billcoe

Say what? Nobody ever got infected with HIV, or otherwise died when they shouldn't have, simply because they were in a "regular" hospital and exposed to some risk or disease? I was referring to clean sterilized scopes in colonoscopies Matt. Sure, all hospitals are infectious places, and sponges do get left in surgical openings. I shouldn't have said never. There's thousands and thousands of hospitals doing mega thousands of colonoscopies out there. The VA is most likely doing a tiny amount in comparison. Should be easy for you to find a link of one that didn't properly sterilize colonoscopy scopes and infected someone. It is damn uncommon, and I have seen substandard care with my own eyes at VA'S that is not present in regular hospitals.

Well spoken Erik. I think that's a good summation of a complex issue. Since you brought up the VA as an example, let me add that I'm happy they can get their technological act together, however, the VA has been known for substandard, piss-poor, inefficient and lackadaisical health care for decades. Not the records kind of thing, as we know this can and has happened elsewhere: VA Loses data on 26 million veterans in 2006 link I mean actual care. As if on cure, here's yesterdays news "MIAMI -- The Veterans Affairs hospital in Miami has suspended performing colonoscopies while authorities investigate why equipment used in the procedure hadn't been properly sterilized. Earlier this week, the hospital urged more than 3,000 patients who had colonoscopies between May 2004 and March 12 of this year to get tested for HIV, hepatitis and other diseases. The VA has identified three sites that failed to properly sterilize equipment between treatments. Ten people treated at affected VA facilities in Tennessee and Georgia have tested positive for infectious liver disease. A spokeswoman says the VA will make sure they get treatment even though it's not known if the infections came from colonoscopies at its hospitals. " I've personally seen people die there who should have lived. Nice of them to treat those folks (for life), although it will be a significantly shorter time period than had the VA not screwed them up. This NEVER happens at regular hospitals as they don't want to get sued. You can't sue the government. If our government had a better track record in medical care, I think it would be easier to jump on the government will fix everything and make it better bandwagon due to the issues that exist with the current system: some of which you pointed out, although there are many more. ps, I apologize for the inflammatory, unfair and misleading title:-)

Us gear whores wholeheartedly support and encourage that effort!

Nice work on the Pillar. This should get you started:-) Kyle on left, Geoff on the right ON THE TOP!

i could not readily make myself a home-made bomb of ok city fame - the inconvenience is itself a deterrence - if you could buy 500 lb fragmentation bombs at walmart, per your view, i would imagine we'd see them getting used... WFT hey? That's crazy talk. Your earlier supposition on the M1 Abrams tank. They cost an estimated US$4.35 million. Each. To produce, not including development costs and maintenance. What sized garage do you have anyway that you can make this happen? Who's going to go buy one of those when if they are really F*ed up and serious, they can go to the feed store and literally buy shit in bulk? For many many years, machine guns and dynamite was not regulated AT ALL. How many schools were ever blown up? Shit, we use to find dynamite when I was a kid just laying around. Never figured out how to blow it, I had to wait for the military to show me that. (I was in charge of EOD, Emergency Ordinance Destruct, for my company and as training got to blow up all kinds of stuff on a real regular basis) A 500 lb JDAM costs the US over $20,000 NOT including development costs and they buy in huge big time bulk. You think any private company can compete at all in that ball park. Nope. You can't even go buy a little machine gun cheaply today -have you priced any of this out? Ain't gonna be happening because the folks with those kind of resources GENERALLY don't do shit like that. (OK, there was millionaire Nazi recently caught assembling a dirty bomb). Nah, it's about political freedom. Did you mull this over? The question that remains Ivan, is why they (Mexico and not us) are so fucked up when guns are readily available here, and they have had tight gun restrictions since 1968? Answer that in your own mind to your own satisfaction before you read on please. Hmmmm?

Why? Just say hi. Then call the Newberg library.

Yet everything that Tim McVeigh was able to scrounge up is apparently still freely available for now and no one is blowing up any building or killing kids right now. Furthermore, no one is taking a full 5 gallon gas can and pouring it in and around the exits at crowded theaters and torching it for fun.... Do you not find all of this curious?

yes and the meth is fine by me as well.

Following up on what Jayb says is this fairly balanced web site: http://healthcare-economist.com/2007/10/02/health-care-system-grudge-match-canada-vs-us/ "Health Care System Grudge Match: Canada vs. U.S. October 2, 2007 in International Health Care Systems Who has a better health care system: Canada or the U.S. Michael Moore would vote for Canada. Libertarians would side with the U.S. A new NBER working paper by June O’Neill and Dave O’Neill concludes that the two systems may produce more similar health outcomes than was previously believed. History of the Canadian System The paper reviews some of the major developments in the Canadian health care system during the last half century. Since the late 1960s Canada essentially has had a universal health insurance system covering all services provided by physicians and hospitals. To implement universal coverage the federal and provincial governments took over full funding of both hospital and physician services, setting physician fees and hospital budgets. During the 70’s physicians, dissatisfied with the official fee amounts, chose to work outside the system and bill patients at higher amounts. But with the passage of the Canadian Health Act of 1984 Canada outlawed extra billing and became a rigid one-tier system which restricted the provision of any “core” services outside the public’s so-called “Medicare” system (Irvine, Ferguson and Cackett). Since all hospital and physician services are free, demand surged in Canada leading to skyrocketing costs. This lead to government spending cuts in the 1990s; shortages and waiting lines resulted. The condition for shortages was enhanced because of the provision in the 1984 Act that decreed that any service that the single payer provides, no matter how much in short supply it may be, cannot be privately insured or produced and sold in Canada. Relief came, however, in 2005 when the 1984 Act was struck down as unconstitutional by Canada’s highest court {Chaoulli v.Quebec (Attorney General), 2005, IS.C.R. 791, 2005 SCC 35}. A slim 4/3 majority ruled that the government’s argument—that allowing a private sector, would undermine their public system—was not supported by the actual experience of other countries (U.K., France and Germany) that had converted from single payer to dual systems. Data The authors’ main data set used is The Joint Canada/U.S. Survey of Health (JCUSH). Collected between the fall of 2002 and spring of 2003, this data set includes 3,505 Canadian and 5,183 American individuals. Basic Statistics U.S. Canada Life Expectancy (Male) 74.8 77.4 Life Expectancy (Female) 80.1 82.4 Infant Mortality/1000 live births 6.8 5.3 Obesity Rate (Male) 31.1 17.0 Obesity Rate (Female) 32.2 19.0 HC spending as % of GDP (2005) 16.0% 10.4% We can readily see that the U.S. has worse life expectancy, infant mortality rates, and obesity rates that Canada, yet pays more for for these relatively poorer outcomes. Canada is clearly better…right? Investigating Infant Mortality It turns out that once we condition on infant birthweight–a significant predictor of infant health–the U.S. has equivalent infant mortality rates. In fact U.S. infant mortality is lower for low-birthweight babies than Canadian infant mortality for low birthweight babies. Overall infant mortality, however, is higher in the U.S. because the incidence of babies with low birthweight is higher than in Canada. This may be due to demographic or epidemiological factors, or it may be the case that the U.S. is better at having a live birth for a low birthweight baby. Birthweight Distribution Birthweight-specific Infant Mortality U.S. Canada U.S. Canada <1500 1.4 0.9 247.3 262.2 1500-1999 1.5 1.1 29.3 36.6 2000-2499 4.6 3.7 12.2 12.9 2500-2999 16.6 15.0 4.8 4.4 ≥3000 75.9 78.9 2.1 2.0 <2500 7.5 5.7 60.4 58.0 Overall Mortality Differences Why do Canadians live longer. One reason is due to the excess number of accidents and homicides in the U.S. compared to Canada. In fact 50%-85% of the mortality gap between American and Canadian adults in their twenties can be explained by the increased American accident/homicide rates. For people over 50, 30-50% of the difference in age-specific mortality rates can be attributed to the excess number of heart disease patients in the U.S. These heart disease findings are more likely driven by American lifestyle choices rather than the efficacy of the U.S. medical system. Access to Care Well, the medical efficiency of the two systems may not be so different but access to care must vary greatly, right? Canada has an egalitarian, socialist system while the U.S. relies (somewhat) on free-market capitalism to allocate medical services. Below we see that Canada general has a lower disease incidence rate, but treatment rates are generally higher in the U.S. Further, these difference decrease even more if we only look at Caucasians in each country. The authors state “the composition of the non-white group differs by country—predominantly black in the U.S., but Asian in Canada; and racial differences in health outcomes may differ in the two countries.” See CensusScope for more details on the U.S. racial composition. Canada U.S. % with condition % gets treatment % with condition % gets treatment All Asthma 6.6 80.3 7.8 78.8 High blood pressure 8.8 84.1 13.1 88.3 Heart Disease 2.4 67.2 2.6 69.6 Angina 0.9 74.6 1.1 61.0 Whites Asthma 6.9 82.7 7.7 77.6 High blood pressure 9.1 83.2 12.5 87.3 Heart Disease 2.7 69.4 2.4 73.2 Angina 0.9 70.7 0.8 75.1 In Canada, the main reason for an unmet need was because the wait was too long or the treatment was unavailable. In the U.S., most people who do not receive treatment fail to do so because of cost considerations. Preventive Services Probably the most surprising discovery of the paper was that Americans partake in more preventive care than Canadians. * Mammograms: 88.6% of American females 40-69 had ever had a mammogram compared to 72.3% of Canadians. * PAP smear: 86.3% of American females 20-69 had a PAP smear in the last 3 years compared to 75.1% of Canadians. * Prostate screening: 54.2% of American men 40-69 had ever had a PSA test compared to 16.4% of Canadians. As an economist, I attributed this finding to moral hazard: Canadians know that if they would get a disease that their government will pay for their care. Thus, they may be less motivated to ask for preventive services. One of my medical school colleagues noted, however, that physician recommendations also play a large part in the amount of care given. Further, most patients strongly wish to avoid disease, not simply due to cost considerations, but because of the physical and mental impact the disease would have on their life. Conclusion American are less healthy than Canadians. What this paper finds, however, is that this is mainly due to the fact that the U.S. has a higher incidence of disease. It turns out that Americans may have slightly higher access to treatment than Canadians. The paper is not the most smoothly written piece I have read, but the data is revealing. The small-ish sample size of the JCUSH mean that the results should not be taken as definative. Since the data set uses the same survey for both countries, however, the authors present convincing evidence that this cross-country comparison is of a high quality. * June E. O’Neill and Dave M. O’Neill (2008) “Health Status, Health Care and Inequality: Canada vs. the U.S.,” Forum for Health Economics & Policy: Vol. 10: Iss. 1 (Frontiers in Health Policy Research), Article 3. * O’Neill JE; O’Neill DM (2007) “Health Status, Health Care and Inequality: Canada vs. the U.S.” NBER working paper #13429." Could our system be improved. Damned straight. Like JH says there are a lot of costs and inefficiencies doing it this way. Would a Government version be an improvement....hmmm, based on what I see, probably could be, but it might not necessarily be as others point out the costs and inefficiencies of a government system, but the jury's is still out on that one. Certainly we've seen how well the gov't has handled social security. That would seem like an easier thing to manage to me.

Well, I disagree with your thinking and have an opposite view perhaps best summed up by Judge Alex Kozinski, a Jewish refugee from Eastern Europe in his argument of dissent in Silveira v. Lockyer: "The prospect of tyranny may not grab the headlines the way vivid stories of gun crime routinely do. But few saw the Third Reich coming until it was too late. The Second Amendment is a doomsday provision, one designed for those exceptionally rare circumstances where all other rights have failed—where the government refuses to stand for reelection and silences those who protest; where courts have lost the courage to oppose, or can find no one to enforce their decrees. However improbable these contingencies may seem today, facing them unprepared is a mistake a free people get to make only once." The man who wants to use meth, I'm fine with that, but what public benefit could that be construed to support? I'm talking political freedom for all, you're meth head is talking the right of a dude to fuck himself up and charge the rest of us for it when he does. I'm fine with both being free to choose, fuck putting restrictions on bearing arms. "Congress shall make NO law....." is the part I support. I don't recall anything about the "right to take drugs" in the constitution in any way or form. But thats me, and I formed this slowly after seeing the many failures throughout the world of political structures when the citizens had weapons as an option available to them reduced, removed or restricted. Mexico allows a bit of ownership, but has restrictions that you would support and yet they're pretty screwed up anyway as you point out. Love Bill

I've been mulling this over. The question that remains Ivan, is why they (and not us) are so fucked up when guns are readily available here, and they have had tight gun restrictions since 1968? Answer that in your own mind to your own satisfaction before you read on please. I saw a thing on the news where they were showing off lots of captured grenades, machine guns and other military bullshit and they were saying that this stuff was coming from US gun shows. I call big time beaucoup bullshit. You can't buy a grenade at a gun show. Its a smoke screen for more US government control of you and your fellow citizens most likely. When I was in the army, I had standing offers to sell my M16. My thought is this: once they wrestle the guns away from Civilians in the US using this kind of bullshit as a lever, the asswipes in Mexico will still be buying grenades and machine guns off of US military personnel (or picking it up in the bazaars of Pakistan and other places) and nothing would have changed except increased gov't control over it's own citizens. Think

I thought you were talking about us going to blow the North Korean Missile out of the sky next month and their pre-declaration that would mean war. But this is much bigger:-)

link That's too bad. They don't say how he passed. Ujahn was telling me that you're up here and think you're doing well hucking 40-50 big air footers: then you go to Squaw and those guys are hucking them and doing backflips....you're like...thats out there.

What did ya do there, geld the poor little thing Porter? No furry lil genitals.

Vunderbar! U vill go far and make a gud SonderKomando Komrad Prole. ____________________________________________________________ Und now - Ve Haf da gud news, and Ve haf De bad news. 1st: the gud news, you all get a change of undervare today! (sound of prisoners cheering in the background) Und now, for da bad news: YOU change Vit HIM, and YOU change Vit HIM und so forth. See, I sink only of U.

Now Now fellas, lets give the alledged asswipes and the sexual predator a full and fair trial before anyone gets hung.....(thought I'd beat Porter to the comment:-)

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03262009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/canadacare_may_have_killed_natasha_161372.htm Perhaps. Got to love the government control of healthcare they "enjoy" eh? My only experience with the Canadian Healthcare system was sitting with my climbing partner in the emergency room for 8 solid hours so he could get a cast for his broken arm after he banana peeled while walking on the wet rocks of the trail at Squamish. That sucked. and x-ray and a cast is generally about a 20 min affair, if that, in the US.

People are saying that it says that young pups like yourself get to volunteer to serve a MANDATORY 3 years of service so you can learn to appreciate your country and do something productive for the fest of us rather than just sitting around spewing nonsense on web forums. Old fucks like me, having already served my country, will not have to participate again....nanernaner yada yada Whoop! Old fucks like me generally have found that even the best sounding stories coming out of Congress generally wind up fucking someone in the ass: I'm hoping this is you this time and not me. I wonder if you go to jail if you don't volunteer for the mandatory service? They'll already have the camps set up for you all. They may make Pink serve just because of his taciturn nature and Oprah criticism but that's not in the bill...yet. Of course, full disclosure is I haven't read it, just skimmed it. Here it is, you read it and tell us what it says. ________________________________________________________ " Text of H.R.1388 as Placed on Calendar Senate GIVE Act To reauthorize and reform the national service laws. current 111st session of congress Back to Bill Details Version History Version Word Count Changes From Previous Version Percent Change Introduced in House 46,136 n/a n/a Reported in House 49,923 292 15% Engrossed in House 51,808 257 18% Placed on Calendar Senate 51,582 8 Show Changes Hide Changes 0% Key: changed or removed text inserted or modified text Loading Bill Text HR 1388 EHPCSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink Calendar No. 35CommentsClose CommentsPermalink 111th CONGRESSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink 1st SessionCommentsClose CommentsPermalink H. R. 1388CommentsClose CommentsPermalink IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESCommentsClose CommentsPermalink March 19, 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Received; read twice and placed on the calendarCommentsClose CommentsPermalink AN ACTCommentsClose CommentsPermalink To reauthorize and reform the national service laws.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the ‘Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act’ or the ‘GIVE Act’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (b) Table of Contents- The table of contents for this Act is as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink TITLE I--AMENDMENTS TO NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ACT OF 1990 Sec. 1001. References.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Subtitle A--Amendments to Subtitle A (General Provisions) Sec. 1101. Purposes; sense of Congress.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1102. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Subtitle B--Amendments to Subtitle B (Learn and Serve America) 1 Sec. 1201. School-based allotments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1202. Higher education provisions and Campuses of Service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1203. Innovative programs and research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Subtitle C--Amendments to Subtitle C (National Service Trust Program) Sec. 1301. Prohibition on grants to Federal agencies; limits on Corporation costs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink 1 Sec. 1302. Required and eligible national service programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1303. Types of positions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1304. Prohibited activities and ineligible organizations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1305. Assistance to State Commissions; challenge grants.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1306. Allocation of assistance to States and other eligible entities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1307. Additional authority.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1308. State selection of programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1309. National service program assistance requirements.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1310. Consideration of applications.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1311. Description of participants.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1312. Selection of national service participants.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1313. Terms of service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1314. Adjustments to living allowance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Subtitle D--Amendments to Subtitle D (National Service Trust and Provision of National Service Educational Awards) Sec. 1401. Availability of funds in the National Service Trust.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1402. Individuals eligible to receive a national service educational award from the Trust.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1403. Determination of the amount of national service educational awards.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1404. Disbursement of educational awards.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1405. Process of approval of national service positions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Subtitle E--Amendments to Subtitle E (National Civilian Community Corps) Sec. 1501. Purpose.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1502. Program components.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1503. Eligible participants.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1504. Summer national service program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1505. Team leaders.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1506. Training.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1507. Consultation with State Commissions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1508. Authorized benefits for Corps members.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1509. Permanent cadre.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1510. Contract and grant authority.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1511. Other departments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1512. Advisory Board.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1513. Evaluation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1514. Repeal of funding limitation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1515. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1516. Terminology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Subtitle F--Amendments to Subtitle F (Administrative Provisions) Sec. 1601. Family and Medical Leave and Reports.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1602. Additional prohibitions on use of funds.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1603. Notice, hearing, and grievance procedures.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1604. Resolution of displacement complaints.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1605. State Commissions on National and Community Service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1606. Evaluation and accountability.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1607. Technical amendment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1608. Partnerships with schools.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1609. Rights of access, examination, and copying.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1610. Additional administrative provisions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Subtitle G--Amendments to Subtitle G (Corporation for National and Community Service) Sec. 1701. Terms of office.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1702. Board of Directors authorities and duties.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1703. Chief executive officer compensation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1704. Authorities and duties of the Chief Executive Officer.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1705. Delegation to States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1706. Chief financial officer.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1707. Nonvoting members; personal services contracts.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1708. Donated services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1709. Study to examine and increase service programs for displaced workers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1710. Study to evaluate the effectiveness of a centralized electronic citizenship verification system.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Subtitle H--Amendments to Subtitle H Sec. 1801. Technical amendments to subtitle H.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1802. Repeals.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1803. New Fellowships.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1804. Innovative and model program support and National service reserve corps.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1805. Social innovation fund.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1806. Clearinghouses.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Subtitle I--Training and Technical Assistance Sec. 1821. Training and technical assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 1822. Volunteer Generation Fund.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Subtitle J--Repeal of Title III (Points of Light Foundation) Sec. 1831. Repeal.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Subtitle K--Amendments to Title V (Authorization of Appropriations) Sec. 1841. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink TITLE II--AMENDMENTS TO THE DOMESTIC VOLUNTEER SERVICE ACT OF 1973 Sec. 2001. References.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Subtitle A--Amendments to Title I (National Volunteer Antipoverty Programs) Sec. 2101. Purpose.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2102. Purpose of the VISTA program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2103. Applications.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2104. VISTA programs of national significance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2105. Terms and periods of service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2106. Support Service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2107. Sections repealed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2108. Conforming amendment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2109. Financial assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Subtitle B--Amendments to Title II (National Senior Volunteer Corps) Sec. 2201. Change in name.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2202. Purpose.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2203. Grants and contracts for volunteer service projects.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2204. Foster Grandparent Program grants.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2205. Senior Companion Program grants.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2206. Promotion of National Senior Service Corps.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2207. Technical amendments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2208. Programs of national significance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2209. Additional provisions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2210. Authority of Director.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Subtitle C--Amendments to Title IV (Administration and Coordination) Sec. 2301. Nondisplacement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2302. Notice and hearing procedures.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2303. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2304. Protection against improper use.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Subtitle D--Amendments to Title V (Authorization of Appropriations) Sec. 2401. Authorization of appropriations for VISTA and other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 2402. Authorization of appropriations for National Senior Service Corps.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink TITLE III--AMENDMENTS TO OTHER LAWS Sec. 3101. Inspector General Act of 1978.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink TITLE IV--TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO TABLES OF CONTENTS Sec. 4101. Table of contents for the National and Community Service Act of 1990.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 4102. Table of contents amendments for the Domestic Volunteer Service Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink TITLE V--EFFECTIVE DATE Sec. 5101. Effective date.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Sec. 5102. Service assignments and agreements.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink TITLE I--AMENDMENTS TO NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ACT OF 1990CommentsClose CommentsPermalink SEC. 1001. REFERENCES. Except as otherwise specifically provided, whenever in this title an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a provision of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12501 et seq.).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Subtitle A--Amendments to Subtitle A (General Provisions)CommentsClose CommentsPermalink SEC. 1101. PURPOSES; SENSE OF CONGRESS. (a) Purposes- Section 2(b) (42 U.S.C. 12501(b)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘community throughout’ and inserting ‘community and service throughout the varied and diverse communities of’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (2) in paragraph (4), by inserting after ‘income,’ the following: ‘geographic location,’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (3) in paragraph (6), by inserting after ‘existing’ the following: ‘national’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (4) in paragraph (7)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (A) by striking ‘programs and agencies’ and inserting ‘programs, agencies, and communities’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink (B) by striking ‘and’ at the end;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (5) in paragraph (8), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink (6) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(9) recognize and increase the impact of social entrepreneurs and other nonprofit community organizations in addressing national and local challenges;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(10) increase public and private investment in nonprofit community organizations that are effectively addressing national and local challenges and to encourage such organizations to replicate and expand successful initiatives;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(11) leverage Federal investments to increase State, local, business, and philanthropic resources to address national and local challenges;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(12) expand and strengthen service-learning programs through year-round opportunities, including during the summer months, to improve the education of children and youth and to maximize the benefits of national and community service, in order to renew the ethic of civic responsibility and the spirit of community to children and youth throughout the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(13) assist in coordinating and strengthening Federal and other service opportunities, including opportunities for participation in emergency and disaster preparedness, relief, and recovery;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(14) increase service opportunities for our Nation’s retiring professionals, including such opportunities for those retiring from the science, technical, engineering, and mathematics professions to improve the education of our Nation’s youth and keep America competitive in the global knowledge economy, and to further utilize the experience, knowledge, and skills of older Americans;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(15) encourage the continued service of the alumni of the national service programs, including service in times of national need;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(16) support institutions of higher education that engage students in community service activities, provide service-learning courses, and encourage or assist graduates to pursue careers in public service in the nonprofit or government sector; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(17) encourage members of the Baby Boom generation to partake in service opportunities.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (b) Sense of Congress- The Act is amended by inserting after section 2 the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS. ‘It is the sense of Congress that the number of participants in approved national service positions, including the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) and the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), should grow to reach 250,000 participants by 2014.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink SEC. 1102. DEFINITIONS. Section 101 (42 U.S.C. 12511) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (1) by redesignating--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (A) paragraphs (21) through (29) as paragraphs (28) through (36), respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (B) paragraphs (9) through (20) as paragraphs (15) through (26), respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink © paragraphs (7) and (8) as paragraphs (10) and (11), respectively; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink (D) paragraphs (3) through (6) as paragraphs (5) through (8), respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(3) APPROVED SUMMER OF SERVICE POSITION- The term ‘approved summer of service position’ means a position in a program described under section 120©(8) for which the Corporation has approved the provision of a summer of service educational award as one of the benefits to be provided for successful service in the position.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(4) BABY BOOM GENERATION- The term ‘Baby Boom generation’ means the generation that consists of individuals born during the period beginning with 1946 and ending with 1964.’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (3) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated), by striking ‘described in section 122’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (4) in paragraph (7) (as so redesignated), by striking ‘church or other’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (5) by inserting after paragraph (8) (as so redesignated) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(9) DISADVANTAGED YOUTH- The term ‘disadvantaged youth’ includes those youth who are economically disadvantaged and one or more of the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A) Who are out-of-school youth, including out-of-school youth who are unemployed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) Who are in or aging out of foster care.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘© Who have limited English proficiency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(D) Who are homeless or who have run away from home.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(E) Who are at-risk to leave school without a diploma.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(F) Who are former juvenile offenders or at risk of delinquency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(G) Who are individuals with a disability.’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (6) by inserting after paragraph (11) (as so redesignated) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(12) COMMUNITY-BASED ENTITY- The term ‘community-based entity’ means a public or private nonprofit entity that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A) has experience with meeting unmet human, educational, environmental, or public safety needs; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) meets other such criteria as the Chief Executive Officer may establish.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(13) HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTION- The term ‘Hispanic-serving institution’ has the meaning given such term in section 502(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(14) HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY- The term ‘historically black college or university’ means a part B institution, as defined in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)).’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (7) in paragraph (19) (as so redesignated), by striking ‘section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965’ and inserting ‘sections 101(a) and 102(a)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (8) in paragraph (23)(B) (as so redesignated), by striking ‘program in which the participant is enrolled’ and inserting ‘organization receiving assistance under the national service laws through which the participant is enrolled in an approved national service position’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (9) by inserting after paragraph (26) (as so redesignated) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(27) QUALIFIED ORGANIZATION- The term ‘qualified organization’ means a public or private nonprofit organization with experience working with school-age youth that meets such criteria as the Chief Executive Officer may establish.’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (10) in paragraph (28)(B) (as so redesignated)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (A) by striking ‘602’ and inserting ‘602(3)’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink (B) by striking ‘1401’ and inserting ‘1401(3)’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (11) in paragraph (33) (as so redesignated), strike the last sentence; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink (12) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(37) PREDOMINANTLY BLACK INSTITUTION- The term ‘predominantly black institution’ has the meaning given such term in section 318 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059e).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(38) SCIENTIFICALLY VALID RESEARCH- The term ‘scientifically valid research’ includes applied research, basic research, and field-initiated research in which the rationale, design, and interpretation are soundly developed in accordance with principles of scientific research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(39) PRINCIPLES IF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH- The term ‘principles of scientific research’ means principles of research that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A) applies rigorous, systematic, and objective methodology to obtain reliable and valid knowledge relevant to education activities and programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) presents findings and makes claims that are appropriate to and supported by methods that have been employed; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘© includes, as appropriate to the research being conducted--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(I) use of systematic, empirical methods that draw on observation or experiment;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(ii) use of data analyses that are adequate to support the general findings;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(iii) reliance on measurements or observational methods that provide reliable and generalizable findings;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(iv) strong claims of causal relationships, only with research designs that eliminate plausible competing explanations for observed results, such as, but not limited to, random assignment experiments;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(v) presentation of studies and methods in sufficient detail and clarity to allow for replication or, at a minimum, to offer the opportunity to build systematically on the findings of the research;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(vi) acceptance by a peer-reviewed journal or critique by a panel of independent experts through a comparably rigorous, objective, and scientific review; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(vii) consistency of findings across multiple studies or sites to support the generality of results and conclusions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(40) SEVERELY ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED COMMUNITY- The term ‘severely economically distressed community’ means an area that has a mortgage foreclosure rate, home price decline, and unemployment rate greater than the national mortgage foreclosure rate, home price decline, and unemployment rate for the last 12 months for which satisfactory data are available, or a residential area that lacks basic living necessities, such as water and sewer systems, electricity, paved roads, and safe sanitary housing.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(41) TRIBALLY CONTROLLED COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY- The term ‘tribally controlled college or university’ has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(42) MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED POPULATION- The term ‘medically underserved population’ has the meaning given that term in section 330(b)(3) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b(b)(3)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(43) VETERAN- The term ‘veteran’ has the meaning given the term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink Subtitle B--Amendments to Subtitle B (Learn and Serve America)CommentsClose CommentsPermalink SEC. 1201. SCHOOL-BASED ALLOTMENTS. Part I of subtitle B of title I (42 U.S.C. 12521 et seq.) is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘PART I--PROGRAMS FOR ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS ‘SEC. 111. ASSISTANCE TO STATES, TERRITORIES, AND INDIAN TRIBES. ‘(a) Purpose- School-based service learning programs promote service-learning as a strategy to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(1) support high-quality service-learning projects that engage students in meeting community needs with demonstrable results, while enhancing students’ academic and civic learning; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(2) support efforts to build institutional capacity, including the professional developement of educators, and to strengthen the service infrastructure to expand service opportunities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(b) Allotments to States, Territories, and Indian Tribes- The Corporation, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, may make allotments to State educational agencies, Territories, and Indian tribes to pay for the Federal share of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(1) planning and building the capacity within the State, Territory, or Indian tribe to implement service-learning programs that are based principally in elementary and secondary schools, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A) providing professional developement for teachers, supervisors, personnel from community-based agencies (particularly with regard to the recruitment, utilization, and management of participants), and trainers, to be conducted by qualified individuals or organizations that have experience with service-learning;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) developing service-learning curricula, consistent with State or local academic content standards, to be integrated into academic programs, including an age-appropriate learning component that provides participants an opportunity to analyze and apply their service experiences;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘© forming local partnerships described in paragraph (2) or (4) to develop school-based service-learning programs in accordance with this part;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(D) devising appropriate methods for research and evaluation of the educational value of service-learning and the effect of service-learning activities on communities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(E) establishing effective outreach and dissemination of information to ensure the broadest possible involvement of community-based agencies with demonstrated effectiveness in working with school-age youth in their communities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(F) establishing effective outreach and dissemination of information to ensure the broadest possible participation of schools throughout the State, with particular attention to schools identified for school improvement under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(2) implementing, operating, or expanding school-based service-learning programs, which may include paying for the cost of the recruitment, training, supervision, placement, salaries, and benefits of service-learning coordinators, through distribution of Federal funds by State educational agencies, Territories, and Indian tribes made available under this part to projects operated by local partnerships among--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A) local educational agencies; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) 1 or more community partners that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(i) shall include a public or private nonprofit organization that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(I) has a demonstrated expertise in the provision of services to meet unmet human, education, environmental, or public safety needs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(II) will make projects available for participants, who shall be students; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(III) was in existence at least 1 year before the date on which the organization submitted an application under section 113; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(ii) may include a private for-profit business, private elementary or secondary school, or Indian tribe (except that an Indian tribe distributing funds to a project under this paragraph is not eligible to be part of the partnership operating that project);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(3) planning of school-based service-learning programs, through distribution by State educational agencies, Territories, and Indian tribes of Federal funds made available under this part to local educational agencies and Indian tribes, which planning may include paying for the cost of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A) the salaries and benefits of service-learning coordinators; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) the recruitment, professional developement, supervision, and placement of service-learning coordinators who may be participants in a program under subtitle C or receive a national service educational award under subtitle D, who may be participants in a project under section 201 of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 5001), or who may participate in a Youthbuild program under section 173A of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2918a),CommentsClose CommentsPermalink who will identify the community partners described in paragraph (2)(B) and assist in the design and implementation of a program described in paragraph (2);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(4) implementing, operating, or expanding school-based service-learning programs to utilize adult volunteers in service-learning to improve the education of students, through distribution by State educational agencies, Territories, and Indian tribes of Federal funds made available under this part to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A) local educational agencies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) Indian tribes (except that an Indian tribe distributing funds under this paragraph is not eligible to be a recipient of those funds);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘© public or private nonprofit organizations; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(D) partnerships or combinations of local educational agencies and entities described in subparagraph (B) or ©; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(5) developing civic engagement programs that promote a better understanding of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A) the principles of the Constitution, the heroes of American history (including military heroes), and the meaning of the Oath of Allegiance;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) how the Nation’s government functions; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘© the importance of service in the Nation’s character.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘© Consultation With Secretary of Education- From the amounts appropriated under section 501(a)(4), the Corporation is authorized to enter into agreements with the Secretary of Education for initiatives that may include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(1) Identification and dissemination of research findings on service-learning and scientifically-valid research based practices; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(2) Provision of professional development opportunities that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A) improve the quality of service-learning instruction and delivery for teachers both pre-service and in-service, personnel from community-based agencies and youth workers; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) create and sustain effective partnerships between local education agencies, community-based organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(d) Duties of Service-Learning Coordinator- A service-learning coordinator referred to in paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (b) shall provide services that may include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(1) providing technical assistance and information to, and facilitating the professional developement of, teachers and assisting in the planning, development, execution, and evaluation of service-learning in their classrooms;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(2) assisting local partnerships described in subsection (b) in the planning, development, and execution of service-learning projects, including summer of service programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(3) carrying out such other duties as the recipient of assistance under this part may determine to be appropriate; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(4) assisting schools and school districts in developing school policies and practices that support the integration of service-learning into the curriculum.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(e) Related Expenses- An entity that receives financial assistance under this part may, in carrying out the activities described in subsection (b), use such assistance to pay for the Federal share of reasonable costs related to the supervision of participants, program administration, transportation, insurance, and evaluations and for other reasonable expenses related to the activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘SEC. 112. ALLOTMENTS. ‘(a) Indian Tribes and Territories- Of the amounts appropriated to carry out this part for any fiscal year, the Corporation shall reserve an amount of not less than 2 percent and not more than 3 percent for payments to Indian tribes, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, to be allotted in accordance with their respective needs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(b) Allotments Through States- After reserving the amount under subsection (a), the Corporation shall use the remainder of the funds appropriated to carry out this part for any fiscal year as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(1) ALLOTMENTS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A) SCHOOL-AGE YOUTH- From 50 percent of such remainder, the Corporation shall allot to each State an amount that bears the same ratio to 50 percent of such remainder as the number of school-age youth in the State bears to the total number of school-age youth of all States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) ALLOCATION UNDER ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT OF 1965- From 50 percent of such remainder, the Corporation shall allot to each State an amount that bears the same ratio to 50 percent of such remainder as the allocation to the State for the previous fiscal year under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) or its successor authority bears to such allocations to all States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(2) DEFINITION- Notwithstanding section 101, for purposes of this subsection, the term ‘State’ means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘© Reallotment- If the Corporation determines that the allotment of a State, Territory, or Indian tribe under this section will not be required for a fiscal year because the State, Territory, or Indian tribe did not submit and receive approval of an application for the allotment under section 113, the Corporation shall make the allotment for such State, Territory, or Indian tribe available for grants to community-based entity to carry out service-learning programs as described in section 111(b) in such State, Territory, or Indian tribe. After community-based entities apply for the allotment with an application at such time and in such manner as the Corporation requires and receive approval, the remainder of such allotment shall be available for reallotment to such other States, Territories, or Indian tribes with approved applications submitted under section 113 as the Corporation may determine to be appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(d) Minimum Amount- For any fiscal year for which amounts appropriated for this subtitle exceed $50,000,000, the minimum allotment to each State (as defined in subsection (b)(2)) under this section shall be $75,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘SEC. 113. APPLICATIONS. ‘(a) In General- To be eligible to receive an allotment under section 112, a State, acting through the State educational agency, Territory, or Indian tribe shall prepare, submit to the Corporation, and obtain approval of, an application at such time and in such manner as the Chief Executive Officer may reasonably require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(b) Contents- An application for an allotment under this part shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(1) a proposal for a 3-year plan promoting service-learning, which shall contain such information as the Chief Executive Officer may reasonably require, including how the applicant will integrate service-learning opportunities into the academic program of the participants;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(2) information about the criteria the State educational agency, Territory, or Indian tribe will use to evaluate and grant approval to applications submitted under subsection ©, including an assurance that the State educational agency, Territory, or Indian tribe will comply with the requirement in section 114(a);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(3) assurances about the applicant’s efforts to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A) ensure that students of different ages, races, sexes, ethnic groups, disabilities, and economic backgrounds have opportunities to serve together;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) include any opportunities for students enrolled in schools or other programs of education providing elementary or secondary education to participate in service-learning programs and ensure that such service-learning programs include opportunities for such students to serve together;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘© involve participants in the design and operation of the program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(D) promote service-learning in areas of greatest need, including low-income or rural areas; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(E) otherwise integrate service opportunities into the academic program of the participants; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(4) assurances that the applicant will comply with the nonduplication and nondisplacement requirements of section 177 and the grievance procedures required by section 176.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘© Application to State, Territory, or Indian Tribe To Receive Assistance To Carry Out School-Based Service-Learning Programs-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(1) IN GENERAL- Any--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A) qualified organization, Indian tribe, Territory, local educational agency, for-profit business, private elementary, middle, or secondary school, or institution of higher education that desires to receive financial assistance under this subpart from a State, Territory, or Indian tribe for an activity described in section 111(b)(1);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) partnership described in section 111(b)(2) that desires to receive such assistance from a State, Territory, or Indian tribe or community-based organization described in section 111(b)(2);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘© entity described in section 111(b)(3) that desires to receive such assistance from a State, Territory, or Indian tribe for an activity described in such section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(D) partnership described in section 111(b)(4) that desires to receive such assistance from a State, Territory, or Indian tribe for an activity described in such section,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink shall prepare, submit to the State educational agency, Territory, community-based entity, or Indian tribe, and obtain approval of, an application for the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(2) SUBMISSION- Such application shall be submitted at such time and in such manner, and shall contain such information, as the agency, Territory, Indian tribe, or entity may reasonably require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘SEC. 114. CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS. ‘(a) Priority- In considering competitive applications under this part, the Corporation shall give priority to innovation, sustainability, capacity building, involvement of disadvantaged youth, and quality of programs, as well as other criteria approved by the Chief Executive Officer.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(b) Rejection of Applications- If the Corporation rejects an application submitted by a State, Territory, or Indian tribe under section 113 for an allotment, the Corporation shall promptly notify the State, Territory, or Indian tribe of the reasons for the rejection of the application. The Corporation shall provide the State, Territory, or Indian tribe with a reasonable opportunity to revise and resubmit the application and shall provide technical assistance, if needed, to the State, Territory, or Indian tribe as part of the re-submission process. The Corporation shall promptly reconsider such resubmitted application.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘SEC. 115. PARTICIPATION OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS FROM PRIVATE SCHOOLS. ‘(a) In General- To the extent consistent with the number of students in the State, Territory, or Indian tribe or in the school district of the local educational agency involved who are enrolled in private nonprofit elementary and secondary schools, such State, Territory, Indian tribe, or agency shall (after consultation with appropriate private school representatives) make provision--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(1) for the inclusion of services and arrangements for the benefit of such students so as to allow for the equitable participation of such students in the programs implemented to carry out the objectives and provide the benefits described in this part; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(2) for the professional development of the teachers of such students so as to allow for the equitable participation of such teachers in the programs implemented to carry out the objectives and provide the benefits described in this part.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(b) Waiver- If a State, Territory, Indian tribe, or local educational agency is prohibited by law from providing for the participation of students or teachers from private nonprofit schools as required by subsection (a), or if the Corporation determines that a State, Territory, Indian tribe, or local educational agency substantially fails or is unwilling to provide for such participation on an equitable basis, the Chief Executive Officer shall waive such requirements and shall arrange for the provision of services to such students and teachers. Such waivers shall be subject to the requirements of sections 9503 and 9504 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7883 and 7884).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘SEC. 116. FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL CONTRIBUTIONS. ‘(a) Federal Share-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Federal share of the cost of carrying out a program for which assistance is provided under this part--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A) for new grants, may not exceed 80 percent of the total cost for the first year of the grant, 65 percent for the second year, and 50 percent for each remaining year; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) for continuing grants, may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(2) NON-FEDERAL CONTRIBUTION- In providing for the remaining share of the cost of carrying out such a program, each recipient of assistance under this part--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A) shall provide for such share through a payment in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including facilities, equipment, or services; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) may provide for such share through State sources or local sources, including private funds or donated services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(b) Waiver-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Chief Executive Officer may, with respect to any such program for any fiscal year, and upon determination that such action would be equitable due to lack of resources at the local level--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A) waive the requirements of subsection (a) in whole or in part; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) allow a recipient to provide the non-Federal contribution required under subsection (a)(2) from funding available pursuant to title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(2) RULES- The following rules apply to paragraph (1)(B):CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A) Paragraph (1)(B) applies only to recipients that are schools receiving funding under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) The non-Federal contribution provided under paragraph (1)(B) may only be used for activities authorized under section 1114 or 1115 of title I of such Act (as applicable) subject to the approval of the local educational agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘SEC. 117. LIMITATIONS ON USES OF FUNDS. ‘Not more than 6 percent of the amount of assistance received by an applicant in a fiscal year may be used to pay, in accordance with such standards as the Corporation may issue, for administrative costs, incurred by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(1) the original recipient; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(2) the entity carrying out the service-learning program supported with the assistance.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink SEC. 1202. HIGHER EDUCATION PROVISIONS AND CAMPUSES OF SERVICE. (a) Part Heading- The heading relating to part II of subtitle B of title I is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘PART II--HIGHER EDUCATION PROVISIONS AND CAMPUSES OF SERVICE’. (b) Higher Education- Section 119 (42 U.S.C. 12561) is redesignated as section 118 and amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (1) in subsection (a), by inserting after ‘community service programs’ the following: ‘through service-learning’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (2) in subsection (b)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ‘combination’ and inserting ‘consortia’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (B) in paragraph (1)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘and’ at the end;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (ii) in subparagraph (B), by adding ‘and’ at the end; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink (iii) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘© may coordinate with service-learning curricula being offered in the academic curricula at the institution of higher education or at one or more members of the consortia;’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (3) in subsection (b)(3)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ‘teachers at the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary levels’ and inserting ‘institutions of higher education and their faculty’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘education of the institution; and’ and inserting ‘curricula of the institution to strengthen the instructional capacity of service-learning at the elementary and secondary levels;’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink © by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (E); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink (D) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) including service-learning as a key component of the health professionals curricula, including nursing, pre-medicine, medicine, and dentistry curricula of the institution;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘© including service-learning as a key component of the criminal justice professionals curricula of the institution;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(D) including service-learning as a key component of the public policy and public administration curricula of the institution; and’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (4) by striking subsections ©, (d), (e), and (g);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink (5) by redesignating subsection (f) as (i); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink (6) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘© Special Consideration- To the extent practicable, the Corporation shall give special consideration to applications submitted by predominantly Black institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and community colleges serving predominantly minority populations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(d) Federal, State, and Local Contributions-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(1) FEDERAL SHARE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A) IN GENERAL- The Federal share of the cost of carrying out a program for which assistance is provided under this part may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) NON-FEDERAL CONTRIBUTION- In providing for the remaining share of the cost of carrying out such a program, each recipient of a grant under this part--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(i) shall provide for such share through a payment in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including facilities, equipment, or services; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(ii) may provide for such share through State sources or local sources, including private funds or donated services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(2) WAIVER- The Chief Executive Officer may waive the requirements of paragraph (1) in whole or in part with respect to any such program for any fiscal year if the Corporation determines that such a waiver would be equitable due to a lack of available financial resources at the local level.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(e) Application for Grant-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(1) SUBMISSION- To receive a grant or enter into a contract under this part, an applicant shall prepare, submit to the Corporation, and obtain approval of, an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information and assurances as the Corporation may reasonably require. In requesting applications for assistance under this part, the Corporation shall specify such required information and assurances.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(2) CONTENTS- An application submitted under paragraph (1) shall contain, at a minimum--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A) assurances that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(i) prior to the placement of a participant, the applicant will consult with the appropriate local labor organization, if any, representing employees in the area who are engaged in the same or similar work as that proposed to be carried out by such program, to prevent the displacement and protect the rights of such employees; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(ii) the applicant will comply with the nonduplication and nondisplacement provisions of section 177 and the grievance procedures required by section 176; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) such other assurances as the Chief Executive Officer may reasonably require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(f) Priority- In making grants and entering into contracts under subsection (b), the Corporation shall give priority to applicants or institutions that submit applications containing proposals that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(1) demonstrate the commitment of the institution of higher education, other than by demonstrating the commitment of the students, to supporting the community service projects carried out under the program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(2) specify the manner in which the institution will promote faculty, administration, and staff participation in the community service projects;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(3) specify the manner in which the institution will provide service to the community through organized programs, including, where appropriate, clinical programs for students in professional schools and colleges;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(4) describe any partnership that will participate in the community service projects, such as a partnership comprised of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A) the institution;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B)(i) a community-based agency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(ii) a local government agency; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(iii) a non-profit entity that serves or involves school-age youth, older adults, or low-income communities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘©(i) a student organization;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(ii) a department of the institution; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(iii) a group of faculty comprised of different departments, schools, or colleges at the institution;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(5) demonstrate community involvement in the development of the proposal and the extent to which the proposal will contribute to the goals of its community partners;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(6) describe research on effective strategies and methods to improve service utilized in the design of the project;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(7) demonstrate a commitment to perform service projects in underserved urban and rural communities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(8) specify that the institution will use such assistance to strengthen the service infrastructure in institutions of higher education;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(9) with respect to projects involving delivery of services, specify projects that involve leadership development of school aged youth; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(10) describe how service projects and activities are associated with such ideas as housing, economic development, infrastructure, health care, job training, education, crime prevention, urban planning, transportation technology, and child welfare.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(g) Definition- Notwithstanding section 101, as used in this part, the term ‘student’ means an individual who is enrolled in an institution of higher education on a full- or part-time basis.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(h) Federal Work-Study- To be eligible for assistance under this part, an institution of higher education must demonstrate that it meets the minimum requirements under section 443(b)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 2753(b)(2)) relating to the participation of Federal Work-Study students in community service activities, or has received a waiver of those requirements from the Secretary of Education.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink © Campuses of Service- Title I of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12521 et seq.) is amended by adding after section 118 (as redesignated by subsection (a)) at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘SEC. 119. CAMPUSES OF SERVICE. ‘(a) In General- The Corporation, after consultation with the Secretary of Education, may annually designate not more than 25 institutions of higher education as Campuses of Service, from among institutions nominated by State Commissions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(b) Applications for Nomination-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(1) IN GENERAL- To be eligible for a nomination to receive designation under subsection (a), and have an opportunity to apply for funds under subsection (d) for a fiscal year, an institution of higher education in a State shall submit an application to the State Commission at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the State Commission may require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(2) CONTENTS- At a minimum, the application shall include information specifying--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A)(i) the number of undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate service-learning courses offered at such institution for the most recent full academic year preceding the fiscal year for which designation is sought; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(ii) the number and percentage of undergraduate students and, if applicable, the number and percentage of graduate students at such institution who were enrolled in the corresponding courses described in clause (i), for such preceding academic year;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) the percentage of undergraduate students engaging in and, if applicable, the percentage of graduate students engaging in activities providing community services, as defined in section 441© of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 2751©), during such preceding academic year, the quality of such activities, and the average amount of time spent, per student, engaged in such activities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘© for such preceding academic year, the percentage of Federal work-study funds made available to the institution under part C of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.) that is used to compensate students employed in providing community services, as so defined, and a description of the efforts the institution undertakes to make available to students opportunities to provide such community services and be compensated through such work-study funds;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(D) at the discretion of the institution, information demonstrating the degree to which recent graduates of the institution, and all graduates of the institution, have obtained full-time public service employment in the nonprofit sector or government, with a private nonprofit organization or a Federal, State, or local public agency; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(E) any programs the institution has in place to encourage or assist graduates of the institution to pursue careers in public service in the nonprofit sector or government.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘© Nominations and Designation-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(1) NOMINATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(A) IN GENERAL- A State Commission that receives applications from institutions of higher education under subsection (b) may nominate, for designation under subsection (a), not more than 3 such institutions of higher education, consisting of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(i) not more than one 4-year public institution of higher education;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(ii) not more than one 4-year private institution of higher education; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(iii) not more than one 2-year institution of higher education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(B) SUBMISSION- The State Commission shall submit to the Corporation the name and application of each institution nominated by the State Commission under subparagraph (A).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink ‘(2) DESIGNATION- The Corporation shall designate, under subsection (a), not more than 25 institutions of higher education from among the institutions nominated under paragraph (1). In making the designations, the Corporation shall, if feasible, designate various types of institutions, in

Link Work makes you free.

Thats the cover for sure.

When I was in high school, 60% of the elementary schools in the south were still segregated. Really what that means in real life, is that the best (well paid) teachers taught in the white schools. Blacks were part of a system that would NOT let them get ahead in life. They were conditioned that they couldn't do it. My buddy Joe went through basic at Fort Polk Louisiana. He said if there was a few blacks waiting to buy something at the corner store, every white person would walk in front of them and take cuts. White people would give him dirty looks for standing behind the blacks who were there first. This bullshit permeated the culture. YOU CAN'T do that, YOU CAN'T do this. Many Blacks who got ahead would find that his white neighbor had found a way to steal his farm or run him off. As whites, we never saw any of it. We saw "equality", but that's not what was really there on the other side of the color spectrum. Oprah is really part of the first generation where getting ahead is really there, it's not just some bullshit mumbo jumbo out of the back side of some crackers lips. She (and Obama too) are a beacon for millions of disenfranchised people that they too, might truly, really have a shot at the brass ring. Myself, I rarely watch that kind of TV, and I really liked Phil Donahue -who started that genre of TV, but Oprah is uber-rich, and Phil Donahue is gone -and he was a sharp dude too. Whats that say about Oprahs smarts? (other than she listed to Roger Ebert:-) ABOUT FUCKING TIME THE TRUE TRAIN OF EQUALITY STARTED RUNNING DOWN THE TRACKS! There's still plenty more to go, but it's getting there. I don't need a pep talk, cause I got them all my life. Course I'm white. As far as Obama, no president is gonna make everyone happy. He can run intellectual circles around McCain, and frankly, our country needed that more than we needed Grandpa Simpson with the reins in his sleepy little hands. I expressed my reservations about the man pre-election on this board, but frankly, he's done a much better job than I though he would. Bush had a $700 billion dollar bailout package prepared and he handed it off and walked out the door. ps, do you want to see the groups I got at the range with the new PTR-91 .308 yesterday? Pretty sweet.

I'm afraid to ask....

God Bless Oprah. She started with nothing and via hard work, luck and pluck, became a multi-millionaress. Proving shes smarter than both of us X 110 or so with a few extra zeros put in there someplace. Love Bill Cosby for lots of things too, speaking truthfully was another trait they both share. At one point, Cos was the richest show biz dude - black or white, and a lightning rod because of his honesty.

link "It's cute, it's friendly, it greets others of its kind by touching noses and smelling cheeks. It likes to sunbathe on rocks and hang out in the summer along Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park. The Olympic marmot is on track to become Washington's official "endemic mammal," joining the ranks of the orca (official marine mammal), willow goldfinch (official bird) and steelhead trout (official fish). The marmot deserves the title, say its supporters, because it's the only mammal found solely in Washington. Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, agreed to sponsor a bill making the designation official under pressure from eager fourth-graders at Seattle's Wedgewood Elementary School. As part of a state government unit, the students sent e-mails to lawmakers and showed up in Olympia in February to testify for Jacobsen's bill. Senate Bill 5071 passed the Senate 43-4 on March 11 and got the nod Tuesday from the House Committee on State Government and Tribal Affairs. One reason the marmot is scurrying through its confirmation process may be that the measure won't cost the state a dime. Hikers on Hurricane Ridge know the foot-tall marmot, which basks on rocks during summer mornings and afternoons and emits a distinctive series of whistles when it senses a predator nearby. In the daytime, marmots visit each other's burrows and extend greetings by nibbling each other's ears and necks. They also engage in play fighting, standing on their hind legs and pushing each other with their paws. They return to their burrows at night. From September to May, Olympic marmots hibernate. Their most common predators are the coyote and the puma, though they're also wary of bobcats, bears and large birds of prey. Marmots have family values. A typical family consists of a male, two or three females and their young. The newborns stay with their parents for at least two years and do not reach sexual maturity until their third year. They're mostly vegan, chomping on grasses, herbs, mosses and flowers and the occasional insect. Found only on the alpine and subalpine meadows and talus slopes of the Olympic Peninsula, their numbers are declining, in part because of the encroachment of trees into the meadows of the park. The Olympic marmot is a protected species in Washington."

Sol, what is this?