Comments on: Some justice at last, for space-loving teen podcaster paralyzed by bullies http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:45:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: bloopeeriod http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1401632 bloopeeriod Sat, 21 Apr 2012 17:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1401632 American health care is Bullying Personified. How is refusing to provide essential care for those who are in dire need  - unless they pay up NOW- any different from bullying? And then, as exemplified by the above comments,  Americans often skirt the issue and waste energy discussing semantics and red herrings. Aligned energies might focus with greater intensity on the issue at hand and  effect real change. But change is next to impossible to achieve when good energy gets scattered, wasted. i see it everywhere I look. It is called Bait and Switch and it used to be  the right that did it to you. Now you do it yourselves.  American health care is Bullying Personified. How is refusing to provide essential care for those who are in dire need  – unless they pay up NOW- any different from bullying?
And then, as exemplified by the above comments,  Americans often skirt the issue and waste energy discussing semantics and red herrings. Aligned energies might focus with greater intensity on the issue at hand and  effect real change. But change is next to impossible to achieve when good energy gets scattered, wasted. i see it everywhere I look. It is called Bait and Switch and it used to be  the right that did it to you. Now you do it yourselves. 

]]> By: kiavahr http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1401424 kiavahr Sat, 21 Apr 2012 03:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1401424  Easy solution: don't allow him to become a resident. For example, we just kicked out one of our university professors because his son has autism. http://youtu.be/IMyXDSuee6k  Easy solution: don’t allow him to become a resident. For example, we just kicked out one of our university professors because his son has autism.

http://youtu.be/IMyXDSuee6k

]]> By: travtastic http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1401341 travtastic Sat, 21 Apr 2012 00:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1401341 There's absolutely no logical reason that being a union member should make a horrible employee impossible to fire. There’s absolutely no logical reason that being a union member should make a horrible employee impossible to fire.

]]> By: kairos http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1401279 kairos Fri, 20 Apr 2012 22:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1401279 *facepalm* You are aware that taxes aren't just rounded up in cash and thrown into a giant vault where people line up to collect their wads of entitlement money, right? Here in the real world, we have all these complicated bells and whistles like 'accounting' and 'insurance' and 'dedicated lines of funding.' *facepalm* You are aware that taxes aren’t just rounded up in cash and thrown into a giant vault where people line up to collect their wads of entitlement money, right? Here in the real world, we have all these complicated bells and whistles like ‘accounting’ and ‘insurance’ and ‘dedicated lines of funding.’

]]> By: Bob Brinkman http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1401263 Bob Brinkman Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1401263  I stand by my statement. As he was 12 when this happened, there isn't much in the way of lost wages ;) especially since when is working and going to school now. It really isn't all that complicated. There is a short list of items to look for that ARE taxable.  I stand by my statement. As he was 12 when this happened, there isn’t much in the way of lost wages ;) especially since when is working and going to school now.

It really isn’t all that complicated. There is a short list of items to look for that ARE taxable.

]]> By: WhenireplyYoucry http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1401187 WhenireplyYoucry Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1401187  Do you even know where the school districts get their money from?  Do you even know where the school districts get their money from?

]]> By: Ultan http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1401166 Ultan Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1401166  It's complicated. See: http://blog.oregonlive.com/taxes/2008/10/question_from_christopher_octo.html for a quick run down on the basic rules.  Nearly everything other than compensatory damages for personal physical injury or physical sickness is taxable, including awards for lost wages. A specialist in this particular area of tax law is highly recommended. I believe the rates on the taxable part may also be reduced through a structured settlement where part of the money is paid out over time rather than as a lump sum.  It’s complicated. See: http://blog.oregonlive.com/taxes/2008/10/question_from_christopher_octo.html for a quick run down on the basic rules.  Nearly everything other than compensatory damages for personal physical injury or physical sickness is taxable, including awards for lost wages. A specialist in this particular area of tax law is highly recommended.

I believe the rates on the taxable part may also be reduced through a structured settlement where part of the money is paid out over time rather than as a lump sum.

]]> By: Ultan http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400940 Ultan Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400940 Depends if we're talking about wealth or income. Income, yes, top 0.2% or so. Wealth - about the top 6%. Even $7.5M assets won't get you into the top 1%. ( http://www.levyinstitute.org/pubs/wp_589.pdf p.46, 2007, corrected for inflation. Income statistics IRS 2008. Percentages are of tax returns and households, respectively.) Depends if we’re talking about wealth or income. Income, yes, top 0.2% or so. Wealth – about the top 6%.

Even $7.5M assets won’t get you into the top 1%.

( http://www.levyinstitute.org/pubs/wp_589.pdf p.46, 2007, corrected for inflation. Income statistics IRS 2008. Percentages are of tax returns and households, respectively.)

]]> By: Ramone http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400899 Ramone Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400899 That's awesome that you got to meet him. He sounds like a young man truly wiser beyond his years. :) That’s awesome that you got to meet him. He sounds like a young man truly wiser beyond his years. :)

]]> By: Ramone http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400894 Ramone Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400894 The school has insurance which pays the settlement. Granted, taxes pay for the policy, but it's not as if the bill is forwarded directly to Johnny and Jane Q. Public. Hyperbole is a hell of a drug. The school has insurance which pays the settlement. Granted, taxes pay for the policy, but it’s not as if the bill is forwarded directly to Johnny and Jane Q. Public.

Hyperbole is a hell of a drug.

]]> By: Ramone http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400886 Ramone Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400886 Plus, he might actually LIKE the US, being a fan of NASA and having friends and family here and all. #whataconcept! Plus, he might actually LIKE the US, being a fan of NASA and having friends and family here and all.

#whataconcept!

]]> By: SomeGuyNamedMark http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400839 SomeGuyNamedMark Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400839 "As far as the taxpayers having to foot the bill. Too bad." Yah, screw the elderly person on a fixed income and another family of a paralyzed kid, etc,  they can afford it. “As far as the taxpayers having to foot the bill. Too bad.”

Yah, screw the elderly person on a fixed income and another family of a paralyzed kid, etc,  they can afford it.

]]> By: SomeGuyNamedMark http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400834 SomeGuyNamedMark Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400834  I doubt any country would welcome someone who is trying to enter for the sole purpose of getting expensive health care.  They have enough trouble taking care of their own citizens. Better off trying to improve the situation here in the US instead.  I doubt any country would welcome someone who is trying to enter for the sole purpose of getting expensive health care.  They have enough trouble taking care of their own citizens.

Better off trying to improve the situation here in the US instead.

]]> By: SomeGuyNamedMark http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400821 SomeGuyNamedMark Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400821 I hope the attacker got more than just a monetary punishment.  The bulk of the punishment should land on the person who actually threw the punch.  Too often people act as if the attacker was some force of nature that isn't responsible for themselves and others were. I hope the attacker got more than just a monetary punishment.  The bulk of the punishment should land on the person who actually threw the punch.  Too often people act as if the attacker was some force of nature that isn’t responsible for themselves and others were.

]]> By: coldbrewski http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400786 coldbrewski Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400786 Ummm..no one is responsible? How about the person who punched him and paralyzed him. You're not serious are you? As far as the taxpayers having to foot the bill. Too bad. If you have an administration in your community that behaves poorly and does nothing, I can only imagine what else they do, or fail to do. I know where I live if we had bullying cases this serious it would be dealt with, immediately. This is a problem where we are all responsible - for ourselves, our kids and the people we entrust to make sure there is a safe learning environment. Ummm..no one is responsible? How about the person who punched him and paralyzed him. You’re not serious are you? As far as the taxpayers having to foot the bill. Too bad. If you have an administration in your community that behaves poorly and does nothing, I can only imagine what else they do, or fail to do. I know where I live if we had bullying cases this serious it would be dealt with, immediately. This is a problem where we are all responsible – for ourselves, our kids and the people we entrust to make sure there is a safe learning environment.

]]> By: Bob Brinkman http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400743 Bob Brinkman Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400743  Nick, making $250,000 makes you part of the 1%. Neither makes you part of the .01% who control the majority of the wealth held within the 1% though.  Nick, making $250,000 makes you part of the 1%. Neither makes you part of the .01% who control the majority of the wealth held within the 1% though.

]]> By: Bob Brinkman http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400741 Bob Brinkman Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400741  Actually, if the award include punitive damages, those damages ARE taxable. If not though, then no, it isn't taxable.  Actually, if the award include punitive damages, those damages ARE taxable. If not though, then no, it isn’t taxable.

]]> By: Bob Brinkman http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400739 Bob Brinkman Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400739  Read the attached article. No school district funds are being used. There is insurance to cover this sort of payout caused by that level of faculty incompetence and negligence.  Read the attached article. No school district funds are being used. There is insurance to cover this sort of payout caused by that level of faculty incompetence and negligence.

]]> By: desperado http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400730 desperado Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400730 I am seeing red after reading that article, and the comments. I am seeing red after reading that article, and the comments.

]]> By: Bob Brinkman http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400731 Bob Brinkman Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400731 It varies from Union to union on a State by State level, however there are many teacher's unions where tenured teachers CAN be fired for cause. In Illinois the process takes about 30-60 days (so that the teacher can have a hearing and try to defend themselves). People in other places aren't as lucky. It varies from Union to union on a State by State level, however there are many teacher’s unions where tenured teachers CAN be fired for cause. In Illinois the process takes about 30-60 days (so that the teacher can have a hearing and try to defend themselves). People in other places aren’t as lucky.

]]> By: desperado http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400723 desperado Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400723 If a school official ever declined to deal with a bullying situation regarding my child, I don't think I'd be able to restrain myself.  I'd be making damned certain that official was replaced next year. If a parent declined to try to rein their kid in?  I can seriously see myself trying to bully them in as legal a manner as possible, until they truly grok it. If a school official ever declined to deal with a bullying situation regarding my child, I don’t think I’d be able to restrain myself.  I’d be making damned certain that official was replaced next year.

If a parent declined to try to rein their kid in?  I can seriously see myself trying to bully them in as legal a manner as possible, until they truly grok it.

]]> By: IRMO http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400704 IRMO Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400704 Hold on. This isn't income. No taxes on it. Hold on. This isn’t income. No taxes on it.

]]> By: IRMO http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400700 IRMO Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400700 Europe and Canada both take measures to discourage immigration from applicants who might be moving expressly for the health care.  Europe and Canada both take measures to discourage immigration from applicants who might be moving expressly for the health care. 

]]> By: Nick Hayday http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400666 Nick Hayday Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400666 I noticed the /sarc , but $1.4m really doesn't put you in the 1% I noticed the /sarc , but $1.4m really doesn’t put you in the 1%

]]> By: Butweiser http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400664 Butweiser Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400664 Dear Mr. Sawyer I think this is great you are speaking out I am a Grandmother now but I do remember so much bullying in Elementary School, I was not one of those students involved but I would feel so sorry for the one's being pushed around I still think of this one girl who was beaten up everyday &  wounder what ever happened to her.  I hope you help others to speak out when they are beaten up by the bullies, Thank you- Milwaukee WI Dear Mr. Sawyer I think this is great you are speaking out I am a Grandmother now but I do remember so much bullying in Elementary School, I was not one of those students involved but I would feel so sorry for the one’s being pushed around I still think of this one girl who was beaten up everyday &  wounder what ever happened to her.  I hope you help others to speak out when they are beaten up by the bullies, Thank you- Milwaukee WI

]]> By: Snig http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400662 Snig Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400662  We (in the US), are sorry about our strange health care system too.  Most people using it barely understand it, it's completely understandable that it's incomprehensible from the outside world.   We (in the US), are sorry about our strange health care system too.  Most people using it barely understand it, it’s completely understandable that it’s incomprehensible from the outside world. 

]]> By: VicqRuiz http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400663 VicqRuiz Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400663  Everybody who has ever been involved in American school systems for any length of time knows that there are 5-10% of teachers who are total wastes of oxygen if not downright malicious. How do we get them the fuck out??  Those of you who are strong supporters of teachers' unions are especially invited to contribute suggestions.  Everybody who has ever been involved in American school systems for any length of time knows that there are 5-10% of teachers who are total wastes of oxygen if not downright malicious.

How do we get them the fuck out??  Those of you who are strong supporters of teachers’ unions are especially invited to contribute suggestions.

]]> By: VicqRuiz http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400659 VicqRuiz Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400659 <i> 1/3 for taxes leaves $1.4 million.</i> Seems only fair since he's now one of the 1%  /sarc 1/3 for taxes leaves $1.4 million.

Seems only fair since he’s now one of the 1% 

/sarc

]]> By: VicqRuiz http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400658 VicqRuiz Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400658  It's all well and good that he was awarded that settlement. It would be better still if the school faculty who ignored him were all fired.   It’s all well and good that he was awarded that settlement.

It would be better still if the school faculty who ignored him were all fired. 

]]> By: freshacconci http://boingboing.net/2012/04/19/some-justice-at-last-for-spac.html#comment-1400656 freshacconci Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=155665#comment-1400656 I have to echo HubrisSonic here. It may take some work to get into Canada -- maybe not, though. A few years living here to get citizenship. But denied health care? It just doesn't happen. If you're a resident you get health care. If he came here as a student on a visa, he'd get health care (with the added bonus of much cheaper tuition). And I do acknowledge completely that it would suck that he would have to do this if he didn't want to, leaving his home and family. I have to echo HubrisSonic here. It may take some work to get into Canada — maybe not, though. A few years living here to get citizenship. But denied health care? It just doesn’t happen. If you’re a resident you get health care. If he came here as a student on a visa, he’d get health care (with the added bonus of much cheaper tuition).

And I do acknowledge completely that it would suck that he would have to do this if he didn’t want to, leaving his home and family.

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