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First morning of reduced busing goes smoothly in Jackson schools

They came in droves, ready to take students back home.Big school buses — yellow and shiny. And plenty of them.But when students were dismissed from Jackson Middle School, not every boy or girl got a ride home.Not anymore.Some students were picked up by a parent or guardian; others trekked it home.Roughly 1,200 high school and middle school students lost bus services Monday — a move meant to save money.Jackson Local School District officials estimate the move could save them $280,000.Police reported no significant problems; especially, as students walked to or were dropped off at school.Superintendent Cheryl Haschak said middle-school officials did run into some traffic congestion problems at dismissal time.She expected those “few flaws” to be ironed out.Tyler Budzinski walked nearly three-quarters of a mile to the middle school, staying in touch with his anxious parents via cell phone.His parents were concerned about his safety on his trek from their Corrine Drive NW home to Wales Avenue NW (state Route 241) and Mudbrook Street NW.“We were very nervous about it,” said April Budzinski, Tyler’s mother. “Obviously, it’s nice to have the bus transportation.”Students in grades nine through 12 (including 30 students who ride Jackson school buses but attend Central Catholic High School) lost bus service — period.“It sucks,” said Leah Murphy, 19, a senior at Jackson High School, who walked home from school Monday.Murphy used to take a bus to and from school. She got a ride to school from her dad.Students in grades six through eight who live two miles or less from their school also lost their bus ride.DIRECTING TRAFFICBut the school district took steps to ensure students arrived safely and that parents experience few hassles.First, a Jackson police officer was stationed at Wales and Mudbrook to help students cross the street. For drivers, a second drop-off lane was opened at the middle school to get parents in and out faster.And school personnel and township officials were out and about at key stations to direct traffic and pedestrians.Township Police Department Maj. David Zink said the morning commute for students went pretty smoothly.But he said motorists who are driving on Wales and Mudbrook must be vigilant. He said there will be an increase in pedestrian traffic in those areas.“Students are walking (in those areas) who several weeks ago weren’t there,” Zink said.For example, Glen McDaniel’s 12-year-old son, Cody, crossed Mudbrook, and walked a short distance home with his dad.Cody was excited.His father, concerned for his son’s safety, was less thrilled about the trek — even if their house is a half-block away from the middle school Cody attends.McDaniel said: “It’s not that far but I’m nervous because I think this road (Mudbrook) here is a mess.”District officials could expand the bus cuts if a 4.9-mill levy fails in February. The additional cuts would affect elementary students — kindergarten through fifth grade — within the two-mile radius of their school.

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Christmas Xbox sales in Europe are ‘best ever’

Maudlin

microsoft is now boasting that its xbox 360 gaming console had its “best ever” christmas sales in europe, pushing all-inclusive sales in the region to neutral terminated 8 million consoles. part sales were barely twin year-on-year and microsoft also distinguished that they are chief the sony playstation 3 by over one million units. “2008 saw us grow faster than any of our competitors and we over-achieved in sales during the crucial christmas selling period,” added chris lewis, regional vp of microsoft’s xbox business in europe. “with eight million consoles sold since we launched, and consistently out-selling playstation 3 in emea, we’re poised to build on this success in 2009. “this success was only possible including our partnerships with retail and with publishers, with whom we’ve worked closely to build a cogent ecosystem in the region and to bring value to our shared client base.” “as we move into 2009 and an uncertain economic climate, we endure to be committed to offering the perfect blend of gaming and entertainment experiences at the right premium,” concluded lewis.

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Weekend Open Thread: Rain in the New Year

First we had an insane snow and ice storm and now I hear that the Portland region is being pelted with record rain.

A few hours ago, reader John P. sent me this photo of the Springwater Corridor Trail (at mile marker 10.5) along with this comment:

“The cool thing about riding it right now… there’s so much oil and crap floating on the water you don’t have to worry about oiling your chain later.”

What’s it like up there? Please don’t hate me, but I’m typing this from the warm and dry confines of Orange County, California. (I’ll be back on Monday. If the Portland weather has got you down, check out my photo gallery from California (actually that might just depress you more).)

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Seriously though, rain or no rain, it’s the first weekend of 2009 and I hope many of you have plans to ride. (I was happy to read a nice article in the Oregonian about the BTA’s annual New Year’s Day Ride.)

I’ve ridden a few times down here in Cypress, California and I’m headed out again tomorrow morning (a ride to the beach with a friend from high school).

Please use this post to share your bike plans for the weekend. How are you doing with the harsh winter weather so far? Have you hung up the bike and hit the bus/train? Or are you toughing it out?

How are the conditions up there? Has all the debris and gravel been cleaned up from the bike lanes? Are you thinking of buying a paddle for your commute?

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Most Read of 2008

Want to know what your fellow CT Politics Blog readers enjoyed as well? Here are the top 10 most read blog posts from 2008.

Keep in mind that Christianity Today started the politics blog in July, so this is in no way an indication of what stories were the most important. Obviously, readership shot up around the election, but it’s an interesting review of what piqued your interest.

1. The Death of Joe Biden’s Wife — An Honest Crisis of Faith

2. The Evangelical Electoral Map (Updated)

3. Vendors asked to leave Values Voter Summit

4. Readers say Washington Post cartoon lampooned their faith

5. Obama’s Fascinating Interview with Cathleen Falsani

6. Reaction to Bristol Palin’s pregnancy

7. How Obama Helped Calif.’s Prop. 8 (Updated)

8. Can Obama Call Himself a Christian?

9. An Obama administration, in the eyes of Focus on the Family Action

10. The Awesome Blue God — How Obama Forged A New Faith Coalition

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Terror in Surburia: Campaigns Waged Against Neighborhoods By Antisocial Kids

A recent Dear Abby contained a plea from “Afraid in Wisconsin” who expressed concerns about the behavior of a new neighbor’s 11-yr-old son. This letter highlighted the plight of many who live in a suburbia across America: antisocial kids who terrorize their neighborhoods, and the inability to deal with them.

“Afraid in Wisconsin” wrote how new neighbors had built a home on the lot next door and the “antisocial behavior” of their 11-yr-old son. How the boy had tried to coax “Afraid’s” dog into his yard, played roughly with their three small children, and used vulgar language with their 8-yr-old daughter. “Afraid” noted that other neighbors had seen the boy abuse his dog and “other animals”. When “Afraid” had approached the boy’s mother, “Afraid” was told that her son “wouldn’t behave that way”.

Here is Dear Abby’s answer to “Afraid in Wisconsin”:

“DEAR AFRAID: You have described a child who is emotionally disturbed and parents who are in denial. Because the neighbors have seen him abuse animals, a report should be made to the police and the department of animal welfare in your community. This boy has no empathy for others and needs professional help. Until he gets it, you are wise to be concerned about your children. Keep a watchful eye.”

Parents such as “Afraid in Wisconsin” face the same plight that countless other families endure in neighborhoods across America: the effects of an antisocial kid’s behavior on the neighborhood where he resides.

Antisocial Behavior

According to Donald Black, M.D., Antisocial Personality, or ASP, is a disorder related to a “guiltless pattern of social irresponsibility” which begins in early childhood or adolescence. Antisocial behaviors range from “relatively minor acts, such as lying or cheating, to heinous acts, including torture, rape and murder”. Black makes the observation that ASP is rarely acknowledged or recognized:

“As psychiatrist Hervey Cleckley once noted, the antisocial person is “the forgotten man of psychiatry who probably causes more unhappiness and more perplexity to the public than all mentally disordered patients combined.” ”

This also applies to suburbia and the antisocial kids currently terrorizing neighbors and neighborhoods.

Clark wrote that the “causes” of ASP are still unknown. Evidence of ASP, a mental health issue, point to inherited traits, as well as a “hereditary basis”, and environmental factors.

Theories as to the cause of ASP include abnormalities in development of the nervous system whose symptoms may include persistent bed wetting and hyperactivity. Another theory is mothers who smoked during pregnancy resulting in lowered oxygen levels to the fetus.

Abnormal brain function and neurotransmitter serotonin have been linked to impulsive and aggressive behavior.

“Social and home environment” may also be key factors relating to ASP: parents of antisocial kids “show a high level of antisocial behavior”. Homes of ASP kids may include alcoholism, divorce, criminal activity, or an absence of a parent. Parenting may be “erratic or inappropriate discipline and inadequate supervision”. Antisocial parents “lack motivation” in supervising their children. Children raised in this atmosphere can become “self-absorbed” and “indifferent to others” as well as have “little regard for rules”. Lacking proper roles models, ASP kids solve disputes using aggression. ASP kids also fail to develop empathy.

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There are many parents who raised their ASP child in a caring and loving environment. These parents face a bewildering and daunting task of getting treatment for a child who has a behavior problem whose cause is still unknown. These parents do not negate the concerns of their neighbors. It’s when neighbors, who are dealing with an ASP kid terrorizing the neighborhood, find the parent, or parents, are in denial or simply “doesn’t care” what their ASP kid is up to when frustration sets in.

The mother of the boy whom “Afraid” wrote Dear Abby about, claimed her son wouldn’t “behave that way”. The mother inferred that “Afraid”, who contacted her about her son’s behavior, was making up “stories” about her son. The mother, who in essence had called “Afra …

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Top Ten New Year Quotes

its that time again… the time to make a brand-new year word of honour to:or even Steven…as you make your list of things to do this remodelled year, ponder on some of the following top 10 new year wishes, immature year greetings, new year letter or famous new year quotes made by others:number 10 - “i decided to put my brood last. it is the best thing a woman can do. put your house last and you’ll go on to great achievements. put your family first and you will never detrain b leave a word of thanks as a replacement for it.” dame edna everage (alias barry humphries).mass 09 - “new year’s resolution: to tolerate fools more with pleasure, provided this does not support them to make a note up more of my time.”james agatemultitude 08 - “new year’s era is every man’s birthday.”charles lambfigure 07 - “cheers to a immature year and another chance as a remedy for us to get it right.”oprah winfreynumber 06 - “as we chatted, a bevy of excellent woman buzzed around him derive vultures around a rotting antelope.” piers morgan describing what happened to madonna’s ex rib ritchie at a christmas troop.slews 05 - “youth is when you’re allowed to foil up lately on unexplored year’s period before. heart age is when you’re mannered to.”banknote vaughanlegions 04 - “now there are more overweight people in america than average-weight people. so overweight people are infrequently average? which means, you have met your modish year’s resolution.”jay lenonumber 03 - “good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account.”oscar wildenumber 02 - “i’m a minute bit older, a little second wiser, a little bit rounder, but till not anyone the wiser.”robert pauland the number 01 new year quote goes to…“i have always had the same modish year resolutions: to stop smoking, to start wearing a bra and to stop shopping.” - cameron diaz.remember… as someone again said, “a new year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.” so make sure when you indicate yours, you stick to it!happy strange year.

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Bangladesh: A campaign of words

internationally acclaimed photo journalist shahidul alam takes a look at the last minute vote campaigns in bangladesh and comments on the election promises: “the saying in bangla ‘kothar upor tax nai’ ‘there is no impost on words’ could not press been more apt.” check the post for photographs and videos of the campaigns.

Don’t believe everything you read

by jeff jacoby globe columnist / december 28, 2008 ?i beseech you, in the bowels of christ, think it possible you may be mistaken.” so wrote oliver cromwell in 1650, and the world would be a haler place if cromwell’s words were prominently posted over the desk of everyone who works in the pundit artifice - those …

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Panthers Win NFC South Championship and the NFC’s No. 2 Seed

by sportz assassin

Filed under: Panthers, NFC South

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the carolina panthers are commendable nfc south champions.they became the only nfc south team to win a divisional game on the thoroughfare all season. heading into today, the panthers, falcons, buccaneers and saints all won their home games against other division foes. that extra victory gave the panthers the division legend.today, carolina went into new orleans and beat the saints, 33-31, breaking that streak. they change the purely nfc south team win a winning division avi movie download record.with the acquire comes the no. 2 seed in the nfc side of the playoffs and a first collect bye. the panthers can detest the week off to get guys healthy before hosting the vikings, cardinals or falcons in two weeks. this is the third time the panthers has won their upset and transfer be the fourth time they pleasure be in the playoffs. all three previous trips saw carolina in the nfc title pretend (against the packers in 1995; the eagles in 2003; the seahawks in 2005) with the panthers reaching super bowl xxxviii.

Panthers Win NFC South Championship and the NFC’s No. 2 Seed originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 28 Dec 2008 18:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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White, West Virginia Beat North Carolina 31-30

pat white’s late td pass, pat lazear’s interception give west virginia 31-30 receive over and beyond nc

ISRAEL OPERATION IN GAZA ENTERS SECOND DAY

an israeli soldier adjusts the barrel of a tank near kibbutz sufa, honest outside the southern gaza belt, december 28, 2008 by nidal al-mughrabiby nidal al-mughrabi gaza - israel launched air strikes on gaza for a second day on sunday, piling pressure on hamas after killing more than 270 people in one of the bloodiest days in 60 …
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Two fatalities in Pasco crash

Two people were killed in a 5:15 a.m. crash today on State Road 54 when two cars collided head-on near Odessa, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

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Few details are yet available and the FHP said it would not release the identity of the victims until next of kin are notified. The crash occurred just west of 54’s intersection with Altamont Lane.

Early reports say that a Toyota Camry was traveling the wrong way on 54 when it hit a Cadillac. The FHP expects to release more information by this afternoon.

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