I am a little bit late, but it is time, once again, for another edition of the AWMD Friday Free For All.  This is the only time of the week when our arguewithmydad.com readers can control the topic(s) for discussion.  All you have to do is get someone else to respond to your suggested topic and then the floor is yours.  Don’t be shy and don’t hesitate.  Get busy and be sure to get your views and arguments where everyone can read and react to them.  Right here on arguewithmydad.com.  I will make a couple of suggestions for possible topics, but they are only suggestions.  Today, you can be the boss, but you need to tell us what you want to discuss.

The first suggested topic that I have is the “shocking” news that Sarah Palin, Alaskan Governor and former Republican VP candidate, is resigning as governor.  http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=10641495.  It seems the Lt. Governor will be sworn in her place on July 26th.  The obvious question that I and a lot of political observers have is Why?  Some observers suggested that she is merely ramping up for an expected campaign for President in 2012.  When I heard the news I immediately smelled a rat and wondered if she was getting out before she was pushed out.  I was only guessing and in this case I may have guessed correctly.  It seems that the blogosphereis overflowing with reports that she is leaving before a scandal breaks that would force her out. http://rawstory.com/08/news/2009/07/03/rumors-fly-about-palins-iceberg-scandal/ & http://oxdown.firedoglake.com/diary/6105.  It kind of makes me sad if she is embroiled in a scandal because I wanted her to run for President in 2012 because her name on the national ticket would guarantee a Democratic win.  (In my humble opinion)  We should hear more in the upcoming days, but there are rumors of federal investigations into a house that the Palinsbuilt with the help of a supplier who just happened to get a big Wasilla contract when Sarah Palin was still Mayor. So, let’s hear your opinion.   What do you think of the news of Palin’s resignation? 

My second suggested topic is the story that our old friend, Republican Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana has found a new way to improve the test scores of his state’s students.  What fantastic new, high tech program is he suggesting?  He is actually reducingthe states educational standards to try to get more students to pass.  “The new law allows eighth grade studentswho don’t pass the mathematics and English sections of the LEAP (Louisiana Educational Assessment Program) test and who are age 15 or will turn 15 in the upcoming school year to move to the ninth grade. It reverses state law.”  http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20090703/NEWS01/907020319/1002/rss01.  I think Professor Jonathon Turley said it better in his blog, “Jindal has signed a law that creates a new and easier public school curriculum despite the fact that educators have objected that it will result in high school graduates with poor understanding of basic mathematics and written English.” http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/03/the-new-math-louisiana-governor-bobby-jindal-solves-low-school-passage-rates-by-lowering-school-standards/.  Only a Republican governor could actually try to get away with lowering standards at schools that are already failing many students.  What do you think of Gov. Jindal’s backwards move?  What would you do instead? 

I have given you two possible topics to discuss, but now it is your turn to let us know what you want to talk about.  I can’t make you join in the fray, but if you try it, you just might enjoy it.  So get on the stick and give us your opinion and give us a topic that you want to discuss.  I and the rest of the arguewithmydad.com nation will be waiting.