Issues dealing with the rights and problems in modern North Dakota family life and civil rights problems in general. Discussion of legal problems facing mothers, fathers and children. Information on how to handle self representation in todays family courts. Generally, I have been run through the mill more then most, but still managed to stay on top, so now I just work for the rights and freedoms of those who are not as lucky as me.

NO write-in candidates in ND?


Just finished reading the vote totals at the Secretary of State web site.   As in the earlier vote totals given in Grand Forks county I notice they don't give the totals for the write-in candidates.  Now, under state law, the election judges are not required to count write-in votes,  unless the write-in candidate has filed with the Secretary of State's Office.  But once they file with the Secretary of State, they are REAL candidates.   In this election, there were 3 write-in candidates for various state offices.  Not one of them is recorded as receiving any votes?  In other words, if you ever ran a serious write-in campaign, and won, you would never know it because the state of ND is not going to follow the its own law and count your write-in votes.  Boy, that sucks and sounds as illegal as hell as well.

Roland

Posted by: Riemers on 11/18/2008 at 11:42 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

NW to Delta, where are YOU???????

As a frequent flier it has been interesting to watch the merger of NW and Delta Airlines.   But on the practical side, it is currently a real headache for those who want to fly.   I have spent the past 3 days trying to make a simple reservation for December.   Delta.com would not allow me to make a NW flight out of Grand Forks.  NW does not like to show Delta flights.   I finally had to give up and accept just flying Delta out of Minneapolis.  So, back to Delta.com, but then Delta did not want to recognise my NW worldperks number, and when it did, it would automatically switch me from Delta.com to NWA.com.   GURRR!   So, leaving off the worldperks I was eventually able to get the flight schedule and the fare I wanted, but when I pushed the purchase button,  ERROR!   "Verify your credit card."    GURRRRRRR!  Double checked the credit card information numerous times, no problems.  So, called Delta International.   They couldn't help, so they switched me to Delta computer support.  They couldn't help so they switched me to promotional support who then switched me back to international.  At that point I gave up and called NW.  NW was finally able to solve the problem by leaving the NW system and going to the Delta system and manually pulling up each flight.  So, finally after days of sweat and tears, success.  And about time.   So, good luck to the rest of you frequent flyers out there on your next reservation out of Grand Forks.  

Oh, by the way.  For those who haven't flown Delta lately, while their computers suck, there planes are about the newest and best around.   A delight to fly in.  NW of course is crawling along with 20 year old junk, and that is why the new airline will be DELTA and not NW Airline.

Roland

Posted by: Riemers on 11/17/2008 at 10:50 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Obama wins easily

Well, as expected,  Obama won easily in the Presidential election.  I hope he does a good job now.   I was somewhat surprised though to see North Dakota go so solid for McCain while Minnesota was solid for Obama.  I was further shocked to see the state Democratic candidates get so badly defeated.  I thought it was going to be much closer.  So much for my political crystal ball.

As for my own campaign,  I do not have to concern myself with a move to Bismarck next year.   I am somewhat disappointed to observe that even though election judges were only suppose to count official write in candidates, they counted lots of write ins, but only listed them as write ins.  So, I do not have the faintest  idea how many votes I received, as the write in votes were not recorded by candidate names.  Boy, that sucks.  I not only have to contend with election judges who don't count any write in votes, but those who do and do not list who those votes were for. 

But anyway, it was an interesting election and I hope you all enjoyed it as well.  The biggest winner is the American people as we no longer have Bush to contend with in 2 months.

Roland

Posted by: Riemers on 11/05/2008 at 3:05 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Election Day "BREAKING NEWS"?

Well, here it is election day and most of us have already wasted their votes on morons and thiefs who appeal to our inner ego.   We can be assured though that regardless who wins what election, everything will remain about the same.

Was watching the morning news today and the newest "breaking news" was live pictures of Obama casting his vote this morning.  Dah!   This is worthy national news?   Next we will have breaking news that Obama or McCain are eating breakfast or using the bathroom.  Don't we have any news that is of actual importance that they can give us?  Like maybe, Obama announces he has cast his vote for Ralph Nader as he feels Nader is the better man.

As for the governor campaign, with the heavy Democratic voter turnout expected,  and the anti - Republican feeling in many voters, Hoven may find himself in an actual tight race.  A number of people of course have indicated they have already written my name in for governor, but even though I am a certified write-in candidate, it is likely that election judges will just ignore my write -in votes as there is no real way to later check if the write-in votes were actually counted as the ballots are locked up and and not reviewable by the public later.

I have to admit I have not paid much attention to the local GF races.   Most of the candidates stand for about the same thing.  It is hard to tell though as I have not received even one piece of literature at my new home in South Grand Forks this year.   So maybe nobody is running?

Anyway, have a good election day and hope the best men/women/aliens win.

Roland

 

 

Posted by: Riemers on 11/04/2008 at 8:47 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Riemers for governor campaign

Well, this is the last week of the campaign and this week both Randy Towing and Seward Towing managed to snag onto my sound truck van when I left it un-attended for a few hours.   Wow, at $110 a pop, that gets expensive fast.  Well, helping out the local economy I guess.   It seems that no one really likes politicians in this state, unless of course they are already in office and can pass on some nice benefits to you.

Went over to Alerus yesterday and voted early.  Finally voted for Barr, the Libertarian candidate for president.  I think it is realatively certain Obama is our next president,  so a few voting for either Obama or McCain is not going to change that result.  My thanks to both men though for making politics interesting this year.   They both deserve our thanks for hard fought campaigns.   The big thing for me of course, is no more of BUSH.   That guy should have been inpeached as a war criminal as far as I am concerned.  Bush has done more to destroy our freedoms then all the terrorists in the world combined.

 

Have a happy Halloween.

 

Roland

Posted by: Riemers on 10/31/2008 at 5:42 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Riemers for Governor, final ad

Have been enjoying making the rounds with my van sound truck.  It sure attracts a lot of attention.

Talked to the Herald today, and decided to expand my vast campaign advertising budget to one more ad for this coming Monday.   The ad is below.  Thought I would pass it on to you.

                                                   Write-in RIEMERS for Governor

I am not about the rights for any one group and I support fairness and justice for both the popular and the unpopular - for those I like as well as those I hate and have not the slightest respect for. I am just as concerned about the rights of prisoners and those on watch lists as I am about children and their parents. I encourage all to participate in the freedoms our country was founded on. But I have no tolerance for our public officials who ignore their oath of office and obligation to serve and protect the public and who believe public officials should not be held accountable for lies or misdeeds. A professional politician - or even leader - I may not be. I just offer you the opportunity to cast a vote for an idea, and that idea is for justice and fairness to all.

                        Paid for by Roland Riemers in his own behalf, P.O. Box 14702, Grand Forks, ND 58208

Have a good weekend.

Roland

Posted by: Riemers on 10/30/2008 at 6:23 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Riemers ND Governor campaign moves on

Well, I finished up the sound truck lettering and this evening got the sound tape recorded.  So tomorrow I will hit the dusty trail and start blasting away with music and encouragements to write-in Riemers. 

I was asked the other day how many votes I expected to get this election?   Not a lot really.  A write in campaign is very difficult.  For one thing, even though the election judges are suppost to count the certified write in votes,  I know for a fact they often don't.   So if even 50% of my write in votes are counted, I will be lucky.   And of course, even in the precincts were I know my write in votes were not counted, there is no real effective way to review the ballots afterwards.   In the last election, I believe I got about 2% of the total vote.  Not a lot, but something.  This election, if I get 100 votes it would be nice.  But it is not the total vote that counts, it is just the fact I am giving voters such as myself an alternative person to vote for who doesn't represent the status-quo.   So even if I just got just my own vote,  I will be happy.   I know at least I voted for a candidate who reflects my views.

Roland

Posted by: Riemers on 10/29/2008 at 12:16 AM | Comments (2) | Permalink

GF Herald goofs again

Well, I made it back from an extended weekend visiting my youngest son in Fort Worth Texas.  But before I left I placed an ad in the Grand Forks Herald for this past Monday for my write-in campaign for ND Governor.  In the past,  I have noted a lack of accuracy in their advertising department, so I always try to preview the proof of the ad before it runs.  But because of the Texas visit, I was unable to do so, so had to run it on blind faith.  But when it comes to faith, the GF Herald advertising department is just a poor choice to do it with.

The ad was suppost to read: "Other then just tossing more money into it,  neither Hoeven or Mathern will tell us how they will improve the dismal performance of our public schools. . ."

The ad as run:  "Rather than just tossing more money into it,  Hoeven and Mathern will tell us how they will improve the dismal performance of our public schools . . ."

Humm,  I seem to detect a slight difference between the copy submitted and the ad that was run.   Of course, once it has been run there is not a lot you can do about it.  The Hearld makes its money for advertising and I come off as a complete idiot by the public.  IRG!  Such is life on the Riemers political agenda.

On the bright side, today I got my old sound truck fired up and painted.  Even got the sound system running.  Tonight I will put together a sound tape for the truck and for the next week will do my relaxing form of campaigning of just running about town and playing my political message. 

For the record.  Numerous TV stations and radio stations I hear brag about they include ALL the candidates in their programing.  Bunch of bull.  Most leave off the third party candidates.  And none will even mention the write-in candidates,  which there are only 3 of that have been certified by the Secretary of State.  

Roland

Posted by: Riemers on 10/28/2008 at 6:23 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Off till the 27 October

Well,  this will be my last entry until at least the 27th of October.   I have have to switch servers and the new one will not be up till then (hopefully).

Today I noticed the Herald gave front page news to Todd Palin,  who is not a candidate for anything, while neither they or the other new s media will give news coverage to minor party or independent candidates.  Too bad our news media basically controls our election process in this country. 

Well, see you again on the 27th.

 

Roland

Posted by: Riemers on 10/18/2008 at 8:06 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Toastmasters to improve speaking skills

If you feel like a McCain everytime you give a public speech, you probably need to polish up your speaking skills with Toastmasters.   They help you to learn not to put your foot so far down your throat.

In Grand Forks I belong to Medical Park Toastmasters Club which meets every Friday afternoon from 12 to 1 in the conference room just past the lunch room on the second floor of the Rehab Hospital.  Cost is about $33 a year, and all genders and races can participate.   But no, they do not help with you spelling errors in your writting.  (sob)

I mention this as I have been a member for a number of years and it is a good opportunity to not only polish your speaking skills, but meet new people and have an enjoyable time.  Tomorrow I am actually scheduled to give a speech, and I think I will speak on the ins and outs of Metalaw.   If you want to know what Metalaw is I am afraid you will have to come and listen in personally.

Roland

Posted by: Riemers on 10/16/2008 at 6:19 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

McCain v Obama

Well, our family got to watch the last big debate this evening.  The debate that will probably establish the course of western civilization for the next 4 years?   Well, not likely. 

Who won?   Both candidates have improved over the previous debates, but I would say Obama did the better job.  McCain was probably just trying TOO  HARD, and while his attacks is what will be played up in the news media, neither side had much substance to them.   I think McCain should have ignored attacking and just promoted his own program.   Nor did I like McCain's answer about who he would appoint for supreme court justice.  McCain noted he would have no litmus test,  but that the person should have a good legal background that promoted upholding the constitution.  But then he went on to say (engaging foot into mouth) that no qualified justice candidate was likely to support Woe v Wade as it was bad constitutional law.   Which to me sounds the same as a litmus test on abortion?  Of course, McCain  has never been a die hard prolifer, but if he wants to get elected he has to have the support of the powerful prolife segment of the Republican Party.  So I can see why he is pandering to their views at the moment.

So, who do we vote for?   Tough call, but I still lean towards McCain, based on his long established history as a reformer and self thinker plus just more experience.  I also like his support of nuclear energy.   I could care less about the name calling each side was doing.

One thing that does bring concern to me on Palin though is that in the current Troopergate scandal,  her husband Todd  was in Sara's office trying to use his wife's authority on this matter.  Todd is a nice dude, but I wonder how willing he is to stay in the background and not tell Sara what to do?   I could just see him picking up the red phone at 3 a.m. and ordering some nuclear attack because he has more mucho hormones then is good for him.   So,  if elected.  Can Sara keep Todd in her bed but out of her political hair?   After all, aren't mucho men suppose to tell their wifes what to do and how to do it?  Would we end up seeing our first women VP get the first VP divorce while in office?   Roland

Posted by: Riemers on 10/15/2008 at 10:28 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

ND Civil Rights Annual Meeting

Well this past weekend I decided to pay out $71 to attend the annual meeting of the ND Civil Rights Coalition.   This was held at the Memorial Union at NDSU in Fargo.  Apparently there isn't much interest in civil rights these days, or at least the feminist leaning ones promoted by the coalition,  as the meeting was set up for hundreds of participants but only a few dozen attended.  It was kind of pathetic to see even some of their better presentations only attended by 2-5 people. 

I did enjoy the presentation put on by Planned Parenthood.   You could see that the speaker had put forth a lot of work putting the program together.  And although it did ot put on anything really new, it has been many years since I have the opportunity to see a really good presentation on family planning and abortion.

The other program I thought worthwhile was on solving the problems of the homeless in ND.   I was surprised to discover it was more of a problem then I knew of, and the presenter really put his heart into the presentation.  And although I agreed with some of his statements, still, it appears that just giving the homeless basic housing and support programs does in fact go a  much longer way in solving their problems then just running homeless shelters.  It was found in one study, that after 2 months of this type of basic support, 80% of the homeless were working in at least part time jobs.   In the past, as a Grand Forks slumlord, I have occasionally done my own outreach for the homeless and given free housing for up to 3 months to some needy families that were referred to me.  And as a landlord who goes out of his way to work with people and not just their credit report,  I have probably done more for the homeless then many of the local agencies.   Well anyway,  presenter thought this problem should be solved by government.  I disagreed.   Private agencies and individuals can handle the problem much more realistically I believe.

Some of the other presentations of course were just by our male bashing feminist friends.  I did listen openly, but afterwards did go up to the presenters and politely told them they were biased and sexist and if they were really for civil rights they should try to maintain gender neutrality.  For the most part they accepted my comments without getting upset.

Roland

Posted by: Riemers on 10/13/2008 at 12:00 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

International Night at UND

Well tonight I got my arm twisted (by my Chinese master) to go to the International Night event at the Memorial Union at UND.   This week it was Chinese week and the Chinese community put on a nice presentation.  Although it lacked the drama of the usual Chinese show with their hundreds and even thousands of participants.  Still, a fun show.  There of course was a chinese supper afterwards, which was free to students and $1 for us outsiders.   They usually have these cultural events every thursday at the Loading Dock in the Memorial Union and if you have the evening free it is a good event to attend and learn some culture and meet some new friends.

Back on the political side, I was reading the latest Enquirer and they had a good spread on the presidental race.  They had some interesting insights on both candidates and it was well worth reading.  They did though endorse the black dude for the office, but they gave some good reasons for doing so.   Very well done.

Roland

Posted by: Riemers on 10/09/2008 at 8:28 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

How can McCain beat Obama?

After thinking over yesterdays debate,  I would offer the following as my suggestion for McCain to get his pole numbers up and win the November election.

1.   Stop calling everyone "My Friend."    We are not your friend and will probably never be your friend.  We are only concerned that you are capable of being President of this country.

2.     Point out Obama is among a select group of low life, greedy, lying bastards that have done more to distroy this country then any banker.  That  is right,  Obama is  a LAWYER!   I suspect probably a fairly highly paid lawyer at that.   So instead of talking about the need for medical insurance, talk about the need to reform the legal profession and control its costs.  Right now,  you can get justice in America, but only if you can afford it.  And at hundreds of dolllars an hour, the middle class, and problably not even  a lot of the upper class, can afford compitent legal representation.    So McCain,  remind the public what low life liers lawyers are.   Then tell the public how much Obama was making as a lawyer before getting into politics.   Which also brings up the question,   Obama is a relatively rich lawyer NOW.   How did he get that way?  

So,  if anyone out there is really a FRIEND that McCain keeps speaking of,  please pass this advice onto him.

Roland

 

Posted by: Riemers on 10/08/2008 at 7:53 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Obama v McCain debate and this old house

Well tonight they had the second presidential debate.   I think both gentlemen did well.   A few minor mistakes here and there, such as Obama stating we need to "learn how to store up nuclear energy."   You of course do not store up nuclear energy, you just control the nuclear rods to control your output.   But, the Democrats have been anti-nuclear for years,   so Obama probably doesn't really know that much about nuclear other then the left opposes it.  McCain, to his credit I think, supports nuclear energy.  We have never lost a life due to a nuclear plant accident in the history of nuclear in the U.S.   We have probably lost many lives putting up wind towers and dams, etc.   So I support McCain's position on that.   During the debate both candidates let it be known they don't like each other.  Which is too bad. I like both these gentlemen, and appreciate the work they are both doing.

Getting away from politics, today I was working on my "this old house" rehabilitation project in Larimore.  Todays challenge was that the middle of the house is several inches above the outside.  Partially due to a chimney in the middle that extends from the basement floor to the roof on the second floor.  The chimney is no longer used, so this summer I tried to remove it from the top down,  but the roof section is built like a brick shit house, and my wrecking mall would just bounce off it.   So today I tried to attack this problem from the basement up.  I cut holes in the chimney and put a large block through it.  Then two jacks were put on each side.  The idea was to GENTLY raise the structure.  Remove ONE layer of bricks, and slowly let it drop, with the center of the house with it.   Unfortunately, the bricks could not take this abuse or at least had a better idea, and the chimney split apart.   So with a crash, the bottom of the chimney ended up on the basement floor, and the house did settle down slightly.  But at least all 30 feet of chimney didn't come down on top of me.   Fortunately also, I had previously braced the floor near the chimney, so now I need to just use my jacks to SLOWLY lower the house a few inches now that the chimney is no longer holding it up.    But will do that job tomorrow.  For now, just cleaned up the pile of broken bricks and thanked my lucky stars that I seem to know what I am doing, even if it doesn't go exactly as planned.

Roland

Posted by: Riemers on 10/07/2008 at 10:39 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Palin v Biden et al debate

Well, it was interesting watching the VP candidates debate last night. I was really impressed the way Biden knew most of the answers and came across like a real pro. He was SLICK. Palin on the other hand, while not as slick as Biden, won my admiration as well. In a few short weeks she has come from a nobody to debating international politics with the best of them. Showing that yes, while she didn't have all the answers, she was intelligent enough that if elected VP she in a short time would have a good grasp on the job. I think she exceeding most of our expectations. And while she avoiding answering certain questions, the answers she did give were honest for the most part.

 

Best part of the debate was at the end. In the Presidential debate Obama ran off the stage and shook the hand of the moderator and then onto his wife, leaving McCain to waddle off the stage behind him. In the VP debate, at the close, Palin and Biden walked over and gave each a very friendly handshake and comment. The families of both candidates then came onto the stage, and Sara even held her baby. What a Kodak moment.

 

While I appreciate a lot of the ideas of Obama, I do get turned off by his lone wolf take charge approach. He seems to have his power drive turned up on high and needs to come down a bit in his attitude. Which is one of the main reasons I now lean towards McCain.

 

Roland
 

Posted by: Riemers on 10/04/2008 at 4:03 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

The BIG vice presidential debate


Well tomorrow is the BIG day for the Vice Presidential candidates.   Will Sara blow the questions but win over the viewers with her charm and good looks?   Or will Biden put his foot in his mouth and blow the election for the Democrats?   Hint to Biden,   let Sara do most the talking  to see if she flubs it, and keep you  answers short and to the point so you don't talk yourself into a defeat.  Hint to Sara,  keep answers short and honest and lay on the charm whenever possible.   In these debates the public is looking at personality and knowledge.   Personality can be easily faked,  but knowledge can not be.

Some time back McCain was asked if he would consider being a VP.  His response was the only thing a VP did was each morning check on the health of the president and attend funerals for third world dictators.

In other words, who wins or looses really doesn't mean much in the long run, but still,  the candidates are so absolutely different, it should be highly entertaining and I plan on watching. 

As for the last Presidential debate,  it was close, but I think McCain won,  if there is such a thing as a winner in a political debate.  Both men will be a mile above Bush,  but at the moment I am leaning slightly to McCain.

Roland

Posted by: Riemers on 10/01/2008 at 9:58 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

News media ignores Riemers campaign

Well, although the North Dakota news media did print announcements on other independent and write in candidates, it looks like they are just going to ignore the announcement I had the ND Newspaper Association send out on Monday.  Well, that is the life of a political activists I guess.  Maybe if I preached politics at a local church I would get the media attention?    But such is life.   I can only make the effort to offer an alternative choice.   You cann't really make voters, or the media, actually think.   In any case I have a firm commitment form myself to vote for myself so that gives me at least  0.0001% of the ND vote.   :-)

 

Roland

Posted by: Riemers on 9/30/2008 at 9:51 PM | Comments (4) | Permalink

Positions on Riemers governor's race in ND

Well, I am kind of excited that the governor news release goes out early tomorrow morning to all the news media of North Dakota.   I am really curious how they will handle it?   I be lucky of course if any of the newspapers or electronic media even make mention of it.  But  if may be a slow news day and they will actually make mention of it?   I will just have to wait and see.   If they do print the announcement, who knows, maybe I will get more then a handfull of votes?

I did read on Saturday that Hoeven and Mathern had a big debate.  None of the other candidates for governor were allowed, but that is normal practice in our democratic society.   They did  mention a few  issues, so for the record I will comment on them.

1.    Measure 1,  creates a new trust fund for oil revenues,  they both opposed, and I would agree with them on that.

2.   Both oppose measure 2, which cuts state income taxes by up to 50%.     I of course support it.  I would sooner the voters decide on where our 1.3 billion dollar surplus goes then the politicians.

3.   Measure 3,  increases spending for anti-tobocco measures,  they both favored and also supported broader state bans on smoking.   I would oppose them on this issue.  I have never smoked,  hate smoking,   and publicly opposed smoking long before it became politically correct to do so.  But now, I think we have gone to the other extreme way to far.  if I don't want to go to a bar or restruant where smoking is allowed, that is my choice.  I don't need the government to protect my lungs from smokers.    As long as I am not forced to breathe second hand smoke,  I fully support the rights of smokers to lite up and enjoy themselfs.   After all, they are doing their part to stem the over population problem aren't they?

4.    Measure 4,  allows the governor to hire the workers' compensation director.  Both favored this measure.   I personally don't see how that is going to help solve the problems of workers' compensation,  but have no position on this issue at the present time.

5.   On highway speed limits, Mathern wants to lower them to save fuel and Hoven says we should keep them as they are and increase energy production.   I disagree with both.  The problem with just increasing energy production is it leads to more green house gases and more green house warming.   Decreasing the limits creates hardships and really doesn't solve the problem, except it will likely lead to more speeding tickets and thus more state revenue surpluses.   I think speed limits on our highways should be structured to encourage gas savings.   For example.  Vehicles getting over 35 mph,  or electric,  should be allowed to go 80 mph.   Vehicles getting over 30 mpg should be allowed to go 75 mph.   Vehicles getting over 20 mpg should be allowed to go 70.   Lesser milage vehicles, and trucks and other larger vehicles should be limited to 65 mph.  I would also call for the removal of sales taxes on vehicles getting over 35 mpg, and lower their vehicle registration costs to $10 a year.   The higher milage cars could have some type of electronic identification as well as stickers on their windshields to show they are allowed the higher speed limits.  I would also limit the speed of highway patrol cars to 55 mph when they are on routine patrol, as well as encourage them to drive more fuel efficient vehilces.  The state fleet of cars should also be cut by at least 30%.

6.   Both candidates have supported wind energy development.   I would also encourage wind development, but would also encourage develpment of better load management so that when the wind does not blow,  homes and businesses would have non-essental appliances cut, such as cloths driers and air conditioners.  Wind is great, but you need to match the use with the load to make it really work.  Building codes and other regulations that result in higher energy use should also be carefully reviewed.   Traffic lights and other traffic flow regulators need to be set up to decrease delay times and thus energy use.  For example,  traffic lights should automatically switch to blinking yellow and red in low traffic times of day so that drivers don't waste fuel waiting for a light change when there is no other traffice in sight.

7.   Although education was not discussed,  I would like to add a little meat to my previous thoughts on this subject.   I think the current education system is crap.   Too much socializing and to few hours of instruction.   Our educational system has fallen behind over the past 70 years,  and as other countries continue to pull ahead of us,  we will eventually implode into bottomless stupidity.   We have now effectively LOST our place in the world as an educated populance.   How to fix it in North Dakota?   I would offer this suggestion.  Each school district should be allowed to set up one school of academic excellence.   Students would have to be tested to attend.  This school would not accept any federal funds, so no federal restrictions.   The emphasis would be purely accademic.   No organized sports allowed,  except within the school itself for physical education and relaxation.  School day from 8 to 6, with 2-3 hours of homework expected each evening.  The school would be year round, and no days off for teachers conferences, etc., but several week long holidays during the year for vacations.  The teachers would have to be committed and willing to work longer hours, but doing those hours with students more serious to learning.  No elaborate school facilities allowed.   To off set some of the higher school costs, parents would bear the cost of any school transportation and meals.   Parents would also have to contribute 2 weeks a year to the school in unpaid labor,  either to clean tiolets or help teach classes, etc.  Instead of buying new text books each year, each teacher would develop his own text books for his own classes, and these would be available on the internet or on CD's to each student,  and teachers producing exceptionally good texts would be given a substantual bonus each year.   Useful products of these schools could be used in the more traditional schools if they decide to do so, and electronic texts used in the traditional schools would be paid for to the teachers producing them.  The expectation is that kids graduating at 18 would have the equivalent of a 4 year college education.   Sound too harsh?  Many countries not only do this, but much, much more.   It is either compete educationally now, or die out as just another former super power that lost its way by ignoring the realities of human existence.  And there is no doubt in my mind that this is where we are heading to now.

Roland

Posted by: Riemers on 9/28/2008 at 10:34 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Riemers for ND governor?

This is the press release that will be coming out this coming Monday.  

                                                 NEWS    RELEASE

    Political gadfly, fathers rights advocate and court reformer Roland Riemers has filed as a write-in candidate for North Dakota governor.
    Riemers states the reason he is doing so is that a number of individuals had asked him if they could write in his name for governor this election.   And while there is no chance of a write-in candidate ever winning,   Riemers felt it would be nice if those who dont like the politics as usual would have an opportunity to vote for somebody different. 
    Riemers has been a very vocal advocate for family law and court reform and fairness, and opposes the gender bias, greed and incompetency that  pervades the current North Dakota  legal system.  He states that neither Hoeven or Mathern are even interested in talking about family law issues let alone doing anything constructive  to aid the thousands of  court abused parents and children of North Dakota.    Riemers is also  pro-choice while Hoeven and Mathern support the radical religious right on family issues.  Hoeven and Mathern care about votes.   Riemers cares about people, freedom  and  issues.
    Riemers opposes the current purposed  700 billion dollar plus bail out that appears to be just an  initial small down payment to bail out the money changers.  It is especially disheartening to Riemers that tax payer rescue money will pay 23.4 million dollars to top Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac CEOs for their fine work of destroying the American financial system.  Neither Hoeven or Mathern have stepped up to the plate to tell our congressional delegation that North Dakotans do not believe in bailouts and million dollar bonuses for CEOs of failed businesses.   Riemers feels  that any federal actions  should be to soften the burden on  people so they  save  their homes.   Riemers also believes top CEOs responsible for this irresponsible behavior should be rewarded with jail time and not million dollar bonuses.
     Riemers feels the bases for good government is honesty, openness  and truthfulness.  In the past, Riemers notes that the Attorney Generals office has successfully argued before the North Dakota Supreme Court that the state of North Dakota has a legal right to lie to the public. If state government does not have a moral bases, then it has no legitimate reason to be in power.  Riemers fully supports mandating truthfulness and honesty by all government officials and agencies and eliminating state immunity for those who lie to the public.  He also supports measure  2 on the November ballot.
    Riemers  also has a long concern with our failing public educational system.  Americans spend more per student then any other country in the world, but ranks far below most developed countries in educational achievement.   Riemers feels that the state needs to address the need for our youth to compete internationally,  because if we dont do so, America will soon  become the next third world country.

26 September 2008                        By, Roland Riemers
                             

Posted by: Riemers on 9/27/2008 at 12:35 AM | Comments (2) | Permalink