In voting to issue a subpoena to Todd Palin in an investigation of the firing of the Alaska public safety commissioner, state lawmakers on Friday signaled that Mr. Palin, the husband of Gov. Sarah Palin, might have played a central role in one of the most contentious episodes of her governorship. Was it ever a problem when President Clinton has his wife, Hillary, perform roles of responsibility in Arkansas and Washington DC? Why is this a problem now? New York Times Fair question; should the person elected be the only individual allowed to be involved in the process? Can a sharp, intelligent spouse play a role too?

The ‘predictable result’ came in last week from forcing students with disabilities to pass a high school exit exam in order to earn a diploma. Nearly half failed. Failed. A demoralizing word for some kids who struggle daily to perform tasks most teens carry out with ease. The psychological damage "is horrific," says Sid Wolinsky, director of litigation for Disability Rights Advocates, which fought unsuccessfully for alternative ways to measure the knowledge of special education students. Los Angeles Times Question; how should special-ed students be tested for graduated? What about discrimination in standards, add to it the determination as to who is - and who is not - a special educational student.

Educators focus attention on ninth-graders' transition to high school. The first year of high school is considered crucial to a student's success, more campuses are sheltering freshmen in small learning communities or sometimes on separate campuses. Los Angeles Times Let me add a consideration here; I believe the first year of middle school is a huge hurdle for students. The transition from elementary to middle may be the target of success or failure in the future. What can be improved?

Berkeley is expected to make a major leap forward Tuesday in its first-in-the-nation plan to allow homeowners to pay for solar energy systems through their property taxes. San Francisco Chronicle I like solar power, and I would use solar power on my house - if I could afford solar power. Maybe we have the start of another good idea from the California environmentally concerned.

Hope Brice curled up on a pillow and carefully wrote the names of family, friends and her dog, Jack, on the bare concrete floor of Houston's First Baptist Church. Then the 10-year-old stood up and held hands with her parents, Keith and Connie Brice, as they prayed over the list. Jack, she explained softly, was home feeling sick. The Brice family was among hundreds of church members - young and old, single and married, many holding Bibles - who quietly entered the nearly renovated sanctuary on a recent Sunday. They had come at the suggestion of Pastor Greg Matte. Houston Chronicle

Here is a new article naming the companies that benefit homosexuality. The opening line states; “Below is the list, in alphabetical order, of companies scoring a perfect 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign's 2009 Corporate Equality Index, with policies beneficial toward homosexuals:” I ask you, how many do you use (support financially) as a consumer? Do boycotts work anymore? I say no, we need to win hearts and minds, not stock prices and wallets. World Net Daily