Jimi Hendrix- The Wind Cries Mary (VIDEO)

Led Zepplin - Thank You (VIDEO)

Opt-Out Movement Accelerates Amid Common Core Testing

ATLANTA (AP) — Thousands of students are opting out of new standardized tests aligned to the Common Core standards, defying the latest attempt by states to improve academic performance.

This "opt-out" movement remains scattered but is growing fast in some parts of the country. Some superintendents in New York are reporting that 60 percent or even 70 percent of their students are refusing to sit for the exams. Some lawmakers, sensing a tipping point, are backing the parents and teachers who complain about standardized testing.

Resistance could be costly: If fewer than 95 percent of a district's students participate in tests aligned with Common Core standards, federal money could be withheld, although the U.S. Department of Education said that hasn't happened.

"It is a theoretical club administrators have used to coerce participation, but a club that is increasingly seen as a hollow threat," said Bob Schaeffer with the National Center for Fair & Open Testing, which seeks to limit standardized testing.



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/17/common-core-opt-out-testi_n_7090910.html

I support Hillary but even I want a primary

I don't believe in coronations. And Hillary, like everyone else, needs to earn it. So, by all means I encourage Sanders, O'Malley and even Warren to jump in. There are legitimate issues and questions of governance to discuss. Welcome one and all, let's have at it.

Angie's List CEO Might Challenge Mike Pence in Indiana

WASHINGTON -- During the recent debate over Indiana's "religious freedom" law, there were few critics as outspoken as Angie's List CEO Bill Oesterle. Oesterle canceled a $40 million expansion of the company's headquarters in Indianapolis out of concern the law would discriminate against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. And his opposition was especially stinging because he was a fellow Republican, previously serving as a staffer to former Gov. Mitch Daniels (R).

On Wednesday, Oesterle announced he was stepping down from his position at Angie's List, leading to speculation in the state that he may be looking to challenge Gov. Mike Pence (R).

Oesterle later on Wednesday confirmed his interest in returning to politics in an interview with The Statehouse File. He said he had no immediate plans to run for governor, although he wasn't ruling it out. Oesterle lamented that Pence signing the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act into law "badly damaged" the state's reputation, and said the task now was to repair it.

“I haven’t figured out how I'm going to do that,” Oesterle admitted. “That could involve helping somebody else run. That could involve working on legislative races. That could involve becoming a candidate myself.”



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/15/bill-oesterle_n_7072426.html

Grave of Hillary Clinton's father 'vandalised' day after she declared for president

The grave of Hillary Clinton’s father appears to have been vandalised the day after she launched her presidential campaign.

Police in Scranton, Pennsylvania said that the headstone of Hugh Rodham had been toppled, possibly by vandals.

A caretaker at Washburn Street Cemetery noticed that the headstone was off its base on Monday afternoon.

Mrs Clinton declared that she was running for president on Sunday, leading to speculation that the perpetrator may have acted in response to the announcement.

Lieutenant Glenn Thomas of the Scranton Police Department said they were treating the incident as an act of “criminal mischief”, but had no information on what may have motivated the vandal or vandals.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/us-politics/11540384/Grave-of-Hillary-Clintons-father-vandalised-day-after-she-declared-for-president.html

Jimmy Cliff - Many Rivers To Cross (VIDEO)

Prediction: Scott Walker will be the Republican nominee.

Scott Walker is where the Republican party is today. He is cruel to unions, the poor and working class Wisconsinites, but can do it calm, photogenic smile. He is not quite as establishment as Jeb nor as outwardly batshit as Cruz. He knows how to channel the resentment of white, working class voters while nestling deep into the Koch Brothers' pockets. The Religious Right and tea baggers both like him. But you know what is most frightening? He knows how to talk to someone who has no health care and, instead of offering to expand medical coverage, he can convince them that the "union bums" don't deserve health health, either. THAT is what the Republican Party wants in 2016.

Mark Kirk Says People Drive Faster Through Black Neighborhoods

WASHINGTON -- In a little-noticed interview last week, Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) described African-American neighborhoods as areas that people in his state try to avoid.

The comment, with its racial undertones, came during a sit-down interview with the Peoria Journal Star and followed a question about how to encourage business development in Kirk's home state.

“I want to make sure we have elected people constantly looking at helping the African-American community,” Kirk said. “With this state and all of its resources, we could sponsor a whole new class of potential innovators like George Washington Carver and eventually have a class of African-American billionaires. That would really adjust income differentials and make the diversity and outcome of the state much better so that the black community is not the one we drive faster through." [emphasis added.]

The notion that people hit the gas when driving through black neighborhoods is a common racial stereotype about urbanization and criminal behavior among African-Americans. The fact that an elected senator from a state with a sizable black population would make such a comment was deemed unfortunate by at least one African-American leader in Illinois.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/13/mark-kirk-black-neighborhoods_n_7056612.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

My Review: Daredevil on Netflix (No Spoilers)

Best comic TV series ever. Kingpin is by far the best villain since the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Vincent D'Onofrio and Elden Henson stole the show. Not the greatest superhero action ever but storyline around it more than compensates.