Tag Archives: DC

State-Sponsored Poverty

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I originally posted the following information and commentary onto my Facebook wall…

2016-07-24-state-sponsored-poverty

Washington, D.C., Has Four Layers of Bureaucracy to Protect Against Rogue Shoe-Shiners:
http://rare.us/story/washington-d-c-has-four-layers-of-bureaucracy-to-protect-against-rogue-shoe-shiners/

Shining shoes seems like a relatively low-risk occupation. (Heck, even Andy Dwyer can do it.)

Not so, says the city government of Washington, D.C., where would-be shoe shiners have to acquire no fewer than four licenses, with fees totaling at least $337 to get into business. Oh, and if you want to shine shoes on the sidewalk, cough up another $1,200 for a two-year permit.

(Read entire article here…)

My Commentary: State-Sponsored poverty.

Discussing State School Punishment of Achievement

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The following correspondence originally took place on my Facebook wall, upon my post, “State Schools Have ‘Zero Tolerance’… for Genuine, Organic Achievements, That Is!“…

Piano Phenom, Avery Gagliano

Rayn: In D.C., a 13-Year-Old Piano Prodigy is Treated as a Truant Instead of a Star Student:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/in-dc-a-12-year-old-piano-prodigy-is-treated-as-a-truant-instead-of-a-star-student/2014/09/08/58962746-3727-11e4-bdfb-de4104544a37_story.html

As always, State schools have “zero tolerance” for genuine, organic achievements! Children must be taught to comply, to conform, to regiment, and to be held the standard of the “average,” or else, risk butting heads with gate-keeping, authoritarian government mercenaries!

Sara: Someone should start a fundraiser for her to attend private school. She deserves a scholarship.

Jason R.: that’s the way society is, and in order to change society everyone needs to agree!

Jason R.: However, it’s a sad how many people agree with the wrong things. It’s time to let people just be!

State Schools Have “Zero Tolerance”… for Genuine, Organic Achievements, That Is!

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I originally posted the following information and commentary onto my Facebook wall…

2014-09-08 - State Schools Have Zero Tolerance... for Genuine, Organic Achievements, That Is!

Piano Phenom, Avery Gagliano

In D.C., a 13-Year-Old Piano Prodigy is Treated as a Truant Instead of a Star Student:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/in-dc-a-12-year-old-piano-prodigy-is-treated-as-a-truant-instead-of-a-star-student/2014/09/08/58962746-3727-11e4-bdfb-de4104544a37_story.html

(Petula Dvorak, Washington Post) Avery Gagliano is a commanding young pianist who attacks Chopin with the focused diligence of a master craftsman and the grace of a ballet dancer.

The prodigy, who just turned 13, was one of 12 musicians selected from across the globe to play at a prestigious event in Munich last year and has won competitions and headlined with orchestras nationwide.

But to the D.C. public school system, the eighth-grader from Mount Pleasant is also a truant. Yes, you read that right. Avery’s amazing talent and straight-A grades at Alice Deal Middle School earned her no slack from school officials, despite her parents’ begging and pleading for an exception.

(Read Entire Article Here…)

My Commentary: As always, State schools have “zero tolerance” for genuine, organic achievements! Children must be taught to comply, to conform, to regiment, and to be held the standard of the “average,” or else, risk butting heads with gate-keeping, authoritarian government mercenaries!

Discussing the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Washington, DC

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The following correspondence originally took place upon the Facebook note of my friend Cecily M, entitled, “Guest Writer: HIV/AIDS”…

2009-03-24-discussing-the-hiv-aids-epidemic-in-washington-dc

Cecily M.: Hey folk. I’d like to believe that I know a bunch of articulate, intellectual, informed, individuals. Yesterday, my cousin/homie posted a note about HIV/AIDS. She wanted some dialogue about the topic. Unfortunately, the people didn’t really respond. Those that did created quite an interesting dialogue. But for this thing to be such an epidemic, it was interesting to see the lack of interest. To me, it almost explains the epidemic. Could it be our indifference?

Today, I’ve copied and pasted her note here. I want you to read and I want you to comment. Cuz I know that you are at work right now, doing nothing. That’s why 12 of my friends are already on facebook with green dots. The rest of you are here too, probably in invisible mode. Read and respond folk. Let’s get it!

Cecily

Coleen writes:

GM all! I have something on my mind. I was talking to my doctor last week Thursday and we were in the room chatting about African American people having the highest HIV/AIDS percentage in the nation. Please read the facts below.

She then told me a story, “I recently went to a medical conference and an African man was speaking to other doctors and he stated “Why are American women so desperate?” At first I was offended, but I thought to myself, he’s right”

My question to my facebook reader’s men and women: Is American women desperate? And are we really the cause of spreading STD’s and HIV/AIDS so rapidly?

Let’s talk about it!!!

Fact: At least 3 percent of District residents have HIV or AIDS, a total that far surpasses the 1 percent threshold that constitutes a “generalized and severe” epidemic, according to a report scheduled to be released by health officials tomorrow.

That translates into 2,984 residents per every 100,000 over the age of 12 — or 15,120 — according to the 2008 epidemiology report by the District’s HIV/AIDS office.

“Our rates are higher than West Africa,” said Shannon L. Hader, director of the District’s HIV/AIDS Administration, who once led the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s work in Zimbabwe. “They’re on par with Uganda and some parts of Kenya.” (Click Here to Continue Reading This Post) →