GreeleyReport.com - Greeley's New Media balance

The Church You Paid For

Problematic Islam just won't go away.  Whether it's the latest report of the U.S. born and CSU-educated radical Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki being killed in Yemen, while organizing yet another attack on the U.S. or the "man/musician" that wanted to blow apart the White House (you know, the one the mainstream news media doesn't want to call a Muslim, but he is one), Muslims remain in the news for their beliefs, their "peace-loving" mindset, and their jihad.

But there is one thing you may not know.  You are actively building churches around the world.  In reality they are called mosques, and you are paying for them.  According to a recent article, you and I have been charged $770 million to build, repair and restore mosques.  You may or may not go to church, believe in God or have a faith of your own.  But you are paying for mosques.  That's right.  You!  The U.S. government is taking your money, and giving it to Islam.

Consider what would happen if a local church or synagogue were to receive Federal funding to restore or refurbish their building so that Jews or Christians could worship.  Would the ACLU scream out against it?  Absolutely!  Yet their double-standard says nothing about this multi-million dollar foray into Islam by the Feds.  (They also carry this double-standard into their court cases, supporting Muslim students in their quest to pray in schools while ignoring the plight of Christians and other religions.)

What are Senators Bennet and Udall doing about this?  Nothing.  What is Corey Gardner doing?  Not a thing.  This is not pocket change, and they should be outraged.  The gross disparity is weighted toward supporting the very enemies of state that want to destroy us.  How stupid.  it sounds like something Obama and the state department would support, and they do.

(Link here for article on finances spent by the Federal Government on mosques.)

(Link here for article and U.S. born and educated Muslim cleric.)

Actually, He Was Right

The liberal media demonized Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck in his run for U.S. Senate when he said he would like to see the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution repealed.  His opponent socialist Democrat Michael Bennet also hammered him because he presumed the will of the people would be ignored if the repeal occurred and the Senatorial power was returned to the states.  As it turns out, Mr. Buck was right.

Today Federal lobbyists ply their trade in Washingon, D.C., operating out of offices on K Street.  This area is known as "Gucci Gulch," based on their love of expensive, Italian footwear.  It seems the K Street lobbying firms have a new client these days, and it's a growing business.  What is this "client" that pays lobbyists to represent them at the Federal level?  it is state and local government.  According to a recent Washington Times article, spending is up three hundred percent in the last decade from these governmental areas.  In 1999, state and local government spent a total of $21 billion to lobby the Federal government.  In 2009 this amount had increased to $84 billion.  Guess where the billions came from?  You!  These are tax dollars that are spent by lobbyists to ask the Federal government to help your state or city in particular pieces of legislation.

Our Founders original intent was that the people's representative would be elected to the House of Representatives.  But the state's representative would be the U.S. Senator.  These reps would guard the sovereignty of the state and local governments, thereby limiting the power of the Federal government.  However, since U.S. Senators are now elected by the people as well, this check to the system has been eliminated.  While you may think lobbyists to be evil, in all reality someone on K Street is probably doing a better job of representing you and your interests right now than Senators Udall and Bennett.

Consider their voting records and views.  Both are pro-debt ceiling, pro-patriot act, pro-socialist medicine, pro-environmental control and regulation, pro-education department, pro-gun control (and taking your weapons while the ATF gives them to drug dealers), pro-union, and pro-regulation.  No wonder you need a lobbyist to represent you.  How sad.

The system is broken.  Ken Buck was right.  Senators need to represent the affairs of state and local government.  The amount of $84 billion comes from our taxes, and should be a big, fat zero instead.  Which K Street lobbyist is representing your interests?  You might be surprised.  (Link here to Washington Times article.)

Obama Goes To The Bank

This note is from a regular Greeley Report reader, with a bit of commentary at the end.

Barack Obama walks into the bank to cash a check. "Good morning, Ma'am," he greets the cashier, "could you please cash this check for me?"
 
"It would be my pleasure, sir. Could you please show me your ID?"
 
"Truthfully, I did not bring my ID with me as I didn't think there was any need to. I am President Barack Obama, the president of the United States of America!"
 
"Yes, sir, I know who you are, but with all the regulations, monitoring of the banks because of impostors and forgers, etc, I must insist on seeing ID."
 
"Just ask anyone here at the bank who I am and they will tell you. Everybody knows who I am."
 
"I am sorry Mr. President but these are the bank rules and I must follow them."
"I am urging you please to cash this check."
 
"Ok, this is what we can do Mr. President: One day Tiger Woods came into the bank without ID. To prove he was Tiger Woods he pulled out his putting iron and made a beautiful shot across the bank into a cup. With that shot we knew him to be Tiger Woods and cashed his check. Another time, Andre Agassi came in without ID. He pulled out his tennis racquet and made a fabulous shot, making the tennis ball land in my cup. With that spectacular shot we cashed his check. So, Mr. President, what can you do to prove that it is you, and only you, as the president of the United States?"
 
Obama stands there thinking and finally says, "Honestly, there is nothing that comes to my mind. I can't think of a single thing I'm good at."
 
"Will that be large or small bills, Mr. President?"

The serious point is that Obama couldn't open a bank account with the documents he has provided to the United States.  His social security number is flagged by e-Verify as fraudulent, his supposed birth certificate is photoshopped, his private life is held under lock and key (and kept there by paying attorneys more than $2 million, to date), his Aunt and his Drunkle are both illegals, and he has surrounded himself with thugs that want to slam America into being a part of the global-socialist cabal.  We need to do more than throw him out of the bank.  He needs to have Immigration visit his office and demand to see proof of citizenship, or they should deport him. 

About Your New Gun Purchase

Greeley Report is checking in with you, to ask how you like your new firearms purchase.  You may wonder about the question, claiming you didn't buy a gun.  But you did.  In fact, you bought several.  They aren't in your hands or in your house however, and they may be used against you.  Where are these guns, and who bought and sold them?  The United States government sold them to the Sinaloa drug cartel, after purchasing them with your money, your tax dollars.  They spent $1.2 million dollars to provide guns to the drug dealers and thugs.  Are you angry yet?

Among the guns you purchased are AK-47's and semi-automatic Draco pistols.  You can't have them in your house, though.  You would have to pass a background check, and have the government clear your name for purchase.  Instead, these guns were sold undercover to criminals.  Most of them are completely missing, but some have already been traced to crimes in the United States.  The Southern Border is leaking like a sieve, and gangs are using the guns you bought to ply their trade between Mexico and the U.S.  Are you satisfied with your purchase?

The mainstream media is slowly beginning to pick up the story, but groups like the National Association for Gun Rights (link here to their site for the latest news and information) have been pushing for investigation and prosecution of the criminals inside our government.  This scandal is larger than Watergate ever was, and reaches into the highest levels of government.  It must be exposed.  After all, you bought a gun and put it in the hands of a criminal.  You may be looking down a gun-barrel if you don't stand up, and soon.

Propaganda

On Wednesday children with gather and use the technology you and I paid for in classrooms, gyms and cafeterias, to watch a nationally streamed broadcast.  In a live simulcast from the White House, Barack Obama will address your children and grandchildren directly, telling them to be good, work hard, trust the government, and support his socialist jobs bill.  In all seriousness, one doesn't know what he will say, and his comments may be quite harmless.  But the idea of national leaders addressing our children is not a new one, and it was used in a dangerous fashion years ago.

One of the most successful examples of the national government stepping into children's lives was revealed in Nazi Adolph Hitler, prior to and during World War II.  Hitler was more than happy to supplant parents, local teachers, and any other realm of leadership.  Statism was big in Germany, and Hitler was at the helm.  Parallels to the current administration are very clear, and Obama is employing an old trend to try and foist old socialist lies on a new generation.  Find out if your children or grandchildren will be in the class that participates in this nonsense.  Contact the school and opt out.  Listen to the speech yourself (link here to the White House streaming site) (and link here to an info sheet from the White House), and then discuss it with your child.  This keeps you in control, not the government.  The tactic is subtle, but then again that's the way propaganda works.

District 6: Why Is It Important?

Imagine for a moment that you had a job where you could get regular pay raises, benefits and stability for years, without any measurable improvement in your achievements.  You could perform at a low level while demanding people recognize you for high-grade performance.  Sounds stupid?  Yes.  And yet it happens every day here in the Greeley/Evans area.

Weld County District 6 is the third largest employer in Weld County.  It is also one of the worst-performing school districts in Colorado.  Let's take a look at some of their own statistics and see if we can understand some of the issues.  Each one of these stats is directly available from District 6 itself.

• Between 2007 and 2010 English Learning students went from a proficiency level of 35.9 percent to 50 percent.  That is a 15.1 percent increase in four years!  Excellent!  Apparently those in the program (teachers and students) were highly motivated to teach and to learn.

• Student attendance in District 6 increased from 91 percent to 93 percent, a 2 percent increase between 2006 and 2010.  These stats show a commitment to be in school by the student.  Excellent once again!

• Student engagement, where students are queried regarding their engagement in learning, has been measured on a scale of 1-5 for the past 3 years.  The three years (2008-2010) have measured high at 3.9 to 3.91 out of five.  Students are engaged in their learning process.

• Students that graduate "on time," based on four years of school attendance beginning in 9th grade have been tracked for 2 years (based on adjusted national standards conformity).  In 2009 only 65.3 percent of 4 year students graduated.  In 2010 this declined to 64.2 percent.  Roughly 35 percent of District 6 students do not graduate on time, or at all.

• Reading:  District 6 students have been measured consistently between 2006-2010 in their reading achievements.  Those reading at a proficient or advanced level were 54.2 percent in 2006.   In 2010 this had increased to only 58.3 percent, a mere 4.1 percent increase.  Reading is a fundemantal teaching mandate.  This is clearly a failing grade.

• Writing:  District 6 students were also measured for their writing skills between 2006-2010.  Writing at a proficient or advanced level stood at 42 percent in 2006; in 2010 it shows a 42.8 percent proficiency rate.  This is appalling, with less than 1 percent improvement in 5 years.

• Math:  Math is even worse.  In 2006 proficiency scores were listed at 37.8 percent.  In 2010 this had "climbed to 41.1 percent, a 2.3 percent climb over 5 years.  Disgusting.

• Science:  District 6 plummets to the bottom in science.  Scores in 2008 measured at 29.5 percent proficiency, and had risen a mere 1 percent to 30.5 percent in 2010.  Even in the best year, 70 percent of District 6 students were below proficient in science!

• To enter college a student must take the ACT or SAT test.  District 6 11th graders scored at a 17.4 on the ACT in 2006.  In 2010 they scored a 17.9.  Most colleges require a minimum of 20 to be accepted at entrance.  Various community colleges have remedial programs to assist students in advancing their career desires.  So District 6 has been bailed out by AIMS Community College and others, while they failed students locally in the K-12 arena.
  

• One aspect of District 6 works very well.  In 2009 94 percent of parents surveyed were satisfied with District 6.  This climbed 1 percent to 95 percent in 2010.  The students are attending, engaged, and the parents are satisfied.  Yet within the 4 walls of the school compound the results are failing at every level.  Every one.

Do we need better educated teachers?  Forty percent of District 6 teachers have master's degrees.  More than 99 percent of District 6 teachers are rated as highly qualified.  Do we need more food?  You and I pay for free or reduced priced meals for 60 percent of the students.  They can eat well if they choose.

What about money?  According to the District 6 2010 Financial Report the net revenues generated for 2010 were more than $172 million.  That's right!  They may have cut $4 million, but that is really a drop in the bucket compared to what they receive from various sources.  District 6 takes tax money from every person in the region, whether your child or grandchild attends one of their schools, or not.  They spend that money as they decide, and you have little or no say in that matter.  (So don't let them tell you that it's none of your business unless you are a parent to a District 6 child.)

So let's get something straight.  We are paying District 6 administration leaders huge amounts of money to continue to fail, or make small, incremental changes, while they tell us how hard they are working and how well things are (when they are not).  We believe in the children, support the teachers, and try to do what we can to stay out of their way.  And the system remains broken.  When businesses and families look at Greeley in comparison to neighboring communities, it's no wonder they locate in Loveland, Eaton or elsewhere.  Yet, most of the attention of the District 6 board is pointed toward hindering charter schools and choice, supporting a failing administration, and constantly pushing for more money from you and me.

This is why the District 6 race is critical.  Many of the candidates are socialist democrats or retreads.  Suzanne Doerner, Richard Reillly, Marlene Schuman, Ed Spindler, Julia Richard, Valerie Leal-Whitehead and Tannis Bator are all Democrats and will definitely want more money (they all support Prop 103), and a liberal agenda that stands against charter schools, etc.  Lidiak has run and lost before, and is not solid on conservative issues such as voting against Prop 103.  Daviet seems to be stuck on one issue only (curriculum) and may face legal issues with her petition gathering process.  Incumbents Hinze and Richardson are far too supportive of the failing system as incumbents.  Listen to Hinze speak long enough and he will tell you his single issue is to support the current, problematic administration.

This leaves a small group of candidates that must do something to turn District 6 around.  They are: Bret Elliott, Logan Richardson, Tim Pike, Geoff Broughton and Scott Rankin (2 year position candidate).  They will have a highly qualified staff at the school/classroom level.  They will have engaged students.  Everything else should be on the table including calling the current administration to task.  It's that important to this region, and for the lives of the more than 19,000 students they will touch in a significant way.

Who Is Buying? Selling?

We have all heard about insider trading, where various executives, politicians and friends are tipped off to hot investment deals.  They make huge profits from their purchases and subsequent sales.  So, what is going on in the market today with buying and selling?  Who is fueling the upturns (and downturns) that fluctuate wildly?

Corporate insiders are running from the stock markets today like rats running from a sinking ship.  According to MarketWatch, insiders normally invest upwards of $100 million per day.  Recently they have only invested $13M per day.  In fact, insiders are selling $7 of stock for every $1 purchase they make.  What do they know?

They know the cash cow that has fueled America has run dry.  Their businesses are seeing a decrease in traffic.  Consequently, they have fewer demands for goods or services.  Federal, State and local governments receive fewer tax dollars.  Business profits go down.  The global economy languishes because it has been built on greed.  And they know which companies may be in trouble.

Business investors also understand the fact that the mortgage crisis is far from over.  In fact, many large banks such as Bank of America are teetering on the edge of destruction.  The housing market has exposed one facet of the problem, but the commercial mortgage debacle is ten times greater and has yet to be exposed. This in itself could destroy the economy.

Barack Obama is now facing three major scandals of his own, with Fast and Furious gunn-running, the Solyndra scandal and now LightSquared.  (All three involve high-level cabinet members and criminal activity that could be impeachable offenses.)  The Federal budget is facing yet another crisis the end of September, and U.S. House members are wrangling over details of the Obama (lack of) jobs plan that is rife with government corruption.  On the outside of the nation, Greece will default soon (followed by Spain and other nations), and the U.S. Federal Reserve has pledged an unlimited supply of money for them.  Where does that come from?  Business investors know.

This year any "October Surprise" may not be so much a surprise as much as the acknowledgement of the fact that the chickens are coming home to roost.  But in September, those that know are getting out of the markets.  You might want to be aware.

Paul?

It's interesting to note what news media outlets choose to say and also avoid as they report "the facts."  The late author and Russian dissedent Alexander Solzhenitsyn noted that in the USSR there was one media outlet controlled by the government.  In the USA the outlets were supposedly free, but all said the same thing.  He wondered if there was really a difference.

So when all of the major news media outlets begin to avoid the same story, it makes my ears perk up.  The story of the early Republican presidential primary has not been about Perry (even though he has scrupulously stonewalled the National Association for Gun Rights questionnaire), Romney, or even about Herman Cain.  The story nobody wants is all about...Paul.

Ron Paul has done better consistently than any other Republican contender.  This weekend he decisively won the California straw poll with a double-digit lead over the closest contender.  He did well in Iowa and other states.  His support nationwide has doubled in the past two weeks, putting him in the top tier of candidates.  And yet the news media wants to talk about Romney versus Perry.  What about Michele Bachmann?  What about Ron Paul?  What about some of the others?  If this story is being avoided, the mainstream is scared of it.  They don't want him to get close to the White House.  Perhaps we need to pay attention to the things they don't want, and don't say.

This is a clear-cut example of why the internet and alternative media is not only nice to have; it is critical.  We may not agree, but we should at least think!  And we need information from various sources to make informed decisions.  The idiots will still tune into the mainstream and let others do their thinking for them.  Blogging and alternative media continues to grow, and the liberals and RINO's had better worry.

Kiss The Brass Ring

Thanks to Greeley Report readers and your insights.  You are the eyes and ears of this region and you do great work!

A Greeley Report reader recently sent information to Sam Hill about an 80-year-old resident of Greeley that ran afoul of the law.  More than 40 years ago this woman put the bulk of her yard in rock, to save on water fees and maintenance issues.  However now the city of Greeley has contacted her.  They threatened to fine her up to $1,000 because her property didn't meet city codes.  Greeley now demands you use water.  Codes stipulate you must have 50 percent live plantings in your yard or you violate their laws, even though the natural climate of this area is arid and high prairie.

When the family met with the city, they decided to give this family a "hardship exemption."  The elderly woman can keep her landscaping as long as she lives in the house, or until it sells someday.  How nice.  Are we to kiss the brass ring of the tyrants?  There are several problems here, and I will mention two.

First, we talk about water and it's expense all the time.  There is a move afoot to try and generate more water rights for Northern Colorado, and the costs of these projects are huge.  This woman is being penalized because she uses too little water!  Something is wrong.

Secondly, this woman is being penalized by the city over landscaping.  She doesn't run a junkyard.  She has merely landscaped her private property to accomodate her lifestyle as an older woman that needs a low-maintenance yard.  The city has now taken over her freedom and replaced it with tyranny.  They tell her what to do on her property.  Furthermore, because of city codes, this property must now be renovated if and when this woman or her family sells or rents it.  It must come into compliance with existing city codes.  These taxes and fees are imposed at the local level, and it shows just how controlling code enforcement is over city business, homes and property.  Greeley needs to losen up or it will continue to lose residents and business.

Government is always a delicate balance of law and order, and liberty and self-determination.  These codes have gone to far.  What will Mayor Norton and the City Council do about this?  Nothing.  Why?  Because you haven't shown up in their offices or at city council meetings.  The old adage is true.  When politicians feel the heat, they see the light!  Until then, kiss the brass ring of tyranny.  It lives on.

Green Or Greed?

Today, let's read a little political fable together.  Once upon a time President George W. Bush was approached by his oil buddies.  They wanted more money from the government, and he wanted to push big oil as his agenda.  So the little oil companies bundled together their campaign contributions during his election cycle and got him into the White House.  After he got there, they visited him more than 20 times and asked for hundreds of millions of dollars in kickbacks to their companies.  Government accountants and agences advised him against it, but Bush did it anyway.  He gave away more than $500 million to one company alone that knew it was about to go bankrupt.  It was being mismanaged by leadership, but it provided a really nice series of photo opportunities.  Besides, Bush had his own agenda for energy in this nation and nothing was going to stand in the way.  Bush didn't do this once.  He worked more than 40 companies in this same manner.  Dirty Texas politics.  Right?  WRONG!

The story is actually true, but the dirty politics come from Illinois.  The President is Obama, the energy agenda is green and solar, and the details are revealed in the excellent work Michelle Malkin is doing (and the discoveries the conservatives in the U.S. House of Representatives are making).  If the news media decides to reluctantly cover this "little story," this in itself could be an impeachable offense.  Let's see.  Socialized medicine, choosing to avoid deporting illegals, no birth certificate, kickbacks to business friends.  Is this a conservative?  No, it's a socialist liberal in office.  Impeach him!

Links To Associated Stories Below:

Green jobs company Solyndra squandered $535 million in stimulus money

Solyndra Not Sole Firm To Hit Rock Bottom

And The Rockets Red Glare...

U.S. Border Patrol agents have found a number of weapons along the Rio Grande River recently, including several "high powered" rifles and a rocket launcher.  No word has been given on whether any of these weapons were sold by the U.S. government to illegal thugs yet, but it wouldn't be a surprise if they were traced back to the administration in D.C.

So let's get this straight.  Obama hates the fact that you can own firearms, including those so-called "assault weapons."  But he will allow his administration to sell them to Mexican drug dealers, who then use them against U.S. Border Patrol agents.  When these thugs get even larger weapons, you are the ones restricted while they flaut every law in the books.  Maybe groups like the National Association for Gun Rights (link here) should continue to keep the heat on Obama.  It's obvious he will use every trick in the book to try and strip away your rights (including the U.N. Small Arms Treaty).  And the thugs along the border do come northward, as most of the thinking people in Colorado well know.  (Link here to associated article.)

Trouble

Jean Daviet is one of four people running for the 2 year position available on the District 6 school board in the upcoming election.  She is a nice person and believes she could make a difference.  But she has a problem.  According to information revealed in a recent Greeley Gazette article, she may have improperly gathered signatures that would put her on the ballot.  (Link here to article.)  Yes, it was probably an oversight.  But it was still wrong.

Undoubtedly the liberals are salivating over the prospect of her election.  If she wins, they can challenge her eligibility in court.  They can also talk about the seeming double-standard of Republicans (yes, she is one).  Her supporters are understandably upset.  They may lose a good candidate because of an honest mistake.  But what can be done?

We are a nation of laws, and like it or not this has occurred.  Ms. Daviet is probably going to be ineligible.  That leaves two liberal, tax-hiking spenders campaigning for that opening and one solid conservative in Scott Rankin.  Campaign laws may be confusing, especially to those entering the arena for the first time.  It's a prime example of the reason why good people ought to be making the laws and everyone ought to obey them.

One Answer Says A Lot

Yesterday the candidates for Weld District 6 School Board answered questions and spoke briefly at a meet-the-candidates lunch at Randy's All American Grill.  When asked about whether they would support Proposition 103, a ballot question that would raise taxes at the state level (presumably so that more money would be sent to education), their answers said a great deal.  Here are the breakdowns of their responses.

• No - opposed to the tax increase:  Bret Elliott, Geoff Broughton, Scott Rankin, Logan Richardson, Tim Pike, Mark Hinze, Jean Daviet.

• Yes - supporting the tax increase:  Suzanne Doerner, Marlene Schuman, Ed Spindler, Julia Richard, Lalerie Leal-Whitehead, Tannis Bator.

• Undecided: Doug Lidiak.

Well, that narrows the field.

• For the two year opening only Scott Rankin, a local businessman, and Jean Daviet, a wedding planner said no to raising your taxes.  Rankin stated openly that we needed to work with what we already have.

• In the four year slots (three are open), five candidates opposed the tax hike.  Incumbent Mark Hinze stated that District 6 needed more money, but this was not the way to get it.  Logan Richardson said that he is a "local government guy," and that local groups should be solicited if more funds are needed.  Tim Pike postulated that the money doesn't get to the students.  Bret Elliott stated the fact that we spend too much already.  Geoff Broughton published his "no" on his facebook page with an explanation mirroring that of fiscal conservatives.

It appears that if you want to keep District 6 from pushing its way into your wallet yet again, there are only two choices for the 2 year term.  Of the five candidates for the 4 year term, Hinze still wants more money for the District despite the fact they are given tens of millions every year already.  This leaves only four viable candidates in that realm.  One question narrowed the field from fifteen to a very small group.  By the end of September, it will be clear who wants to work for you, and who has an agenda in mind that would gladden the hearts of socialists and those that like business as usual.  Stay tuned!

Poudre Schools Speaks

Two weeks ago Greeley Report released a photo snapped at Bauder Elementary School in Ft. Collins, that showed a Saudi Arabian flag elevated above the U.S. flag.  After outcries from the general public this was resolved, but questions remained.  Now, Poudre Schools has released responses to Greeley Report questions concerning school teaching of the students and their philosophies regarding this incident.  They are published below.

Question: It seems the flag was moved by someone within the school itself.  Has that person and/or motive been identified?  If so, who and what are they?

Answer:  The school and district continue to investigate the situation.  At this time, we do not know who moved the flag or why. Once the unusual placement was discovered, the flag was put back in its customary location.

Question:  Bauder Elementary is a school with a great number of children from various nations.  However, they are a U.S. school funded by taxpayer dollars, responsible for training students of U.S. citizens about patriotism and American allegiance to this nation first.  Is the pledge of allegiance to the U.S. flag observed daily?  How is American patriotism taught in this multicultural environment?

Answer:  Schools in Poudre School District recite the Pledge of Allegiance aloud daily, in compliance with Colorado state law.  American patriotism is taught via the social studies curriculum through engagement of  student learning in teaching about our country's rich history, struggles and triumphs both at home and abroad.

Question:  What type of communication was released to the administration, staff and parents regarding this flag incident?  How was this communicated to the students?  What were they taught?

Answer:  A letter was sent home to all Bauder parents regarding the incident.  Principal Brian Carpenter held a staff meeting on Tuesday to discuss the situation with all staff members.  The incident was not discussed with students themselves.  Rather parents were encouraged to discuss it with their children if they chose.

Question: Since the Saudi Arabian flag contains the statement that Muslims use to embrace the Islamic faith in it's inscription (and the flag and the sword are wholly Islamic as well), this is a religious flag in every respect.  Will the flags of other faiths and ideologies be displayed as well?

Answer:  The Saudi Arabian flag is a national flag of a country.  Regardless of the religion that the country embraces, the flag is representative of the nation state.  As you know, our country was founded on the principal of separation of church and state.  As such, we do not teach about specific religious ideologies.  Our curriculum does, however, include historical teachings as they pertain to global religions (ie. The Crusades was a historical event that was steeped in religious ideology.)

Our policy regarding teaching religion in schools states:

"Instruction should include the understanding of religions and cultures and their similarities, diversities, histories, and contributions.  Such teaching should be factual, and any doctrinal impact should be avoided.

In this effort, teachers are the key.  Their manner and sincerity in seeking greater religious and cultural understanding are crucial to success.

Instruction should acknowledge the multicultural society.  Focus should be on the similarities and differences of religions and cultures without treating differences as novelties.

In providing information, teachers should draw upon community resources.  Students should not be expected to represent a group unless they are comfortable doing so.

The Poudre R-1 schools and each individual should work to bring about better religious and cultural understanding.

The curriculum and instruction division should provide assistance with religious and cultural education.  Particular help should be made available in the fields of music, art, social studies, language arts, and bilingual education.  The district's media center should be a resource.

Principals shall be encouraged to lead in-service activities at their sites.  The emphasis of the in-service training should be focused upon the crucial role of the classroom teacher both as a behavioral example and as the instructional leader.

Above all, a meaningful effort toward achieving a sensitive understanding of people regardless of religion, culture, or race demands a dedication of each individual to that end."

What Is Poudre Teaching The Children At Bauder?

Greeley Report continues to wait for Bauder Elementary and Poudre Schools to respond to the list of questions submitted to them about their ideologies and training within the school itself.  Many news channels are happy to report that the principal fixed the flag and everything is sunshine and roses.  However, since the Saudi Arabian flag is one hundred percent Islamic in it's ideology and symbolism, there must be clarification as to how patriotism and U.S. issues are taught in this "international school."  So far, no response from Poudre Schools.

A few of the comments from you, the reader, have been stellar.  Several veterans have weighed in.  You know the value of the flag more than anyone, and have been wounded and endured hardship so that the U.S. flag may remain at the pinnacle, representing the USA.  Thank you.  Others have written from various parts of Europe, thanking Greeley Report for taking this issue seriously.  One reader said, "We didn't take things like this seriously fifteen years ago.  Now it's too late and the United States is the only hope left in the world.  Keep on fighting this fight.  You are doing it for all of us that still believe in freedom and true liberty."

Several readers made salient points.  One wondered openly if the Saudis would mind if the flag of Israel was flown beside theirs.  Would that create an international incident if it were published?  Greeley Report has asked if the school will accept ideological flags (e.g., the Christian flag, flags of various religions, etc.), since the Saudi flag is completely Islamic and includes the Muslim embrace of Islam on its standard.  Finally, one person commented about the fact that Poudre Schools seemed to be more concerned with protecting the School District "brand," than they did the flag of the United States.  If they invested as much passion into standing for America as they did about their own school district image, this would truly be a non-story.

All of these comments came from you, the reader.  You are the reporters, the eyes and ears to the truth.  One of you snapped a photo, and got it to Greeley Report.  Others contacted the school, news agencies and legislators.  The U.S. flag is now hung in proper position, but Poudre Schools still needs to answer a few questions.  Let's see if they do, or if they will avoid.  That is the real core of the story, when the cameras stop rolling and the world moves on to the next headline.

Another Photo, More Questions

Poudre Schools has responded to Greeley Report with a photo of the U.S. flag reinstated to its permanent position, elevated above a field of varying national flags (it will be shown at the end of this article).  Danielle Clark, PSD spokesperson, also stated she would answer any questions Greeley Report had concerning the ongoing incident.  The questions are numerous and increasing due to recent disclosures from varying sources.  According to a parent Bauder Elementary switched to become an "international school" two years ago, and the flags representing the countries of origin for various students were hung in this U.S. school.  These students may be from other nations, but their education is funded by U.S. citizens and U.S. tax dollars.  Following is a list of questions submitted to Poudre Schools.  Greeley Report will publish the responses as they are obtained.

• It seems the flag was moved by someone within the school itself.  Has that person and/or motive been identified?  If so, who and what are they?

• Bauder Elementary is a school with a great number of children from various nations.  However, they are a U.S. school, funded by taxpayer dollars, responsible for training students of U.S. citizens about patriotism and American allegiance to this nation first.  Is the pledge of allegiance to the U.S. flag observed daily?  How is American patriotism taught in this multicultural environment?

• What type of communication was released to the administration, staff and parents regarding this flag incident?  How was this communicated to the students?  What were they taught?

• Since the Saudi Arabian flag contains the statement that Muslims use to embrace the Islamic faith in it's inscription (and the flag and the sword are wholly Islamic as well), this is a religious flag in every respect.  Will the flags of other faiths and ideologies be displayed as well?

Stay tuned.  There is more to come.

What Does The Flag Say?

The Saudi Arabian Flag elevated over the flag of the United States at Bauder Elementary last week (see article below) contains an Arabic inscription and a sword on a green background.  Everything in the flag is significant.

The Saudi flag is difficult to distinguish from the flag of the terror group Hamas, because the backgrounds of both are solid green, and they both contain an Arabic inscription.  Green is the sacred color of Islam.  It is used also on the flags of Iran and Libya because of the Islamic connections.  Other Muslim nations have green stripes or color on their respective standards.

The sword on the Saudi flag is the sword of Islamic conquest.  Muslims believe every person must convert to Islam, by force if necessary.  It doesn't matter if you are atheist, agnost, Buddhist, Christian or worship the environment.  They believe you must be Muslim, and the sword indicates their determination to either save or kill.

The inscription on the Saudi flag is the official proclamation of Islam, written in Arabic.  In English, it reads, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet."  In short, this is not merely a national flag, but a religious flag as well.

This ideology was elevated above the flag of the United States within an elementary school.  Who did it?  What message does it convey?  What is the school doing today as they teach their children?  Will they pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States?  We don't know.  They won't say.

Is It Still There?

Thanks, Greeley Report readers for your continued news tips and insights. More below.

Greeley Report broke the story last week that Bauder Elementary in Ft. Collins was flying the Saudi Arabian flag with the U.S. flag in a subservient position.  Poudre Schools states this has been fixed, but refuses to provide photo verification.  Furthermore, they refuse to answer questions about how the flag got into this position despite their allegations in the Greeley Gazette article with Jack Minor (link here) that the flag was placed in this position before the school was opened to the public.  Which administrator or staff member made the U.S. flag bow?

One comment to a previous story alluded to the fact that the Saudi Flag ascribes the highest honor to Allah, the Islamic God.  This is both a national and a religious issue.  Also not shown in the photo is the sword on the Saudi flag.  How are these issues being handled?  How are the children in this multicultural school being taught about the national sovereignty of the United States and the daily pledge of allegiance to it's flag?

Other organizations are now getting wind of the photo and the lack of answers provided by Poudre Schools.  Is the flag still there?  We don't know, because they will not provide the evidence or the answers.

Weekend Quote

"If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in five years there'd be a shortage of sand."

--Milton Friedman,
American economist and Nobel Prize recipient

Poudre May Not Have Fixed It After All

This week Greeley Report published an unedited photo snapped at Bauder Elementary school in Ft. Collins.  It showed a proudly hanging Saudi Arabian flag elevated above a drooping U.S. flag, which is not merely unpatriotic and disrespectful.  It is a violation of Federal law.  Thanks to you, the readers, Poudre Schools was contacted multiple times and claimed to have fixed the flags.  Greeley Report received an e-mail to this effect from the District, requesting we publish this information.  We did so in good faith, but also requested two items.  The first was photo verification of the present location of the flags.  The second was that a few questions be answered.  Poudre Schools has done neither of these things.  They are nothing less than arrogant.

The School District claims that the photo was snapped before school opened for the season.  This is all the more concerning.  Who put the U.S. flag in a subservient position to the Saudi Arabian flag?  It was clearly a School official.  We want to know details.   Is this subtle jihad against America?  Secondly, we discovered the school has flags from multiple nations, because of the multicultural backgrounds of the students.  What is the U.S. school teaching these students about patriotism, the United States, and the importance of the pledge of allegiance to only one flag; the flag of the United States of America?  We want to know.  How will they use this incident as a teaching moment with faculty, staff and students, to promote patriotism?  Again, we want to know.

Poudre told us they fixed the issue.  However, they have blatantly ignored both the questions and the request for a photo.  "Trust, but verify," was Ronald Reagan's mantra.  That's what we request; verification.  Contact them, and demand the truth for yourself by calling or e-mailing.  Here is their contact information.

Danielle Clark is the Director of Communications for Poudre School District.  Her e-mail address is daclark@psdschools.org.   The PSD Support Services Center can be reached at 970-482-7420.  We have cooperated in good faith.  They have done nothing.  For all we know, they are still flying the flags as shown in the original photo.  It seems they want us out of the way, so they can continue to do whatever they want.  Spread the word again.  It's time legislators, citizens, and political activists get involved.  They may still be breaking the law.