The Neutral Zone

Show Some Respect

2009-01-20T20:11:00.009-05:00

Following the inauguration President Obama along with Vice-President Biden and their wives waved the 43^rd president good-bye. And from what I could tell I saw Vice-President Biden even salute as the former president’s helicopter ride took to the air. Here you have two men who early on in the presidential campaign where setting themselves up as the agents of change from that of the Bush administration. But now, here they were saying farewell to the Bush family with such politeness, in a manner of close friends, or close acquaintances. That was truly a wonderful sight of these leaders putting their differences aside and acting well mannered.

But then you heard a large group amongst the crowd below.

While President Bush’s helicopter made its rounds in the sky, you may have heard the crowd below chanting "Hey, Hey, Hey, Good Bye.” Wow. To think we entered a war to save lives, and by entering a war that meant lives would be lost. And those lives lost knew what they were getting themselves into. And why did they do it? To protect the country, a country that includes individuals that for one day can’t put aside their feelings and act like respectful human beings to a man who for seven years kept this country safe.

Back in 2007 I was in Boston, and I was in the Quincy Market area with some classmates when we

saw Sen. John Kerry. Now I wasn’t an expert on John Kerry, I didn’t really know the guy, but I knew enough to know I wasn’t for him. But I didn’t run up to him and boo him; instead I did my best to get a picture of him because I found it cool to be seeing a politician I was aware of.

You treat your presidents and political leaders with respect!

And on all days, a day full of people saying how important it is for this country to come together, and they chant "Hey, Hey, Hey, Good Bye" to a now former commander-in-chief. That's real Class-A manners, I'm sure you can figure out what the "A" means.

Perhaps something can be learned from the Bush twins' letter to the Obama girls. As the AP put it: “…recalling how the public image of their own father got distorted over the years. “He is our father, not the sketch in the paper or part of a skit on TV they wrote." As for the Obama girls' dad, they added, "Many people will think they know him, but they have no idea how he felt the day you were born, the pride he felt on your first day of school, or how much you both love being his daughters. So here is our most important piece of advice: remember who your dad really is.”

Basically, when speaking in public keep your feelings to yourself and show some respect.

President Barack Obama

2009-01-20T12:06:00.001-05:00

Barack Obama became America’s 44th president today, while also becoming the first Black President. The next four years are in his hands, as well as those of the Senate and Congress. Back in November the majority of American citizens voted these officials into office, believing they are the best for the job. But America is watching, for behind this historic even lie the great challenges.

Said President Obama, “Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.”

This part “the challenges…will not be met easily or in a short span of time” is something to remember. There is no doubt that much is expected of Barack Obama, but this country has to be careful, for they have placed him on a very high pedestal. For there to be success Americans have to bear with President Obama. Such cooperation was lost or came too late with President Bush, but now this country must seriously open its eyes to the problems before us, for now they want to come together.

So let your voice be heard, and if it isn’t you can express your feelings in November of 2012. But for now, let us pray for the best. And for now we look to President Barack Obama.

Farewell from President Bush

2009-01-15T21:14:00.002-05:00

Tonight for the final time, President Bush spoke to the American people from the White House. He leaves the office in a much different manner than he ever expected before the unfortunate events of 9/11. If you were watching the address live tonight I’m sure network anchors, like NBC’s, reminded you of how the president is exiting with low approval ratings. So maybe the president isn’t leaving on a high note tonight, perhaps the years to come will paint a better picture for the 43^rd commander-in-chief. But for now it’s farewell from President Bush.

Corrupt Journalism

2009-01-04T15:03:00.003-05:00

You can call me bias, you can try and correct me on anything you believe I blog is wrong. And that’s fine I welcome your thoughts, just one favor, if you tell me I’m wrong you better be right – because I’ll find out.

There’s a slideshow on CNN.com about “Politicians who fell from grace in 2008”. The text that follows reads, “Election year 2008 was a career-buster for many politicians, whose crimes and misdemeanors - - or sometimes just controversies - - were exposed to the public.” The following list is of seven of the eight corrupt politicians.

Rob Blagojevich (D-IL)- Caught in a criminal bribe taking pay-to-play scheme to sell Barack Obama's senate seat to the highest bidder.
John Edwards (D-NC)- Had an affair with an underling as his wife was dying of cancer, an affair he hid from public knowledge as he ran for president.
Kwame Kilpatrick (D-MI)- Sentenced to 4 months in jail for obstruction of justice for impeding a criminal investigation into his actions as Detroit's mayor.
Larry Langford (D-AL)- Birmingham, Alabama mayor arrested on charges of bribery, fraud, money laundering and filing a false income tax statement.
Tim Mahoney (D-FL)- Replaced sex crazed Rep. Mark Foley in Florida while hiding his own extra-marital affairs from the voters, then lost his bid for reelection once the truth came out.
Elliot Spitzer (D-NY)- Caught with a prostitute, lost his job as governor of New York.
Ted Stevens (R-AK)- Faces jail for bribery and making false statements to the feds.

- Summary by Newsbusters.org

Now I think we can all agree that the list above is accurate. Now the puzzling thing is who CNN put as one of the eight corrupt political leaders….Gov. Sarah Palin. I might sound like some crazed fan that should have a video on YouTube calling for Gov. Palin to be left alone, but I simply can’t stand reading stuff like this. Now you might think she is some crazed moose-hunting redneck who you Matt Damon, and Boston Legal writers, feared would be president, but one thing for sure is that Sarah Palin herself is no criminal. But hey, let’s take a look at the reasons CNN gives for having Palin on such a list.

“Sarah Palin’s “average hockey mom “persona was touted as a plus when GOP nominee John McCain chose her to be his running mate in August. But the Alaska governor lost some luster when news broke that the Republican National Committee spent $150,000 to outfit her and her family in designer duds for the campaign. Palin said the clothing would be returned and then auctioned off or donated to charity. Palin was also accused of trying to get her former brother-in-law fired from the state police and then sacking the public safety commissioner when he refused to go along. Lawmakers decided she violated ethics rules in the first case, but was within her rights to fire the director. The state personnel board concluded she violated no ethics laws.”

Alright, so first off it isn’t like the RNC or DNC have never spent money on their nominees before. But is it because the Alaskan governor’s a woman from the GOP, which is the party President Bush is associated with, that spending money on clothing was even an issue? Second, is it really wrong of Gov. Palin to fire a former relative who threatened his wife or at least threatened her father, not to mention tasering his son because the boy wanted to know what it felt like? If anyone is guilty here it is Palin’s sister who waited so long to report her ex husband’s threats, and the unprofessional commissioner who didn’t take action and remove the unfit state trooper. So Ted Turner’s liberal CNN even paying attention to what they were saying? “…lost some luster …accused …was within her rights …violated no ethics laws.” I mean how does she even fit in this category of corrupt politicians? She doesn’t. But CNN can be filed under corrupt journalism.

Goodbye 2008

2008-12-31T21:50:00.002-05:00

2008 it wasn’t that great…or was it?

2008 was certainly no forgetful year, if anything it’s been like every other year only you add an election, a few political scandals, a couple of bailouts, a recession, and a few Hollywood comebacks.

Bur first, for the second year in a row, The Moron Report.

The Moron Report:

Miley Cyrus may or may not continue to be Hannah Montana, which is understandable, that image is just to clean for her.
Matt Damon fears Sarah Palin, though he knew nothing about her.
The Jonas Brothers are a big hit because…I’m still trying to figure this one out.
Diddy-dumb-diddy-do opens his mouth showing his intelligence – stick to rapping.
Britney Spears makes a comeback and so does lip-syncing.

Last year I wrote about how in 2008 we need to wake up, get real, and move on. We woke up in the manner that we realized the problems in our country and just in time for it to blow up in our faces. We got real by…I guess admitting there needed to be some change in how we do things, but we’re still working on that. I don’t know what to make of moving on, especially in the media during the election. You had news stories and analysts that either didn’t matter or only favored one side. So in 2009 it’s important that we continue to get real, but also to

play fair and ask the hard questions of those in higher office.

My 2008:

Favorite Movies:

WALL-E
Stargate Continuum
The Dark Knight
Prince Caspian
Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Favorite Music:

Third Day - Revelation
Brad Paisley - Play
Casting Crowns - Peace on Earth

High Point: Getting a Wii

Low Point: Stargate Atlantis cancelled.

Even in times of hardship there are still those good moments that shine through the darkness. Everyday we hear the bad and the ugly, but why so little of the good? After a year like 2008, especially after a year like 2008, it’s time we hear more about the good things going on, let's hear about the progress being made. And let's hear the fair and honest truth when it comes to things that affect our lives.

Like that song goes, come on get happy.
Goodbye 2008.

Christmas

2008-12-25T23:15:00.002-05:00

So the other day I blogged about the insanity behind the supposed offense the word Christmas can bring, but today I’m just going to talk about Christmas itself…or something along those lines.

Turn the television on and you’ll hear those reports about how this is one of the worst holiday shopping seasons for retailers. I don’t really believe that, it’s like they say that just so people will go out and buy more to prove them wrong.

This morning after my family had opened our presents around the Christmas tree, I looked at my gifts and thought how luck…blessed I was. We hear how Christmas shouldn’t be about going into debt, I just heard that in church, but though we hear that we spend big bucks on gifts.

I look at my new Wii games and know there’s quite a bit of cash there, and I think about it being spent on me and I feel bad. But when I take another look at the gifts I also see the love and thought behind them.

But of course we don’t need to show love with gifts purchased. Sometimes the most treasured gifts are those when friends or family spend time together. If Christmas has to be about gifts it doesn’t have to involve money.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Chris***s

2008-12-22T17:22:00.000-05:00

It’s almost December 25^th, and you know what that means, it’s time to crank up those holiday tunes. Wait, I said holiday, I should say Chris***s – whoa what just happened? Hmmm, it would seem Blogger or something else is censoring me. Let me try again, Chris***s. OH COME ON!

I’m sure you’re aware of such censorship. It would seem that in these seasonal and festive days certain groups are afraid to the word Chris***s for fear of offending someone. During this time of year where it’s important to just be thankful for what you have and enjoy the time together with your loved ones. It’s called the Season of Giving so why not give some holiday cheer. Instead you have those that don’t agree or care for a simple word like Christmas – ha.

I suppose on days like Black Friday all those millions of people are rushing out to get a head start on their New Year’s Eve shopping. My point right here is that lots of people celebrate Christmas, it’s an official holiday says my calendar. My calendar also has the Boxing Day and the Canadian Thanksgiving, neither of which I celebrate, doesn’t mean I have a problem with it. Nobody is forcing Christmas or any other holiday or practice on anyone, at least…not right now.

What Christmas is founded on isn’t something that is meant to hurt. It’s something that helps to make your days warm and bright. Christmas is just a word, and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but even if you don’t agree can’t we just learn to excuse the occasional and simple difference. I certainly don’t want to have to worry about saying Merry Chris***s.

Gas Tax

2008-12-22T14:28:00.007-05:00

What with it being Christmas break I’m finally able to hit the blogs again. A lot’s been happening lately and one of those things is the drop in gas prices. Currently the days of $4.00 a gallon are gone, and hello $1.50 average, give or take a few pennies. Who wouldn’t look at this as a good thing? Oh but wait, there was that whole “Alternative Energy” thing, yeah well it would seem Americans are like yeah you do that but just leave us for right now with our $1.50 a gallon.

On the December 7th edition of Meet the Press, interim moderator Tom Brokaw had this to say to exclusive guest President-elect Barack Obama:

MR. BROKAW: Let's talk for a moment about consumer responsibility when it comes to the auto industry. As soon as gas prices began to drop, consumers moved back to the larger cars once again, to SUVs and the big gas consumers.

PRES.-ELECT OBAMA: Right.

MR. BROKAW: Why not take this opportunity to put a tax on gasoline, bump it back up to $4 a gallon where people were prepared to pay for that, and use that revenue for alternative energy and as a signal to the consumers those days are gone.

PRES.-ELECT OBAMA: Well...

MR. BROKAW: We're not going to have gasoline that you can just fill up your tank for 20 bucks anymore.

Now I like Tom Brokaw but Tom come on! Americans don’t want to pay $4+ for gas, especially when it’s foreign. So thank goodness when Obama responded saying, “...keep in mind what's happening in--to families all across America. Yes, gas prices have gone down. But, in the meantime, maybe somebody in the family's lost their job. In the meantime, their housing values have plummeted. In the meantime, maybe their hours have been cut back. Or if they're a small-business owner, their sales have gone down 50, 60, 70 percent. So putting additional burdens on American families right now, I think, is a mistake.”

Duh.

Tom you were supposed to be asking the hard questions not coming up with an idea for Alternative Energy fund-raising. Alternative Energy is important but it will be years if not decades before the whole country has been redone to function on such a system. I believe Americans want to help but not if it means hurting their back pockets with a gas tax.

What's In a Name

2008-12-22T14:28:00.005-05:00

Birthday cakes, a tasty reminder and symbol of celebration of the years past since you were born. A special treat dedicated to you. The candles are lit, Happy Birthday is written with creamy icing, as well as your name. Your name, a special notice of honor placed on the cake, you’re so thrilled to see it, and you’re especially thrilled to see it just in case you’re at the age where you tend to forget what your name is. But what if someone told you that your name couldn’t be on the cake, not because there wasn’t room for it, but because of what your name was. How would you feel?

3-year-old Adolf Hitler Campbell’s father was denied a birthday cake for his son because well….his name was Adolf Hitler – like you couldn’t figure that out. This child probably has no real idea who Hitler was, his parents do, but despite that they still named their child after the Nazi dictator because they like the name and knew nobody else had it. Heath Campbell, the father, said, "They need to accept a name. A name's a name. The kid isn't going to grow up and do what [Hitler] did.”

So let’s say your name is John Smith, it doesn’t mean you are the famous 17^th century explorer, it’s just your name. But the problem with that is there’s always a chance of being named after that person. Now I know people named Jesus, but that doesn’t mean they’re the Christ, though personally I wish people would name their children after Him. The point I think I’m trying to make here is, should we judge someone based on their name? So someone wouldn’t sell a cake with the name Adolf Hitler because they knew what kind of a person Hitler was. Now would that same person also deny a cake to President-elect Barack Obama because his middle name is Hussein?

We may not like who a person is named after, or that they are named after a person despite whether they were good or bad. But it’s important to not judge a book by its cover, judge a person by who they are, not by what’s in a name.

No Bailout for Blagojevich

2008-12-12T17:22:00.002-05:00

“I think there’s nothing but sunshine hanging over me,” said Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Now you and I read this and it would seem like things are going well for the governor....well…maybe if we were reading this on the 8th of December. Because you here Blagojevich say that and then say, “tape my conversations,” gives the impression that this guy has nothing to hide.

But, the governor did have something to hide, and I’m not talking about whatever lies beneath that rug on his head. No! Under that “innocence” laid a plan the FBI sums up best: two charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery. Really rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it? Oh, and in case you thought Blagojevich was hiding a different kind of secret, I don’t blame you, you never know what politicians are doing behind closed doors.

So incase you don’t know who Blagojevich is or what he’s done I’ll tell you, actually, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald says it better. “Blagojevich put a for sale sign on the naming of a United States senator; involved himself personally in pay-to-play schemes with the urgency of a salesman meeting his annual sales target; and corruptly used his office in an effort to trample editorial voices of criticism.”

Trying to sell the empty senate seat left by our President-elect, how RIDICULOUS! To think he actually thought he was going to get away with it. It’s is somewhat humorous how there’s been a 3-year probe into the governor’s administration and the day after opens the invitations to record his conversations he’s arrested.

The future for Rod Blagojevich is uncertain but it doesn’t look good. No bailout for Blagojevich.

I’m Dreaming of a Polite Christmas

2008-11-30T14:11:00.001-05:00

Last week marked the official beginning of the Holiday Season, starting of course with Thanksgiving. If you’re one of those Americans who feel they need to burn those Thanksgiving calories, perhaps your method is getting up early and hitting the stores on Black Friday. Take for example the eager shoppers who stood outside a Wal-Mart in Long Island in the early morning hours. They were so excited to run into the store they didn’t seem to care about the Wal-Mart employee they were running over. I hope the Tickle Me Elmo, iPod, etc. was worth it…wait no I don’t, they killed the employee.

Reports say that dozens of store employees fought their way out to help the man, being trampled by the crowd in the process. Witnesses say that even as the worker lay on the ground, shoppers entering the store simply stepped over him. The AP spoke to Kimberly Cribbs, who witnessed the stampede. Cribbs said shoppers were acting like "savages."

"When they were saying they had to leave, that an employee got killed, people were yelling 'I've been on line since yesterday morning,'" she said. "They kept shopping."

Thanksgiving, the day were we’re supposed to talk about the things we’re, get this, most “thankful” for, you know family, friends, a home, food, things like that. Christmas gifts, 50% off sales, we shouldn’t put them above what’s more important, especially when it comes to a human life. A man is dead because a crowd of people just had to get those discounts. It’s amazing how in a crowd of 2,000 people, there was a group who just couldn’t realize what they were doing.

You know the media is right when they say how this will be one of the worst Holiday shopping seasons, look what happened.

You know, I’m dreaming of a polite Christmas.

Don't Vote for Your American Idol

2008-11-03T22:00:00.001-05:00

So here we find ourselves on Election Eve of 2008. Hopefully, when casting your vote you voted, or will vote, because you care about the issues. Voting can’t be about political parties, race, or personality. And you shouldn’t vote based on talking points. You’ve had plenty of time to research, to watch the candidates and find out who they are and what they really stand for, and hopefully, the kept to their beliefs.

I’ve blogged about flip-flopping before, and like I said then, flip-flopping is only a problem when it becomes a change for the worse. If a candidate supports something they didn’t support long ago, don’t vote based on the past. And speaking of the past, if the past years have been so terrible do you really know why?

When it comes to change, change can come from either side. If the past 8 years have been bad, than it is possible to learn from our mistakes and fix them. Every political candidate is an agent of change, and agents like that have been around for a long time.

So come Wednesday, I hope America will have chosen the best person for the job, and not because they're considered a maverick or the face of hope- and this is assuming the election doesn’t go 2000 on us. So do what’s right for the country, and don’t vote for your American Idol.

Trust, But Verify - a.k.a The Presidents' Conversation

2008-11-02T12:00:00.003-05:00

Imagine if you will a small room, a sort of meeting hall. There are windows running down the length of both sides of the room, in the center of the room a rectangular conference table. There are eleven chairs, five on each side, with one at the head of the table. The doors open behind the head chair and in walk eleven men, figures of American history. Each take their assigned seats, and quietly converse. The men are eleven of America’s presidents.

Private conversations go on for some time until Thomas Jefferson begins to speak. Folding his issue of today’s newspaper he says, “My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.” Nodding his head, Gerald Ford states, “A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have.” “The people are the government, administering it by their agents; they are the government, the sovereign power,” says Andrew Jackson. “Man is not free unless government is limited,” adds Ronald Reagan. From the end of the right side of the table, Abraham Lincoln speaks. “The people will save their government, if the government itself will allow them,” he then adds, “This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or exercise their revolutionary right to overthrow it.” Turning from Lincoln, Andrew Jackson faces the rest of the presidents and says, “Fear not, the people may be deluded for a moment, but cannot be corrupted.”

The topic shifts to the state of the government and the economy. “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much it is whether we provide enough for those who have little,” states Franklin Roosevelt. Lincoln turns to FDR and says, “You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.” “A wise and frugal government, shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor and bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government,” says Thomas Jefferson. “Collecting more taxes than is absolutely necessary is legalized robbery,” adds Calvin Coolidge. “Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States,” says Ronald Reagan. Andrew Jackson faces his successors and predecessor, “The planter, the farmer, the mechanic, and the laborer... form the great body of the people of the United States, they are the bone and sinew of the country men who love liberty and desire nothing but equal rights and equal laws.” “The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life,” states Teddy Roosevelt. With a small smile coming across his face Ronald Reagan says, “The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.” A few more smiles appear amongst the presidents as Reagan adds, “Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.”

Some more time passes, the issues are discussed, and final statements just two days before the 2008 election are stated. Not resisting Teddy states, “If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month.” Gerald Ford smiles as he closes saying, “Even though this is late in an election year, there is no way we can go forward except together and no way anybody can win except by serving the people's urgent needs. We cannot stand still or slip backwards. We must go forward now together.” From the head of the table the current President states, “Our nation must come together to unite.” Kennedy raises his hand, “Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future,” he then adds, “…ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Shaking his head Lincoln says, “Government of the people, by the people, for the people.” “No man will ever carry out of the Presidency with the reputation which carried him into it,” says Jefferson. Ronald Reagan turns to Jefferson, “Trust, but verify.”

A Distraction?

2008-10-13T18:05:00.002-04:00

It’s come out how Gov. Sarah Palin “abused” her power as Governor of Alaska. The Alaska Public Safety Commissioner dismissal, or Troopergate, is an event that occurred when Gov. Palin fired Commissioner Walt Monegan. The Governor fired Monegan because he failed to fire Mike Wooten, an Alaskan State Trooper, and Palin’s ex-brother-in-law. Wooten’s wife accused him of threatening to shoot her father if he hired an attorney to help in her in their divorce. Back in 2003, Wooten also used taser his step-son, because the boy wanted to know what it felt like.

So Gov. Palin is under fire for dismissing the commissioner who failed to fire her ex-brother-in-law. If you had a family member hurting or threatening a loved one would you not want some sort of legal action taken? The commissioner would still have his job had he just dismissed the trooper who was becoming a serious threat to his family. But no it’s Gov. Palin who comes off as the bad guy.

Meg Stapleton, the spokeswoman for the McCain-Palin campaign, said in a statement Friday night: "The report [...] illustrates what we've known all along: this was a partisan-led inquiry run by Obama supporters and the Palins were completely justified in their concern regarding Trooper Wooten, given his violent and rogue behavior. Lacking evidence to support the original Monegan allegation, the Legislative Council seriously overreached, making a tortured argument to find fault without basis in law or fact."

But while the Gov. Palin receives criticism and her actions are called into question, the Obama campaign is trying to sweep the William Ayers connection under the rug. Oh Gov. Palin, how dare you fire the man who failed to fire the man who threatened your sister’s family. Never mind the fact that Sen. Obama associated himself with a terrorist.

If the Obama campaign can dismiss the Obama-Ayers connection, and say it’s just a ploy to distract voters from the issues, then the Republicans can do the same with Troopergate. Isn’t Troopergate just a distraction?

You Can Have Your Principles and Your Heritage Too

2008-10-12T21:54:00.004-04:00

“Here are three men who tell me they are not going to vote for the person who most people think that would normally vote for. Take a listen...”

That’s how Rick Sanchez of CNN began his piece on people in the League of First Time Voters, where he interviewed three black men who are supporting McCain.

SANCHEZ: Isn't there any source of pride within you that says, "I may be against this guy, I may like the other guy but he makes me proud?" No?

MICHAEL McNEELY: Oh absolutely. We're proud of Barack Obama. There are millions of children that look at him as a black man and say "Wow, I can become a nominee to a major party. There's a potential to become president of the United States." Yes, we celebrate that. But see...

SANCHEZ: But you would say to those children, "Don't vote for him."

McNEELY: Yes, I would. Based on principle. Absolutely. Principles matter. Lower taxes, strong national defense, traditional marriage, free market solutions. Those types of things. That's what we believe in the Republican party.

Another one of the three men, Rufus Montgomery, said, “…when it comes to the issues I start with questions that tend to bring silence like "If Democrats are for the poor, why are people still poor?" And you can hear the silence in the room. Who will best serve as leader of this country? Do you want a steady hand in times of crises and need or do you want to go with the unknown. With McCain you may disagree with him but you know where he stands.”

Unfortunately, the YouTube post contains comments like, "absolutely disgusting! some black men are such an embarrassment!" Despite the uncivilized remarks, the important message of this post is clear; you can have your principles and your heritage too.

Give the Middle Class a Loan?

2008-10-10T20:17:00.003-04:00

On January 4, 2007 Nancy Pelosi was sworn in as the new Speaker of the House. In her inaugural address the first female speaker spoke of “sustaining our economic leadership.” She went on to add “A new America with a vibrant and strengthened middle class for whom college is affordable, health care is accessible, and retirement reliable. A new America that declares our energy independence, promotes domestic sources of renewable energy, and combats climate change.”

Well let’s see what we’ve accomplished.

Declared our energy independence, yes we’ve made it “known” that we like to be energy independent.
Yes we’ve promoted renewable energies, but that’s still 10 years away.
Fought against climate change? Look I think we all know there’s no way we can win against Mother Nature…well…

But hey, how bout that middle class.

On September 28’s Meet the Press broadcast, Former Republican Congressman Bob Schaffer and Democratic Congressman Mark Udall faced off.

REP. UDALL: For you to sit here and suggest that somehow you're immune from any of the criticism or any of the blame for the straits we find ourselves in is laughable. The policies of the Bush...

REP. SCHAFFER: Mark, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac didn't crash six years ago.

REP. UDALL: Bob, let me finish. The...

REP. SCHAFFER: They crashed this year, where you were in charge.

REP. UDALL: Let me finish. The policies you support have led us to the day that we are experiencing today.

REP. SCHAFFER: Absolutely not true.

But let’s get back to Pelosi’s inaugural address.

“In order to achieve our new America for the 21st Century, we must return this House to the American people. So our first order of business is passing the toughest congressional ethics reform in history. This new Congress doesn't have two years or 200 days. Let us join together in the first 100 hours to make this Congress the most honest and open Congress in history -- 100 hours.”

According to Wikipedia, a trusted news source, 87 business hours after the swearing-in, the House of Representatives had passed every one of the plan's measures in the form that they had been submitted to Congress by January 18, 2007. These measures included all of those promised, with the exception of part of one of the recommendations of the 9/11 commission.

I’m guessing that’s when the clock stopped.

Wikipedia also stated how one of the 100-Hour Plan's greatest opponents is former Speaker Dennis Hastert, who has said of Speaker Pelosi's intended changes that, "By repealing President Bush's tax relief, she would devastate economic prosperity for Americans and burden taxpayers at all levels."

No Mr. Speaker, we have to look beyond the truth. President Bush is top dog so it’s his fault, we can’t accept any other intelligence.

Sen. Obama says, “I believe that building a strong middle class is the key to making our economy strong. And that's what we'll do when I'm President of the United States. So yes, we'll create millions of new jobs, and yes, we'll put more money back into the pockets of hardworking families.” What’s he going to do, give the middle class a loan?

Thee Old Political Stratagem

2008-10-05T22:14:00.002-04:00

“We can’t afford four more years of failed Republican policies.” “John McCain voted with George Bush ninety-percent of the time.” If you’re paying attention to politics it is these two phrase, and those like it, which come up every week from the Democratic Party., and usually the word/phrase “change” follows.

Bill Clinton- 1992
- “Tonight I want to talk with you about my hope for the future, my faith in the American people, and my vision of the kind of country we can build together.”
- “Now that we have changed the world, it’s time to change America.”
- “I have news for the forces of greed and the defenders of the status quo: Your time has come and gone. Its time for a change in America.”
- “We can seize this moment, make it exciting and energizing and heroic to be American again. We can renew our faith in each other and in ourselves. We can restore our sense of unity and community.”
- “I want every person in this hall and every person in this land to reach out and join us in a great new adventures, to chart a bold new future.”

George W. Bush- 2000
- “Together, we will renew America's purpose.”
- “…it is the time for new beginnings.”
- “My fellow citizens, we can begin again.”
- “An era of tarnished ideals is giving way to a responsibility era, and it won't be long now.”
- “I know how serious the task is before me. I know the presidency is an office that turns pride into prayer. But I am eager to start on the work ahead, and I believe America is ready for a new beginning.”
- “Americans live on the sunrise side of the mountain, the night is passing, and we're ready for the day to come.”

In case you’re asking yourself about the quotes above they come from the acceptance speeches of Former President Clinton, and President Bush. The purpose for the quotes is show that with every election brings the candidates of change. Each one, Republican and Democrat, speak to tell America how it’s time for a new start to help America get back on track, that we need change. They’ll point out how voters can’t afford to elect another party member of the current administration, whether it’s the truth or thee old political stratagem.

Fair Interviews

2008-09-15T16:59:00.001-04:00

So last week, Gov. Sarah Palin sat down for her first interview with Charles Gibson of ABC News. By now you’ve heard some of the excerpts and reactions to the interview, and that leads us to asking if the hard hitting questions are only meant for Republicans.

Perhaps it’s due to the fact that the only real strategy Democrats know is to say, “John McCain and George W. Bush are one and the same,” or, “John McCain won’t bring change, Barack Obama will bring change. McSame will bring you four more years of failed Republican policies.” With statements like this perhaps Gibson felt he had to give the Republican VP nominee questions that would help prove nay-Sayers wrong, or did he? Now there’s certainly nothing wrong with Mr. Gibson asking the tuff questions, I mean just look at what he asked Barack Obama almost back in June of this year.

After becoming the presumptive nominee for the Democratic Party:

GIBSON:

Public moments are not your own. There's a million people pulling you in a million different directions, but when everybody clears out, the staff is gone, you're in your hotel room at night and you're alone -- do you say to yourself: "Son of a gun, I've done this?"
Should you choose her (Sen. Hillary Clinton), how do you handle Bill Clinton?
Do you worry that it could turn on race, age and class?
Is the hardest part of all this behind you or ahead of you?
I watched closely your countenance last night, your mien, as you stood in that hall. You didn't smile much. Has the joyfulness of this hit home yet? Do you take joy from it?

Now the Serious Questions:

GIBSON:

On what three issues will this campaign turn to you?
Will you go to Iraq?

You might also hear commentators refer to another interview by Gibson with Obama, back in late 2007. They’ll point out how he didn’t question the Illinois senator on his experience, but in fairness, it was an interview on Who Is Barack Obama? – a sort of softer side of the candidate. But now, three months after the interview in June, and less then a month since John McCain announced Gov. Palin as his running mate, here is what Charles Gibson asked Gov. Palin.

ABC News: September 11-12, 2008

GIBSON:

…a question that I asked John McCain about you, and it is really the central question. Can you look the country in the eye and say "I have the experience and I have the ability to be not just vice president, but perhaps president of the United States of America?"
And you didn't say to yourself, "Am I experienced enough? Am I ready? Do I know enough about international affairs? Do I -- will I feel comfortable enough on the national stage to do this?"
Have you ever met a foreign head of state?
Do you believe the United States should try to restore Georgian sovereignty over South Ossetia and Abkhazia?
Would you favor putting Georgia and Ukraine in NATO?
So what do you do about a nuclear Iran?
Do you agree with the Bush doctrine?
Do we have a right to anticipatory self-defense? Do we have a right to make a preemptive strike again another country if we feel that country might strike us?

So why did Palin get the hard questions? Perhaps it’s because we’re still learning where this former mayor, and almost two-year governor stands on the issues. And if that was to be the case, shouldn’t the same questions be directed on a regular basis to the Democratic nominee for president, the man elected to the senate in 2005, and began running for the presidency unofficially in late 2006? Once again, there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking the hard questions of those who could take there place at the top of America’s government, but let there be fairness in interviews and journalism. We can’t keep asking candidates where they stand on their opponent’s campaign ads. It’s two months until Americans head to the polls; it’s time to get serious and fair. I know I just did a post on this, but sometimes you just have to repeat yourself after these kind of “fair interviews”.

Nothing to Fear

2008-09-12T16:33:00.003-04:00

"You Maniacs! You blew it up!"

- George Taylor, Planet of the Apes (1968)

So since Wednesday I've been wondering if anyone else in the world has been feeling a sort of gravitational pull. You know like when you hold two magnets at opposite ends and there’s a good distance between them, but you get that small magnetic force pulling them together. Alright so you’re probably wondering what on earth I’m writing about. Well first off, it’s on earth and it’s a machine known to the public as the “Big Bang” machine, a machine that will explore the tiniest particles and come ever closer to re-enacting the big bang- the theory that a colossal explosion created the universe. And the only thing so people are worried about is whether or not this thing will go off with a big bang, and by this I mean, “Goodbye Planet Earth.”

The $10-billion Large Hadron Collider promises EUROPEAN scientists a closer look at the makeup of matter, filling in gaps in knowledge or possibly reshaping theories. Now that’s all grand and dandy, I along with the rest of the human race are just hoping we don’t become a reshaped theory.

Around a 17-mile tunnel, beams of protons will be fired to test the controlling strength of the world's largest superconducting magnets. While still a good month before beams traveling in opposite directions are brought together in collisions, oh good a slow death, some skeptics fear this contraption could create micro "black holes" and endanger the planet. Thank you skeptics, as if my senior year in High School needed this.

According to Wikipedia, the must trusted source in information (sarcasm), the first high-energy collisions are planned to take place after the LHC is officially unveiled on 21 October 2008. Right because the unofficial unveiling through photos to the public were already well received.

While the LHC looks like something straight out of sci-fi, the only difference is that we don’t have the means to go back in time or save the planet like you’d see in Stargate or Doctor Who. Unfortunately this little adventure could come straight out of The Twilight Zone.

Alright so I’m not being Mr. Positive, I’m sorry but with a story like this I can’t help myself. The truth is that we have nothing to fear because according to the Aztecs, whose place on earth ended a long time ago, the world won’t end until 2012- so four years until Doomsday.

For years scientists have been telling us the fate of the earth and the human race. They're constantly trying to figure out how, but do they even stop to think why any would care to know? And by the way, if there was a risk, like the earth be engulfed into a man made black hole, what gives scientists the right to risk the lives of the human race?

Well whatever you believe, you shouldn’t be worrying about the end of life on the planet. This past week I’ve tried not too- because of what I believe I have nothing to fear.

9/11

2008-09-11T17:38:00.002-04:00

We all know where we were seven years ago, and it doesn’t really need to be said why we remember, it just goes without saying. So finding ourselves in this position again, what do we do? Well the only thing any of us can do is remember those who lost someone on that fateful day, and keep them in our prayers hoping they’ve found peace. But as much as we’d like to move on, we just can’t. Anyone who remembers that day will never be able to shake the scene, nor the emotions.

So will tell us that we’re worse off then we were seven years ago- that we’re even more at risk. If that’s true than where are the attacks that mirror what we remember today? So let us continue to never forget, and thank God for every day where we don’t have another tragedy like 9/11.

100th Post: Fair and Balanced?

2008-09-03T20:40:00.001-04:00

If you’ve turned your TV on since last Friday, you’ve probably heard these two topics; 1) McCain chooses Sarah Palin as his running mate; and 2) Sarah Palin’s daughter is pregnant. Now to hear or see such topics unfold you’d have to be watching or listening to some sort of program. But the real question being asked in this post is, “what are you hearing?”

In this 100^th post on the Neutral Zone, I can’t think of any better topic than of journalists unfair. As stated in other posts the whole concept for this particular blog was to get people to try and understand the points on both sides. Now of course we have our own views and beliefs and that’s alright, for my point in getting people to hear/read, analyze, and choose. Perhaps the best example would be a political one. Ex: Sometimes people vote for their party because it’s their party, simple as that. Now that’s not always the case, there are Republicans out there who are voting for Barack Obama, there are the Joe Lieberman’s who are voting for McCain. But in an election, and this is probably sounding old, vote not just because it’s your party, but because the candidate you’re for is whom you believe to be the right person for the job- and don’t vote just because you’ve heard a few inspiring speeches. Hear. Analyze. Choose.

Since I’m 18 and can vote this November, I started out late last year trying to find the candidate I would vote for- sadly their no longer running but I’ve made my second choice. My Mom told me not to be persuaded to the party my dad was for, but to be open and learn from both sides, and indeed that it was I did and am still doing to this day.

But it would seem that in today’s world many people are not hearing both sides, or are being led to only favor one side. In my last post I wrote about the “experience debate” involving Gov. Palin. CNN’s Campbell Brown, a democrat, questioned McCain campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds as to whether Palin's supposedly little political experience contradicted McCain's previous emphasis on the importance of such experience – like with Sen. Obama. Bounds said, "Any decision she has made as the commander of the National Guard that’s deployed overseas is more of a decision Barack Obama’s been making as he’s been running for president for the last two years,"she responded, "So tell me. Tell me. Give me an example of one of those decisions.”

Now there’s nothing wrong with Campbell Brown’s question, there is however when the same question is not being asked of the other party. Yes many have stated that Gov. Palin has more experience than Sen. Obama, but as far as I can tell Sen. Obama’s experience is hardly being discussed on the major networks - not saying it hasn’t happened somewhere. What I’m talking about is fair journalism. The media might say they aren’t doing such thing, they say their just asking questions being asked by the American people- or something like that. But when you spend so much time on the “possible faults” of one party and not on the other, there’s a problem. The cable news networks (FOX News, MSNBC, CNN) share their thoughts, but NBC, ABC, CBS shouldn’t be. If the media or press are going to inform the American people of the day’s events, they report, they tell both sides, and they are fair - they must prove Bill O’Reilly wrong when he says the media is trying to get Barack Obama elected.

This is just my opinion; you’re free to do whatever you want- the media is free to do whatever they want, its freedom of speech, and its freedom of the press. We all know what persuasive writing is, but I think we’ve reached a problem when we have persuasive UNFAIR journalism. Like I said, we all have our own opinions, but we shouldn’t give one person a hard time for being one way and be easy on someone we like even though they fall under the same category. So I think I’m going to call this 100^th post: Fair and Balanced?

To Prove Themselves

2008-08-31T17:43:00.004-04:00

There’s no doubt that you’ve heard Barack Obama is inexperienced. At one point his own fellow Democrats said the same of him, of course that was when they were running against him. But Sen. Obama has been trying very hard to ensure Americans that he is the man for the job, he’s the man that will bring change to this country.

Last Thursday, on the point that Sen. McCain would not bring change for America, Sen. Obama had this to say, “John McCain has voted with George Bush ninety percent of the time. Senator McCain likes to talk about judgment, but really, what does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush has been right more than ninety percent of the time? I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to take a ten percent chance on change.”

As I stated on my political blog, how can he say he’s not ready to take a “ten percent” chance on change with John McCain, but Americans are to take a one-hundred percent chance on him?

With the announcement of Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin as Sen. McCain’s running mate, many have questioned as to whether or not she’s ready to lead the country. Now she’s not running for president, but there’s always the possibility that she could find herself in that position. So apparently we can’t risk electing McCain who will have a supposedly “inexperienced” VP who could possibly have to take the reins from McCain, but we can take a risk on Obama, a man WHO IS running for president.

On Meet the Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty had this to say to about whether or not Palin is prepared to be VP, “Well, in fairness to Governor Palin, let's do the same analysis as to Senator Obama. He's basically graduated from law school, went on to be a community organizer and a law professor, went to the U.S. Senate and began running for president, essentially, the day he arrived. So he didn't even stick around in the Senate very long before he began running for governor (obviously meaning to say "president"). So what it is in his background, Tom, that would give him that same type of requisite wisdom and judgment and insight on national security matters or foreign affairs matter or anything else? But importantly, Senator--or Governor Palin is an executive. She has--during that time that he's been running for president, she's been running a large enterprise of the state of Alaska successfully as an executive, as commander in chief of the Alaska National Guard, and by all accounts, somebody who's formidable on policy, who's smart, and basically has guts and grit because of her background, and can relate to people.”

No matter who the country elects in November risks will be taken. In January of 2001, President Bush never expected 9/11. So a candidate, Democrat or Republican can say one thing but they aren’t fortune tellers. Barack Obama could indeed bring change for the better to America, or change for the worse. John McCain could turn out to prove anyone who says he was like Bush wrong- he could be the greatest president or the worst. A speech can spark interest, but it does not always prove that someone is ready to lead America, experience does. So look up Obama/Biden and McCain/Palin and see what your candidates have done to prove themselves.

To Russia with Love, Sort Of

2008-08-17T20:41:00.002-04:00

It was Russia versus Georgia in the Olympic Women’s Volleyball heats. The two teams seemed to get along well before the match as the players all shook hands. In the end Georgia beat the Russians 21-10 20-22 12-15. But there was a whole different fight going on back home for both teams.

On August 8 crisis erupted when Georgia sent forces to retake South Ossetia, a pro-Russian province that threw off Georgian rule in the 1990s. Moscow responded by sending its troops into Georgia.

President Bush sent Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Tbilisi to show support for the Georgian government. The president also ordered the military to deliver humanitarian aid to Georgia. He also said that Russia "must keep its word" and end the crisis with the U.S. ally. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that Russia is showing signs of returning to its authoritarian past and its invasion of Georgia will require the U.S. to re-evaluate the strategic relationship between the superpowers.

This morning on Meet the Press, David Gregory spoke with the Secretary Rice. On the question of whether Georgia provoked the crisis, Secretary Rice responded saying, “This crisis has been going on for, as I said, more than a decade. It has been a hot zone and a volatile zone where there have been skirmishes over a significant period of time. It is absolutely the case that we have cautioned all parties against the use of force. In fact, I also talked to the Russians repeatedly in this period about the railway troops that they were bringing in, about reinforcing their peacekeepers, about overflying Georgian territory. So this had been a zone of conflict. We were trying to resolve it peacefully.”

On July 15 of this year, Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev said “Russia is indeed stronger and able to assume greater responsibility for solving problems on a regional and global scale. Thus for you and for all of us now I think it is absolutely clear that now the world is not just listening to Russia but looking to us for help with solving problems.”

Yeah.

Troops have yet to pull out of Georgia, and the U.S. can only hope that Medvedev keeps his word. A word of advice to Russia, if you’re looking to take your place in the world, this isn’t helping. Just a thought and just a message to Russia with love, sort of.

Photo by Dan Chung

Totally Read to Lead

2008-08-06T21:58:00.005-04:00

Warning: The following may cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, and the sudden urge to hit something.

Paris Hilton is running for president!

In case you're looking outside your window to see if pigs are flying past, have no fear for it's only a joke. You can probably recall that the young heiress was used in a John McCain campaign ad calling Barack Obama a celebrity. Well now, with the help of comedy site Funny or Die, Paris has released her own video stating her energy plan which takes elements of McCain and Obama, as well as her interest as having R&B singer Rihanna as her running mate. Said Hilton, "I want America to know that I'm, like, totally ready to lead."

Obama Overseas: Déjà Vu

2008-07-25T22:00:00.002-04:00

While John McCain shopped with voters, dodged criticism from the media for criticizing Barack Obama, and tries to make it known that he too is in the presidential race, Sen. Obama was standing before the masses in Berlin.

The scene of Thursday's gathering mirrored that of the March on Washington political rally back on August 28, 1963, or that of when President Ronald Reagan spoke in Berlin back on June 12, 1987. Saying he was speaking as a citizen, and not as a presidential candidate, Barack Obama came to deliver a speech of unity for the people of the world to take a stand against terrorism. But didn't we already come together for such a cause once before?

"People of the world - look at Berlin, where a wall came down, a continent came together, and history proved that there is no challenge too great for a world that stands as one.

...In this new world, such dangerous currents have swept along faster than our efforts to contain them. That is why we cannot afford to be divided. No one nation, no matter how large or powerful, can defeat such challenges alone.

...Yes, there have been differences between America and Europe. No doubt, there will be differences in the future. But the burdens of global citizenship continue to bind us together. A change of leadership in Washington will not lift this burden. In this new century, Americans and Europeans alike will be required to do more - not less. Partnership and cooperation among nations is not a choice; it is the one way, the only way, to protect our common security and advance our common humanity.

That is why the greatest danger of all is to allow new walls to divide us from one another.

The walls between old allies on either side of the Atlantic cannot stand. The walls between the countries with the most and those with the least cannot stand. The walls between races and tribes; natives and immigrants; Christian and Muslim and Jew cannot stand. These now are the walls we must tear down."

Unfortunately for Obama the majority of the crowd was most likely not American, and therefore can not cast their vote for him in the fall. By taking such a stand for peace as one who could be president certainly helps to boost not only Sen. Obama's image, but the image of America. But if the world is to come together and fight against those who would do us harm, is it because of Barack Obama? Would Europeans have rallied together if President Bush was to have made such a speech, or Sen. McCain? Does one join in unity for the better of humanity because one man made a speech on something we should've already been for? Was it really this speech to get such an obvious message out there? Did Sen. Obama just re-ignite the call to fight?

"People of Berlin - and people of the world - the scale of our challenge is great. The road ahead will be long. But I come before you to say that we are heirs to a struggle for freedom. We are a people of improbable hope. With an eye toward the future, with resolve in our hearts, let us remember this history, and answer our destiny, and remake the world once again."

Some say it's time for American forces to come home, and some say we have no right being over there, and President Bush as ruined America. But thanks to Sen. Obama's speech of coming together against terrorists, and doing away with nuclear weapons, make the American mind-set will change- hey, isn't Barack running for change? I don't know, sounds more like déjà vu.

Not Positive

2008-07-14T23:11:00.003-04:00

In case you haven't noticed there's this door in Washington D.C. that President Bush is trying to open. Unfortunately for the president every time he's able to unlock the door, Congress is there to keep him from entering.

Today President Bush promised to lift the ban on offshore drilling. By making this move, the president has placed the pressure on a congress mostly made up of Democrats. "For years, my administration has been calling on Congress to expand domestic oil production," said Mr. Bush. "Unfortunately, Democrats on Capitol Hill have rejected virtually every proposal. And now Americans are paying at the pump." But though the president wishes to lift the ban, it takes the action of congress to completely do so. Apparently there are two prohibitions on offshore drilling, one imposed by Congress and another by executive order signed by the first President Bush in 1990. Said the president, "When Congress lifts the legislative ban, I will lift the executive prohibition."

Now maybe you're sitting there reading this thinking how President Bush has failed the country again, but I would just like to point out the key word here, "Congress". Also, when you hear how Bush's approval rating continues to fall, ask yourself why that is, and then ask if the people who believe he's failed really know what they're talking about.

Sen. John McCain shares the same feelings as the president on this topic, while Sen. Obama wishes to help Americans with a second economic stimulus package so they can afford to pay the high gas prices. Both candidates also wish to develop alternate energy sources, but while it's a good idea, we're no where near that point.

According to Obama spokesman Bill Burton offshore drilling would provide short-term relief at the pump or a long-term strategy for energy independence. "It would be worthy of consideration, regardless of the risks," he said. "But most experts, even within the Bush administration, concede it would do neither. It would merely prolong the failed energy policies we have seen from Washington for thirty years." Thank you Mr. Positive, and when can we expect results from the Obama administration? Oh yeah, that's if he's elected, and that plan would still be a good decade or two away from completion.

Apparently even if Congress was to do their part is lifting the drilling ban, we wouldn't see results anytime soon, and when drilling operations finally got underway the results would be insignificant. But come on, isn't it better to try and so something than blaming the president for doing nothing? So thanks to the negativity on Capital Hill who knows what we can expect, because so far when it comes to gas, it's certainly not positive.

The iStill-Want

2008-07-11T14:04:00.005-04:00

It's July 11 and I think we all know what that means...Stargate Atlantis returns for its fifth season tonight. While true, my favorite television programs is not what I want to write about.

You can look on your calendar and see that July 11 is just as important as July 10 - it's just an ordinary day. Historically speaking July 11 could be remembered as the day when the United States' first secretary of the treasury, Alexander Hamilton, was killed by Vice President Aaron Burr in a duel. But it's more likely the people of today will remember July 11 as the day when the new iPhone was released.

Yes Steve Jobs flashed the Apple signal in the sky and Apple followers everywhere came out to answer the call. Standing in those Star Wars like lines, eager shoppers hoped to get their hands on their very own i-do it all but make dinner and lower gas prices- Phone. Speaking of gas prices, what's it at these days? The 8GB version goes for $199 and the 16GB version goes for $299.

But hey, who wants to buy a phone when there's a chance of glitches? Consumer Electronics editor Dan Costa of PC Magazine lists the reasons why you shouldn't buy one- good luck on being heard Dan. One of the things I found amusing from Dan's article was, "There are even lines of people waiting outside Apple Stores across the country, ...longer than any sane person should wait to buy a phone (A Nintendo Wii, on the other hand…). Cough.

The iPhone 3G, fantastic to look at? Yes. The phone made to be dominate over all? Yes. The phone that is expected to win Washington in the fall? Wait, sorry I'm getting my impressive to look at figures mixed up.

To the world, the iPhone, no matter the cost or bad press, continues to be the iStill-Want.

Get an Appointment with Dr. Pepper

2008-07-09T21:57:00.003-04:00

First the lettuce and spinach, then the tomatoes, and now the peppers. From eating raw tomatoes, more than 1,000 people have become ill, leading to one of the worst foodborne outbreaks in at least a decade, and as stated above you can now add certain types of hot peppers to the list.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged that people at highest risk of severe illness from salmonella should not eat raw jalapeno and serrano peppers. The people who are more at risk are the elderly, those with weak immune systems, and infants.

Illnesses have been reported in 41 states, and it's possible that more than a thousand people have become ill. Cilantro is also under investigation because a significant number of people who got sick say they ate raw tomatoes, jalapenos and cilantro.

So what can you do? Basically just be cautious about what it is you're eating, and hopefully you can walk into Chili's without hesitating (ust a joke, nothing to fear). And if you must see a doctor, try to get an appointment with Dr. Pepper.

Jamie Got a Happy Ending

2008-07-09T21:31:00.001-04:00

According to OK! magazine, 17-year-old Jamie Lynn Spears is doing just fine following the birth of her daughter a couple of weeks ago. Jamie goes on to talk about her family that was present for the special occasion and how she even looks forward to being a soccer mom- maybe she'd make the team. Lynne Spears, mother of Jamie and older sister Britney, told her young daughter to follow her instincts and she'll do fine raising the child.

- These Encouraging Words Brought to You by St. Lynne Spears-

Let's just leave this post at glad Jamie got a happy ending.

Independence

2008-07-04T21:40:00.003-04:00

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Those words penned two-hundred and thirty-two years ago, marked the moment when little America made its declaration for independence. Here we are in 2008, and just look at how far we've come. Since my post on this day a year ago, I can turn on the television and see that we are still at war. Times remain tough for many, but I can't help but once again repeat what the echoes of past posts are saying, "at least we're safe, at least we have our freedom." Sure things may not be going great for many but we're a lot better of then others around the world. So on this 4th July, continue to remember our soldiers, and while they fight for our safety, soldiers of America's Revolution fought for your Independence.

A Very Happy 18th Birthday

2008-06-27T21:52:00.003-04:00

My birthday falls on June 27, and this year it was a day full of tears and goodbyes, because today was Bill Gates last full day at Microsoft. Now I’m not really going on to talk about Bill Gates I just found that to be clever opening. Now my birthday was full of surprise seeing how I was given the impossible. Yes, the device so hard for one to get their hands on fell into mine, and that gift was WALL-E. Just kidding, it was Nintendo’s Wii.

Today I turned 18, and my family certainly made it a wonderful birthday, Steak ‘n Shake however did not. Nothing could be better than going to a restaurant you love and seeing the things you crave the most no longer exist. And nothing could be more exciting then having a group full of waiters singing Happy Birthday in Spanish and off tune – at least I was surrounded by the people who mean the most to me.

Turning eighteen opens up a whole new set of things I’m allowed to do, unfortunately there a whole set of things I would never do. The only perks are that I can vote; enter a contest without entering my dad’s birthday, and buy a lottery ticket – maybe I’ll get lucky. But whatever eighteen brings for me, I thank the people who made this celebration a very happy 18th birthday.

Damaged?

2008-06-18T21:40:00.001-04:00

There's a song by the late Johnny Cash entitled A Boy Named Sue. Fortunately for guys everywhere the name Sue is not one usually considered when for them. However, suing has certainly become quite the habit.

Just today the Fox News website posted two stories revolving around that very word. One woman threatened to sue the city she lived in if they kept her from riding topless in their 4th of July parade. The law says nothing about covering one's upper half- guess the city's lawmakers should've elaborated. The other article involved a woman suing Victoria's Secret because of defective underwear. The woman says a small metallic object on the underwear hit her in the eye, giving her a cut - guess it was a slingshot. And just a month or two ago a man sued JetBlue because he was forced out of the seat he got at the last minute, and into the lavatory.

Usually when a person sues they ask for a rather large amount of money due to damages. Leading me to ask if they really deserve it.

When I was in the 4th grade I got lunch from the school. Well on one of those hot lunch days, I bit into my sandwich like we all do, but to my surprise I ended up pulling out some sort of micro-chip. I have no idea what happen to cause that little foreign object to become planted in my griller, but I didn't sue- I was only ten, but that didn't make any difference.

It sort of seems like we're not always to accept things as a mere accident. I would think that people who are going to sue are mature enough, and have enough good reason to go through with such an action, but sometimes that's not always the case. I'm sure there have been times where people have threatened to sue even though they failed to read that warning label. I jumped into an above ground pool and when my foot hit the bottom, I slipped further under with water washing up my nose. Where does the fault lie? Or how about this, you spill a drink you got, would you sue for a lid not being securely put on? So maybe I'll just throw this question out there for anyone thinking of suing; are you really that damaged?

Happy Father's Day!

2008-06-15T11:30:00.005-04:00

With it being Father’s Day one can only hope that dads everywhere are enjoying their special day. Perhaps their thanking you for their brand new tie, perhaps their off to frame the picture you drew for them, maybe their sitting down to enjoy the book or DVD you got them, or the call you made. And perhaps for some dads’ the greatest gift is simply in celebrating their first Father’s Day.

If you watch the news then you know that for some, Father’s Day won’t be so enjoyable. So just in case, make every moment matter. Friends come and go, but family never will. Whether it’s a day for going on a walk, heading to the movies, or meeting up to eat, who says we should set aside just one day to honor those who influence us those most? Even if it’s just out on a drive; or being invited to hang out at the pool before watching movies with ice cream and brownies, there shouldn’t just be one day where we say thank you and I love you. It shouldn’t even have to be marked on a calendar to remind us.

Whether it's your imediate family or close friends who treat you like part of theirs, don't wait until the holidays to show that you care. Happy Father’s Day!

In conversation father can
Do many wondrous things;
He’s built upon a wiser plan
Than presidents or kings.
He knows the ins and outs of each
And every deep transaction;
We look to him for theories,
But look to ma for action.

-excerpt from "Father"

by: Edgar A. Guest (1909)

Dedicated to

The Russert Family

Remembering Tim Russert

2008-06-13T17:40:00.008-04:00

Today was supposed to be just another summer day for me, but it wasn't until I heard about the passing of Tim Russert when this ordinary day changed. Tim Russert, who died at the age of 58, was the Washington Bureau Chief for NBC News, and moderator of Meet the Press. Russert was an American journalist who devoted his life to telling the people of America what was going on in the world of politics, and yet he did so much more. It was that same strong passion he put above his own needs right up until his final moment.

During the school year my sister and I turn the television on and watch the Today show. And every now and then there would be Tim Russert commenting on the daily political coverage. I remember watching him with Brian Williams on the MSNBC debates. Tim Russert asked those questions that for me at least were the ones that mattered the most. And if you watched him, you probably recall his trusty whiteboard.

I saw Mr. Russert more on Today then on Meet the Press, but I made sure to download the podcast, just wished I had watched it more. He wasn't running for office but he made sure you knew who was. If you are to leave this blog with anything, remember how much he loved this country. We may not be perfect but we can certainly try to make things for the better. An inspiration to me, and an inspiration to his country. Today we are remembering Tim Russert (May 7, 1950 - June 13, 2008).

Food for Thought

2008-06-09T14:27:00.003-04:00

You won't be asking where the beef is, instead you'll be wondering what happened to your tomato. McDonald's Corp. has temporarily stopped serving tomatoes in their sandwiches so that they can locate the source of a salmonella outbreak.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned U.S. consumers that the salmonella outbreak is linked to the consumption of certain raw red plum, red Roma, and red round tomatoes, and products containing these tomatoes. The FDA has said that it is safe to eat cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, or tomatoes grown at home.

I for one applaud McDonald's on responding quickly to this outbreak, and thank them for removing the tomatoes for the time being. I know I wouldn't want to go to McDonald's or any other similar fast food establishment and be served something that was hazardous to my health. But hey, with those tomatoes gone I guess my nutrition worries are no longer necessary - and I think Morgan Spurlock would agree.

So for now America, rest comfortably, there is no need to worry about what your sinking your teeth into. No fast food corporation would put our health in jeopardy to make a buck. And if they did, it's up to us to decide what we allow ourselves to put into our bodies. Oh well, food for thought.

Keep It In Mind

2008-06-03T23:58:00.002-04:00

This nation will remain a neutral nation, but I cannot ask that every American remain neutral in thought as well. Even a neutral has a right to take account of facts, even a neutral cannot be asked to close his mind or close his conscience. - President Franklin D. Roosevelt

When I came across this quote, it got me thinking about my blog. Here I write, or at least try to write with a neutral mind. I write this way to show that I understand the different opinions people may have, and I try to write to find the middle ground. I hope I haven't come across in a way that makes me sound like my way is the best way. So when I say "stay neutral" I ask that we all listen and understand that everyone is entitled to their opinion. But in a world where someone is always against someone, maybe we can just stop, listen, and just try to get along. So stay neutral, or at least keep it in mind.

Running on Dunkin', Literally

2008-05-29T16:36:00.003-04:00

Forget the high rising gas prices, forget the fact that Hillary Clinton is still campaigning. Now I'll ask you to forget the damage and sadness plaguing China and Myanmar. Why have I asked you to do this? Well it's to show you the importance of pointing out the terrorist sympathizer known as Rachel Ray. That's right, the woman who gains applause whenever she cuts potatoes has shown her support to those who would do us harm. I know, I couldn't believe it either.

How did such a thing come about? Well incase you didn't know, Rachel Ray is occasionally featured in commercials for Dunkin' Donuts. Well in a recent online advertisement, Ray is seen wearing a scarf that some say resembles a kaffiyeh, which is the traditional Arab headdress. Yes, I'm sure Rachel Ray, along with the wardrobe department were thinking that very thing when the scarf was placed around her neck. I'm sure you can see the subliminal message in her diabolical eyes. Eat more donuts, they won't do your American arteries any harm! Oh for cryin' out loud, are we seriously coming to this? Has anyone even stopped to think how stereotypical/racist of a statement that is? Rachel Ray puts a scarf on that resembles what a terrorists or extremist wears, so she must be anti-American.

And just so everyone can sleep peacefully, Dunkin' Donuts pulled the ad off their website. What's next, American security stopping anyone at an airport who appears to be Middle Eastern? Oh wait, we're already doing that. And so, all because of a scarf, America is running on Dunkin', literally.

Stand Up To Cancer

2008-05-28T18:01:00.003-04:00

Have you ever asked yourself if you could save a life? Well today on the morning news programs on ABC, NBC, and CBS, the evening news anchors (Charles Gibson, Brian Williams, and Katie Couric) teamed up to announce the joining of the three networks to donate one hour of commercial-free prime-time for a national televised fundraiser to fight cancer. The simulcast entitled "Stand Up to Cancer" airs on September 5.

Stand Up to Cancer is a new initiative that will raise money and sponsor innovative approaches to fighting cancer. Now you don't have to wait until September to help the cause, you can start up your fundraising team today, by logging on to www.standup2cancer.org. The website includes a section where you can launch a personalized star in honor of someone you know or knew with cancer. And you can set up this out of this world memorial all for the price of one dollar. All of the donated money raised, goes to continuing the research needed to win the fight against cancer. So while you may not be saving a life today, your donation helps bring hope to the world of tomorrow.

Says the mission statement on the website, "This is where the end of cancer begins: when we unite in one unstoppable movement and Stand Up To Cancer."

Education that Connects

2008-05-16T22:02:00.003-04:00

So in Kindergarten, you start learning your vowels, ABC's, 123's, and you enjoy recess. From then on, and get this, your level of education and understanding increase. Wow talk about a concept. Now what could be the reason for this? Probably to help you make something of yourself and succeed in life, because the last thing you want is to wind up being asked questions that make you look stupid on The Tonight Show.

A few weeks ago at my school we had evaluators come and visit. Just in case you don't know, evaluators are teachers and administrators from other schools who come to see how well our school is doing, and decide as to whether or not they may be interested in incorporating our ways into their schools. I, along with some of my classmates, were randomly selected to take part in a discussion about what we thought of our school. Now in my school every student has a laptop, a "tool" used to help the student in his or her studies. When the question about our thoughts on the laptops came up, I said they were unnecessary. It sort of felt like I was alone in my opinion. Why? Well here's my reason. A student doesn't need a computer to learn, believe it or not there was a time where people got an education and succeeded without a computer. There's nothing in school that can't be done without a good ole' piece of paper and pencil. Oh but we need them to turn in our assignments, we need them to gather information for projects. True, but there are things that can be done on a computer at home. "But I need to turn my assignments in." Yes well you can do that at home just like you did in the 7th grade.

Personally I feel computers in class can dumb a student down. A teacher is talking but the student is checking out what happened on LOST, or listening to music, e-mailing, or watching ten guys chase a ball down a court. Now I'll admit, I've done these things, but I'm not proud of it, it's a temptation, but it's how some schools feel they need to operate.

You may be wondering why I'm writing about such a thing. Well I heard a girl at my school ask, "Are there beaches in Georgia?" You see what I mean. I felt like turning around and yelling, "Yes, it's called the coastline! Perhaps you didn't notice the large body of water known at the Atlantic!" And while Sen. Obama may have been tired, you wouldn't want your kid believing that America is made up of 57 states. I'm not saying computers are a problem, and that they'll keep you from graduating the top of your class, just be careful, we don't want to end up nervous and embarrassed like Miss South Carolina 2007. So maybe we should keep the lid closed from time to time, and focus on getting a real education that connects.

It's Your Character Rev. Wright

2008-04-28T13:34:00.001-04:00

Now Rev. Jeremiah Wright isn’t running for president, but with the amount of media coverage he gets you would think he was. After being dropped by Sen. Obama, and retiring from his church, Rev. Wright has stepped back into the spotlight this time saying that criticism surrounding his fiery sermons is an attack on the black church. No, I don’t think so. Any criticism you’re receiving is because you’re an idiot. Sure you’re entitled to your opinion, but you were saying that the government was responsible for 9/11.

Because of the controversy Wright has rejected those who have labeled him unpatriotic. "I served six years in the military, does that make me patriotic? How many years did (Vice President Dick) Cheney serve?" Wright went on about the good deeds and community service done by his church. Alright, that’s great; I don’t think anyone is knocking that. The only thing I think anyone has an issue with are the fiery words that came out of Wright’s mouth. Wright also added that church and family members have served in the military, fighting in areas like Afghanistan and Iraq, though he added their being sent over a lie.

Alright fine, let’s say we got it wrong; there were no weapons of mass destruction, we made a huge mistake. But, the minds and hands capable of causing the destruction of 9/11 are still over there. As much as we want the war to end, it’s being fought to keep everyone here in America safe. So yes brings the troops home, but if we’ve made a mistake in being over there, let’s no leave without cleaning up the mess. We can’t fix the evil in the world, we can’t rid the world of war and terrorism, and America can’t go and try to fix the problems of the world. But perhaps we can try to say that we had the safety of others in mind.

So fine Rev. Wright, say what you will. America isn’t perfect, it can’t be perfect, and I know that. But don’t make this about race. That shouldn’t be an issue anymore. It shouldn’t be the card dealt when someone receives criticism. Dr. King said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” I think we’re there, so it’s not the color of your skin, it's your character Rev. Wright.

What Would Hannah Montana Do?

2008-04-28T12:58:00.000-04:00

She may have the “Best of Both Worlds”, but Miley Cyrus is receiving some unwanted attention, and this time she’s embarrassed. The 15-year-old teen queen posed for Vanity Fair. In one image she is shown looking over her shoulder with her back exposed while holding a bedsheet. “I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be 'artistic' and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed,” said Cyrus. Oh, well that makes sense; she thought it was just tasteful art.

Miley had both her parents on set, and they all saw the image and thought it was a beautiful and natural portrait. “I think it's really artsy," she told the magazine at the time. "It wasn't in a skanky way. Annie (the photographer/artist) took, like, a beautiful shot, and I thought that was really cool. That's what she wanted me to do, and you can't say no to Annie.” Hmmm, can’t say no?

So why the change? Well it’s probably because of the questionable images of her that surfaced last week. And “if” that’s the case, would she have a problem with the photos if her racy ones hadn’t been revealed? “I never intended for any of this to happen and I apologize to my fans who I care so deeply about.” And yes, what about that fans? What will the fans think? What will their parents think? What does Disney think? You know this is starting to become a habit with Disney/Nickelodeon stars making poor choices. Oh Miley, why didn’t you stop and think? You should’ve asked yourself, “what would Hannah Montana do?”

Leading the Sheep Astray?

2008-04-16T19:56:00.004-04:00

It's no secret that Pope Benedict XVI is in the United States of America, his first visit since becoming head of the Roman Catholic Church. Today Benedict met with President George W. Bush on the White House lawns for a celebration held in his honor. Spending his 81st birthday today in America comes as somewhat of a gift for the pontiff, for he is here to help nurture and re-ignite the faith in the Catholics of America. Saying to the audience in attendance at the White House, ""I trust that my presence will be a source of renewal and hope for the church in the United States and strengthens the resolve of Catholics to contribute even more responsibly to the life of this nation of which they are proud to be citizens."

While continuing my research on Pope Benedict's visit, I came across the following statement made by President Bush, "In a world where some treat life as something to be debased and discarded, we need your message that all human life is sacred and that each of us is willed, each of us is loved, and each of us is necessary."

Wait sorry, his message? You mean we need the pope to help us feel better about ourselves, or to help renew our faith? Now I'm not Catholic but I don't think anyone needs the pope to blow his little horn of positive thinking, or his message of love to help them realize what is needed in a world full of evil. To me the pope's like Al Gore, receiving honor for something he didn't do- I'm surprised he hasn't been given the Noble Peace Prize yet. Now correct me if I was wrong but wasn't the main reason the pilgrims came to this land for religious freedom? Sure we have freedom of religion, but it certainly seems that the president is speaking on behalf of the entire of nation in accepting the "words" of Pope Benedict.

Now you might be wondering how I can write such things when I'm not Catholic, and how this post doesn't seem to be leaning towards neutral thinking, but I'm going to pull a Dick Cheney here and say, "so?" Sure I can here my pastors preach and thank them for their message, but I know that their message isn't their's but God's. Yes the pope can bring a message of love and speak of renewal in faith, but it doesn't take the pope, it shouldn't take the pope to bring one to God, but it seems to me that that is what's happening. Where does Jesus say in the Bible that man must go through man in order to connect with God. Yes the disciples of Christ, or missionaries in today's world have gone out and helped bring others to God, but I don't think their saying, "to get to God you must go through me." I don't go to my pastor and ask them for them to forgive me on behalf of God. And where do those who are elected to become head of the "universal" church get the right to have such authority? Faith is the most powerful thing one can control but the only one can control's one's faith- only you can be in charge of what you believe.

When the pope's six-day visit is over, he'll board Shepard One, and fly back to Rome. So I can't help but leave you with this question for you to provide your own answer too, is the pope leading the sheep astray?

Message in a Bottle

2008-04-15T19:25:00.003-04:00

Whether you're at work, the gym, or your geometry class, you're likely to have a water bottle at your side. So what could cause me to write post a post on water bottles? Well it's because scientists have started to question whether plastic bottles might actually be harmful to our health.

Apparently a lot of reusable plastic bottles contain a chemical known as Bisphenol A. It's said that the effects are primary reproductive and fertility effects in both male and female organisms. It's also possible that this chemical can increase your chances of breast and prostate cancer.

Now you might be looking at your bottle and thinking of hurling the thing into the trash, makes sense, but the Federal Food and Drug Administration and the plastics industry agree with scientists, when they say that the chemical leaches out at such low levels that it is safe. Ok, but still, if it's "supposedly" safe then why go and announce a concern to the public? Well I'm sure it's because there's a concern and we have a right to know the possible risks to our health. And to know if your bottle is safe or not- bottles containing the number 3, 6 or 7 have the potential to release the chemical. And if there is a risk, I don't know why the government is taking its time to release a large-scale study about the plastic bottles after animal tests showed that Bisphenol A affects hormones. And what I find somewhat humourous is that the government is working on a large-scale study, though we're only going to care about a paragraph's worth of information. But sure go ahead take your time, I mean afterall it's just my life and every other person who has one of these bottles. But I still don't get these yes, no, maybe so risks. Are we seriously talking cancer or people having babys that look like puppies or Michael Jackson? Well whatever the case may be this is certainly not the most positive message in a bottle.

Stay Neutral

2008-04-14T11:20:00.005-04:00

So yesterday, April 13, marked the one-year anniversary since I started the Neutral Zone. I find it somewhat of a big deal, mostly because I wasn't sure I would remain faithful to it, after all there is a two month gap between my first and second post. The whole point of starting the blog was to try and offer a view where people see things eye to eye. Amongst the 70+ posts we have the entertaining, the sad, the serious, and the just plain weird. Plus one of my greatest achievements I think is the creation of my other blog, the Long Haul, a spin-off as I see it.

Having been blogging for the past year, I look back on the posts and notice a lack of comments. I encourage my two readers, or possibly more, to tell me what they think, share their views, and maybe just maybe we can work to agree on things in the world and not be at each other's throats.

With a second year of blogging having begun, I hope to continue to inject some good or at least some reason into the thoughts and opinions of the world's stories. So to my readers I say to remember to stay neutral.

Why Now and Not Then?

2008-04-11T21:51:00.003-04:00

This week we've listened to the hearings of General David Petraeus, we've looked for the signs of Beyonce's wedding, and we might just be wondering how much longer Katie Couric will remain with CBS News. But perhaps the second biggest story this week has been the mystery and horror that has come from the YFZ (Yearning for Zion) Ranch.

The compound lies just outside of Eldorado in Southwest Texas, and it is owned by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Members of the FLDS Church left their previous locations to escape increasing scrutiny from the media, anti-polygamy activists and law enforcement officials. It was in 2004 when William Benjamin Johnson, who was fined for hunting without a license, purchased the property, insisting later that the buildings that had been constructed were part of a corporate hunting retreat. The story was a lie, the buildings were part of the FLDS church's new compound. Now what's the problem? Well members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints no longer practice plural marriages or polygamy, this is where the formation of the Fundamentalists in the 1930's comes in. And now begins a story for Dateline.

A week ago a sixteen year old girl called authorities saying she was a victim of physical and sexual abuse, abuse she had received from her 50-year-old husband. The girl had a child with the man, with the child being born just eight months ago, and the girl feared she was pregnant again. As of April 8, as many as 533 women and children had been removed from the compound by authorities. 416 children (both boys and girls) have been placed in state custody because authorities believed they "had been abused or were at immediate risk of future abuse," a state spokesman said. But there is no knowledge of the whereabouts of the girl who called.

If you've seen the images of the women and children, you know they look very conservative. The women are forbidden to wear makeup, pants or any skirt above the knees or to cut their hair. Wearing homemade outfits, the women look as if they've walked out of the late 1800s. And the world they know is far from ours, though we're not entirely sure what they do know- but it's probably very minimal. For example, I heard the children were handed crayons and they had no idea what to do with them.

While watching this story unfold on the news, I heard one woman say it was the government going against religion. What religion allows men to take on more than one wife? Yes it's not unheard of, just watch Big Love, but this is more for the sick pleasure of the men. For the past couple of years the "officials" of the church have lowered the bar on when a man could take a girl for a wife. The permitted number being allowed has gone as low as 13. And speaking of the leaders of the group, the FLDS Church President Warren Jeffs was arrested in 2006 and is being held on rape charges. Hello! Wake up America, shouldn't something have been done two years ago? Shouldn't something have been done decades ago? And now we have women who have escaped compounds like this one coming forward with what darkness lay on the property. It's almost as if the word "escape" wasn't a good enough reason to have taken action years ago.

It would seem associating itself with the church helps to try and cast a positive outlook, but I look at the temple and it looks like an outpost for Hell- it's a sanctuary for pedophiles. And why is it that the authorities had to wait to make their move now when they have been well aware of what's been going on for several years, especially when they've supposedly had an officer on the inside?! If it wasn't for the caller how much longer would the suffering have gone on? So I guess my real question is why now and not then?

In the Eyes of Dick Cheney

2008-04-11T11:00:00.005-04:00

The quirks or accidents of Vice-President Dick Cheney include that occasional growling smile of his, the impression he doesn't care what Americans think about the stay in Iraq, and the famous but accidental shooting incendent. But now the 67 year-old vice-president is fallung under suspision for this photo.

What is it? Nobody really knows, at least nobody but Dick Cheney and the White House. While Mr. Cheney states it to be a friend holding a fishing rod, many online speculators believe it to be a naked woman. Now that of course is just one idea, I think it looks like a deer, or perhaps Chuck E. Cheese came to pay Cheney a visit. Or perhaps it's proof that the government is working with aliens. Perhaps they have some sort of secret base in Cheyyenne Mountain in Colorado. Oh the specualtion! What ever it is that brought a smile to the vice-presidents face remains a mystery. A mystery that lies in the eyes of Dick Cheney.

In the Minds of Nine Third-Graders

2008-04-02T21:42:00.003-04:00

An apple might be the first thing you'd expect a student to give his or her teacher, but for nine third-graders this was for from the case. It's probably the last thing you expected to hear about this week, third-graders plotting to stab their teacher. Taking place at Center Elementary School, in Waycross, GA, nine third-graders plotted to stab their teacher who they were angry with after she disciplined one of the students for standing on a chair. The students brought a crystal paperweight, to knock the teacher out, steel handcuffs, and a steal knife with a broken handle. Though only three students are facing juvenile charges, the other six played had roles as look-out and clean-up.

Now I've read that psychiatry experts doubt that the students would've gone through with the plan or feel they wouldn't have been able to succeed. Ok...but when you're one person (adult) going up against nine third-graders between the ages of 8-10, there's still a good chance damage could've been done. The students have been suspended which could be prolonged, and some of the students may face expulsion.

So what now? Does this mean security is going to have to be beefed up at elementary schools? Will school faculty members have to look over their shoulders every time they have to discipline a child? Probably not, but I think some students need to be talked to about the reasons for discipline and how it isn't anything personal. Let us also be thankful this story didn't go a completely different way. But I'm afraid we're left with wondering just what on earth was going on in the minds of nine third-graders.

Sen. Clinton, Really?

2008-04-01T19:53:00.003-04:00

Sen. Hillary Clinton, you decided that when speaking on the issue of Foreign Policy you would refer to your trip to Bosnia as the First Lady where you landed under sniper attack, though no actual attack ever took place. Really?

And you shrugged the fictional story off, calling it a "misstatement" and a "minor blip." Really? Do you know what the definition of “blip” is? It means something relatively small or inconsequential within a larger context. So a blip would be saying you were under fire attack in Afghanistan and not in Bosnia.

Did you also not remember that the story you were telling never happened the three times you repeated it? Really?

And I'm also guessing you didn’t happen to remember the lack of gunfire at the airbase or at any of the airports you had ever visited?

During your “misstatement” you said there was supposed to be a greeting ceremony upon your arrival. You said as if it didn’t occur when in fact in was the one thing that did. Really? You didn’t remember the little girl who read you a poem? The same little girl you hugged between your airplane and your motorcade. Not to mention the fact that no one, not even your own daughter remember ever being under attack. Really?

And finally, you say it was sleep deprivation that caused you to come up with this wild tale. Really? And you say that you’re ready to answer the phone at 3 A.M. to protect this country. Really? Does this include looking under all closets and beds for monsters or the boogeyman? Really Sen. Clinton, really?

Remember the 4,000

2008-03-24T20:08:00.002-04:00

Last Thursday marked the five year anniversary since the United States-led an invasion of Iraq by a multinational coalition made up of U.S. and UK troops supported by smaller contingents from other nations. The mission, to uncover weapons of mass destruction that were believed to be in the hands of the Iraqi government, then headed by Saddam Hussein.

It's no secret that this war is one of the most controversial subjects, around, it's also one of the top issues for the current presidential candidates. For Senators Clinton and Obama it's an easy answer - pull out. For Republican John McCain it's about staying in and getting the job done, even if it takes one hundred years.

You may have heard, "There's no reason to be over there, they didn't find anything, it should no longer be on Americas agenda." Or even, "You say we're over there to fight against those who would do us harm, but I feel no safer now then since 9/11." Etc. As of yesterday, 4,000 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq. That's over twice as many lives lost on September 11. That's 4,000+ more families grieving for a loved one. That's 4,000 soldiers who won't be coming home. That's 4,000 more reasons to end the war. But perhaps the most important, it's 4,000 lives that were lost dying for your safety.

Like I stated above, some people think that we are no more safer now then we were in 2001. But to those people I ask, how many 9/11's have we had since? That's right, I just gave you 4,000 reasons why we haven't seen another loss since. Now unless I've missed some terrorist attack, I think I'm right when I say this war is working. For any tragedies this country has seen in the past few years, have not come from the Middle East but instead from our own backyard. So now I ask this question, how can we fight for our safety in another country when we have a few things to work out here at home?

Even if we don't pull out there's always going to be a threat. We can sugar coat reality as much we want but it's not going to change anything. So what do we do? I don't know. But for now we can remember what those who have died were fighting for. So remember the 4,000.

The Wright Controversy at the Wrong Time

2008-03-17T22:48:00.002-04:00

On this St. Patrick's Day, we think of little green people in search of a pot of cold. We deck ourselves with a little bit of green, and sales of Kellogg's Lucky Charms increase. But for Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, they could only hope for a little luck. And for Obama, luck would be if he could completely separate himself from Jeremiah Wright.

If you've had your ear in the news lately, you might be familiar with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. If not, here's something to jog your mind.

(Video Coming Soon)

After having seen the videos above multiple times, I think I'm going to have to agree with Rev. Wright. Personally I believe something should be done. I also have no idea we as a united nation have allowed our country to get like this. I think we need to grab our pitchforks and torches and march to the White House and tell Mr. Lincoln what's on our mind! Oh wait, we live in the 21st century. But apparently someone hasn't told Wright and his followers that.

As far as I knew, we were finally a nation that believed that all men and women were created equal, minus the occasional non-believer. But apparently there are people who just can't help but challenge this belief or principle. "Obama get's African Americans, and can Hillary unite the women?" It shouldn't be like this America! And we should certainly not be falling for the load of hoopla coming out of Jeremiah Wright's mouth!

In case your asking yourselves why Obama no longer wants Wright in his corner, don't fret I have the answer. Who would want a man that says America is like Al-Qaida? Who would want to hear a man that says 9/11 was planned by the government? And it's this same man who is twisting the truth as to why America dropped to atomic bombs on Japan. And to make the last one about Japan clear, we were at war (WWII) and the Japanese had attacked us! Pearl Harbor! And the Japanese were warned! If anything, Wright and his followers prove what a lack of education does. Moron.

And I'm not being racial. I have no problem with the color of any human being on this earth! If I have any problem with Jeremiah Wright, it's that the man is an idiot.

Do you know Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? Did you march? Did you fight for your rights? Do you even understand what people were fighting for? To be honest...I don't think many people do. Apparently some people just want more, and I ask what could they possibly want. What does this say about some of the people of America? People who are so paranoid and anti-America. And what does this mean for Sen. Obama. A man whose campaign is caught in the middle of the Wright controversy at the wrong time.

How Low Can One Be?

2008-03-07T21:19:00.004-05:00

Early yesterday morning (Thursday), a small bomb went off in front of a New York military recruitment station in Times Square. Fortunately nobody was injured in the blast. It's more than likely that the blast was protesting the placement of U.S. forces in the Middle East. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the act “insults every one of our brave men and women in uniform stationed around the world," and the mayor is certainly right.

One can only guess the amount of stupidity in the minds behind the bombing. Obviously opposing the war, the idiot(s) decided they'd show where they stood by setting off a bomb at a recruitment station. Whatever their reason, the bomber(s) are certainly an embarrassment to America on every level. Since these people are basically spitting on those fighting for their safety, the question arises, how low can one be?

Chew Things Over With a Twix

2008-03-07T20:49:00.002-05:00

So how many of you have ever said something you wished you hadn't? Right, that's pretty much everyone. You hate when those moments come where you call someone something that you really shouldn't have, or told a secret to a blabbermouth. As proven in recent news, adults can be just as bad at saying something they'd regret, just as bad as kids would.

A foreign policy advisor for Barack Obama, has resigned after calling Sen. Hillary Clinton "a monster." Hmmmm? Anyways, the advisor, Samantha Power, expressed her deepest regret for the comment she made on Monday that was published Friday in a Scottish newspaper. And of course there was that usual hoopla where members of the Clinton campaign called for Power to be fired. I just don't get why it never occurred to Power to be careful when speaking about the opponent of the person she is working for. But I'm sure we've all be down that path.

So what do we all need to remember when we find ourselves in situations where we could say the wrong thing? Well when you need a moment, chew things over with a Twix.

Why Can't We?

2008-02-16T16:42:00.004-05:00

With February being Black History Month, you should know that it's time of remembering the important people and events in the history of the African Diaspora. However, I'm not writing this post to honor famous figures and leaders, but more about referring to civil rights.

Through the 1900s there was a great outcry of African American men and women calling for the world to look at them and call them brothers and sisters. In today's world, that call has been long since answered. No longer do we face the type of situations this country once did, though sadly there is the occasional happening.

There is probably no greater achievement in the world of today, than that of this country's Democratic candidate for president, Barack Obama. But great achievements in America's government just don't lie with Barack, there is also the 66th United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

When this country was founded, and I'm referring to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, there is a key phrase that I believe continues to go slightly unnoticed. Thomas Jefferson, a slave owner and this country's third president, wrote the words, "...a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." And today we certainly live by these words, but I don't think we have truly learned to live by them. If we did, Al Sharpton would be out of a job; if we did, nobody would pull out their Race Card; if we did, we wouldn't make it a big deal when white men support Obama, and Hispanics back Hillary, and having a Mormon or Baptist candidate wouldn't be an issue. If God in Heaven can look down on us and say red and yellow, black and white, we are precious in his sight, than why can't we?

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T19:55:00.003-05:00

Ah, Valentines. It's that day that really means something to...Hallmark. Yes Valentines is perhaps the one day out of the year where the most cards are given, and the second day next to Halloween, that includes candy. This is a day where roses, cards, candy, and other gifts are presented to that special someone, or maybe just your fellow third graders. Whatever the gift may be, all contain a message of love. A day of national love - could there be anything more beautiful in the world?

Yeah, actual love to all. But I don't want to go down that Debby Downer road, it's Valentines so let us stay positive. And to be honest Valentines day is pretty special, a day to finally stop and think about the people we care about, though we should of course be doing that every day. But maybe it takes a day of focus to really do such a thing.

So if you're spending time with that special someone, or sitting in a bookstore with the new Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issues wishing you had a special someone, remember that there is someone out there who loves you. Whether it's mom, dad, other relatives, spouse, girl/or boy- friend, or even your 70 lb. shar pei who loves you for rescuing her.

So anyway's, roses are red, violets are blue, I'm done with this post and so are you. Happy Valentine's Day!

Super Bowl XLII

2008-02-03T22:22:00.000-05:00

What a game it was! The Super Bowl, is perhaps the one football game most watched out of all of them. And this one did not dissapoint...well maybe a little, depending on which team you were for. For a while it seemed the New England Patriots had the upper hand, but out of nowhere the New York Giants, led by MVP Eli Manning, came to take the trophy home. Even if you weren't a football fan, but still tuned in, odds are you couldn't help but get into the game. Making the winning move was the pass from Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress making the winning catch. Once gaining the advantage, the Giants made sure they stayed at the top, making sure to bring Tom Brady down. And down he went, but at least he has Giselle Bundchen who might be able to bring him out of this loss.

This game is being said to have been the most-watched Super Bowl in history, with 97.5 million viewers. It was also the second-most-watched TV program in the U.S., following behind the 1983 M*A*S*H series finale. The final score was Giants 17, and Patriots 14, of Super Bowl XLII.

Favorite Super Bowl XLII Commercials:

What Exactly Will Be the State of the Union?

2008-01-29T18:03:00.000-05:00

Last night's address almost gave the impression that President Bush was being affected by the writers' strike. The reason for this being that the address echoed that of past speeches. The president was faced with the hard task of making his final agenda one that could grasp the attention of the American people. So does that mean Bush has failed by continuing to bring up past issues? Or does it mean he just can’t get anywhere in D.C. with Democrats outnumbering Republicans?

I like what the president said when he began his address, “All of us were sent to Washington to carry out the people’s business. That is the purpose of this body. It is the meaning of our oath. And it remains our charge to keep.” The now silent majority of American voters elected Bush, not once but twice. Was that because they didn’t see a leader in Al Gore or John Kerry, or did they know Bush was the man for the job? George W. Bush is only doing what he was elected to do and he’s trying his best to hold to the promises he made.

President Bush didn’t expect back in 2001 to be pulling a country out of devastation or making the choice to strike out those responsible, and neither was America. One day we’re for the war and the next were not. Oh sure we want the terrorists taken out, but we’d rather just not have a part in it. So let’s pull out! Let’s get Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, or even Ron Paul in office and let’s get out of the Middle East. But if we do how do we know if that could be one of the greatest decisions made or one of the worst? And how do we know if pulling out of this war, this mission, won’t come back to haunt us? The sad truth, we don’t.

For Hillary Clinton last night was a time of rejoicing what with this being Bush’s final address. She obviously forgot that the same thing was said when her husband made his final address, with the same feeling most likely applying for the Dynamic Duo (Barack Obama and Ted Kennedy). Other democrats included John Kerry and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, all sitting when Republicans stood, and only standing when Bush spoke on matters that fit into their agenda- big shock.

So come 2012, when America goes though this crazy process again, will we elect (insert politician) again, or will we choose a new leader? And what exactly will be the state of the union?

God Bless America

2008-01-29T17:41:00.000-05:00

With his wife and two daughters in the audience, his daughters attending for the first time, President George W. Bush made his way to front of the floor of the United States House of Representatives for his final State of the Union.

“All of us were sent to Washington to carry out the people’s business. That is the purpose of this body. It is the meaning of our oath. And it remains our charge to keep.”

President Bush began with the acknowledgement of how America has been tested in ways none of us could have imagined. He went on to add that much business lies unfinished and the American people can expect it to get done.

Speaking first on matters of the economy, Mr. Bush said that unless congress acts, most of the tax relief will be taken away. He stated how he plans to make the tax relief permanent. He also added that if any bills calling for the raising of taxes reach his desk, he will veto them. “American families have to manage their budgets- so should their government.”

You could almost hear Mr. Bush stressing how he was doing his best to live to the hopes that won him his first and second terms. Some of the topics in his address may have echoed those of past address but if so they were to stress how he has not forgotten them. If congress does not act on something, it is his job as the leader of America to see to it that they do.

Speaking on the No Child Left Behind program, the president stated how the program is working. However, it there are still difficulties’ in the manner that the number of high school drop outs must be reduced. If such a task it to be completed, one first spark academic interest- along with interest in surviving in the real word, and realizing what the real word holds.

The president spoke how America must lead the way to finding new ways in technology to achieving a better environment. Reverse the flows of green house gasses and developing renewable fuels. The president also proposed the banning of allowing the cloning of human life.

On the matters of immigration, Mr. Bush spoke on how America needs to prevent immigrants from entering illegally, by investing in new ways of handling such situations. However, America must also look towards establishing lawful ways for foreigners to come and support our economy.

Scattered throughout his address was the subject of the War on Terror. President Bush said how for the safety of America we are spreading the hope of freedom and the peace of the world. But fighting terrorists comes at a price. Troops are still being sent back and they can expect tough fighting ahead. The president commented on the belief that the surge is not working- saying that al-Qaida is on the run and they will be defeated. “We will deliver justice to our enemies,” said the president. General Petraeus says that pulling out now would deteriorate the success of the Iraqi people and their government- for they ARE taking control of their future. He went on to add that failure in Iraq would result in the strengthening of the terrorists.

Though the war is such a heated and controversial topic, the president stated that the soldiers have the gratitude of the entire nation. When it comes to the war America will do three things; 1. Confront those who threaten out troops; 2. Stand by our allies; and 3. Defend vital interests in the Persian Gulf. And to increase the activity of lowering the communications of terrorists and in locating them, the president stated how congress has until February 1st to provide the funds needed in tracking down terrorists. “The time to act is now!”

But while troops continue to be sent back to the Middle East, the president stated that 20,000 troops are coming home. He also added how the funding is needed to continue to support veterans of wars past and today. Any unused education benefits given to veterans should be transferred to their spouses and their children.

“And so as we continue to trust the people, our nation will prosper, our liberty will be secure and the state of our union will remain strong. So tonight, with confidence in freedom’s power, and trust in the people, let us set forth to do their business. God Bless America.”

Heads Up America!

2008-01-27T13:19:00.001-05:00

Just when you thought you didn't stand a chance of being struck by lightning, now what are the odds of being hit by a satellite?

That's right a dead spy satellite is making it's way back into Earth's atmosphere- however, there's a catch. It isn't known where on when the satellite will make it's descent back into the great blue yonder. The satellite can no longer be controlled, and just to add a little bit of panic, it may also contain hazardous materials.

Of course there have never been reports of anyone being struck by satellite debris, unless you count a falling toilet seat from space on Dead Like Me. This also would not be the first such a fall has occurred.

Oh well, until then, heads up America!

The Woes of Hollywood

2008-01-22T20:00:00.001-05:00

It was shocking news today when it was reported that actor Heath Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment. The actor known for films such as The Patriot, Brokebac..., was found unconscious with pills scattered all around him, leading to the question of suicide or accidental overdose.

Ledger recently finished work portraying Batman's nemesis, the Joker, in The Dark Knight, hitting theaters this summer. It's been said that Ledger wasn't a much of a party-goer or even that much of a drinker. Ledger split from actress Michelle Williams last year, who he shared a two-year old daughter with, and had also recently been turning down roles in films. So what led the 28 year old actor to such a tragic end? That answer goes unknown.

I'm not a fan of Heath Ledger's work, I have only been looking forward to his version of the Joker. But his death comes as quite the shock to me, mostly because of all the celebrities we hear about who we know are throwing away their lives, he wasn't one of the ones we were expecting to ever hear about.

Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan were in my book, and I hate to type this, the top of candidates so close in ruining their lives for good, or more so than they have already done- ruining in the result of a tragic end. As I have written before, and I kick myself every time I try to make this point, I don't understand why the media constantly reports on those who are throwing themselves away. It is because they are celebrities? Well the definition of "celebrity" is the state of being celebrated or a famous celebrated person. Well when it comes to young idiotic stars of Hollywood, the more correct term would be "those who are sadly more famous than us".

So memo to TMZ, update us when these "unfortuantely famous figures" take a turn for the better. And maybe there should be a law against serving those who can't take care of themselves.

Club Owner: Sorry Miss Lohan, but you're a celebrity under 45, so service denied.

I know somewhere out there are those who are doing well for themselves, and fortunately for them they are spared the woes of Hollywood.

Sir Edmund Hillary

2008-01-18T22:46:00.001-05:00

It was just last Friday when the world heard about the passing of one of it's great explorers and achievers. Sir Edmund Hillary passed away on Jan. 11, 2008 of heart failure at the age of 88.

It was on May 29, 1953 when Tenzing Hillary and Norgay made it to the top of Everest's 29,028 ft summit, the highest point on earth. This made them the first two men to reach the summit of Mount Everest. After spending only fifteen minutes at the top they made their journey down.

Hillary later became the first man to stand at both the North and South Poles and Everest. His son Peter also became a climber, conquering Everest in 1990. In April 2003 Peter and Jamling Tenzing Norgay (son of Tenzing) climbed Everest as part of a 50th anniversary celebration.

I'm kicking myself for not having dedicated a post sooner in honor of the this great human achiever. Having set the bar at the highest achievement on earth, is how the world will remember Sir Edmund Hillary.

Beating Around the Bush

2008-01-11T22:30:00.000-05:00

With 2008 being such a big year in politics it is certainly no secret that this marks the final year for the Bush administration. With “Change” being the center of the campaigns for the candidates running for the presidential nominees, especially for Barack Obama, it seems to shed some negativity on President Bush.

In the beginning of his first term in 2001, President Bush led the country through the hardships following 9/11 (hope this doesn’t sound like a Giuliani placement). The response to the terrorist attack result led to the War on Terror- something that for many only sounded good at the time. This is probably the biggest of all the problems people have with now with the government. But here’s something many have to try and remember, the Government has a list of how many troops it needs and where they need to be stationed and it’s your sons and daughters “volunteering”.

Another problem the Bush administration faced was the immediate response or lack of to the aftermath left by Hurricane Katrina. So when the levees that believed to be supportive fail and you decide not to evacuate and you end up finding yourself on the roof of your house in a flood, who do you blame? The officials in D.C., and that’s only because you don’t want to blame yourself.

NBC News’s Chief White House Correspondent David Gregory sat down with President Bush during his trip to the Middle East. He asked the President his thoughts on the candidates running for change for the country. Bush replied saying it’s something he would do if he was running today. And indeed he’s right; any candidate following a race from any moment in history is looking to change the course of the previous administration. Gregory also asked the president if he regretted not having caught Osama bin Laden. The president responded with the note that he isn’t out of office yet.

We can’t look at President Bush’s approval rating and just assume he’s failed this country as a leader, only the history books of tomorrow can tell us whether or not he was a Lincoln, a Johnson, a Roosevelt, a Kennedy, a Ford, or even a Carter.

I may not understand everything when it comes to politics, but I’m doing my best to deepen my understanding of the world around me- plus I haven’t taken Government class yet. But I do know one thing. Just because President Bush’s approval rating is low, it doesn’t mean there’s not someone on his side. And who’s to say you know what the right choice to make is. Plus, the president has a number of advisors telling him what the best decision to make is, and maybe the negative response to those decisions is why some of Bush’s advisors are “retiring”. Whatever the future holds for Mr. Bush, and whatever future generations think of this time in history, has yet to be told. But right now in the present, maybe some of us could step back and stop beating around the Bush.

In 2008

2008-01-01T23:54:00.001-05:00

In this new year we're once again given the chance to make changes in our lives. Changes that we failed or were unable to carry last year. For some the new year is about finally shedding those holidays pounds from 2006- and yes I know I said 2006. And who knows, maybe 2008 will be the year where some people develop a brain.

With the beginning of every new year, people develop a sense of excitement where they just can't wait for what the year has to offer. In entertainment 2008 offers the return of Batman in The Dark Knight, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, the Stargate: SG-1 movies, and the much-anticipated return of Indiana Jones. This summer NBC will be giving you plenty of coverage from Beijing where the 2008 Summer Olympics will be taking place. But of course perhaps the biggest event of 2008 is that it's Election Year. Yes this year Americans will choose a new Commander-in-Chief from either the Elephant or Donkey party. But whatever 2008 holds for us hopefully it's better than the troubles we faced in 2007. So here's hopin in 2008.

Here's to 2007!

2007-12-31T17:48:00.000-05:00

I’d like to end the year on a positive and more personal note- and I can do that seeing how it’s my blog. 2006 for me was the Year of the Movies. And I’m not talking about going to movies but about making movies. This year due to a lack of creative thought and time it became the Year of the Blog. But hopefully next year will be even more creative as I figure a way of combing both, while I pull out the inner journalist/ film maker/ animator in me. So let me share with you some of the highlights for me in 2007.

Media
Top 3 Movies of 2007:

The Bourne Ultimatum
Transformers
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End

Top 3 Albums of 2007:

Brad Paisley- 5th Gear
Chris Rice- What a Heart is Beating For
Casting Crowns- The Alter and the Door

Favorite New Shows of 2007:

Chuck
Life
Burn Notice
The Big Bang Theory

Alright so now you have a better taste of what I like in entertainment. Just for the record I want to state that I do read books, but with school and being forced to read, I haven’t set aside time for what I want to read. But for Christmas I did get a couple of books I will be starting in the New Year.

Highpoints of 2007: Brad Paisley Concert & Junior Class- Boston Trip
Shock of 2007: Taking in a now 70 lbs. Sharpei named Ginger
Low-points of 2007: Final Episodes of Stargate: SG-1

And with today marking the close of 2007 I could tell you what I hope to achieve next year, but I don’t want to look back on un-kept resolutions. So for now I look back on an ok year and hope for even better new one….and hoping to rid myself of my Algebra book. So here’s to 2007!

Wake Up. Get Real. Move On.

2007-12-31T16:58:00.000-05:00

It’s New Year’s Eve and that means it’s time to get ready for a whole new year! But of course you can’t think about the future without thinking a little about the past. 2007 was certainly an eventful year but that doesn’t mean it was a good one when it comes to what was reported.

You probably recall Don Imus getting in trouble for a racial remark he made. But here’s the thing, he was known for making rude comments- it’s who he is. So why did he get in trouble? Because some folks just have to go and pull out the Race Card. Yes I believe he did go a little to far in his personal comment but it’s not like he’s the only person to make such a rude comment about someone. As for Miss South Carolina, while we all got a chuckle out of her answer, we all have at some point done something to embarrass ourselves.

One reason for making this blog is to express my opinions on events in the world, while also killing time. Currently I want to go into Broadcast Journalism, but now at the end of 2007 part of me feels ehhh because of all the stupid reports made by the media. So let me introduce you to what I call The Moron Report.

The Moron Report of 2007:

Paris Hilton was in jail and out of jail. People cheered and people cried. She read the Bible in prison and said she’d change. Now whether she meant that in this lifetime nobody knows?
Anna Nichole Smith- why anyone would care about her remains a mystery to me.
Rosie vs. Trump- who cares.
Michael Vick
Barry Bonds
Vanessa Hudgens likes her privacy but has apparently no protection against online theft.
Marie Osmond fell on live television. Is something wrong with her? No. But there is with us? Yes, because for some reason people actually care.
Lindsay and Britney have no talent and their lives are going down the drain. So why is that we hear so much about them?
Jamie Lynn Spears- 16 and pregnant. Jamie hopes that what has happened to her will be a message to all teens- as if she’s the first girl to wind up in this situation.

Yes it was reports like these that made up the headlines of 2007. And sadly it took the loss of lives to draw our attention away from that of troubled lives. America certainly saw its fair share of tragedy. From Virginia Tech, the fires in California, the Omaha Mall Shootings, to the fall of the I-35 bridge in Minneapolis. And in case you ever forgot we're still in a war. But were not alone in the suffering, earthquakes, hurricanes, riots, and assassinations haunt others in the world around us.

2007 has hopefully shown us the world we live, and how it’s about time that we do something about it. Parents shouldn’t have to worry about sending their kids to school. People shouldn’t have to be scared of someone hurting them in a mall. And we shouldn’t have to question the stability of the bridge beneath us. And we certainly don’t have to hear about other people messing up their own lives. We’ve been given life to make something of it, it may not be a perfect world and it may never be one, but we can try. So in 2008 let’s wake up, get real, and move on.

The Loss of Benazir Bhutto

2007-12-28T23:07:00.000-05:00

It’s been the number one story across the world and one that many had hoped would never be reported. Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan, was killed by a suicide bomber. Bhutto had just finished speaking at a rally and had made it into her vehicle when the assassin struck, killing at least twenty other people.

Bhutto’s death comes two weeks before scheduled elections where she was a leading opposition candidate. Al-Qaida, along with the Taliban, has declared responsibility for the murder of Benazir Bhutto, and Pakistan officials have stated that they hold evidence to back this claim. However, many of Bhutto’s supporters have blamed President Pervez Musharraf’s government for the attack, what with Bhutto being Musharraf’s most powerful opponent. Back in September Bhutto accused Musharraf’s allies of pushing Pakistan to crisis by refusal to restore democracy and share power- this making her a key ally to the U.S.

In his response to the news of her death President Bush condemned the assassination as a cowardly act and urged the killers to be brought to justice. Bhutto survived the attack on her life back in October when she returned from exile. Knowing what she faced continued to put her life on the line. Offering words of encouragement President Bush said to honor Bhutto's memory by continuing with the democratic process for which she so bravely gave her life. "She knew that her return to Pakistan earlier this year put her life at risk. Yet she refused to let assassins to dictate the course of her country."

Today the interior ministry released a transcript of a supposed conversation between militant leader Baitullah Mehsud and another militant talking about Bhutto’s assassination. “It was a spectacular job. They were very brave boys who killed her," said Mehsud. Never have I found the word “brave” to have been so misused. Brave is how you would describe Benazir Bhutto.

Her memory and the love for her can definitely be seen in the faces of the people who supported her, but their response is probably not in the best fashion. Ransacking banks, waging shootouts with police, burning trains and destroying buses, are most likely not considered to be the must civilized of ways in dealing with death. But who do these people have to turn to? What is their future? Its painful thoughts like these that haunt the people of Pakistan who mourn the loss of Benazir Bhutto.

Earlier post on Benazir Bhutto after the Karachi Bombings

Crown a Basket-Case?

2007-12-05T20:56:00.000-05:00

Add a little pepper and you have a recipe for- confusion? That’s the case with Ingrid Marie Rivera, Miss Universe Puerto Rico, who claims she’s a victim of sabotage. Before winning the crown on Nov. 23, Rivera revealed that after refreshing her makeup during the contest preliminary on Nov. 18, she experienced redness, itching and swelling of her face and broke out in hives. She also said she experienced severe itching around the edges of her evening gown towards the end of the event. The substance- pepper spray.

At first you might ask yourself how someone could do such a thing, and then you might ask why Rivera was targeted. The answer…there isn’t one. Upon viewing video of the pageant, you, like me, might realize that there are no signs of redness or swelling on Rivera. Signs of severe itching or hives would surely be a dead give away when it’s custom in a beauty pageant to wear swimsuits and gowns. So this leaves us with three questions:

Why was Rivera targeted?
Who targeted her?

Where are these symptoms she speaks about?

These three questions come together to make one big question- is Rivera making the whole thing up? This whole thing would be a little more believable if she was one of the top few girls chosen days ahead of the finals. And to top this whole tale off, forensic investigators have found no shred of evidence to prove Rivera’s story. Plus she continued to wear the “uncomfortable” dress long after she was required to.

And as of recent news, Miss Puerto Rico has stated she is willing to take a polygraph. If she does take the lie detector test we will learn only two things:

She stands by her story.

She’s an idiot.

I want to know why she even cares since she’s already won. Whatever the case may be, Ingrid Marie Rivera has faith in God that the truth will come out. So in closing I would like to leave you readers with this final question- did Puerto Rico crown a basket-case?

Clinton Campaign Hostage Taker

2007-11-30T21:42:00.000-05:00

Earlier today in Rochester, New Hampshire a man identified as Leeland Eisenberg walked into a campaign office for Hillary Clinton and took hostages around 1 p.m.; his motive- to talk to the democratic candidate for president. Eisenberg, 46, released a woman with an infant about two hours later. The woman then ran to a nearby business where she asked for help and called 911, reporting that the man walking into the office opened his jacket showing off a bomb strapped to his chest.

Police evacuated and sealed off the block, setting up communication lines within the area. Barack Obama and John Edwards’ nearby campaign offices also evacuated their workers for safety. It was later reported that the bomb was believed to instead be made up of road flares.

During the course of the event, hostages were released one-by-one. It was after 6 p.m. when the last hostage of a possible four person group, ran from the campaign office to behind the police roadblock. Seconds later Eisenberg surrendered outside where he pulled off the device duct taped to his chest. Officers arrested Eisenberg who was wearing gray dress-pants a white dress shirt and a red tie.

It’s said the suspect has a history of mental illness and according to his son had been drinking earlier in the day. Back in March of this year, Eisenberg made headlines when he complained about a police policy of placing fliers in unlocked cars warning motorists to lock their car doors to prevent theft. Eisenberg believed it was merely an excuse to search citizens’ cars.

Eisenberg never received his demand to speak to Clinton, for it was for the safety of others that Hillary not give in to the possible terrorist’s requests. A wrong response from her could have led to disastrous results for her campaign volunteers. It isn’t known or has it been released just what hostage taker wanted of the presidential candidate, if anything it would give indication that he questioned something in her campaign.

With no reports of the hostages being injured, the last day of November ends on a positive note, of an event that could have gone wrong. This leaves the question as to what was going through the mind of the Clinton campaign hostage taker (sounds like an episode for Criminal Minds).

Dec. 1 - Update: Eisenberg wanted to speak to Clinton about helping him get mental health care.

Remembering Evel Knievel

2007-11-30T20:38:00.000-05:00

Truth or dare? Well if your name was Robert Craig Knievel, Jr. you would probably accept the dare. Today, the world’s most famous American motorcycle daredevil passed away at the age of 69. In case you were wondering how the risk-taking cyclist died, I can assure you it was not due to some stunt gone wrong. For many years now Evel Knievel had been a victim to diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable condition that scarred his lungs. “It's been coming for years, but you just don't expect it. Superman just doesn't die, right?" said longtime friend Billy Rundel.

If anything it’s a shock Knievel didn’t die a long time ago having suffered a number of bone breaking injuries. It was failures at Snake River Canyon and Caesar’s Palace that made him big. Incidents like crashing after jumping 13 buses, and falling with a rocket engine over a canyon after his parachute failed.

Most recently the daredevil made headlines for filing a lawsuit against Kanye West. Knievel took action against West who made a music video where he mimics the famous daredevil. A video that contains Pamela Anderson and well...goes in a direction that differs that of risking one's life for sport.

They say a little scare is good for the body and if this is true than Knievel was one healthy man. Having been able to walk, limp, ride, etc. from every stunt, this one man shows…that it’s possible to survive doing the most stupid things. And with this in mind, daredevils and fans everywhere are remembering Evel Knievel.

Cyclone Sidr

2007-11-16T20:06:00.001-05:00

In this post I write for all of Americans who offer their prayers and condolences to the people of Bangladesh. Yesterday the country that lies in the southern part of Asia was struck by a vicious tropical cyclone. Cyclone Sidr tore through with winds rising as high as 130 mph. Destroying towns, leaving millions without power, and claiming at least 1,100 lives.

But of course there is still devastation following the aftermath. People flee in search of shelter, many without homes. Others search for missing loved ones, with numbers in the thousands of those who have not been found. And so, we can only pray that from this tragedy, God brings his hands of comfort to all the victims of Cyclone Sidr.

Update Nov. 18: Death toll about 10,000

Guilty Until Proven Innocent

2007-11-16T19:42:00.000-05:00

Innocent until proven guilty…it’s a pretty interesting phrase, mostly because we don’t really believe in it. You could call it more of a suggestion than a legal right permitted to someone who has been accused of wrong. These days we’re quick to point fingers and appoint blame to the suspicious. We’re so sure that they’re guilty, that we believe any evidence would prove our assumptions.

Drew Peterson has been making headlines this week due to the fact that he is the prime suspect in the disappearance of his wife Stacy. Stacy, Peterson’s fourth wife, went missing in late October. Peterson, a police sergeant in Bolingbrook, Illinois, also lost his third wife when she was mysteriously found dead in their bathtub. Her death is believed to be, by some, a homicide made to look like an accident. His second wife is reported to have said that Peterson used to hit her and said he could kill her and make it look like an accident. All cases point blame at Peterson.

Wednesday, on NBC’s Today show, Matt Lauer interviewed Drew Peterson about his current wife’s disappearance, and the accusations made against him. Peterson stated how he believes his wife has run off with another man and is in hiding. He also mentioned that FOX News’s Geraldo Rivera told him how to phrase certain things- all leading to the belief that he was indeed guilty. Believing in the possibility that Stacy is alive, Lauer asked Peterson if there was anything he wanted to say to his wife. Turning to face the camera and with a chuckle, Peterson asked for his wife to come home.

The following morning on Today, there was a segment on the study of Peterson’s body language during the previous day’s interview. Peterson remained quite calm throughout the entire interview, even slouching back in his chair. It was pointed out however, how Peterson’s foot becomes quite active when asked about his third wife’s death- hinting that he was uncomfortable. There has been mention that Drew Peterson was very watchful of what Stacy did or who she met with. This raised the question that if Stacy did meet another man, Peterson is likely to have known about it.

This story seems to mimic in some ways that of Scott Peterson’s, the man found guilty for the death of his wife Laci and their unborn son. But it also carries out that same traits all cases do when a husband’s wife goes missing.

Not all accusations made against a person(s) are true. A few examples would be that of the Dukes Lacrosse team or the man whose wife went missing for several days. Turns out she was trapped in her car after having driven into a ravine.

I want to make it clear that I’m not defending Peterson or anyone believed to be guilty of some crime. The purpose of this post is to get everyone to think before they lay blame on a person, while reporting on the story at the same time. Another example of laying blacme would be of the parent’s of the still missing Madeleine McCann. Parents accused of doing away with their own child. It would certainly seem that in today’s world a person is never innocent until proven guilty but rather guilty until proven innocent.

Go Green

2007-11-09T22:21:00.001-05:00

This week NBC Universal went green, and by this I don’t mean they gave in to the writers strike. Using the slogan “Green is Universal”, NBC promoted the concept of helping to make the environment cleaner. To advertise their promotion, NBC, MSNBC, SciFi, USA, etc. all donned a green look, along with providing eco-friendly tips in their programming. The promotions included tips on recycling, saving electricity, not keeping your car engine running, buying organic foods, etc.

The Today show kicked off the week with broadcasts from different parts of the earth, sending Matt Lauer to the Artic Circle, Al Roker to Ecuador (the Equator), and Ann Curry to Antarctica. “Today Goes to the Ends of the Earth” was designed to highlight the causes and effects of global warming.

So will this campaign have an affect on the people of the world? Well if we all worked together we could help to make our world a cleaner place to live. Wouldn’t it be nice? It’s certainly a great idea, and who knows, maybe there would be some sort of Nobel Prize dedicated to the people who made an effort to improving the environment. I mean if Al Gore can get a prize for having a bright idea anything is possible- not that he was the first to think of protecting our environment.

We only have one planet to call home, so perhaps it’s time that we all try our best to go green.

The Right Thing to Do?

2007-11-01T23:24:00.000-04:00

You may not be familiar with who Paul Tibbets is but you may familiar with his work. The then Col. Tibbets piloted the first aircraft to drop the atomic bomb. On August 6, 1945, Tibbets flew the Enola Gay from Tinian Island in the Marianas at 2:45 a.m. for Hiroshima, Japan. Codenamed Little Boy, the atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima at 8:15 a.m., killing about 140,000 Japanese, with many more dying later.

Tibbets died earlier today at the age of 92. For the past few years he had been suffering from small strokes and heart failure. In his will, Tibbets stated that he did not want a funeral nor did he want a headstone- for he feared that his grave would attract protesters against the dropping of the atomic bomb.

In 1976, Tibbets re-enacted the bombing at an air show in Texas. After criticism from the Japanese, Tibbets stated how it was not meant to be an insult, but the U.S. government went on to formally apologize to Japan. On the 50th anniversary of the bombing in 1995, Tibbets called an anniversary exhibition of the Enola Gay at the Smithsonian Institution a "damn big insult", due to the suffering the bombing caused.

Tibbets never regretted his actions on the decision to drop the bomb. He stated that it was his patriotic duty and that he never lost sleep over it. Tibbets retired from the Air Force a Brigadier General in 1966. In March 2005, he stated “If you give me the same circumstances, hell yeah, I'd do it again.” Paul Tibbets went on to claim that he was never proud about taking so many lives, but he stated that the country was at war and it was the right thing to do.

War is such a complicated thing. So many are for it and so many are against it. We can ask ourselves what we would do and analyze our thoughts for hours. But in the sinful world we live in, it’s sometimes hard to figure out the right thing to do.

Remembering Robert Goulet

2007-10-31T13:19:00.000-04:00

Robert Goulet died last night (Oct. 30) while awaiting a lung transplant. He was 73. Too many Robert Goulet was known as a big-voiced baritone entertainer. His deep singing voice entranced listeners from all around. With his voice being the reason for his stardom, he made sure to tell doctors to watch out for his vocal cords when they were inserting a breathing tube.

For adults he was a Broadway star along with being a Grammy and Tony Award-winner. Goulet gained stardom for his role in “Camelot”, the Arthurian play in which he starred as Sir Lancelot. But for a young person, like me, he was more famous for his guest appearances in Boy Meets World or The King of Queens. Though never visually seen, Goulet contributed his deep toned vocals to the singing voice of Mikey Blumberg on the Disney cartoon Recess.

I may not have been a huge fan of Mr. Goulet, but I did have many enjoyable moments of singing along with his style of Green Tambourine. And now it would seem that the music is more treasuring as fans everywhere are remembering Robert Goulet.

The Actions of F.E.M.A.

2007-10-26T21:18:00.000-04:00

With close to a million people being evacuated from their homes due to the raging wildfires, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (F.E.M.A.) scheduled a press conference. When the time came, Vice Adm. Harvey E. Johnson, the agency’s deputy director began the debriefing.

Now when watching you would think that you were viewing a regular press conference. One problem- there weren’t any reporters. Instead F.E.M.A had agency staffers pose as journalists. The staged briefing became noticeable when F.E.M.A. began praising itself.

Now just how big of an issue is this for the average concerned American? Well F.E.M.A. apologizes and states its intentions were just to relay information to the public. So this really shouldn’t be a problem right? But one would call this move inexcusable and unacceptable. What would happen if the White House placed its own people in press conferences? They would have a stronger hand (then they already do) on the type of information released to the public. But I’m not suggesting that everyone start turning their eyes over to the White House. In their defense they weren’t exactly pleased with the actions of F.E.M.A.

A Taste of Armageddon

2007-10-23T22:37:00.001-04:00

I woke up this morning to dark skies and a misty atmosphere. The feel of long awaited rain was in the air- a feeling many people in the Southeast have been waiting for. But in an instant the world outside my house was painted red-casting a look of the end of the world. Armageddon is best described as the final battle between good and evil. But lately the West and Southeast coasts of America have found themselves losing a battle to Mother Nature.

While the south prays for rain to save them from a drought, the west prays for an end to the intense wildfires. But when it comes to comparing the two regions, the west unfortunately takes the cake. Georgia has gone as far as alerting the President of its dire situation; wanting him to pullback on the release of water emptied into the Chattahoochee River. Georgia officials urge residents to decrease their water usage and have placed bans on outdoor water use.

Picture this. You wake up in the morning and head to work where you have to enter a fiery furnace. Now imagine being told to evacuate your house. You heed these words and make your way out, but you stop and look back and wonder if you will ever return home. While firefighters battle walls of fire; the people of California seek shelter from the inferno.

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in seven California counties where fires burned. This declaration has resulted in over a million people abandoning their homes. While the fight continues, firefighters doubt whether or not they can stop the spread. They say that unless the winds of Santa Ana subside- all that can be done has been done.

The pictures from the California wildfires paint the image of the end of the world. And with a portrait like that, we can’t help but pray to be saved from what seems to be a taste of Armageddon.

Eat Fresh

2007-10-19T13:17:00.001-04:00

Suicide has a new name and it’s Country Breakfast Burrito, the new item on the Hardee’s menu. This deadly burrito comes packed with two egg omelets filled with bacon, sausage, diced ham, cheddar cheese, hash browns and sausage gravy, all wrapped inside a flour tortilla. And it’s loaded with 920 calories and over 60 grams of fat. If you’re licking your lips right now, who could blame you? To be honest the answer would be you.

Hardee’s sees its core customers as young men ages 18 to 34. Probably a good idea, the last thing Hardee’s needs are crowds of angry women yelling how their husbands think they're fat. And if you think about it Hardee’s and other fast food establishments are not only helping themselves but other businesses as well. How? Hardee’s makes a profit off their food items and clothing retail stores have an increase in sales for XXL clothing.

It’s sort of funny how a new study shows schools cafeterias getting healthier, comes out after this story. I know for a fact the school I attend isn’t on the list of positive results. Lunches at my private “Christian” high school, are made up of Pizza, Taco Bell, candy bars, chips, and soda. I don't blame the school or anyone (story just goes with this post), people are responsible for what they harden their arteries with. I know it’s a fundraiser and the kids enjoy the food- but you'd think you see some fruit somewhere. But don’t worry, they took our health into consideration and serve Subway twice a week- eat fresh.

Karachi Bombings

2007-10-19T11:19:00.001-04:00

It was supposed to be a day of welcoming for Benazir Bhutto, the former prime minister of Pakistan. But what started as a celebration turned into a tragedy.

The streets of Karachi, Pakistan were filled with fans cheering with welcome arms for Bhutto. She was returning after an eight-year self-imposed exile for the Pakistan national elections. While her convoy made its way to the tomb of Mohammed Ali Jinnah, two explosions occurred halfway from Bhutto’s depart from the airport. The explosions took place in front of the rallying truck from which she greeted her supporters.

Benazir was unharmed and was escorted safely away from the scene. But while she left uninjured, the same could not be said for mass of people who had been following her. The blasts hit the crowds and two police cars shielding her rallying bus, killing 136 and injuring hundreds more.

There was a great ripple effect sent throughout the crowd. People running for safety, fearing another attack; others calling out for those lost in the crowds. But amongst all the panic, many in the crowd became Good Samaritans, doing what they could to get the injured to hospitals.

With such a powerful attack, there has so far been no claiming for the responsibility of the bombings. However suspects captured are believed to have ties to either Al-Qaida or be supporters of the late military ruler Mohammed Zia ul-Haq. Zia overthrew Bhutto's father President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1977 and 2 years later hanged her father. Bhutto was quoted saying, “I know exactly who wants to kill me. It is the dignitaries of the former regime of General Zia who are today behind the extremism.” Along with her suspicions, Bhutto questions why the streetlights failed after sunset when her convoy was making its way through the streets. She said attempts to reach the national security adviser to have the lights restored were unsuccessful due to phone lines being supposedly down.

The attack is said to be the deadliest the country has ever experienced. Bhutto said she wants to strengthen ties with American forces, and would help in the search for Osama bin Laden- a reminder that America is not alone in the war on terror. Said U.S. Department of State spokesperson Tom Casey: "There is no political cause that can justify the murder of innocent people. Those responsible seek only to foster fear and limit freedom. The United States stands with the people of Pakistan to eliminate terrorist threats, and to build a more open, democratic, and peaceful society.”

While Karachi recovers from its tragedy, the nations of the world offer their condolences to the people who were in the Karachi bombings.

An Inconvenient Truth

2007-10-11T18:56:00.000-04:00

This Friday in Oslo, Norway, the winner of the Noble Peace Prize will be announced. It is heavily believed that the award will be presented to Al Gore. The former vice-president has spent much of the past year speaking about global warming. He travels around the globe educating the public about the severity of the climate crisis.

With the rumors at hand it raises the question as to whether or not he will toss his hat in the presidential elections. Many Gore supporters have started a draft calling for Gore to run for the position of America’s next Commander-in-Chief. While Gore hasn’t said that he plans to run, he also hasn’t said that he won’t. When asked about Gore on MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Hilary Clinton said she felt that the Democratic Party was already full of great candidates- but she hopes he wins the award.

So will Al Gore run? If he was to enter the race, certainly has time, he would change the current course the Democrats are on. But if he did run and was elected, how would he lead America? In his Academy Award-winning documentary film he warned us how it’s time we do something about the problems in the environment, while at the same time did quite a bit of rambling on his own life. Gore certainly has the right attitude in mind when it comes to protecting the environment. But it seems to me to be all talk and no action. Talk about an inconvenient truth.

October 12 Update: Gore Wins Award

This Long Haul

2007-10-11T15:14:00.000-04:00

With every passing moment we draw a “little” closer to the 2008 Presidential elections. Though the election is a year away, the race to see who will win the Republican and Democratic nominations has already begun.

It would seem that the little voice speaking of the supposed failure of the Bush administration, is telling the media to promote the Democrats. Turn on your televisions, radios, or flip through a magazine and you will most likely see more coverage on the Democratic candidates. Perhaps if there had never been a war, the Republicans wouldn’t be looked at as the least capable party of cleaning up this “supposed” mess. And maybe if we hadn’t gone to war there would be peace in the world. And we wouldn’t have the problems we have now. Wait sorry this isn’t Hollywood.

America is split into four sections. You have 1) Against the war; 2) For the war; 3) Neutral; and 4) Only cares about what Entertainment Tonight and TMZ have to say. So with this in mind, it would seem this election is more popular. Why? Because everyone is trying to find the person who they believe will lead them to the Promise Land.

So who will it be for both parties? Well the choice of course lies in the hands of America. But look where that gets us. Pro-Bush voters outnumbered Pro-Gore 2000/Kerry 2004 voters. Americans are always going to disagree when it comes to who is sitting in the Oval Office. But when it comes to electing someone to such a high position we have to do two things- 1) Pray that they have the strength to lead; and 2) Remember they're just like us, they just have a bigger job. So keep that in mind on this long haul.

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Missing a Brain?

2007-10-09T19:49:00.000-04:00

Usually when taking a walk the only real thing you have to look out for is little surprises left by dogs. Well if you were in Richmond, Virginia this morning you may have had the unfortunate pleasure of stumbling across a brain. Yes that's right a brain- it's that thing so many people forget to use these days.

Apparently the brain was left in a bag near an apartment complex and medical examiners aren't sure if it belongs to a human or an animal. Richmond police spokeswoman Karla Peters said, "We're waiting for the medical examiner to determine how we should proceed," she said.

Here's an idea Karla- how about finding the body. If it helps just narrow it down to a body that has a head missing a brain.

Boston

2007-10-07T20:55:00.001-04:00

So the Neutral Zone has been a little quiet lately, and the reason for that is due to my being in Boston this past week. So since I’m back at the keyboard I thought that I would share with some of the things that happened on my trip. If you’re unfamiliar with me, then I should let you know that being in Boston was because it is an annual trip for the U.S. History class.

So we left Sunday (Sept. 30) and returned Friday (Oct. 5). On our first day we were greeted with the train from the airport being shut down for the weekend. While we didn’t get our preferable means of transportation at first we did get to see the lovely smoke stack areas of Revere, Massachusetts. We took shuttle, bus, train, bus, and ended up doing the reverse of that routine later that day. We took in a more pleasant view thanks to the Boston Duck Tours- we even got to take our hand at the wheel.

A few of our meals we received from Quincy Market- that’s a place to check out. Just about whatever you feel like eating is there- though I don’t recall seeing Mexican. But one of the big surprises myself and a couple my friends got is when we saw John Kerry. We saw his supporters who were so excited to see him and yet they left their well made signs behind after he was gone- hmmm?

We walked the Freedom Trail on Wednesday, hitting all the historical spots in Boston. You get an idea of how long the journey to independence was by the long walk- though the Bunker Hill Memorial was probably the real challenge. Another challenge for me at least is when we stopped at a college for two nights. The rooms we were placed in may have not met up to some of our hopes, but later it didn’t really matter after I saw the wonderful hospitality of our hosts.

The Boston area has so much to offer when it comes to learning about our history and not just about the Revolutionary War. When you go on a tour of a house that someone was lived in you try to picture their life. You walk through their rooms and try to imagine what these people were like. Like the word “history”, you try to learn his-story (or hers). It’s especially helpful to have an understanding or background of the places you visit because you can walk away appreciating them more.

But besides the great educational experience, it’s always fun to get the chance to know the people you sit with for hours everyday. You get the chance to learn things you probably never would’ve known about their character in school. So with the trip over with I’m sad to see it end- but mostly because it means going back to school. But at least I got the chance to walk away with many great memories. Things such as finding our way around the town; Red Sox Rally; Van rides; singing; dangerous showers; snoring; the laughs; all just a few of things I will remember from my time in Boston.

No Happy Meal

2007-09-28T13:43:00.000-04:00

On Thursday federal agents raided 11 McDonald's restaurants in northern Nevada. Why? Well despite what you may think it was not to arrest the Hamburglar. Agents for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement made at least 56 arrests on McDonald's employees who are believed to be illegal immigrants.

Luther Mack, owner of at least some of the restaurants that were raided, insisted that his businesses require employees to provide documentation. So explain the 56 employees who are being accused of being in this country illegally. It's not like this situation is unbelievable.

Supporters of the 56 would say that this whole situation was handled in the wrong fashion. But who really knows how the everything took place? Is the media just building the story up by using the word "raid"? Others say it's wrong to keep men and women from returning home to their children who have no idea where the parents are. I doubt both parents of a child(ren) are being held.

Though America is very serious about who it allows to enter the country, we must also be careful how we handle such a task. I would hope agents of the U.S. Immigration service treat someone who may be here illegally respectively. We don't want these "raids" to become a routine- that would be no happy meal.

Only a Dream?

2007-09-21T13:11:00.000-04:00

Two thousand years ago a murderer named Barabbas was sentenced to death by means of crucifixion. It was during the Jewish holiday, Passover, that one prisoner was released by the choosing of the people. The Roman governor Pontius Pilate gave the crowd two men to be chosen for the special release. Barabbas was one, the other was Jesus. The crowd chanted, “Barabbas! Give us Barabbas!” Pilate was shocked to hear that they would choose a murderer over a man who he had found no fault with. But rather deal with the crowd, Pilate freed Barabbas and turned Jesus over to the people to be crucified.

Yesterday, hundreds of protesters joined together in support for six African- American men who have been charged with beating a white peer. However the story goes back to almost a year ago at Jena High School where hangman’s nooses were placed on a tree that was mostly used by Caucasian students. The three white student perpetrators received in-school suspension.

In December 2006 a school fight broke out involving six black students beating white student. According to reports, the young man beaten had been bragging about how one of his attackers had been beaten by a white man the weeks before. The six claim there had been a weeks worth of intimidation led by white students. The six black students were arrested and charged with attempting second-degree murder.

The six young men have been dubbed the “Jena Six” and are currently still being held for the charges against them. So because of the recent news about the six, hundreds of African-Americans protested the young men being held. Protested? A man nearly died and you run out to support the one who gave the beating. Now I’m not defending the white students whose actions are inexcusable, I’m just guessing that since one man came close to death is the reason why six young men are being held.

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

So in a situation like this what can you expect to get? Yep, someone goes and pulls out their race card. That’s starting to get really old. People out there are saying this is an attack on black people. Stop looking at it that way! I see it as six men beating another man to death. It shouldn’t matter if their red and yellow, black or white. Sure the guy who beat up one of the six should’ve been punished- I don’t know that he wasn’t or why there hasn’t been any report of his actions- but I’m going to say I find that man’s action equally as offensive as that of the six. It's issues or incidents like this that unfortunately keep people like Al Sharpton in business.

“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”

The events of 9/11 led to mass racial profiling for people from the Middle East. The Virginia Tech assassin led to few eyes turning on people of Oriental heritage. Hitler murdered Jews. When is this world going to wake up and get through a day without one person accusing another of being racial? If you know your history you know that we all go back to Adam and Eve- though you may not be a believer of Christianity. My point is that we are all one, and if we have to judge someone is needs to be on character or actions, not by skin color. The question is, will we ever make the following hopes come true, or are they only a dream?

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.”

* Quotes by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A Fight They Can Win

2007-09-13T21:35:00.000-04:00

Tonight President Bush addressed the country on the subject of America's current role in the War on Terror. But perhaps the main reason for tuning in was to hear the president speak on reducing the numbers of U.S. soldiers in Iraq. 5,700 troops will return home by Christmas time followed by four brigades of at least 21,500 returning in July 2008. Currently there are at least 169,000 soldiers stationed in the Middle East.

"We need a spirit of community, a sense that we are all in this together. If we have no sense of community, the American dream will wither."
- President Bill Clinton

The news of withdrawing troops comes as an answered prayer for many families who have have been waiting for the return of their sons and daughters. Though while this country set out to weaken those who would do us harm, this war has not come without striking up problems in our own backyard. Many people have raised their voices protesting the war, but for reasons of safety for their loved ones who are fighting. While they might blame the government, they need to remember that this war is made up of volunteers. Some of us cannot even begin to imagine what the soldiers are having to endure for us. And that brings us to the question of whether we want to fight the problem there or fight it here.

"A president's hardest task is not to do what is right, but to know what is right."
- President Lyndon B. Johnson

President Bush stated that we must help Iraq to defeat those who threaten their future and threaten ours. He added how we must work to help Iraq maintain its security- for America does not abandon their friends. The president talked about how Iraqi forces are becoming more capable but there is still a great deal to be done.

"All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first thousand days, nor in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin."
- President John F. Kennedy

We know that this war is far from over and that it will continue into the following presidency, but we hope that there will be a sense of accomplishment. President Bush, "For the safety of future generations we must succeed." Since 9/11 we have hoped to put an end to terrorism and while we can try our best to protect ourselves we can never be fully safe.

"In the time of darkest defeat, victory may be nearest."
- President William McKinely

America has certainly had its share of wars, and none were over in a short period of time. We can't look at this war as bad intentions from the Bush administration, for their goal has been nothing but the preservation and safety of human lives. You may not agree with what is said or decided by the government, its leaders, or even those who might blog their opinions. Leading a country is a great responsibility- so who are we to say that we could do a better job?

"My failures have been errors of judgment, not of intent."
- President Ulysses S. Grant

“…let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan — to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.”
- President Abraham Lincoln

War of course is nothing grand, and we cry for an end to the blood that is spilled everyday. But we can't abandon those who had our best intentions in mind. So we pray for an end and the safe return of our soldiers. We can not turn against them. They're fighting so that we may never have to see another tragedy like 9/11. It may not be the withdrawal some would have wanted, but a few troops home is better than none at all. As President Bush said in his speech, "It is never too late to support our troops in a fight they can win."

September 11, 2001

2007-09-11T08:37:00.000-04:00

It began as just another day in the world. Sure you had your problems here and there but there was nothing like the events that would later unfold. Children were getting on buses to be taken to school. They waved goodbye to their parents; parents waved back. Husbands and wives went their separate ways to work thinking it was just another day.

But then came along this pebble. It's a pebble that shows up in someone’s life every now and than, and its purpose is to send out a ripple effect that’ll send someone in a completely different direction in their life. And on what was supposed to be just another September 11; that pebble struck at the very heart of America.

It has been six years since the 9/11 tragedy. It was on that Tuesday morning the two hijacked airplanes struck the Twin Towers. Another hijacked plane struck the Pentagon; and thanks to the bravery of a few passengers another plane unfortunately crashed into a Pennsylvania field- missing whatever its intended target was.

With every passing anniversary we remember the lives lost. We continue to pray for the families who loss their loved ones. And while many of us did not lose anyone on that day, we all were affected in one way or another. So we pray for the families who continue to grieve on this day of remembrance, and we thank God for another day of life. And we also pray that we will never see another day like September 11, 2001.

Arrested for a-SALT-ing a Police Officer

2007-09-10T12:55:00.000-04:00

UNION CITY, Ga -Kendra Bull, a McDonald’s employee, accidentally spilled a rather large amount of salt onto a hamburger she was preparing. The salty meal went to Police Officer Wendell Adams who after eating the sandwich returned claiming it had made him sick.
Kendra was charged with misdemeanor reckless conduct and freed on $1,000 bail. All of this was done because of an over-salted burger. Kendra herself has eaten a burger made the exact same and said the salt had no effect on her.

So here’s her lesson: Not everyone has the same stomach and be careful of what you serve.

Let’s continue.

If you had a highly salted burger would you eat it? If you have a great fondness for salt you probably would, though your physician may frown on that. So why did this officer continue to eat his burger? Well perhaps he ate it all in one bite with his vacuum mouth. Maybe he heard the words of his mother telling him to finish his meal. Or perhaps he just didn’t see all the salt falling from his burger. Whatever the reason might be I think we can file this case under “S” for stupidity.

Like Kendra, we should all pay attention to what we're doing or we could be arrested for a-SALT-ing a police officer.

Goodbye to the Polar Bears

2007-09-08T12:25:00.000-04:00

Knut the Polar Bear is counting his blessings these days- he's not living in an environment that you could call a death trap.

According to a recent U.S. Geological Survey, two-thirds of the earth's polar bears could die out by the year 2050. This also includes the entire polar bear population from Alaska. The reason is of course is due to the thinning of sea ice as a result of global warming. Polar bears living on the northern Canadian Arctic islands and the western coast of Greenland are expected to survive until the end of the century. Polar bears have a life span of up to thirty years- so any bears born before 2020 should be safe.

We can't lose the polar bears- their a symbol of winter and a important holiday promotion for Coca-Cola.

It must be too much to ask of scientists to show a little bit of positivity. It's rare that we hear of them pointing out ways to save the planet from its doom. On second thought that isn't entirely true- when not talking about his own life, Al Gore does promote ways of improving the earth's environment.

So according to scientist there is no hope of a change and we should await when everything we know comes to an end for not only ourselves but the polar bears as well. Now I don't believe in this global wipe out- I'm staying positive and believing that we will one day be saved. I may not be an expert in science and now all there is to know- I do know that like some scientists I am capable of pulling ideas out of thin air. Well let's just hope that we won't really be saying goodbye to the polar bears.

Bibliography:

"Most Polar Bears Could Die Out by 2050." MSNBC. 8 Sept. 2007 .

Another iRip-off

2007-09-05T16:10:00.000-04:00

It was this past Christmas (2006) that I received my Zune. I spent the day uploading music, pictures, and just admiring what is probably one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. But it's my praise to Microsoft that has other companies looking for new ways to out do each other. Do you need an example of a company? Didn't think so.

Once again in his black shirt and blue jeans, Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the new iPod Touch. It's almost identical to the iPhone, which was released in late June, except it lacks the phone function. The new device has WiFi and is capable of surfing the Internet, allowing users to connect to iTunes. Could it get any better? Guess what...it could! When you step into Starbucks to purchase your recently price risen drink, your iPod will tell you what song is playing in the coffee establishment thanks to its Starbucks alert icon. Now that feature could come in handy, or you could do what I do- find a few key words from the song and enter them in Google.

Now if this is the first you've heard of Apple's new little toy you're probably asking yourself how much it costs. Well a 8GB iPod Touch costs $299 and 16GB costs $399. Reasonable...if you have the money to blow on something so outrageous. Microsoft sells their 30 GB Zune for $199.

But remember class; if we've learned anything about Apple, higher prices don't exactly mean fewer sales. We're attracted to style and style equals profit.

For once Apple has done something somewhat sensible depending on your wallet size. They've tweaked the original iPod video, now iPod Classic, and it now goes $249 for 80 GB and $349 160 GB models, and it's a bit thinner than previous models, too.

I will admit it does look great and with that much being said or written, here's another blog addressing another iRip-off.

Somewhere in the Great Blue Yonder

2007-09-05T12:34:00.000-04:00

In 1937 Amelia Earhart became lost to the sky. She disappeared over the central Pacific Ocean during an attempt to make a circumnavigational flight. To this day her disappearance remains a mystery. And now seventy years later the search has begun for Steve Fossett.

On September 3, 2007, Fossett’s single-engine plane vanished Monday as he was scouting dry lake beds for an attempt to set a world land speed record. Fossett's emergency locator radio beacon, which is designed to be automatically activated in the event of a crash, has failed to send out a signal. Fossett's plane had enough fuel to last him four to five hours, the search began six hours later.

Fossett didn't make a flight plan nor was he required to do so. Not required? I know airplanes are supposed to be the safest means of transportation, but should private flight patterns really go unrequired?

So what happened? His beacon didn't go off- perhaps it malfunctioned or he didn't crash. Could for some strange reason he be on the run? Maybe he had to make an emergecy landing and is stranded with no way to call for help. Perhaps he got pulled into the Bermuda triangle- but we can rule that theory out for obvious reasons...it's in the Atlantic. Whatever the reason is we can only hope that he hasn't become lost somewhere in the great blue yonder.

A Kick to the Family Jewell

2007-08-31T22:19:00.000-04:00

July 27, 1996 was meant to be just another day at the Olympic games in Centennial Park. But for the late Richard Jewell it became the end of his normal everyday life.

It was after midnight when Richard, a private security guard, discovered a pipe bomb and alerted the police. It was 1:21am, Richard and other security guards began to clear the park when the bomb went off.

Richard Jewell was considered a hero for his discovery of the bomb and his aid in ushering people to safety. But just a few days after the bombing he became a potential suspect. The media learned of this suspicion and released this publicly making Richard a target. It became the theory that he planted the bomb so that he would be the one to discover it and be a hero.

So is this a believable theory? Yes. It's something that I'm sure has been done in all investigative television shows. But what else does this show us? We're shown that when the media constantly reports on the story of the week and builds it up, people will basically turn against the person being reported on. And like with Jewells, the media came and pulled out all their tricks to make him seem the suspect- they attacked him and his family like vultures. If we are to learn anything from this story it's that you can't judge a book by its cover. I also want to point out that I'm not trying to attack the media or give it a bad name or that it's nothing but bad press, it's just that we need to be careful what sources we allow ourselves to hear and follow.

Richard Jewell died on August 29, 2007 of severe heart and kidney disease at the age of 44. Richard died in his home a police officer in Pendergrass, Georgia. He was a man who was falsely accused and had to endure so much for so long. A man who from the media, received quite a kick to the family Jewell.

The Seventh-Inning Stretch

2007-08-31T13:11:00.000-04:00

It has been almost a month since six Utah miners were trapped in the Crandall Canyon Mine.

On Monday, August 6, 2007, at 2:48 A.M. MDT, the mine collapsed, trapping six workers. The workers are believed to be a little over three miles from the entrance of the mine. But here we are over three weeks, and the odds of them still being alive are highly doubtful.

Robert Murray is part owner of the mine and has recently come under attack regarding the search for the miners. When the event unfolded in early August, Murray made a strong promise that he would not give up hope on finding the trapped men. But as of last week he has stated that the search has just become too dangerous and hope is fading- and now family members of the miners are calling him out. They want him to live up to his promise to bring the men home. Perhaps Murray shouldn't have dug himself such a deep hole. But you have to cut him a little slack, he had no idea it would turn into a long and disastrous search.

The dangerous search refers to three rescue workers who were killed when another part of the mine collapsed. Six other rescuers were injured and quickly pulled from the mine, leaving the open question on the stability of the mountain. Murray stated there was an earthquake that caused the collapse of the mine trapping the six men, other sources claimed no earthquake took place.

Murray stated that he has already filed paperwork to permanently close and seal the Crandall Canyon mine. "Had I known that this evil mountain, this alive mountain, would do what it did, I would never have sent the miners in here. I'll never go near that mountain again," he said.

I guess some people just can't get it through their heads that mining is a risky job. Who knows what really took place to cause such an accident. There is also the report that the mine was unstable and it shouldn't have been used. Once again another warning that was received without a second thought.

Though there are plans to close the mine, searches continue with a seventh hole being dug in an area that is hopefully close to the miners. This hole is a long shot and hopefully something will come from it- you could almost call it the seventh-inning stretch.

As of recent news, the seventh hole has shown nothing and searches are being suspended.

Dog-Eat-Dog World

2007-08-30T09:48:00.000-04:00

Cesar Millan (a.k.a. The Dog Whisperer) has quite a bit to say these days for his canine pals. Why? Well as of this past week Michael Vick has finally pleaded guilty in sponsoring dog fights. Vick has made his public apologizes, stating how he realizes that dog fighting is wrong. Well was there ever a point where having dogs fight to the death was a good thing?

Class let's take a look at this question.

Dog fighting is a physical fight between canines, sometimes involving the pitting of two dogs against each other for the entertainment of spectators, and for the purpose of gambling.

Well now we see that Vick did it for the money. I guess playing for the Atlanta Falcons doesn't pay well and Vick felt he was going to have to take on a second job. So can we blame a man who was just trying to make a good living for himself? Well it probably depends on who you are, but in this case I believe the answer is yes.

Even though his sentence isn't due till December, Vick has announced that he has found God. People always seem to find God in times of trouble but hardly ever when things are good, unless it's the Oscars. Maybe its because we see God as the only way for the good to come from the bad, or the sun to break through the clouds.

So what the does future hold for Vick? Who knows, it's a dog-eat-dog world.

Wow

2007-08-26T21:12:00.000-04:00

The 2007 Miss Teen USA pageant was recently held, and one of the contestants has caught quite a bit of attention.
Here's why:

Transcript:
"I personally believe that US Americans are unable to do so because some people out there in our nation don't have maps and I believe that our education like such as South Africa and the Iraq and everywhere like such as and I believe that they should our education over here in the US should help the US or should help south Africa and should help the Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future."

What?

If there ever was a message to send to kids about staying in school, that would be it. I think the real reason some people can't find America on a map is because, like her, they were all asleep in class! Not only did she not answer the question, she forgot to add the thing about world peace. Alright well perhaps she did just mess up what with being in front of audience. We all can have moments like that and probably have. And when something happens to someone else we're all quick to point and laugh. Poor Miss South Carolina. Wow.

Happy Birthday Big Mac

2007-08-24T12:05:00.000-04:00

Today McDonald's is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Big Mac. The triple-decker burger, with 540 calories and 29 grams of fat each, was first introduced in 1967 before going national the following year. I do though wonder how many people who have tasted the Big Mac are still around to enjoy it's flavor. McDonald's celebrated their most popular burger with a cake that contained over eight-hundred calories. Not.

For some the Big Mac has been a little taste of heaven, a taste so wonderful that it led them to Big Mac h*ll. The obvious weight that can be gained by these beefy sandwiches has led people to become what they eat.

So on it's birthday what did Big Mac wish for? Fewer sales equaling less weight gained? A fat free Mac? Being cool with nutritionists? Probably just another year of being America's top sandwich. So America, enjoy your meal and hope your still around for the 50th.

Happy Birthday Big Mac!

No Toying Around

2007-08-23T11:09:00.000-04:00

While China prepares for 2008 Summer Olympics, they may have to hold off on the souvenirs. In recent news China has been under much for fire for producing toys that contain traces of lead. This lead scare has led to toys almost a million toys being pulled from shelves all over the world.

The country responds by pulling these toys from stores, but now eBay users are selling recalled items. What idiot is going to purchase something like that? "Dude check out my collection it's deadly." And now we're beginning to see the dangers of selling used online items.

The scare caused such a huge global controversy that Cheung Shu-hung, who co-owned Lee Der Industrial Co., committed suicide at a warehouse by hanging himself.

So what does this mean for us? Well it means Superman won't be able to look through any of the toys. It could mean that Sesame Street and Dora the Explorer will be teaching kids about the word "lethal". And SpongeBob will now be SpongeBob Lead Pants. But what it really means is that we seriously need to rethink the safety of all imported items. How far are we willing to put ourselves in the hands of foreign allies? When it comes to the safety of human lives, there's no toying around.

Similar blog:
http://thesilentview.blogspot.com/2007/07/chinese-tea-party.html

Touch Down

2007-08-21T15:07:00.000-04:00

Whew!

Early this afternoon NASA's Space Shuttle Endeavour made an early, but more importantly safe, landing. There had been much speculation as to the safety of the shuttle and it's crew due to the foam damage under the ship. A piece of foam had broken off the external fuel tank and punctured a three inch hole into the belly of the shuttle. It was damage by foam that led to the demise of the Columbia.

NASA had attempted to perform a repair job, but there appeared to be a possible tear on the thumb of the left glove on the spacesuit. It was later reported the tear was no danger to the suit and that the job was canceled as a precaution. As of recently Hurricane Dean became a possilbe threat, and led NASA to call for Endeavour's return a day early.

With all the sad news these days it's glad to have a reason to rejoice at Endeavour's touch down.

To Catch a Clue

2007-08-16T22:12:00.000-04:00

Investigative journalism is when reporters deeply investigate a topic of interest, often involving crime, political corruption, or some other scandal.

Dateline NBC's series "To Catch a Predator" is a series that hunts down sexual predators and turns them over to the authorities. The series is led by Chris Hansen, who chats with the men who thought they were coming to meet some teenager they met online. The men are later excused from the meeting house and arrested by the police.

While the show has received a number of applauses it has also taken quite a bit of heat. Many accuse the series of creating news rather than reporting about it. It's also said that NBC is more focused on ratings.

One of the men that visited the house was a former district attorney who ended up taking his life. The man's sister blames the show for her brother's death. How can she blame Dateline for the loss of the man's life when he arrived at the house and pulled the trigger on himself?

It's amazing that the people used as bait on the series haven't been harmed, same goes for the crew. This should be the top priority and it probably is.

And now ABC's 20/20 is searching the closets of NBC hoping to find a few skeletons. So while Dateline tries to protect the youth of America, ABC will tell us how it wasn't fair that NBC came up with the series first. It's time for 20/20 to catch a clue.

Stay Cool

2007-08-16T21:57:00.000-04:00

It's been over a week and the South continues to be cursed with 100 degree weather. These high temperatures are being blamed for so far taking thirty-three lives. Though my question is what conditions were these people living in and what was their state of health. I attend a school where outside it's a furnace and inside it's an icebox.

There's an episode of The Twilight Zone where people were living in high temperatures that were continuing to rise. In the episode one of the main characters finally succumbs to the scorching heat only to awake, from what was a dream, in not boiling temperatures but freezing ones.

So stay out of the sun if you can and stay cool.

Flying "High" in the Sky

2007-08-16T21:43:00.000-04:00

This past Monday a flight attendant appeared in court on the charges of being drunk while on duty. When she was being removed from the plane she told the pilot "You're dead." The stewardess admitted to drinking whisky on board the plane. One passenger was even threatening to press charges on the basis that the attendant wasn't sharing the goods. Alright so that part was a joke but I wouldn't be surprised if someone was thinking that.

Now how did she get the whisky on the plane? Was it already on? Did she sneak it on? Or judging by the way she was escorted off the plane, was she drugged? Hmmmm.

It's said that flying is one of the safest means of transportation. And it should be despite those thoughts of an engine failing and the plane falling thousands of feet. It's not a very comforting thought for me, who'll be flying to Boston next month, or anyone else to have flight attendants who are flying "high" in the sky.

Lost to Space?

2007-08-13T20:22:00.000-04:00

Since last Wednesday's launch, there has been much speculation concerning the safety of the Space Shuttle Endeavour (Mission STS-118), and it's crew. The shuttle's belly made contact with a grapefruit-sized piece of fuel-tank foam that broke off a bracket on the external fuel tank. It was a piece of foam that collided with the shuttle Columbia in 2003, that led to the ship being destroyed during reentry. The gash in the Endeavour has exposed part of the ship's skin. If this part is exposed to the extreme heat of reentry into Earth's atmosphere, Endeavour would follow Columbia. Columbia was orginally scheduled to fly this mission.

Columbia's destruction sent out a major wake-up call to NASA. It was a call that led NASA to a two year halt on missions to space. Crew members may perform a check on shuttle and may even try to repair it, but repairs could do more bad than good. Of course NASA has always been very cautious in the field of work their in, but wouldn't it be a good idea to have an escape plan? Is it possible to have a spacecraft simliar to the Apollo orbiter? A craft inserted into part of a space shuttle or connected to the International Space Station (ISS).

Amoung the crew includes Barbara Morgan, a teacher who twenty-two years ago was backup for Christa McAuliffe. Christa was another teacher who boarded the doomed Challenger.

It is being reported that the shuttle Discovery is being prepared for the first rescue mission in the program, but that the shuttle won't launch until October.

Endeavour is to be decommissioned in 2010, along with the Discovery when the Shuttle Program is retired. Endeavour is also scheduled to be the last Orbiter to fly to the ISS, hopefully it gets the opportunity and not lost to space.