Having been a victim of the American education system, I know full well the failures of such a system. Not only are schools lacking in good teachers, but the curriculum is lacking even a basic semblance to important subject matter.
Schools no longer put enough emphasis on reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead they are busy teaching home economics, computer skills and child development. Not much is ever asked of students. American students spend less time in the classroom than students in almost any other industrialized nation. Students are not comprehensively tested and are rarely even expected to conduct intense research. What is more, nearly no significance is placed on the art of penmanship or on memorization of poems, speeches, etc. The singular most important concept which schools implement is that of the required reading list.
The required reading list is often a list of books which students are expected to read each year. Oftentimes, students are tested on the content of their readings and receive credit for having completed their lists. The books on this list vary, but usually include To Kill a Mockingbird, Moby Dick, The Scarlet Letter, and a number of more current books more intended for certain age groups. Now, however, a number of schools (most recently in Georgia) are trying to renovate these lists, allowing students to read whichever books they choose as long as that number adds up the the number of books required for that year. This leads students to find books which they find interesting and complete their lists with relative ease.
Such a system clearly illustrates the lack of responsibility or academic expectations which we place on students. As students obtain a choice in their readings, they begin choosing new and 'exciting' books which don't share the stuffy and intellectual subjects which infiltrate the classics. Teachers and parents tout that a choice system will get students to read. This is true, but what will they gain from their readings?
It's no secret that today's literature lacks the creativity, the elegance, the genius and the significance of the classics. Instead they are often flat, static and full of characters that are worse actors than those playing in soap operas and Twilight movies. The classics: Hemingway, Dumas, Hugo, Rand, Capote, Dickens, Machiavelli, de Tocqueville, Montesquieu, Locke, Hobbes, Augustine, Cicero, Aquinas, etc., they teach their readers more than just what's written, they teach their students how to analyze and interpret complex subjects such as futility, loss, jealousy, justice, equality, love and will. They teach their readers to look between the lines and associate deeply and spiritually with the characters, characters which embody and personify ethereal and dynamic existence. They teach their readers to enjoy and respect a good plot and experience the emotions which radiate from the ink. To my knowledge few such books have been written in the last 20-30 years.
It is certainly imperative that students read, however, it is more imperative that students draw something from what they read and come away with new and better ideas. It is the ideas within books that matter, not the fact that they contain words. So, to allow students to read whatever books they want is to allow them to bypass and reject the ideas which this great country was founded on. Instead of pondering the thoughts which the classics conjure, students will instead be exposed to base and trivial subjects as teenage vampire love. If America is to proceed with damning our students to lives of relative intellectual poverty and ignorance, then perhaps we should just throw in the towel.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Obama Finally makes a Good Decision
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/aug/20/lockerbie-bomber-release-libya-obama
It took him almost 7 months, but Obama finally has made a good decision! The Lockerbie Bomber, who bombed a Pan Am flight in 1988 over Lockerbie, Scotland, was just released from prison by UK authorities on grounds that he is terminally ill and will die soon from cancer. Rightfully so, however, Mr. Obama reacted to this release with bitterness. Kudos to him!
This man, Abdel Megrahi, killed nearly 300 people on that flight and he deserves to suffer the most foul death. How is it that a convicted murderer should be spared from his necessary fate simply because he is diagnosed as ill? I perceive that it may have something to do with Britain's recent affinity with Islam.
In this case, Megrahi should suffer a cruel and unusual fate, that of being hanged, drawn and quatered. For those of you who don't know what that is, watch the ending scene of BraveHeart. These Muslim extremists are not human, they are monsters. They want only to kill and destroy and therefore they lack all humanity and the inherent rights of said beings. The only thing good enough for such monsters is a painful and drawn out death.
It took him almost 7 months, but Obama finally has made a good decision! The Lockerbie Bomber, who bombed a Pan Am flight in 1988 over Lockerbie, Scotland, was just released from prison by UK authorities on grounds that he is terminally ill and will die soon from cancer. Rightfully so, however, Mr. Obama reacted to this release with bitterness. Kudos to him!
This man, Abdel Megrahi, killed nearly 300 people on that flight and he deserves to suffer the most foul death. How is it that a convicted murderer should be spared from his necessary fate simply because he is diagnosed as ill? I perceive that it may have something to do with Britain's recent affinity with Islam.
In this case, Megrahi should suffer a cruel and unusual fate, that of being hanged, drawn and quatered. For those of you who don't know what that is, watch the ending scene of BraveHeart. These Muslim extremists are not human, they are monsters. They want only to kill and destroy and therefore they lack all humanity and the inherent rights of said beings. The only thing good enough for such monsters is a painful and drawn out death.
You Can't Win Them All
I saw the look of disappointment in Mr Robert Harper's (Porter Co. Commisioner) eyes today...the look of defeat. It's a look that everyone portrays from time to time. It's a terrible look and an even more terrible feeling for the one who is defeated. Yet, sometimes defeat is not so clearly defined, and in many cases may prove to be a victory to a man's conscience.
Harper's defeat came at the Full Commission Meeting this morning at the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission in Portage. For nearly 3 hours, politicians and board members perused the agenda, voting on new amendments and listening to presentations. However, it was the Valpo Dash vote about half way through the meeting which really brought the excitement.
Supported by Valpo mayor, Mr Costas, an act was laid on the table to provide procurement for the expansion of the Valpo Dash program which operates Valpo-Chicago buses for those not wanting to drive or take the So. Shore. The money had already been appropriated and the FTA had found the project sustainable, however, Mr Harper and Portage Mayor Velasquez had their objections.
Harper gave a riveting speech on his views and pointed out that the Dash simply did not have the numbers. What's more, as a proposed vote for the creation of the RTA is becoming a possibility, Harper admitted that many other cities and town will soon want money for such bus programs as well. The RTA proposal already includes a provision for taxing power and no doubt taxes would have to be levied in order to provide the subsidies for such bus programs.
Costas fired back that the money had already been set aside...it would be lost if the program was not supported. Also, many folks are in need of this service and Costas figured that in a few years the number of riders would rise significantly. Needless to say, Costas won the day with nearly 70% of the votes (weigthed of course in order to provide a wider margin of victory). Yet, I think it was Harper that walked away with a little bit of personal satisfaction that he did what was right.
Publicly supported transit programs are a waste of money. Sure, they help to alleviate the burden of pollution on the environment and they get more people into less vehicles. However, they are also a huge burden on tax-payers. With trains and buses being subsidized by the government (whether it be state, local, or federal) tax-payers are paying for such services to be made available. Yet, whenever a tax-payer wishes to use such a service, they also have to pay for fare: they're being double-charged. What is more, since not many tax-payers use such systems (especially this Valpo Dash bus system), the capital of the many is allocated to the few, those who do use the system. In Valpo, the buses (2 of them) carry approximately 30 people daily. That is hardly a majority or even a large minority. And since there is so little demand, and so little income from the fares, the Dash program is heavily subsidized by tax-payer funds.
Costas today won the vote which allows for the procurement of 4 new buses using $2.2 million, 80% from the FTA and 20% from the City of Valpo.
I find a problem with this. The government was not created to provide public transportation. Instead, if demand is high, private entrpreneurs will certainly open up shop and will provide more efficient services at little to no cost to the public. Yet, the commission today decided that the tax payers (both on a federal and local level) should be compelled to provide for the .1% of folks who use the Dash. What is more, those folks who use the Dash will not only pay the taxes, but will also have to pay the fare. This is far from efficient. This is far from fair. And this service is far from necessary in the Valpo area.
Besides my doubts on the importance of this program, I had to agree with Costas at the end of the day because the appropriation for the program had already been voted on and approved twice. Today's vote was just for procurement as the program had already been verified by the correct agencies. If the procurement had been lost today, then all of the money allocated to the program would also have been lost and tax-payers would have lost anyway. It was a catch-22.
The supporters of the program beamed with happiness, yet as I glance at Mr Harper, I noticed that he left with a certain air of respectibility and candor which is rarely seen in politicians today. He may have been defeated when it came to the vote, but he stood up for the rights of his constituents. He spoke his piece and he deferred agreement to the commission. And when his position was defeated, he gracefully accepted the outcome. Today, Mr Harper lost the vote. But because he pursued truth and justice, instead of a personal agenda, it is Mr Harper who truly won.
Harper's defeat came at the Full Commission Meeting this morning at the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission in Portage. For nearly 3 hours, politicians and board members perused the agenda, voting on new amendments and listening to presentations. However, it was the Valpo Dash vote about half way through the meeting which really brought the excitement.
Supported by Valpo mayor, Mr Costas, an act was laid on the table to provide procurement for the expansion of the Valpo Dash program which operates Valpo-Chicago buses for those not wanting to drive or take the So. Shore. The money had already been appropriated and the FTA had found the project sustainable, however, Mr Harper and Portage Mayor Velasquez had their objections.
Harper gave a riveting speech on his views and pointed out that the Dash simply did not have the numbers. What's more, as a proposed vote for the creation of the RTA is becoming a possibility, Harper admitted that many other cities and town will soon want money for such bus programs as well. The RTA proposal already includes a provision for taxing power and no doubt taxes would have to be levied in order to provide the subsidies for such bus programs.
Costas fired back that the money had already been set aside...it would be lost if the program was not supported. Also, many folks are in need of this service and Costas figured that in a few years the number of riders would rise significantly. Needless to say, Costas won the day with nearly 70% of the votes (weigthed of course in order to provide a wider margin of victory). Yet, I think it was Harper that walked away with a little bit of personal satisfaction that he did what was right.
Publicly supported transit programs are a waste of money. Sure, they help to alleviate the burden of pollution on the environment and they get more people into less vehicles. However, they are also a huge burden on tax-payers. With trains and buses being subsidized by the government (whether it be state, local, or federal) tax-payers are paying for such services to be made available. Yet, whenever a tax-payer wishes to use such a service, they also have to pay for fare: they're being double-charged. What is more, since not many tax-payers use such systems (especially this Valpo Dash bus system), the capital of the many is allocated to the few, those who do use the system. In Valpo, the buses (2 of them) carry approximately 30 people daily. That is hardly a majority or even a large minority. And since there is so little demand, and so little income from the fares, the Dash program is heavily subsidized by tax-payer funds.
Costas today won the vote which allows for the procurement of 4 new buses using $2.2 million, 80% from the FTA and 20% from the City of Valpo.
I find a problem with this. The government was not created to provide public transportation. Instead, if demand is high, private entrpreneurs will certainly open up shop and will provide more efficient services at little to no cost to the public. Yet, the commission today decided that the tax payers (both on a federal and local level) should be compelled to provide for the .1% of folks who use the Dash. What is more, those folks who use the Dash will not only pay the taxes, but will also have to pay the fare. This is far from efficient. This is far from fair. And this service is far from necessary in the Valpo area.
Besides my doubts on the importance of this program, I had to agree with Costas at the end of the day because the appropriation for the program had already been voted on and approved twice. Today's vote was just for procurement as the program had already been verified by the correct agencies. If the procurement had been lost today, then all of the money allocated to the program would also have been lost and tax-payers would have lost anyway. It was a catch-22.
The supporters of the program beamed with happiness, yet as I glance at Mr Harper, I noticed that he left with a certain air of respectibility and candor which is rarely seen in politicians today. He may have been defeated when it came to the vote, but he stood up for the rights of his constituents. He spoke his piece and he deferred agreement to the commission. And when his position was defeated, he gracefully accepted the outcome. Today, Mr Harper lost the vote. But because he pursued truth and justice, instead of a personal agenda, it is Mr Harper who truly won.
The Road Less Travelled
Health care reform is needed, however it should build on what we currently have. WE have THE BEST health care in the world considering our technological advances and the quality of our doctors and nurses. A Socialized medicine plan or a public option will only decrease the quality of our health care: waiting times will increase on a large scale, some procedures will be denied, doctors and nurses will have less incentive to work, etc. This is what happens in all countries that develop such a public plan.
The government is inefficient when it toils in the market. Our government, the one established by our Founding Fathers, was meant to do only 3 things: provide a standing army to defend us and our national interest, provide a police force to protect our persons and property, and to provide courts of law to solve public and private disputes between citizens and other entities. Providing socialized health care, or a public health plan, was never even remotely mentioned by any of our Founders and such had never been found to have been mentioned by any philosophers or political scientists of that time either.
I'll be the first to admit that our health care costs too much and that insurance companies seem to be parasitical in their practice, however, there are more and better ways to go about reforming health care than destroying what our Founders created. The first thing would be to open up our borders to increased pharmaceutical trade. This would allow foreign countries to sell us more prescription drugs as lower costs, thus driving American companies to lower their costs as well. Good competition equals better quality and lower prices. On that same note, Congress should also legislate that citizens would be allowed to purchase insurance from across state lines. Currently, one cannot purchase insurance from another state, and thus there is no competition outside of each individual state. By opening the states up, insurance companies will have to compete in order to stay in business, thus driving down premiums. Also, the government should make it easier for individuals who are not working, or choose not to be on their employers insurance, to be able to shop around for the insurance of their choice. A tax rebate would do just that. Each year the IRS would rebate tax payers choosing to find their own insurance with a set amount of money for individuals and families.
This plan has been championed by both John McCain and Jim DeMint. In fact, DeMint introduced a similar plan in the Senate earlier this year. Why Congress is not taking it up, that's anyone's guess.
The fact is that 4/5 of the supposed 50 million uninsured are illegal immigrants, persons already convered by Medicare and Medicaid, persons making 75k or more a year, and persons who are between 18-26 and choose not to buy healthcare insurance. So only 10million people are uninsured (or 3.2% of the population), and thus the problem is less than what so many people are stating.
Our Founding Fathers believed heavily in the right to private property, and that includes money. And while Mr. Obama plans on taxing those making more than 250k a year in order to pay for this plan, he is thus denying them of their property in order to aid 3% of the population. The government confiscation and reallocation of capital (money and property) is Socialsim any way you cut it. I, for one, admire our Founders for their brilliance and foresight. They founded a democratic republic and not a socialist republic for a reason. And I feel entirely certain that they would not agree with Mr. Obama and the Liberals on this case, but instead would side with the Republicans that have already outlined a better and more efficient plan without the costly side effects.
The government is inefficient when it toils in the market. Our government, the one established by our Founding Fathers, was meant to do only 3 things: provide a standing army to defend us and our national interest, provide a police force to protect our persons and property, and to provide courts of law to solve public and private disputes between citizens and other entities. Providing socialized health care, or a public health plan, was never even remotely mentioned by any of our Founders and such had never been found to have been mentioned by any philosophers or political scientists of that time either.
I'll be the first to admit that our health care costs too much and that insurance companies seem to be parasitical in their practice, however, there are more and better ways to go about reforming health care than destroying what our Founders created. The first thing would be to open up our borders to increased pharmaceutical trade. This would allow foreign countries to sell us more prescription drugs as lower costs, thus driving American companies to lower their costs as well. Good competition equals better quality and lower prices. On that same note, Congress should also legislate that citizens would be allowed to purchase insurance from across state lines. Currently, one cannot purchase insurance from another state, and thus there is no competition outside of each individual state. By opening the states up, insurance companies will have to compete in order to stay in business, thus driving down premiums. Also, the government should make it easier for individuals who are not working, or choose not to be on their employers insurance, to be able to shop around for the insurance of their choice. A tax rebate would do just that. Each year the IRS would rebate tax payers choosing to find their own insurance with a set amount of money for individuals and families.
This plan has been championed by both John McCain and Jim DeMint. In fact, DeMint introduced a similar plan in the Senate earlier this year. Why Congress is not taking it up, that's anyone's guess.
The fact is that 4/5 of the supposed 50 million uninsured are illegal immigrants, persons already convered by Medicare and Medicaid, persons making 75k or more a year, and persons who are between 18-26 and choose not to buy healthcare insurance. So only 10million people are uninsured (or 3.2% of the population), and thus the problem is less than what so many people are stating.
Our Founding Fathers believed heavily in the right to private property, and that includes money. And while Mr. Obama plans on taxing those making more than 250k a year in order to pay for this plan, he is thus denying them of their property in order to aid 3% of the population. The government confiscation and reallocation of capital (money and property) is Socialsim any way you cut it. I, for one, admire our Founders for their brilliance and foresight. They founded a democratic republic and not a socialist republic for a reason. And I feel entirely certain that they would not agree with Mr. Obama and the Liberals on this case, but instead would side with the Republicans that have already outlined a better and more efficient plan without the costly side effects.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Why Valparaiso, IN has a lot to learn
Now that a few so-called racist motivated hate crimes have taken place in Valparaiso, the town has decided to put together a series of diversity seminars. This is completely beyond absurd.
Diversity programming is the singular most destructive brain-washing method used by those in power in the US. Created in order to help whites learn about blacks, which is to say, accept their culture, such programming is inherently racist. Instead of teaching Americans to take pride in our cultural heritage, we instead must accept and enjoy the fake cultural heritage of different races.
Diversity is championed by a diverse group of people: whites, blacks, Hispanics, politicians, preachers, etc. However, all such supporters are ideologues, bent on recreating America in an alternative and inequal tradition. They fail to realize that each and every person born in America is American, just as any person born in Germany is German. They also forget that persons born in the US immediately become a part of what is known as the American culture, which includes the English language, American cuisine, music and entertainment. Nowhere else in the world is such a culture thriving; that’s because America is unique in that its culture is a blending of multiple cultures rather than a coexistence of independent cultures. It would be difficult to find an American of any color who would turn down a cheeseburger, fried chicken, or pizza. What is more, it’s difficult to find any American that doesn’t speak at least basic English. And nearly all Americans take pleasure in driving gas-guzzling cars, attending church, watching movies, and wearing blue jeans and t-shirts. These are all a part of the American culture, one shared by nearly every single American, regardless of color, religion or ancestry.
Black Americans are Americans, not Africans, not African Americans (unless of course they were born in Africa). And as such there is no reason to teach the public about their culture as they share the same culture as the rest of America. Wearing traditional African clothing and collecting African artwork does not make someone of that culture; that’s why I call this “fake culture” or the nominal practicing of a culture which one was not born into.
What diversity-pushing ideologues want to produce is a society which puts no blame on black criminals, and which makes blacks more equal than any other race. Already in our schools, such a system exists. When I was in high school, I came across a pamphlet which was sponsored by the Merrillville Community School Corporation which appeared to be a faculty/staff handbook. In this book was a detailed list of certain things which faculty and staff could not punish black students for because it was a part of their culture. Such things included dancing in the aisles, sagging their pants and being loud and boisterous. To say that such things are part of the black culture is asinine and ignorant of American culture, yet the school supported such protection of black students. A number of times during my years in high school, black students were treated more leniently for crimes than white students and this was allowed since the staff didn’t want to treat them badly for fear of civil rights law suits. A sense existed that blacks had been so mistreated by America in the past that they needed more slack in order to achieve the equality which they theoretically lacked.
It is policies such as these which diversity programmers wish to implement and maintain: policies of affirmative action and decreased responsibility for the black community. And it is because of such policies that racism still exists. Sure the blacks were treated badly in the past, but they now enjoy the same freedoms as all American citizens. In fact, they have contributed greatly to the American culture and have subsequently become an important part of the American heritage. America would surely not be the great nation it is today without the hard-work and intelligence of black Americans.
I think all Americans believe in equality of the races, especially when there is only one race, American. But ethnic and racial ideologues want to emphasize the differences between races so as to destroy the American race. And through their policies they have made blacks more equal than other Americans. Black students can get into colleges with low test scores and grades even when more accomplished white students are applying for the same program. And the same occurs in the job market, as we can see by the recent case of those Connecticut firemen. It is policies such as these which have bred resent by the racial majority and have thus produce racism.
While there is much more to address in terms of the ignorance of holding of diversity seminars, what Valpo and the rest of the country needs to understand is that racism will always exist where people are exalted for their race. Until America phases out diversity programming and fires back with American Race education, racism will continue to exist here.
Diversity programming is the singular most destructive brain-washing method used by those in power in the US. Created in order to help whites learn about blacks, which is to say, accept their culture, such programming is inherently racist. Instead of teaching Americans to take pride in our cultural heritage, we instead must accept and enjoy the fake cultural heritage of different races.
Diversity is championed by a diverse group of people: whites, blacks, Hispanics, politicians, preachers, etc. However, all such supporters are ideologues, bent on recreating America in an alternative and inequal tradition. They fail to realize that each and every person born in America is American, just as any person born in Germany is German. They also forget that persons born in the US immediately become a part of what is known as the American culture, which includes the English language, American cuisine, music and entertainment. Nowhere else in the world is such a culture thriving; that’s because America is unique in that its culture is a blending of multiple cultures rather than a coexistence of independent cultures. It would be difficult to find an American of any color who would turn down a cheeseburger, fried chicken, or pizza. What is more, it’s difficult to find any American that doesn’t speak at least basic English. And nearly all Americans take pleasure in driving gas-guzzling cars, attending church, watching movies, and wearing blue jeans and t-shirts. These are all a part of the American culture, one shared by nearly every single American, regardless of color, religion or ancestry.
Black Americans are Americans, not Africans, not African Americans (unless of course they were born in Africa). And as such there is no reason to teach the public about their culture as they share the same culture as the rest of America. Wearing traditional African clothing and collecting African artwork does not make someone of that culture; that’s why I call this “fake culture” or the nominal practicing of a culture which one was not born into.
What diversity-pushing ideologues want to produce is a society which puts no blame on black criminals, and which makes blacks more equal than any other race. Already in our schools, such a system exists. When I was in high school, I came across a pamphlet which was sponsored by the Merrillville Community School Corporation which appeared to be a faculty/staff handbook. In this book was a detailed list of certain things which faculty and staff could not punish black students for because it was a part of their culture. Such things included dancing in the aisles, sagging their pants and being loud and boisterous. To say that such things are part of the black culture is asinine and ignorant of American culture, yet the school supported such protection of black students. A number of times during my years in high school, black students were treated more leniently for crimes than white students and this was allowed since the staff didn’t want to treat them badly for fear of civil rights law suits. A sense existed that blacks had been so mistreated by America in the past that they needed more slack in order to achieve the equality which they theoretically lacked.
It is policies such as these which diversity programmers wish to implement and maintain: policies of affirmative action and decreased responsibility for the black community. And it is because of such policies that racism still exists. Sure the blacks were treated badly in the past, but they now enjoy the same freedoms as all American citizens. In fact, they have contributed greatly to the American culture and have subsequently become an important part of the American heritage. America would surely not be the great nation it is today without the hard-work and intelligence of black Americans.
I think all Americans believe in equality of the races, especially when there is only one race, American. But ethnic and racial ideologues want to emphasize the differences between races so as to destroy the American race. And through their policies they have made blacks more equal than other Americans. Black students can get into colleges with low test scores and grades even when more accomplished white students are applying for the same program. And the same occurs in the job market, as we can see by the recent case of those Connecticut firemen. It is policies such as these which have bred resent by the racial majority and have thus produce racism.
While there is much more to address in terms of the ignorance of holding of diversity seminars, what Valpo and the rest of the country needs to understand is that racism will always exist where people are exalted for their race. Until America phases out diversity programming and fires back with American Race education, racism will continue to exist here.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
In the Midst of Enemies
It is really not much of a surprise that Hugo Chavez and his cronies are out to stop Colombia from aiding the US. Colombian President Uribe, who has gone to great lengths to curb the growth of terrorism and narco-trafficking, has been at odds with the New Left in Latin America since his inauguration. This mostly stems from his friendliness towards the US and capitalism. Not to mention that Uribe has made short work of the FARC guerrillas, those Marxist murderers who are well-received and even supplied by the likes of Chavez, Morales and Correa.
A reenacting of the Plan Colombia, which is already on the books, will only allow the US to provide support in counterring drug traffickers and guerrillas. However, the Leftists are up in arms because that means more US troops in the region. Well, perhaps these gentlemen have forgotten their history, but the US has, since 1823, had the right and responsibility to protect the Western Hemisphere, especially from itself. The US has no intention of invading Venezuela, Bolivia or Ecuador...these nations are simply not that important and have no impact on our national interest.
Venezuela has been stocking up on Russian arms for quite some time, and as Chavez threatened to invade Colombia last year, I think it's a great idea for Colombia to gain a little troop support in order to protect all of the successes which Uribe has achieved for the nation-state. And if Colombia doesn't want to make its plans known to anyone but the US, then so be it, that's their right. The next battle for democracy will most likely take place in Latin America as that is where all of the major world actors are currently setting up shop. It's imperative that the US keep its word and maintain its supportivve relationship with Colombia.
A reenacting of the Plan Colombia, which is already on the books, will only allow the US to provide support in counterring drug traffickers and guerrillas. However, the Leftists are up in arms because that means more US troops in the region. Well, perhaps these gentlemen have forgotten their history, but the US has, since 1823, had the right and responsibility to protect the Western Hemisphere, especially from itself. The US has no intention of invading Venezuela, Bolivia or Ecuador...these nations are simply not that important and have no impact on our national interest.
Venezuela has been stocking up on Russian arms for quite some time, and as Chavez threatened to invade Colombia last year, I think it's a great idea for Colombia to gain a little troop support in order to protect all of the successes which Uribe has achieved for the nation-state. And if Colombia doesn't want to make its plans known to anyone but the US, then so be it, that's their right. The next battle for democracy will most likely take place in Latin America as that is where all of the major world actors are currently setting up shop. It's imperative that the US keep its word and maintain its supportivve relationship with Colombia.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
How to Make Your Colleagues Not Want to Kill You
After sitting through a number of meetings in the last few weeks, I've decided to create a run-down of proper etiquette.
1.) Show up on time or not at all.
2.) Turn off ALL cellphones! No one wants to hear your damn phone!
3.) Stick to the agenda...it's not a circus, its a meeting.
4.) No shameless self-promotion. This isn't a job fair.
5.) Don't scoff when its suggested that you listen to your constituents. They pay your salary.
6.) If you don't know what you're constituents want, you should probable get off your lazy, balding, greasy, fat, over-paid ass and go to a public meeting or workshop cluster
7.) Don't get snippy with the interns. They will bite.
8.) Fake Italian boots and Blues Bros. glasses just make you look silly.
9.) There's no such thing as a dumb question, just dumb people.
10.) Don't text and play games on your cell phone all meeting until the last 10 minutes and then decide to argue about points you were paying no attention to.
11.) When you're asked to suggest ideas to be included in a plan, just do what you're told.
12.) Don't waste everyone's time with questions that have no relevance to the meeting. Do that on your own time.
13.) Never show up to a meeting looking like a fat guy in a little coat.
14.) Don't just show up for the free food. It's obvious you haven't missed any meals.
15.) Don't bring a breakfast unless you have enough for everyone, and that orange juice isn't going to negate that breakfast burrito that you just shoved down your gullet.
16.) Go home, talk to your mother, and ask her to teach you how to dress for a meeting: polo's, gym shoes, and shirts without ties are NOT acceptable...ever.
17.) Learn how to tie a tie, its not like tieing your shoes.
18.) Don't chew gum when you talk, it makes you look like a cow.
19.) Don't get up, make a controversial statement, and then leave before the shit hits the fan.
20.) Learn how to use PowerPoint. We're not in kindergarten.
21.) Don't bring your own fan club just to make you look good. It will backfire.
1.) Show up on time or not at all.
2.) Turn off ALL cellphones! No one wants to hear your damn phone!
3.) Stick to the agenda...it's not a circus, its a meeting.
4.) No shameless self-promotion. This isn't a job fair.
5.) Don't scoff when its suggested that you listen to your constituents. They pay your salary.
6.) If you don't know what you're constituents want, you should probable get off your lazy, balding, greasy, fat, over-paid ass and go to a public meeting or workshop cluster
7.) Don't get snippy with the interns. They will bite.
8.) Fake Italian boots and Blues Bros. glasses just make you look silly.
9.) There's no such thing as a dumb question, just dumb people.
10.) Don't text and play games on your cell phone all meeting until the last 10 minutes and then decide to argue about points you were paying no attention to.
11.) When you're asked to suggest ideas to be included in a plan, just do what you're told.
12.) Don't waste everyone's time with questions that have no relevance to the meeting. Do that on your own time.
13.) Never show up to a meeting looking like a fat guy in a little coat.
14.) Don't just show up for the free food. It's obvious you haven't missed any meals.
15.) Don't bring a breakfast unless you have enough for everyone, and that orange juice isn't going to negate that breakfast burrito that you just shoved down your gullet.
16.) Go home, talk to your mother, and ask her to teach you how to dress for a meeting: polo's, gym shoes, and shirts without ties are NOT acceptable...ever.
17.) Learn how to tie a tie, its not like tieing your shoes.
18.) Don't chew gum when you talk, it makes you look like a cow.
19.) Don't get up, make a controversial statement, and then leave before the shit hits the fan.
20.) Learn how to use PowerPoint. We're not in kindergarten.
21.) Don't bring your own fan club just to make you look good. It will backfire.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
On Your Behalf
In mid-March, 2 US Journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, were captured in North Korea after crossing the border from China. The reasons for their venture into North Korea are dubious, and Kim Jong-il made sure to paint these two as spies. As such, they were both sentenced to 12 years in a hard labor camp, which is to say a death sentence.
While many official attempts were no doubt made to secure the release of these 2, such attempts were to no avail as Kim had decided to play his usual game of cat and mouse with the US. However, yesterday, August 4th, Ex-President Bill Clinton decided to do a little negotiating of his own. After a few hours of conversation and dinner with the aging dictator, Bill was given those 2 young ladies as a consolation prize. Bill then swiftly collected his entourage and sped off to the US to bring Euna and Laura home.
Two girls rescued by the dashing and smooth-talking Clinton from the grasp of the evil dictator! It truly is great that Euna and Laura are safe! However, such meddling by Clinton, is not great, in fact it greatly injures the standing of the US.
During the 1790s, the US found itself in a tight spot with France, which had devolved from a monarchy into a vicious oligarchy. The Quasi-War ensued during this period when many Americans actually shared sympathies with the French Republicans. Some of these Americans even tried negotiating with France in order to secure a truce. President John Adams quickly saw the danger in this and he put a stop to it with the passing of the Logan Act. This act, named after a Dr. Logan who tried negotiating with the French, prohibited private citizens from entering into diplomatic relations with any foreign entity.
§ 953 states:
"Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply himself, or his agent, to any foreign government, or the agents thereof, for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects. "
This act is in complete concordance with the Constitution, which gives negotiating powers solely to the President. Justice Sutherland, in the 1936 case of US v. Curtiss-Wright Export Corp, wrote: "[T]he President alone has the power to speak or listen as a representative of the nation. He makes treaties with the advice and consent of the Senate; but he alone negotiates. Into the field of negotiation the Senate cannot intrude, and Congress itself is powerless to invade it."
A nation-state must have regularity in its diplomacy. It is neither prudent, nor safe to allow private citizens to engage in international diplmoacy. By Bill Clinton travelling to North Korea, he granted legitimacy to that regime. And while he may simply have been enjoying a private visit and had no intentions of negotiating on behalf of the US, the fact that he is an ex-President makes such an act inherent in his presence. Everything which he says is on behalf of the US government whether he intends on making that so or not. Now, the integrity and strength of the real US administration is jeopardized as rogue nations all over the world realize that private citizens will grant them the legitimacy and PR boosts that they need. They don't have to negotiate with those stuffy, over-bearing and needy state depatment officials, instead they can just chat with ex-presidents and get the attention they want.
The Founding Fathers understood the inherent problems of private diplomacy and warned against it...this needs to be stopped.
While many official attempts were no doubt made to secure the release of these 2, such attempts were to no avail as Kim had decided to play his usual game of cat and mouse with the US. However, yesterday, August 4th, Ex-President Bill Clinton decided to do a little negotiating of his own. After a few hours of conversation and dinner with the aging dictator, Bill was given those 2 young ladies as a consolation prize. Bill then swiftly collected his entourage and sped off to the US to bring Euna and Laura home.
Two girls rescued by the dashing and smooth-talking Clinton from the grasp of the evil dictator! It truly is great that Euna and Laura are safe! However, such meddling by Clinton, is not great, in fact it greatly injures the standing of the US.
During the 1790s, the US found itself in a tight spot with France, which had devolved from a monarchy into a vicious oligarchy. The Quasi-War ensued during this period when many Americans actually shared sympathies with the French Republicans. Some of these Americans even tried negotiating with France in order to secure a truce. President John Adams quickly saw the danger in this and he put a stop to it with the passing of the Logan Act. This act, named after a Dr. Logan who tried negotiating with the French, prohibited private citizens from entering into diplomatic relations with any foreign entity.
§ 953 states:
"Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply himself, or his agent, to any foreign government, or the agents thereof, for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects. "
This act is in complete concordance with the Constitution, which gives negotiating powers solely to the President. Justice Sutherland, in the 1936 case of US v. Curtiss-Wright Export Corp, wrote: "[T]he President alone has the power to speak or listen as a representative of the nation. He makes treaties with the advice and consent of the Senate; but he alone negotiates. Into the field of negotiation the Senate cannot intrude, and Congress itself is powerless to invade it."
A nation-state must have regularity in its diplomacy. It is neither prudent, nor safe to allow private citizens to engage in international diplmoacy. By Bill Clinton travelling to North Korea, he granted legitimacy to that regime. And while he may simply have been enjoying a private visit and had no intentions of negotiating on behalf of the US, the fact that he is an ex-President makes such an act inherent in his presence. Everything which he says is on behalf of the US government whether he intends on making that so or not. Now, the integrity and strength of the real US administration is jeopardized as rogue nations all over the world realize that private citizens will grant them the legitimacy and PR boosts that they need. They don't have to negotiate with those stuffy, over-bearing and needy state depatment officials, instead they can just chat with ex-presidents and get the attention they want.
The Founding Fathers understood the inherent problems of private diplomacy and warned against it...this needs to be stopped.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Motor Voter Mess
In a country which has often prided itself on its tremendous and unwaning work ethic, it is odd that so many so-called Americans are today making a din because of the supposedly burdensome requests which the government makes of its citizens. While paying taxes and signing up for selective service may be debateable in some circles, it is the non-adherence to voter registration laws which have ACORN and its Marxist counterparts in a tither.
As of late, these 'community organizations'--whatever that means-- have been pushing law suits through the courts which cite certain states, namely Indiana, as being in violation of the 'Motor Voter Law." This law is a somewhat dubious and senseless contrivance which forces the BMV to ask patrons upon their journey through the bureau of wasted time and money whether they would like to register to vote or not. While this would seem a time-saving and convenient measure, this law further addresses folks who apparently don't stop by the BMV on a regular basis. Folks such as those on public assistance (Medicaid and Food Stamps) are deemed unable to stop by the BMV or any other federal installation, and thus they are treated differently in the Motor Voter Law. The law dictates that when folks sign up for food stamps or medicaid, government workers must ask them if they wish to register.
Now, I'm all for getting people to vote. But, I do not condone laziness whatsoever. It is beyond ridicule that the government must remind people to register...can't these folks figure it out on their own? And if they can't make it to a government installation to register, then I doubt they can make it to the polling place on election day. Why must the government cater to those who already leech off society? And while the government should retain the right to market voter registration to the citizens, it should not be a stipulation of the social contract. Americans need to take responsibility for themselves...if they want to exercise their vote, then they need to get their lazy butts out of the house and ask around, I'm sure they'll find a registration booth closeby.
As of late, these 'community organizations'--whatever that means-- have been pushing law suits through the courts which cite certain states, namely Indiana, as being in violation of the 'Motor Voter Law." This law is a somewhat dubious and senseless contrivance which forces the BMV to ask patrons upon their journey through the bureau of wasted time and money whether they would like to register to vote or not. While this would seem a time-saving and convenient measure, this law further addresses folks who apparently don't stop by the BMV on a regular basis. Folks such as those on public assistance (Medicaid and Food Stamps) are deemed unable to stop by the BMV or any other federal installation, and thus they are treated differently in the Motor Voter Law. The law dictates that when folks sign up for food stamps or medicaid, government workers must ask them if they wish to register.
Now, I'm all for getting people to vote. But, I do not condone laziness whatsoever. It is beyond ridicule that the government must remind people to register...can't these folks figure it out on their own? And if they can't make it to a government installation to register, then I doubt they can make it to the polling place on election day. Why must the government cater to those who already leech off society? And while the government should retain the right to market voter registration to the citizens, it should not be a stipulation of the social contract. Americans need to take responsibility for themselves...if they want to exercise their vote, then they need to get their lazy butts out of the house and ask around, I'm sure they'll find a registration booth closeby.
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