Caffeinated Thoughts

Jan Mickelson Deconstructs Zach Wahls
Tim Pawlenty in Iowa: Our Country Needs Be Prosperous and Good To Continue To Be Great
Replacing Letter Grades: About Better Assessment or Boosting Self-Esteem?
Ron Paul Going to Iowa to Headline The FAMiLY Leader’s Presidential Lecture Series in March

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 06:30 PM PST

Zach Wahls is a 19-year-old engineering student at the University of Iowa. He was at the public hearing for HJR 6, the Iowa Marriage Amendment. Wahls spoke against the resolution that would protect the traditional definition of marriage being between one man and one woman. He is a incredibly articulate young man who presented a brilliant piece of propaganda to those listening in the House Chamber and that has now gone viral on YouTube.

He is the son of ~~two lesbians~~, a lesbian mom and an anonymous sperm donor. He was then adopted by his mother's lesbian partner (now spouse). He has now become a hero for those on the left. His testimony however just employs rhetorical devices and circular arguments. WHO Radio's Jan Mickelson did a masterful job this morning "reverse engineering" his testimony line by line. I encourage you to listen to the whole segment and if you have time this morning's episode as it was a really good show this morning.

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Tim Pawlenty in Iowa: Our Country Needs Be Prosperous and Good To Continue To Be Great

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 05:15 PM PST

Former Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) kicked off The FAMiLY Leader's Presidential Lecture Series to a crowd of approximately 150 people gathered at Pella Christian High School in Pella, IA today. Governor Pawlenty in a press conference before the event explained that he was delighted to be participate in this series to share his views about the continuing importance of families in our society.

Pawlenty Press Conference in Pella, IA

I had the opportunity to ask Governor Pawlenty what he had to say to those who say the focus should be on jobs and the economy and not on social issues. He said that "our country needs to be prosperous and good if we are going to continue to be great. So if you are going to be a leader at the local level, state level or national level you need to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time. This is not only a question of saying we can only do one thing at a time. Obviously the economy and providing economic opportunity for jobs to our citizens is vitally important, we do need to be focused on that, but there are also other important things we need to remain to be focused on. Including our commitment to the important issues of the social agenda which includes life issues and marriage issues and others."

The answer I was hoping to hear. He also said that we don't have the luxury or even the option to focus on just economic issues over social ones.

During his address (made without notes or a teleprompter) which took place after a private meeting described earlier as a roundtable with community leaders which was closed to the press (unless your name is Steve Deace) he stated that "all issues affect the family."

Pawlenty Speech in Pella, IA

He also proclaimed that the United States was "founded under God," and that wasn't just a statement proclaimed by politicians, but it is a belief "embedded in the founding documents of this nation." He cited examples of the Declaration of Independence, the Iowa Constitution and Minnesota Constitution. He noted that 49 of 50 state constitutions make reference to God. He encouraged people of faith to influence our culture saying again that "we can't be a great country unless we are a good country." He said the starting point for this is that our nation needs to acknowledge God and/or return back to God. He said laws and court decisions will never changed unless "we change hearts and minds."

He spoke extensively on his prolife beliefs and positions and listed laws he helped pass as a state legislator and signed as Governor. He also was the co-author of Minnesota's Defense of Marriage Act. Regarding education he said that education needs "to be reflective that parents are in charge." He noted that there shouldn't be a "governmental educational monopoly." He also that families are helped through tax policy and a stance toward small businesses that helps to provide economic opportunity that promotes job creation. He said, "can't be pro job and anti-business." He said that is akin to "being pro-egg and anti-chicken."

He closed his speech with thoughts about how 2 Chronicles 7:14 applies today and encouraged those in attendance to be humble, engaged and prayerful.

After his speech, Bob Vander Plaats, CEO of The FAMiLY Leader posed questions of his own and from the audience. Pawlenty highlighted the

Pawlenty in Pella, IA Q&A Session

executive order he signed against the implementation of Obamacare and that his administration was a plaintiff in the Florida lawsuit that found the health care reform law unconstitutional. He said that he thought the growing number of children in distress was our nation's greatest threat, and said that a two parent (father and mother) household is ideal and our polices should encourage and reflect that.

He also touted his experience as Governor when he was the first Governor to force a government shutdown in Minnesota, and that the set the state record for number of vetoes. He said those actions reflects "a fortitude" needed in leadership that there is a line that shouldn't be crossed. He touted his appointment of four justices which provides a strict constructionalist majority for the Minnesota Supreme Court, and that he, if President, would look for strict construtionalists through interviewing and looking at records. He also favors a flatter tax and said that the "fair tax" was a good direction, but also expressed reservations that it could become a VAT tax if income tax was not repealed.

He concluded by encouraging those in attendance to look the records and experience of candidates to ask "does the life underneath reflect their words?"

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Replacing Letter Grades: About Better Assessment or Boosting Self-Esteem?

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 10:00 AM PST

Waukee Middle School in Waukee, IA will be replacing their grading system.

The letter grades at Waukee’s middle school will be replaced by status marks: "Beginning," "Developing," "Secure," or "Exceeds" will be the standards set for various subjects.

Some Waukee teachers say the new marks will provide students, parents, and educators with more accurate assessments of students strengths, weaknesses, and progress.

Could somebody explain to me how using this terminology instead of a letter grade provides a better assessment of a student's "strengths, weaknesses, and progress?" When I taught and when I was a student I thought letter grades provided that.

This seems, to me, to be more about boosting kids self-esteem than it is about providing a proper assessment.

What say you?

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Ron Paul Going to Iowa to Headline The FAMiLY Leader’s Presidential Lecture Series in March

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 08:30 AM PST

Pleasant Hill, IA – The FAMiLY LEADER received confirmation Friday that Congressman Ron Paul will be the featured speaker at their Presidential Lecture Series on March 7. Congressman Paul is scheduled to deliver his pro-family lecture and meet with members of Leadership Roundtables at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Pella Christian High School in Pella, and the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Congressman Paul will follow former Governor Tim Pawlenty, who is kicking off this educational series today, February 7^th.

The primary purpose of the Presidential Lecture Series is to provide national figures with a pre-planned, full day in Iowa to introduce them to Iowans and to give citizens an educational opportunity to become better informed on the pro-family vision of each lecturer. The lectures will be videotaped, emailed to our comprehensive database, and posted on our www.TheFamilyLeader.com website to allow all interested citizens the opportunity to hear and watch the lectures.

"We are pleased Congressman Paul has accepted our invitation to join our Presidential Lecture Series and anticipate that conservatives across Iowa will welcome the chance to learn about his pro-family vision for America", said Bob Vander Plaats, President and CEO of The FAMiLY LEADER.

Details of Dr. Paul's schedule are being worked out and the final schedule for Monday, March 7^th will be available soon.

The FAMiLY LEADER will host the Presidential Lecture Series each month through August 1. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann is scheduled for April 11 and former Senator Rick Santorum on May 2. Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and businessman and radio host Herman Cain have also made commitments to participate. Other invited speakers include former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, South Dakota Senator John Thune, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, and Indiana Representative Mike Pence. The FAMiLY LEADER has been unable to reach former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

The Presidential Lecture Series will culminate with a Presidential Forum on November 19 at a location to be determined in Des Moines, Iowa.

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