Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Empathy by Evil Inside, Free Album Mp3 Downloads

English: Leopard bikini.
English: Leopard bikini. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)


Evil Inside with their album, Empathy.  Extreme heavy metal from Spain.  11 tracks to play and determine if this is what you are into.  If you are, then download what you like.  It's all free and no cost and it's all legal.  Even though the band is from Spain, the lyrics are all in English so the only issues are trying to understand what they are saying while they are screaming.  Add these to your iPod, Mp3 player, tablet, smartphone, computer or flash drive.  Burn them to CD and play them til you just can't stand them anymore.  Tell your friends about us so they can get free stuff too.  Or keep it a secret and share the cool stuff telling everyone you paid a fortune for it all and now you are willing to share these tracks with them as you are such a nice person.

  Enjoy.  ;  )
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Battle of the Hook Pre Show, Liberty's Kids 34, Deborah Samson




Battle of the Hook Pre Show.  Liberty's Kids episode number 34, Deborah Samson Soldier of the Revolution.  We are now only days away from the event of the Battle of the Hook.  If you are new to the site, the Battle of the Hook is an event that occurred just before the siege of Yorktown where America won the biggest battle against the British effectively winning the war for American Independence.  In essence, the Battle of the Hook was a part of the siege of Yorktown and it is also the location of the final surrender of Cornwallis troops to American and French soldiers.

  All of this happened in Gloucester, Virginia which is just across the river form Yorktown, Virginia.  The Battle of the Hook event is this coming weekend.  Below are directions to Gloucester from major points around the state.




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Governor McDonnell Announces Appointments to the Opportunity Educational Institution Board

English: The state seal of Virginia. Српски / ...
 The state seal of Virginia.  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
OEI Board will focus on turning around chronically failing, or underperforming, public schools 


RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today announced his appointments to the Opportunity Educational Institution Board. The Board will begin immediately to oversee the OEI.  The OEI, which was created through legislation passed during the 2013 General Assembly Session, will focus on turning around chronically failing or underperforming public schools in the Commonwealth to ensure a high quality education for all students.

The Board is comprised of nine appointed members and ex officio members as follows: two members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates; two members of the Senate, appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; one nonlegislative citizen member who shall have experience with the turnaround of failing schools; one nonlegislative citizen member who shall be a former teacher, former principal, or former superintendent; and, three nonlegislative citizen members who shall be citizens at large.  The nonlegislative citizen members are appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. The Secretary of Education or his designee and the Executive Director of the Institution shall serve ex officio with nonvoting privileges.

Speaking about the OEI Board, Governor McDonnell commented, “The Opportunity Educational Institution Board brings together top K-12 education reform leaders in Virginia with passionate education advocates in state government.  These leaders will work to ensure all Virginia children have access to a high quality education, and they are going to get to work right away.  If a single Virginia school is allowed to continue to fail resulting in students being denied a high-quality education, then we are not doing our constitutional duty. That is unacceptable.  The status quo is no longer ok, and the leaders on the OEI Board will be critical to the bipartisan effort to ensure that every child in the Commonwealth goes to a high quality school and gets a world class education.” 

Senator Ryan McDougle added, “These appointees possess the depth and breadth of experience needed to guide the Opportunity Educational Institution on its critical mission of reforming and revitalizing chronically failing schools.  The Commonwealth is very fortunate to have qualified individuals of this caliber willing to serve on the OEI Board as it begins the arduous and challenging process of ensuring every child in Virginia gets to attend a great school.”

Delegate Kirk Cox, co-chairman of the Governor's K-12 Education Reform Summit and a retired high school teacher stated, “This is another important step forward in our efforts to make Virginia schools the best in the nation. Statewide, our students are well above the national SAT averages in reading, writing, and math. Focusing on failing and under performing schools will help ensure that all students will have the opportunity to achieve academic results that will give them the best skills for 21st century jobs.”

Former Virginia Secretary of Education Jim Dyke noted, “I am confident the OEI Board will provide expert leadership for Virginia's children. The Board is well positioned to oversee the turnaround of failing schools and remain focused on the best interest of children.  I have long advocated for the state having the ultimate authority to take over failing schools in partnership with localities as a last option to assure that students have a lifeline to enable them to get the quality education required by our Constitution. I commend the Governor and the General Assembly for stepping up and providing that lifeline for these students. They deserve such an opportunity to achieve success.”


Gubernatorial Appointments

Lisa Goeas of Alexandria, Vice President of Political and Grassroots Program, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)
Goeas is the vice president of political and grassroots for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in Washington, D.C.  She is responsible for developing and directing NFIB political and grassroots programs that impact public-policy issues important to the small-business community. Prior to joining NFIB, Ms. Goeas was the chief of staff to Hector V. Baretto, small-business administrator at the U.S. Small Business Administration.  As chief of staff, she was the primary senior executive advisor to the administrator on program and policy matters, and represented the agency in negotiations and liaison activities with officials of the White House, Congress and other federal agencies. From 1996 – 2002, Ms. Goeas served as Deputy Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Tim Hutchinson. Married to Ed Goeas, she lives in Alexandria, Virginia with their three children, Emma, Robert and Bennett. She serves on the Alexandria PTA Council as well as the PTAs for George Washington Middle School and MacArthur Elementary School.

Julia Ciarlo Hammond of Richmond, Director of Legislative Affairs and Policy Advisor, Office of the Governor
Hammond leads the McDonnell Administration’s legislative strategy, develops the Governor's policy agenda and works with members of the Virginia General Assembly to advance the Governor's priorities.  Since January 2011, Julia has been pivotal to the success of the Governor's agendas, directing the Administration's outreach to the General Assembly and stakeholder groups. Practiced in leading a gubernatorial legislative team, she has expertly identified emerging issues in K12 reform, developed and implemented policy initiatives, and secured passage of key reforms that help ensure all students receive a world class education.  Prior to joining the Administration as Director of Legislative Affairs, Julia Ciarlo Hammond was Virginia State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business, the Commonwealth's leading small business association.  Previously, she served as Director of Government Relations for the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association. She also served in the Office of Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, and as a legislative aide to Delegate David Albo. Hammond earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Mary Washington.

Doug Mesecar of Aldie, Founder of Adeptio Education and Former Deputy Chief of Staff and Assistant Deputy Secretary of the Office of Innovation and Improvement for the U.S. Department of Education
Mesecar brings significant expertise in federal and state-level education policy encompassing funding, policy-making, innovation and business development.  Mesecar previously led the Office of Innovation and Improvement, directing the implementation of the charter, choice, tutoring, teacher quality, and technology provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as well as identifying innovative approaches to reform and improvement and provided budgetary and administrative oversight for over 30 grant programs.  Mesecar began as a teacher in Colorado and currently is founder of Adeptio Education, a government relations and consulting business for education organization, and co-owns a Sylvan Learning Center in Northern Virginia. Mesecar earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Hope College and completed post-graduate education at the University of Denver.  Mesecar and his family live in Loudoun County, and his two children attend Loudoun County Public Schools.

Dr. John Nunnery of Norfolk, Executive Director, The Center for Educational Partnerships at Old Dominion University (ODU)
Dr. Nunnery leads the ODU Center for Educational Partnerships. He is an expert in school restructuring and reform, educational evaluation, testing and measurement, strategic planning, and accountability. Nunnery holds an Ed.D. from the University of Memphis in Educational Psychology and Research, in addition to degrees from Rhodes College and Memphis State University.  His previous appointments include Director of the Bureau of Educational Research and Services at the University of Memphis, Associate Research Scientist at Johns Hopkins University, and Executive Director of Research, Standards, and Accountability for Memphis City Schools.  He has served two terms as President of the Comprehensive School Reform Special Interest Group of the American Educational Research Association.

Anne S. O'Toole of Manakin-Sabot, Retired Principal for Chesterfield County Public Schools  and Educational Consultant
O’Toole is an educational consultant whose passion is empowering educators to implement student-centered, inquiry-based, “best practices” for instruction.  Anne spent 41 years as a teacher, reading specialist, K-12 language arts supervisor, and elementary principal in Richmond City and Chesterfield County.    She was the principal of the first Expeditionary Learning School in Virginia, Robious Elementary (2005), which was identified as a national Blue Ribbon School of Excellence under her leadership.  Still passionate about improving instruction, she now works with the Virginia Department of Education, the Governor’s Office of Education, the University of Richmond, and Virginia Commonwealth University to inspire principals and teachers. Currently, she is traveling throughout Virginia to implement a series of trainings on empowering teachers as leaders of successful school leadership teams.  Anne holds degrees from the College of William and Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Senate of Virginia Appointments**The Senate Committee on rules announced appointments to the OEI Board on April 2nd

Senator Ryan T. McDougle (R - Hanover)
Senator Kenneth C. Alexander (D - Norfolk)

House of Delegates Appointments**Speaker Howell announced his appointments to the OEI Board by press release on September 26th

Delegate Richard P. Bell (R - Staunton)
Delegate Daun Sessoms Hester (D - Norfolk)

About the Opportunity Educational Institution

The OEI, which was created through legislation passed during the 2013 General Assembly Session, will focus on turning around chronically failing, or underperforming, public schools in the Commonwealth to provide a high quality education for children attending any failing public elementary, or secondary school. 

Consistent with the Constitution of Virginia, “it is desirable for the intellectual, cultural, and occupational development of the people of the Commonwealth . . . . to ensure that an educational program of high quality is established and continually maintained for all students throughout the Commonwealth.” This law establishes a statewide Opportunity Educational Institution to provide a high quality education for children attending any failing public elementary or secondary school. The Opportunity Educational Institution will be uniquely positioned to turnaround failing schools and provide all students the opportunity they deserve. While this model is new to Virginia, it is proven nationally. States like Louisiana and Tennessee have created Recovery and Achievement districts and the results are positive.
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Governor McDonnell Congratulates 2014 Virginia Teacher of the Year

English: Governor of Virginia at CPAC in .
 Governor of Virginia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today congratulated Fairfax County teacher Melissa A. Porfirio for her selection as Virginia’s 2014 Virginia Teacher of the Year. Porfirio teaches first grade at Crestwood Elementary School in Springfield. Her selection was announced Fridayevening in Richmond.

“Melissa Porfirio epitomizes the tens of thousands of truly outstanding teachers in Virginia’s public schools who are dedicated to the success of their students,” Governor McDonnell said. “She is a leader whose positive influence extends well beyond the walls of Crestwood Elementary.”

Fellow Crestwood teachers and her principal describe Porfirio as the heart of the Crestwood community. She serves as a mentor to new teachers and has been featured in Fairfax County Public Schools’ training videos.

Porfirio was selected from the eight Virginia 2014 Regional Teachers of the Year announced in September. Porfirio and the other regional nominees were seated together at the annual Virginia Teacher of the Year banquet Friday evening when her selection was announced by Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright.

“This is a group of dynamic and outstanding teachers,” Porfirio said. “I was so surprised when my name was called. It is such an honor to represent Virginia’s teachers.”

Porfirio will be the Commonwealth's nominee in the Council of Chief State School Officers' National Teacher of the Year program.

“Melissa will be a great ambassador for Virginia’s public schools and for the teaching profession,” Wright said.

A Fairfax County teacher for eight years, Porfirio earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Catholic University and a master’s degree in education, curriculum and instruction from George Mason University. Prior to becoming a teacher, Porfirio was a social worker in North Carolina and Washington, D.C. and taught English in Seoul, South Korea.

Porfirio, 39, was selected as 2014 Virginia Teacher of the Year after being interviewed by a committee that included representatives of professional and educational associations, the Virginia business community and 2013 Virginia Teacher of the Year Kathryn B. Galford of Chesapeake.

The 2014 National Teacher of the Year will be announced next spring at a White House ceremony. Two previous Virginia teachers of the year – Mary V. Bicouvaris in 1989 and B. Philip Bigler in 1998 - have gone on to become National Teachers of the Year.

As the 2014 Virginia Teacher of the Year, Porfirio received a $5,000 award and a commemorative ring from the Apple Federal Credit Union Education Foundation, a $2,500 award from Richmond law firm Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen; a classroom technology package from Smart Technologies ULC; a travel package from EF Education First; educational opportunities from several public and private colleges and universities, flowers from Strange's Florist and Garden Centers; an engraved plaque from Bunkie Trinite Trophies, Inc., a gift certificate from Crowne Plaza Hotel Richmond Downtown, a gift basket from C.F. Sauer Company, a gift from Blue Bell Creameries, and an engraved crystal apple.
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Governor McDonnell Launches Adoption Social Media Campaign:

Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell speaking at...
Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell  attribute to Gage Skidmore  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
RICHMOND – Due to the success of the #100Kids100Days campaign, Governor Bob McDonnell is launching a new social media effort aimed at increasing support for adoption in Virginia.  The new campaign, #IHeartAdoption, will feature photos of adoption supporters telling Virginia why they support adoption.

To participate, Virginians should print out the template, fill in why they support adoption and email a JPEG photo toVAdopts@governor.virginia.gov.  People can also participate by posting their photo to Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #IHeartAdoption.  Submissions could be included on the Virginia Adopts website, Facebook, Twitter or other promotional material.  Click here to download the template. 

            Speaking about the new social media campaign, Governor McDonnell commented, “Facebook and Twitter have been an integral part of getting the word out about our Virginia Adopts initiative.  We saw enormous success on social media with #100Kids100Days, including kids being matched because of the awareness raised through the #100Kids100Days campaign.  Through #IHeartAdoption we hope to bring even greater awareness to the 1,000 kids in foster care today in Virginia that need a forever home.  Today we are launching our new social media campaign, #IHeartAdoption, to encourage all Virginians to join us in sharing with their friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter why they support adoption.”


Governor McDonnell Supports Adoption Because Loving Families Change the World
(Right-click the photo and click “save as” to download; Please attribute the photo to Michaele White, Governor’s Photographer)

For more information about the “Campaign for 1,000” please view the Governor’s video message and visit http://www.virginiaadopts.virginia.gov/.

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Federalist Papers No. 24. The Powers Necessary to the Common Defense Further Considered

For the Independent Journal. Wednesday, December 19, 1787

To the People of the State of New York:

TO THE powers proposed to be conferred upon the federal government, in respect to the creation and direction of the national forces, I have met with but one specific objection, which, if I understand it right, is this, that proper provision has not been made against the existence of standing armies in time of peace; an objection which, I shall now endeavor to show, rests on weak and unsubstantial foundations.
It has indeed been brought forward in the most vague and general form, supported only by bold assertions, without the appearance of argument; without even the sanction of theoretical opinions; in contradiction to the practice of other free nations, and to the general sense of America, as expressed in most of the existing constitutions. The proprietary of this remark will appear, the moment it is recollected that the objection under consideration turns upon a supposed necessity of restraining the LEGISLATIVE authority of the nation, in the article of military establishments; a principle unheard of, except in one or two of our State constitutions, and rejected in all the rest.
A stranger to our politics, who was to read our newspapers at the present juncture, without having previously inspected the plan reported by the convention, would be naturally led to one of two conclusions: either that it contained a positive injunction, that standing armies should be kept up in time of peace; or that it vested in the EXECUTIVE the whole power of levying troops, without subjecting his discretion, in any shape, to the control of the legislature.
If he came afterwards to peruse the plan itself, he would be surprised to discover, that neither the one nor the other was the case; that the whole power of raising armies was lodged in the LEGISLATURE, not in the EXECUTIVE; that this legislature was to be a popular body, consisting of the representatives of the people periodically elected; and that instead of the provision he had supposed in favor of standing armies, there was to be found, in respect to this object, an important qualification even of the legislative discretion, in that clause which forbids the appropriation of money for the support of an army for any longer period than two years a precaution which, upon a nearer view of it, will appear to be a great and real security against the keeping up of troops without evident necessity.
Disappointed in his first surmise, the person I have supposed would be apt to pursue his conjectures a little further. He would naturally say to himself, it is impossible that all this vehement and pathetic declamation can be without some colorable pretext. It must needs be that this people, so jealous of their liberties, have, in all the preceding models of the constitutions which they have established, inserted the most precise and rigid precautions on this point, the omission of which, in the new plan, has given birth to all this apprehension and clamor.
If, under this impression, he proceeded to pass in review the several State constitutions, how great would be his disappointment to find that TWO ONLY of them(1) contained an interdiction of standing armies in time of peace; that the other eleven had either observed a profound silence on the subject, or had in express terms admitted the right of the Legislature to authorize their existence.
Still, however he would be persuaded that there must be some plausible foundation for the cry raised on this head. He would never be able to imagine, while any source of information remained unexplored, that it was nothing more than an experiment upon the public credulity, dictated either by a deliberate intention to deceive, or by the overflowings of a zeal too intemperate to be ingenuous. It would probably occur to him, that he would be likely to find the precautions he was in search of in the primitive compact between the States. Here, at length, he would expect to meet with a solution of the enigma. No doubt, he would observe to himself, the existing Confederation must contain the most explicit provisions against military establishments in time of peace; and a departure from this model, in a favorite point, has occasioned the discontent which appears to influence these political champions.
If he should now apply himself to a careful and critical survey of the articles of Confederation, his astonishment would not only be increased, but would acquire a mixture of indignation, at the unexpected discovery, that these articles, instead of containing the prohibition he looked for, and though they had, with jealous circumspection, restricted the authority of the State legislatures in this particular, had not imposed a single restraint on that of the United States. If he happened to be a man of quick sensibility, or ardent temper, he could now no longer refrain from regarding these clamors as the dishonest artifices of a sinister and unprincipled opposition to a plan which ought at least to receive a fair and candid examination from all sincere lovers of their country! How else, he would say, could the authors of them have been tempted to vent such loud censures upon that plan, about a point in which it seems to have conformed itself to the general sense of America as declared in its different forms of government, and in which it has even superadded a new and powerful guard unknown to any of them? If, on the contrary, he happened to be a man of calm and dispassionate feelings, he would indulge a sigh for the frailty of human nature, and would lament, that in a matter so interesting to the happiness of millions, the true merits of the question should be perplexed and entangled by expedients so unfriendly to an impartial and right determination. Even such a man could hardly forbear remarking, that a conduct of this kind has too much the appearance of an intention to mislead the people by alarming their passions, rather than to convince them by arguments addressed to their understandings.
But however little this objection may be countenanced, even by precedents among ourselves, it may be satisfactory to take a nearer view of its intrinsic merits. From a close examination it will appear that restraints upon the discretion of the legislature in respect to military establishments in time of peace, would be improper to be imposed, and if imposed, from the necessities of society, would be unlikely to be observed.
Though a wide ocean separates the United States from Europe, yet there are various considerations that warn us against an excess of confidence or security. On one side of us, and stretching far into our rear, are growing settlements subject to the dominion of Britain. On the other side, and extending to meet the British settlements, are colonies and establishments subject to the dominion of Spain. This situation and the vicinity of the West India Islands, belonging to these two powers create between them, in respect to their American possessions and in relation to us, a common interest. The savage tribes on our Western frontier ought to be regarded as our natural enemies, their natural allies, because they have most to fear from us, and most to hope from them. The improvements in the art of navigation have, as to the facility of communication, rendered distant nations, in a great measure, neighbors. Britain and Spain are among the principal maritime powers of Europe. A future concert of views between these nations ought not to be regarded as improbable. The increasing remoteness of consanguinity is every day diminishing the force of the family compact between France and Spain. And politicians have ever with great reason considered the ties of blood as feeble and precarious links of political connection. These circumstances combined, admonish us not to be too sanguine in considering ourselves as entirely out of the reach of danger.
Previous to the Revolution, and ever since the peace, there has been a constant necessity for keeping small garrisons on our Western frontier. No person can doubt that these will continue to be indispensable, if it should only be against the ravages and depredations of the Indians. These garrisons must either be furnished by occasional detachments from the militia, or by permanent corps in the pay of the government. The first is impracticable; and if practicable, would be pernicious. The militia would not long, if at all, submit to be dragged from their occupations and families to perform that most disagreeable duty in times of profound peace. And if they could be prevailed upon or compelled to do it, the increased expense of a frequent rotation of service, and the loss of labor and disconcertion of the industrious pursuits of individuals, would form conclusive objections to the scheme. It would be as burdensome and injurious to the public as ruinous to private citizens. The latter resource of permanent corps in the pay of the government amounts to a standing army in time of peace; a small one, indeed, but not the less real for being small. Here is a simple view of the subject, that shows us at once the impropriety of a constitutional interdiction of such establishments, and the necessity of leaving the matter to the discretion and prudence of the legislature.
In proportion to our increase in strength, it is probable, nay, it may be said certain, that Britain and Spain would augment their military establishments in our neighborhood. If we should not be willing to be exposed, in a naked and defenseless condition, to their insults and encroachments, we should find it expedient to increase our frontier garrisons in some ratio to the force by which our Western settlements might be annoyed. There are, and will be, particular posts, the possession of which will include the command of large districts of territory, and facilitate future invasions of the remainder. It may be added that some of those posts will be keys to the trade with the Indian nations. Can any man think it would be wise to leave such posts in a situation to be at any instant seized by one or the other of two neighboring and formidable powers? To act this part would be to desert all the usual maxims of prudence and policy.
If we mean to be a commercial people, or even to be secure on our Atlantic side, we must endeavor, as soon as possible, to have a navy. To this purpose there must be dock-yards and arsenals; and for the defense of these, fortifications, and probably garrisons. When a nation has become so powerful by sea that it can protect its dock-yards by its fleets, this supersedes the necessity of garrisons for that purpose; but where naval establishments are in their infancy, moderate garrisons will, in all likelihood, be found an indispensable security against descents for the destruction of the arsenals and dock-yards, and sometimes of the fleet itself.
PUBLIUS

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Why We Celebrate Columbus Day In America

English: First landing of Columbus on the shor...
English: First landing of Columbus on the shores of the New World, at San Salvador, W.I., Oct. 12th 1492. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)


Why We Celebrate Columbus Day from Chuck Thompson

Why we celebrate Columbus Day In America.  Some updated speculations on Christopher Columbus places him as a member of one of the secret societies of the era and had access to secret maps showing the Americas.  There is no clear evidence of this and makes for an interesting story to say the least.  There does seem to be some other evidence that has arisen to give this theory credibility as there has been very old monuments found in various parts of the east coast that pre date the landing of Columbus and clearly not a product of native american Indians.

  The structures do not date as far back as the Vikings either allowing for a great deal of mystery that no records can be found of in Europe.  The structures matching certain European design elements but again, not traceable to any particular area of Europe.  You can find plenty of information on all of this either on YouTube where everything you see is real, or other various websites.  We saw this information on a fairly credible source, The History Channel.  Now how credible is the History channel?  That depends on their mood for any given program and or episode of any given series.  We do not give the channel very high marks on credibility so whatever it's worth.

  It just makes for something interesting to discuss and something to consider researching.  We just note it for it's interest value.  On a final note, if you do not understand religious history, you can not understand Columbus day.  Modern day portrayal of this man is mered in ignorance as the religious background has been stripped out of the real story and this man is unfairly blamed to what Spainiards did in the name of the Catholic Church based on their belief system.   But thanks to other ignorance in America there also exists the so called seperation of Church and State that has been incorrectly interpreted creating this other bastardisation of real history and knowledge.
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