Schools: April 2007 Archives

The Candidates

Hillary Clinton A
No surprise. Nothing like tutorials from Bill.

Barack Obama B-
Sound bites, more style than substance and little else.

John Edwards B-
Could use another medical update.

Bill Richardson C
Should know that when Castro dies, Cuba will not be in a "post-Democratic" era.

Joe Biden C-
Leading contender... for The Comedy Store.

Chris Dodd C
Where's Bianca Jagger when you need her?

Dennis J. Kucinich C-
Who did this guy's hair dye job?

MIke Gravel D
I thought this guy was dead.

Moderator

Brian Williams D
Hardly Tom Brokaw. Nor Jim Lehrer, for that matter.

This is a political story only in the sense that throughout the country, a fairly new class of people is demanding its rights in legislatures and offices acoss America -- and succeeding in many cases, as they should. The group of people are transgenders, though it is interesting that some of them still refer to themselves by a label that is increasing going out of use within that community -- transsexuxals. Among them is Los Angeles Times sportswriter Mike Penner.

For most who have not known what he has been going through, through much of his life, Mike presents his first-person account today -- "Old Mike, new Christine."

"During my 23 years with The Times' sports department, I have held a wide variety of roles and titles. Tennis writer. Angels beat reporter. Olympics writer. Essayist. Sports media critic. NFL columnist. Recent keeper of the Morning Briefing flame.

"Today I leave for a few weeks' vacation, and when I return, I will come back in yet another incarnation.

"As Christine.

"I am a transsexual sportswriter." Read his story.

Eli Broad apparently isn't waiting on Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to come up with an alternative to his seemingly defunct attempt to take over the LAUSD -- and he's found more upscale company with which to partner.

On the eve of the first presidential debate, Broad and the foundation he heads with wife Edythe Wednesday joined up with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for what they call "the Strong American Schools campaign" aimed at elevating American education to the top of the upcoming presidential campaign agenda.

Strong American Schools is a nonpartisan public awareness and action campaign designed to give a voice to every American who demands strong leadership to improve our schools.

"The American dream is slipping away, and unless our leaders dramatically improve our public schools, our standard of living, our economy and our very democracy will be threatened,”" Broad said in a statement touting the announcement in Columbia, S.C., where Democratic presidential nominees will square off in a debate Thursday night. "Our country'’s education system is no longer the best in the world. We need every American to demand better schools and specific policy solutions from presidential candidates. Our future depends on it.”"

“Broad and Villaraigosa parted ways on the education front last year when the Los Angeles philanthropist and billionaire grew disenchanted with the mayor's backroom political compromises to get AB 1381 -- the measure to give the mayor control of the LAUSD -- through the legislature.

Deputy City Attorney Tamar Galatzon picks up another endorsement today in her May 15 runoff against incumbent school board member Jon Lauritzen.
Last week, it was former Asssembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg backing her campaign. On Wednesday, it was Louis Pugliese, who placed ther in the primary election for the seat.
Galatzan was the leading vote getter in the primary and is being backed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in his effort to elect a new majority to the Board of Education that supports his calls for reform.
Pugliese said his decision was based on the need to change the LAUSD.
"In conversations with Tamar, it is clear to me that she is committed to the extensive changes necessary to restore excellence to our schools,” Pugliese said. “We need a representative on the School Board who is not afraid to challenge the powerful forces that stand in the way of genuine reform.”