No Criminal Charges in School Webcam Spying Case

This is an update to an earlier post.  To sum things up, the school district has been accused of spying on students without their knowledge in their own home via the webcams on the laptops the school district issued.  Criminal charges won't be filed, but lawsuits are still pending.

The U.S. Department of Justice won't file criminal charges against a Pennsylvania school district accused of spying on students via webcams in their computers.

After an investigation by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, the local district attorney and local police, the U.S. Attorney's Office said that it did not find criminal intent and would not file criminal charges against the Lower Merion School District.

The school district came under fire earlier this year when a student's family filed a lawsuit charging the district with spying on them. The district had been using software that would remotely capture photographs from webcams on students' computers when the laptops were reported lost or stolen. That software did not enable an administrator to remotely take photographs via the webcam on command, rather it collected images automatically.

DOJ Won't File Charges in School Webcam Spying Case - PCWorld Business Center.

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EPA Considering Lead Ammo Ban

Several environmentalist groups led by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) are petitioning the EPA to ban lead bullets and shot (as well as lead sinkers for fishing) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Although EPA is barred by statute from controlling ammunition, CBD is seeking to work farther back along the manufacturing chain and have EPA ban the use of lead in bullets and shot because non-lead alternatives are available. But here's the catch: the alternatives to lead bullets are more expensive. A ban on the sale of lead ammunition would force hunters and sport shooters to buy non-lead ammunition that is often double the cost of traditional lead ammunition.  A box of deer hunting bullets in a popular caliber could be upwards of $55.

Although the EPA could have dismissed the request due to a lack of jurisdiction, it is obliging CBD. The EPA has asked for public comment on banning lead in ammunition, and an EPA notice was published seeking public comment that closes on October 31. Jackson would then make a decision to accept or reject the petition on November 1. You might say that even considering enacting what is effectively a new tax on hunters and gun owners--

. . .

The NSSF estimates that more than 90 percent of hunters and sport shooters use traditional lead ammunition. If all hunters were forced to buy non-lead bullets that are made out of metals like tungsten, bismuth, and copper alloys, demand could easily begin to outstrip the supply and prices would go even higher.

As I heard someone I know say once, "There's a way around everything."  Banning guns is difficult in this country, so the way to get around that is to make the ammunition extremely expensive, scarce, or downright difficult to buy. 

Environmental Protection Agency Reviewing Petition to Ban Lead Bullets

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Jerry Springer: President Obama's 'excellent'

Jerry Springer on President Obama:

a lot of people have health insurance now that didn't have health insurance before, God bless that.

Really?  Who are these people?  Please tell me if you know someone that now has insurance thanks to Obama. via Jerry Springer: President Obama's 'excellent' - PATRICK GAVIN | POLITICO CLICK.

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Meeting for New Homeschoolers

Clay-Platte Home Educators (CPHE) will be conducting an informational meeting for new homeschoolers, homeschoolers new to the area, those considering homeschooling, or those investigating homeschooling at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, August 31, 2010, at the North Kansas City Library.

Veteran homeschoolers will discuss topics such as:
    How to homeschool
    Who can homeschool
    Missouri law
    Record keeping
    . . . and more.

Do you have questions about homeschooling?  Please come join us for this informal, educational meeting and get your questions answered.

    New Homeschool Orientation Meeting
    7:00 pm, Tuesday, August 31, 2010
    North Kansas City Library, 2251 Howell Street, North Kansas City, MO 64116
    Downstairs meeting room.

Map:

View Larger Map

  If you have any questions, please let me know.

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Two Free Passes to JBF

I took all but one of my 214 items to drop off at the sale tonight.  After I had gone through inspection and put everything in its place, we realized that one item had gotten left at home--one of those baby bouncers.  It's one thing that I really want to get rid of because it's huge and taking up a lot of space. 

The great thing about consignor drop off is that it's an opportunity to peek around. A pre pre-sale so to speak.  There were so many great items that I wanted to load my rack up and start shopping right then.  There are separate racks for Christmas outfits, Halloween costumes, and winter coats and snowsuits.  So, if you are in the market for any of those things, you can go directly to their racks.  Some of the Christmas dresses were amazing.

It's going to be a great sale.  There's lots of great items at affordable prices.

Another great thing about consignor drop off is that I have 2 free passes for Saturday.  So, if you're interested in getting in for free on Saturday, let me know and we'll work out the details.  Please don't take the coupon unless you will use it.  It has my name and consignor number on it and I will be entered for a drawing when you use it.

Details for the sale are here.

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Just Between Friends Northland Fall/Winter Sale This Weekend

This is just a reminder that the sale starts this Friday!  It is not too late to sign up so you can get into the presale (deadline is Thursday night) or to sign up as a consigner (deadline is tonight).  Please use my name (Lori Camper) as a reference if you do sign up.  Bring a gently used stuffed animal on Saturday and get in free!  Below are the details.

 

Just Between Friends Northland Fall/Winter Sale
Is This Weekend!!!!


Saturday, August, 28^th  9AM-7PM
Sunday, August 29^th  9AM-3PM
with our exclusive presale on Friday, August 27^th
Visit the website for all the details, www.jbfsale.com/nkc

KCI Expo Center
11730 N Ambassador Dr
Kansas City, MO 64153  
(click here for directions)

In addition to all the bargains you will find, we have lots of fun things planned, so I hope your making plans to join us.

Saturday morning, we will be giving away, Chick-Fil-A "free sandwich coupons" for the 1^st 100 shoppers (18 & older) in the door (good at the Liberty location). 

From 1pm-3pm, 2009 Kansas City's Magician of the year Reggie Gray

will be performing 10-20 min acts live at the sale. Click here for more details.


Sunday is our "half-off" day!  Tons of items will be

marked at 50% off the already low prices! 

"Games 2 U" -the newest party on wheels will be in the parking lot with

their state-of the-art Mobile Video Game Theater from 10:00 AM- Noon.

Come bring your kids and play as long as you would like.


Just a Reminder:

The last day to sign up to be a consignor is today, Tuesday at 11:59pm
The last day to sign up to attend the presale as a first-time parent/teacher/daycare manager is Thursday at 11:59pm

If you would like to be one of the first to shop the sale, we still have some key volunteer shifts we are needing to fill.  Volunteers shop first at the presale.  If you are a consignor and you volunteer at least 4 hrs at the sale, you get an additional
5% on your sold items.
We still need a few volunteers for consignor drop off on Thursday and Friday,

a few for Saturday morning/afternoon, and also on Sunday morning.  

If you can help in any of these areas, click here to sign up today!

I have included a coupon to get in FREE on Saturday the 28^th.  We will also be collecting "New" or "Gently Used" stuffed animals and toys for the Kansas City Police Department   The stuffed animals will be used in the patrol cars and the toys will be used at the Domestic Violence Center.  If you bring one of these items in, it will also get you in FREE of charge on Saturday.  Please help us with this worthy cause!





Help me spread the word about JBF in the Northland!  Feel free to pass this email on to family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors! 

JBF is just too good to keep to ourselves!!!

Let me know if you have any questions.

See you soon!
Leslie Miller

JBF—Northland
816.220.5569  

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Kansas Driveway Tax=Job Killer

The city of Mission, Kansas, has now introduced a "driveway tax."  That's right, you heard me . . .

The new fee is aimed at properties that produce the most traffic and put the most wear and tear on roads. Big-box stores are going to be charged more than residential homes, which don't generate as much traffic.

This is not a cheap fee.  If you're corporate America, you're the bad guy and they're going to get you!  This fee will cost

every homeowner $72 a year and small businesses $3,558 a year beginning in December. Larger businesses that generate lots of traffic, such as Mission Bank, could pay $5,659 a year. A drive-thru fast food restaurant could pay $12,200 a year. Target could pay as much as $64,750 annually.

Of course, we're all paying all kinds of taxes on the fuel that we put into our cars.  And what are those taxes for?  To pay for road improvements.  Kansans are paying 43.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and even more per gallon of diesel for road improvements.  And, gee, those that drive more and use more fuel are going to pay higher taxes.  Sounds fair to me.  With this tax, the little old lady that goes to town once a week for groceries is going to pay just as much as her next door neighbors that drive to work every day and have two teenagers with cars. People and businesses should not be punished for generating traffic.  That traffic means jobs!  Jobs for the people that refine and deliver the gasoline.  Jobs for the convenience store personnel.  Jobs for the people at the places these drivers are visiting such as the fast food restaurants, the bank, and Target.  These businesses are not just going to absorb the cost.  They will let people go to compensate for the higher taxes.  And that little old lady that now has to pay $72 more in taxes a year?  That's fewer trips to the grocery store or fewer trips for a treat at her favorite fast food place.  Less volume for these places will again mean less jobs.  More and more taxes create a vicious cycle that does nothing more than kill jobs which in turn means less tax revenue. via Mission City Council approves 'driveway tax' to fund roads - KansasCity.com.

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Senator DeMint and "Secret Bills"

In this video from May 2010, Senator Jim DeMint warns how 94% of the bills in the senate pass in secret by unanimous consent without anyone actually reading the bill.

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City Requires Bloggers to Buy Business License

This is ridiculous.  I'm sure most bloggers make absolutely nothing off of their blogs.  If they do, then it's their responsibility to report their earnings. Perhaps the city is looking for funds where ever they think they can get them.  I think it's more likely that this is their attempt to silence bloggers. Philly requiring bloggers to pay $300 for a business license | Washington Examiner.

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Obama's 49th

For his 49th birthday, President Barack Obama treated himself to a game of hoops with a team of NBA all-stars. . . . While President Obama's wife and younger daughter were conducting international relations in Majorca on Sunday with Spain's King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, the commander in chief was at home hosting a fantasy camp for himself. He and his buddies had a birthday weekend barbecue and basketball game with LeBron James, Alonzo Mourning, Magic Johnson and other legends of the sport. The day before, it was a four-hour golf outing for Obama and the boys. On Monday, he hosted the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints at the White House and talked about his own exploits on the gridiron last year with Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

I can't wait to see what he does for his 50th birthday.  Maybe Michelle will take him to Spain or something of that sort. via Dana Milbank - The jock in chief, getting his fill of sports?.

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Obama: Job Creator

At a time when jobs are hard to find and unemployment is in the double digits, your tax dollars are going to create new jobs.  That sounds pretty exciting, except that the jobs are in Sri Lanka and Armenia.

"This action is contradictory* to Obama's commitment to create jobs and revitalize the American economy," said Rennie Sawade, a spokesperson for WashTech, a Communications Workers of America affiliate that represents IT professionals. "Any taxpayer money that is appropriated to train workers to take American jobs should, without question, be directed toward the unemployed and the underemployed in this country," said Sawade.

Taxpayer money should NEVER be used to train workers to take American jobs.

*a proposition so related to another that if either of the two is true the other is false and if either is false the other must be true.  Gee, I think that would make Obama a liar.

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Dog Saves Michigan Man's Life by Chewing Off His Toe

Talk about a best friend!  Who else would do this for you?  This also brings a whole new meaning to the words "doggie bone." Dog Saves Michigan Man's Life by Chewing Off His Toe - Health News | Current Health News | Medical News - FOXNews.com.

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Freedom of Worship

Chuck Colson is sounding the alarm: The government—at the highest levels—may be attempting to redefine the very meaning of religious freedom. If what Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said in a recent speech reflects a new direction in government policy, it seems the aim is clear: To kick faith out of the public square, to send Christians into the closet.

via Freedom of Worship: an anorexic description of our rights.

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