Kentucky Association For Gifted Education: Fill & Download for Free

Can the ACLU sue schools or universities for civil rights violations?They can and they do.In Kentucky in 2008, the ACLU challenged separate classrooms for boys and girls in the Breckenridge Public Schools, A.N.A. v Breckinridge Cnty Bd of Ed.U.S. Dep’t of Education policy did allow schools to segregate students by sex. The Breckenridge policy was quite lawful. The ACLU, however, saw de facto discrimination. They sued, filing this complaint: A.N.A. v. U.S. DOE First Amended ComplaintThe federal judge understood the ACLU’s point, and noted thatthere was some evidence that due to efforts by the school district, students with learning difficulties almost always ended up in coeducational classrooms, while “talented and gifted” students ended up in the single-sex classes.But that was not enough. The judge dismissed this lawsuit:No legal authority supports the conclusion that optional single-sex programs in public schools are ipso facto injurious to the schools' students.Unlike the separation of public school students by race, the separation of students by sex does not give rise to a finding of constitutional injury as a matter of law.That was a loss for the ACLU.In Massachusetts, students at Boston College were handing out condoms to classmates. This giveaway clashed with “values and traditions of Boston College as a Jesuit, Catholic institution.” Boston College officials threatened to teach them a lesson they wouldn’t forget, citing the Christian values that were offended by the condoms free-for-all.The ACLU growled. Media coverage included The New York Times, with the students’ legal defenders warning publicly, “The ACLU of Massachusetts has committed itself to defend the students”: Ban on Free Condoms Jeopardizes Group at Boston CollegeBut Boston College is a private school. Students have no constitutional right to hand out condoms.As battle lines were darwn, the American Association of University Professors and the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts backed the ACLU. Georgetown U, Fordham and Notre Dame backed Boston College. But there was no lawsuit.That was 3 1/2 years ago. Chelsea Lennox, one of the student leaders, graduated. She is enrolled in the MPH program at Boston U and works at Planned Parenthood.In the ’60s — the height of the civil rights movement — the ACLU litigated hundreds of cases around the country. That included the landmark Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District No. 21, The Supreme Court’s 1969 Tinker decision established the right of expelled public school students Mary Beth Tinker and her brother John Tinker to wear black armbands in support of a truce in the Vietnam War, reversing the 8th Circuit’s finding the armbands were disruptive. The ACLU represented them.In 2013, Iowa welcomed the Tinker plaintiffs home: “Iowa activists return to schools that suspended them” appeared in USAToday.Having the ACLU on college campuses helps protect students from unscrupulous administrators. Members monitor campus activities. A pamphlet guides students who want to form an ACLU Club. https://www.aclu.org/files/pdfs/standup/organizing_manual.pdfSometimes they win. Sometimes they lose. Sometimes they stand by.

You might start with the newest biography of Henry Clay -- "the Great Compromiser" -- who reinvented the office of Speaker of the House, served as Senator and Secretary of State, and lost multiple races for the White House. Abraham Lincoln considered Clay his political hero, though they met just once, when Lincoln came through his wife's and Clay's hometown (Lexington, KY) on his way to DC in 1846.Henry Clay: The Essential American by David Heidler and Jeanne Heidlerhttp://www.amazon.com/Henry-Clay-Essential-David-Heidler/dp/0812978951from Publisher's Weekly:In vigorous prose, the Heidlers (coauthors, The War of 1812), experienced scholars of pre–Civil War America, relate the emergence of the Kentuckian who served in the House (as Speaker) and Senate, as secretary of state, and as repeatedly failed presidential candidate. A man of enormous gifts—the beloved mirror of his country and its aspirations—Clay bestrode Washington and the Senate as member of the Great Triumvirate with John C. Calhoun and Daniel Webster and did his best as the Great Compromiser to hold the nation together as it splintered over slavery. That he failed, as the authors show, was not his fault: even great congressional leadership couldn't save the Union. The authors bring verve and clarity to Clay's struggles, even if they add little to what's known. They also make one yearn for more statesmen and stateswomen, who, like Clay, could say, I had rather be right than be president.I also highly recommend a recently re-released biography of another Kentuckian, U.S. Vice President John Breckinridge. He was a fascinating man of principle, who opposed slavery but joined the Confederacy (in battle, no less) out of loyalty and duty. After the Civil War ended, before he fled the country, he secured the vital records of the Confederacy for the sake of historians. When the US government offered to pardon him and let him return home, he declined to do so until the offer was made to Jefferson Davis and other Confederate leaders.Breckinridge: Statesman, Soldier, Symbol by William C. Davishttp://www.amazon.com/Breckinridge-Statesman-William-C-Davis/dp/0813192552John C. Breckinridge rose to prominence during one of the most turbulent times in America's history. Born to a well-known Kentucky family in 1821, he became a celebrated statesman, heroic soldier, and supporter of compromise. Widely respected, even by his enemies, for his dedication to moderate liberalism, Breckinridge's charisma and integrity led to his election as Buchanan's Vice President at age 35, the youngest in America's history.* * *Davis places the too-often overlooked Breckinridge in his rightful place in the framework of American history through a remarkable collection of sources, including previously unknown documents and letters, as well as the papers of his associates and extensive aid from the Breckenridge family. A true Kentucky hero, "Old Breck's" bravery in battle, dedication to the pursuit of truth, and unique ability to win the loyalty of others rank him alongside Henry Clay and Simon Kenton. In this welcome return of an important volume, Breckinridge presents the life of a man whose life and legacy contains valuable insight into our nation's history.Finally, a Pultizer Prize-winning book that I have not yet read, but would like to:What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815-1848 by Daniel Walker Howe.http://www.amazon.com/What-Hath-God-Wrought-Transformation/dp/B002PJ4I7A/[H]istorian Daniel Walker Howe illuminates the period from the battle of New Orleans to the end of the Mexican-American War, an era when the United States expanded to the Pacific and won control over the richest part of the North American continent. Howe's panoramic narrative portrays revolutionary improvements in transportation and communications that accelerated the extension of the American empire. Railroads, canals, newspapers, and the telegraph dramatically lowered travel times and spurred the spread of information. These innovations prompted the emergence of mass political parties and stimulated America's economic development from an overwhelmingly rural country to a diversified economy in which commerce and industry took their place alongside agriculture. In his story, the author weaves together political and military events with social, economic, and cultural history. He examines the rise of Andrew Jackson and his Democratic party, but contends that John Quincy Adams and other Whigs--advocates of public education and economic integration, defenders of the rights of Indians, women, and African-Americans--were the true prophets of America's future. He reveals the power of religion to shape many aspects of American life during this period, including slavery and antislavery, women's rights and other reform movements, politics, education, and literature. Howe's story of American expansion culminates in the bitterly controversial but brilliantly executed war waged against Mexico to gain California and Texas for the United States.

I have experience of Mediumship, having passed a test by The Institute of Spiritualist Mediums for giving Evidence of Survival (of death).It appears that you are inexperienced with your gift (which can be “a blessing AND a curse”) and therefore my advice is to do nothing - except observe to see what, if anything happens.This is an important process because it is a way of discovering and training your ability. At the time of my “awakening” in my mid 30s I experienced a high level of discomfort for some time - with flashes of inspiration of “doom and gloom”, among other things. It is natural for our subconscious mind to interpret the experience itself as negative to begin with.One example was when we were due to go on a coach trip for a day at the seaside and the night before I had “vision” of the coach not arriving to pick us up. In the event, the coach was merely delayed - although, for a time, I thought my “prediction” had “come true”. In the end I was partially right.This indicates how easy it is to get things wrong.Here is an essay of mine that I include in appropriate Birth Chart interpretations:-SENSITIVITYYou will need to realise that you have an emotional sensitivity which is a psychic ability which can be trained into Mediumship - of which I have personal experience. You are more in contact with “The Collective Unconscious” than most of us.Unfortunately there is a lot of misunderstanding of this area, and the artistic abilities it brings tend to be devalued in the current Aquarian Age - which is more concerned with logical thinking and “Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic”. Art communicates feelings and emotions whilst Logic uses Words. For example, try describing “Happiness” in words. An impossible task. But Music and Art do it very well. We all know what it means.This means that you will not be able to spend a lot of time in large social gatherings where there is a chaos of positive and negative emotional undercurrents which you will pick up unconsciously. If you unaccountably feel uncomfortable or inwardly disoriented you need to avoid such places in future. You could pick up other people’s illnesses. You probably have allergies. If you ignore it for an extended length of time you could find psycho-somatic health symptoms arise.To see an example of how people are affected unconsciously by others in crowds you can watch things like football matches or pop concerts on television you will see that all the people there behave in the SAME rather unusual way. Indeed, it is known that if there is violence at a football match normally peaceful people can find themselves behaving violently out of character.Probably, all you need to do is to be aware of your inner feelings ("6th. Sense") and avoid people and places that upset you.Having your own home or other private space will be very important so that you can "retreat" and rebalance yourself. Having "found yourself", you will be in a better position to sense the difference when you contact other people. You begin to (consciously) control it, rather than it (unconsciously) controlling you.This is more likely to occur after age 30 when the physical body begins to deteriorate - as evidenced by athletes becoming unable to compete with those younger - and women coming to menopause.As an example. Pop stars and other celebrities often have a strong Neptune in their Birth Chart as well, which enhance their public appeal. As we can now see, their public appearances are very detrimental in this respect. They begin to get psycho-somatic symptoms where the true source is not recognised. They begin to abuse alcohol and drugs as a means of temporary relief - which may relieve the symptoms for a time, but are really useless because they do not treat the true cause. Your true need will be to voluntarily retire into isolation at times to re-balance your emotions and feelings - otherwise it could be forced by hospitalisation. Your own home will be important as a place of refuge and control.It is interesting to note that, when we are sick we are forced to pay attention to our own needs rather than those of others. The word “Health” has the same roots as “Whole” and “Holy” - referring to harmony of Mind and Spirit as well as body. You may become involved in Complementary Therapies that work on this principle.This is an excellent tool for the study and practice of Psychology because, once you become aware of your own feeling nature, you will be able to recognise how another person is feeling at the time. This is the true meaning of Compassion.As you learn to separate yourself from the world occasionally, and cut out the emotional “noise” you will be able to make contact with the higher spiritual realms. This is often why people become Monks and Nuns - which environment also includes a controlled atmosphere for those that are so highly sensitive that they cannot easily cope with a material world.An important consideration is that psychic sensitivity brings a need to be of service to others. You need to realise that everyone has their own spiritual lessons to learn in this lifetime, and you could be interfering with their Karma if you try to carry their burdens rather than help them stand on their own feet.THERE IS A MORE PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPLANATION IN MY QUORA ANSWER HERE :Brian Baulsom's answer to What is the link between thoughts and emotions?THERE ARE VARIOUS FORMS OF MEDIUMSHIPBrian Baulsom's answer to What are the differences between horoscopes, astrology, psychic reading & Co.?Brian Baulsom's answer to What is the most conclusive evidence by far that there is some sort of an afterlife? Don't answer that there is none because at the very least there's some form of evidence even if it's likely false.Brian Baulsom's answer to Why can't I get close to people without feeling drained? (Even when they're being understanding and selfless)EDGAR CAYCE (1877-1945)Edgar Cayce was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky (United States) on March 18th. 1877 at 3.20pm. (Pisces Sun. Taurus Moon) and his psychic abilities appeared as a young child. He was deeply religious and a dedicated churchgoer and Sunday school teacher. He read a portion of the Bible every day, and by the end of his life, had read it once through for each year of his life. He was a simple man with only an eighth grade education – showing no evidence of advanced knowledge whilst in a waking state.Although showing psychic abilities whilst young, it was not until later in life he found the ability to put himself into a trancelike state and answer questions put to him. The trance sessions were called "readings". In this state he was able to see events in the past, present, and future, and make psychic contact with people anywhere in the world. He often accurately described the subject’s activity at the time of the reading, even though they might be in different countries. Although the questions covered a wide variety of subjects, many were concerned with health problems, and he astonished doctors with the depth of his medical knowledge. Despite never meeting the people concerned – much of the correspondence was by letter - he was able to accurately describe their symptoms. The treatments he prescribed were usually of holistic type and included numerous methods such as recipes for medicines, osteopathy, and special baths, and were usually effective, even when normal methods had failed. The questions came from people of all kinds and nationalities from all over the world.All his readings were recorded in shorthand and later transcribed. By the end of his life he had made 14,306 readings which exist today at the "Association for Research and Enlightenment" (A.R.E.), a non-profit organisation founded by Cayce in 1931.When he woke from his trance, he had no memory of what had occurred during the reading. The readings are available on DVD.