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Katrina Funds Earmarked to Purchase Educational Software
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Katrina Funds Earmarked to Purchase Educational Software |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA 
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The Associated Press reported today that Barbara Bush contributed an unreported amount of money to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund. The funds were specifically designated to be used to purchase Ignite Educational Software from her son, Neil Bush's company. See, Fox News link http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,189020,00.html According to today's article, "Houston public schools currently use 15 Ignite programs and the Houston area has 40 programs..." The article says that Mrs. Bush wanted to do something for the thousands of Katrina (victims)students flooded into the Houston schools. Quote from Neil Bush in 2002, as mentioned in prior thread "How Soon We Forget," describing who his software was for: "hunter-warrior kids who don't like reading." http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2001-03-16/pols_feature3.html Any comments? [This message has been edited by iliana (03-26-2006 03:48 AM).] |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
check your IM, lady  I'm packing, and smiling sweetly, ya'll can take that anyway y'like. *click*  |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
checking |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
What? No comments. I thought at least someone would say something besides Karen. I think Mrs. Bush has the right to give money to whatever she wants...I also think she's very intelligent and has a good tax consultant. Wonder if the charitable gift gets a tax break on both sides of this fence....probably? Anyhow, I know educational things (and maybe some of you that are involved in education or accounting/taxes know more) in some situations are tax exempt. Not that I think that's a bad thing. On the other hand, I could see where the folks in New Orleans and surrounding areas might be a little ticked off reading this in the newspapers. Also, I'm curious if anyone is familiar with the software? I looked up the company on the internet but really couldn't find any samples of the material it contains. |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
Well I don't really know what to say about it other than it is a rather distasteful self-serving gift. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
I am not familiar with this software, or the much of the background in this issue. But it sure smacks of another good-ol-boy, out-of-my-back-pocket-into-yours scenario. And it doesn't surprise me one bit. I am becoming more and more jaded and cynical about politicians in general, and beginning to wonder if there is even one single handful of truly honest and believable people in corporate/political hierarchies. |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Reb, thanks for posting. Kacy, I know what you mean. I just keeping hoping. My son goes to Houston Public High School...and I asked him if they had it in his school....he said he didn't think so. I'm really curious about these programs. Thanks for your comment and I tend to agree. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
I think perhaps you didn't get many responses because it's not that easy to see what the purpose of this thread is. Even as a Bush slam it lacks substance. How would you expect people to respond? You present it in an almost conspiritorical manner and then claim Mrs. Bush has the rights to do so. What is your point, if any? |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Deer -- I thought about how I posted it before I put it up and attempted to word it in a very objective fashion. Actually, I do believe any person has the right to do whatever they want with their money, believe it or not...lol. It's just that this DID make the papers here in Houston (which I might add are VERY Republican) and was noteworthy enough to catch eyes here. The article speaks for itself and it is not done with bias...it is done as FACT. I have a serious interest in knowing what this software is that our children are going to be exposed to at school. It is like people get the facts put right in front of them and cannot put two and two together.... I happen to work in the field of journalism; a private trade/legal publication. News is news. But, there are some who really will not read the truth when it is put in front of them because of their own biases. Do you personally think that this was a kind, charitable gesture? The fact that this was a former first lady and the mother of our current commander-in-chief....it is noteworthy. The fact that the money was earmarked for her son's company -- is that really a donation or a tax-deductible gift to her son to further the Ignite software? There is a story here. It is worth researching and I have done my research except for not having viewed the software itself. If you think I am wrong about my fears about plans for privatized education and a corner on the educational market, then please convince me otherwise. I do not wish to believe the things that cross my mind, really. However, I cannot close my eyes to information, factually backed information, that comes in front of them. I happen to care about public education...this nation was the one nation in the world that USED TO offer a good free public education. That public education does not hold up in the real world now. This is a serious concern....very serious. I reiterate that I posted this thread for the rest of you who may not get the Houston Chronicle. Some news is very carefully filtered from mainstream media -- that is a fact and not paranoia. How do you feel about that kind of charitable contribution, Deer, really...even if it wasn't Mrs. Bush? Would you think that it should remain tax exempt....what do you think, really? Quit attacking my motives, and please just take a moment to tell me what you think about it? I put how I think about it....she has the right and it makes very good BUSINESS SENSE -- it circumvents inheritance tax, and if a mother wants to give a son a gift, well, then this seems like a very inventive way to do it -- plus it appears she is helping the poor and misplaced. But I also agree with what Kacy wrote. I mean, gosh....Deer, there are people who are struggling after the hurricanes in ways you and I cannot even imagine, some more than others. Personally, if I had that kind of money, I think I would want to give those kids psychological counseling for PTSD. Or...I'd want to give it to disaster relief funds that know where the money is needed. But, that's just me. My point in posting the article was strictly to see what people thought about this. [This message has been edited by iliana (03-27-2006 04:43 AM).] |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Thanks for responding.You had me really interested in replying until you finished it with the Marie Antoinette comparison. Btw, the correct phrase was "Let them eat cake". It's late and I bid you goodnight... or adieu |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Thanks for that short response....I'd still be interested in your feelings, Deer. Nighty, night.  (And thank you for the exact quote)PS - I went back and edited out the phrase that bothered you.....now will you tell me your thoughts? |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Back to add a link to the Ignite educational software -- http://www.ignitelearning.com/productPage.shtml Hey, and I got really lucky -- here's a real sample: http://www.ignitelearning.com/media.shtml Packaged education (replacing books) -- I just don't believe this is the right direction for our kids. They get too many cartoons as it is. What does the future hold for education -- is this it? From reading through this website, I discovered that it is already being sold overseas. If this is such a wonderful tool, then why bother having public facilities at all? Why not just get every family to buy a COW (Curriculum On Wheels)? BTW....the science program does not include any "creation" theories -- only natural selection, adaptation and Darwinian theory. Ignite, also in conjunction with the major software companies like, MSN, AOL, etc., has developed a parental control ad-on for internet users that lets parents spy on their kids' messengers & chats and even cell phone usage and text messaging....question: does it also allow the vendor to spy on the purchaser????? It is marketed as a tool to protect children from preditors and that sounds good...but I can't help but be a little paranoid about abuse of the right to privacy. Oh, and here are two footnote worth reading: http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2002/10/28/story3.html http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=49012 It appears even education is being outsourced and used as a political device. I think I'm going to quit digging...I really don't like what I see. [This message has been edited by iliana (03-27-2006 04:47 AM).] |
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Goldenrose Member Elite
since 2003-05-30
Posts 3665 |
Jo i dont know if any of these sharpen your image of things a little... I do know that Neil Bush has began to sell the software to schools in Florida though... http://www.hereinreality.com/familyvalues.html Enjoyed reading your thread here Jo..thank you..have a nice day..and a dream filled night.. Goldenrose. |
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