Going the Extra Step

Thanks to the emailer who sent this in:

This reminds me of our board of education. They're just concerned with the quick fix and not willing to do the real work to make it right.

Parental Involvement

From today's Pearls Before Swine.

Even funnier: Imagine if Croc was a School Board Member...

Hellmann's Symphony Number Four

From today's Non Sequitur.

It used to be number nine, but everything's being cut to the bone these days.

Welcome to back to school night 2010 in the Emperor's domain. Your kid's teacher is their teacher too.

Stupid is as Stupid Does.

An essay on stupid, as told in Frazz today.

Dilbert Explains the Emperor

From Dilbert. The Emperor and his style of collecting feedback from the group.









And so does the BCCT.

To Morrisville school board President Bill Hellmann, who apparently considers the school district his own private domain.

We refer to the early retirement plan approved by the board this week. Call it a post-dating.

Seems Hellmann developed the plan jointly with the teachers union president and sent a letter disclosing the initiative to union members. He did so, however, without the board’s approval, involvement or even some members’ awareness, according to a few disgruntled board members. And there was no mention of the plan at committee meetings or executive sessions of the board, the members complained.

Hellmann said he mentioned his intentions in February. Nonetheless, board members complained that Hellman has a very bad habit of not telling the board what he is doing or thinking.

For all the good it will do, we remind Mr. Hellmann that the Morrisville School District is not a kingdom and he is not its king.

Elementary School Blues

A shout out to all our elementary school teachers, courtesy of Adam @ Home.

What Were They Thinking?

Thanks to the emailer for the answer.

When Would I Use Math?

Everyday? Thanks to Luann for showing us how.

Where Have I Seen This Before...?

From Non Sequitur

The Magic 8-Ball Says 2009 Will Be...

I saw this cartoon this morning and could not help but to think about the challenges facing the Emperor, his board of selected accomplices, and the good people of Morrisville, taxpayers and students alike, during anno domini two thousand and nine.

Does anyone [someone, please!!] have an optimistic line to add?

Sheldon

Happy New Year 2009

The new year 2009 will bring along the same challenges that 2008 posed, along with a new crop of unforeseen problems.

There's hope for 2009...we're getting a new president in Washington. Who says we can't do the same right here at home?

Let's leave 2008 laughing at least. Enjoy the holiday and we'll get together again next year. Drive safely and be sure to tip your server.

Garfield


Real Life Adventures


Baby Blues [Kudos for the use of algebra in the third strip]



Added January 1. The reach of the cupcake police increases.

Added January 2

Added January 3

Enjoy Winterfest...

There will be no posting today. You should be out enjoying Winterfest. I know I will. Stop by and say hello. I'll be the one with the coat and gloves.

Pearls Before Swine today illustrates the value of public input into the local political process. Imagine the Emperor playing the part of Rat...

Shakespeare Already?

"Pearls Before Swine" today, presented in honor of all those English teachers, past and present, who bring us Shakespeare and other "olde litterature" and the parents who get to relive those moments.

Polls Open NOW Until 8:00 P.M.

Non Sequitur's reminder for today.



Voting Tips, from the BCCT.

Polling places

Hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Voters in line by 8 p.m. must be permitted to cast ballots.)

Find your polling place at www.pavoterservices.state.pa.us. (Your polling location may have changed if you received a new voter registration card in the mail. Be sure to check the card before you vote.)

If you’re told you aren’t on the voter rolls and you believe you should be, ask to talk with the judge of elections at your poll, or speak with a representative of your political party. Also ask for a provisional ballot, which allows you to vote while your status is determined.

Only voters appearing at a polling place for the first time must show identification, such as a driver’s license, passport, utility bill or paycheck.
Voting machines

To learn to use Bucks’ voting machines, view video and sample ballots online at www.buckscounty.orgwww.buckscounty.org.

When you make all your selections in the voting booth, be sure to recheck. Make sure your entries are exactly as you intended before you exit.

Push the green vote/record button. Be sure it records by checking that the screen clears and the machine makes a ding noise, which can be hard to hear.

If you notice a problem or have a concern, immediately alert the judge of elections at the poll.

If half or more machines in a polling place go down officials must issue emergency paper ballots. (In a polling place with three machines, the ballots must be used when two machines go down.)
For more information

Bucks County Board of Elections, 55 E. Court St., Doylestown, 215-348-6154 or elections@co.bucks.pa.us

Some services are available at the Government Services Center: Lower Bucks Center, 7321 New Falls Road, Levittown, 215-949-5800

Attire
In Bucks County, voters are encouraged not to wear political attire, but even if they do, they can still vote.

Unofficial results
In Bucks County, www.buckscounty.org

Problems?
For polling place problems, in Bucks call 215-348-6154.
For registration questions, in Bucks call 215-348-6170.
Or, call the national Election Protection hot line, 1-866-OUR-VOTE
The U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania also released the following voter resources:

To report complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses, call Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Barrett at 215-861-8420 and 215-861-8200.

The FBI will also receive calls on allegations of election fraud, intimidation, suppression and other election abuses. Call 215-418-4000.

Complaints about ballot access problems or discrimination can be made to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, D.C., at 1-800-253-3931 or 202-307-2767.

For voter intimidation or suppression tactics that target voters on the basis of race, color, religion or national origin, contact the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section at 202-514-3204.

One last look at the candidates? Go to phillyburbs.com/election08/

Source: Bucks County government; Coalition for Voting Integrity, votingintegrity@aol.com

Math: Not Just for Accountants Anymore

Thanks to FoxTrot for today's math lesson.

Comic Relief

Courtesy of Adam@Home. That's the problem with the future. It's like a box of chocolates.

Planting Earworms

Courtesy of Pearls Before Swine today, in honor of our lyrical quotation masters.

Any special earworms to plant today?

UPDATE: School Board Meets Tonight

You can make your own buzzword bingo card! Thanks to the emailer who sent me this link: http://www.misterharold.net/joker/bingo/

Anyone want to add to the word list?

Using this group of words, I came up with this bingo card

procurement card, budget, Morrisville, taxes
defeasement, Hellmann, Mrs Reethmeyer, it's Reithmeyer
I don't get email, move this along, speed it up, are you done
so moved, second, who seconded that, Emperor
Radosti, Dunford, Yonson, Fitzpatrick
Steve Worob, Brenda Worob, Heater, 2 Worobs in 1 sentence
Mihok, Kemp, Buckman, Farrell
Ferrara, Taylor, Huggins

it generates a card for anyone to use

Nothing to See Here, Move Along

Why Imperial explanations are not necessary, courtesy of Pearls Before Swine.

Back to the Future...Circa 1955

Pearls Before Swine today explains what so many long time Morrisville residents are thinking.

Funny or sad? We report...you decide.