By CatTailMom, unverified — Thu, 01/13/2011 - 10:40
If the governor just wanted to know what was going on, all he'd have to do is direct everyone to copy him/office on all emails, letters, etc. What he's done, though, is put a block on everything until it's approved. It's called control, not accountability.
By CatTailMom, unverified — Tue, 09/28/2010 - 08:00
The issue is not what details came out after the picture was posted, but what the public knew at that time. Ms. Pingree testified (2006) against members of Congress flying aboard corporate jets. Someone gets a photograph in 2010 of her walking off a corporate jet. It made perfect sense that questions were raised. The answers may or may not be satisfactory to her constituents, but it's her responsibility to provide them.
By CatTailMom, unverified — Mon, 09/27/2010 - 07:51
Before discussing whether or not Maine's public schools have achieved their goals, it's important to reach some consensus on what "success" means in this context. Finishing college in 4 years is a simplistic measurement tool.
Furthermore, the idea that public education is designed merely to "train" workers is in itself mistaken. According to Maine's Constitution, the Legislature must require towns to provide funds for public education in order to further the "preservation of the rights and liberties of the people". (Article VIII, Part First, Section 1).
By CatTailMom, unverified — Mon, 07/12/2010 - 09:51
Tron is correct, although the proposed remedy may be a bit steep. There is no true accountability for public officials who take non-public votes, or hold executive sessions for hours on end, email each other so a decision is made well before the formal meeting, or otherwise violate the spirit (and usually the letter) of the FOIA law. The Maine law does not contain a proper complaint mechanism, nor is any agency responsible for making sure citizen concerns are investigated and handled.
By CatTailMom, unverified — Thu, 10/29/2009 - 09:32
Do I understand jalbrecht correctly that s/he believes the entire state should Vote No on 3 simply because his/her taxes went down? If so, everyone needs to do a lot more research before heading into the voting booth. Check out http://forum.mdischools.net/ for a solid history of school reorganization in Maine and then decide whether this is really a good law for Maine. In my view, it's not.
CatTailMom's Comments
Control, not accountability
If the governor just wanted to know what was going on, all he'd have to do is direct everyone to copy him/office on all emails, letters, etc. What he's done, though, is put a block on everything until it's approved. It's called control, not accountability.
Jet or no Jet
The issue is not what details came out after the picture was posted, but what the public knew at that time. Ms. Pingree testified (2006) against members of Congress flying aboard corporate jets. Someone gets a photograph in 2010 of her walking off a corporate jet. It made perfect sense that questions were raised. The answers may or may not be satisfactory to her constituents, but it's her responsibility to provide them.
Purpose of Education
Before discussing whether or not Maine's public schools have achieved their goals, it's important to reach some consensus on what "success" means in this context. Finishing college in 4 years is a simplistic measurement tool.
Furthermore, the idea that public education is designed merely to "train" workers is in itself mistaken. According to Maine's Constitution, the Legislature must require towns to provide funds for public education in order to further the "preservation of the rights and liberties of the people". (Article VIII, Part First, Section 1).
Lack of Accountability
Tron is correct, although the proposed remedy may be a bit steep. There is no true accountability for public officials who take non-public votes, or hold executive sessions for hours on end, email each other so a decision is made well before the formal meeting, or otherwise violate the spirit (and usually the letter) of the FOIA law. The Maine law does not contain a proper complaint mechanism, nor is any agency responsible for making sure citizen concerns are investigated and handled.
Do I understand jalbrecht
Do I understand jalbrecht correctly that s/he believes the entire state should Vote No on 3 simply because his/her taxes went down? If so, everyone needs to do a lot more research before heading into the voting booth. Check out http://forum.mdischools.net/ for a solid history of school reorganization in Maine and then decide whether this is really a good law for Maine. In my view, it's not.