5963520/when-the-sun-turns-blue