Nascar and any auto sports should be banned

I think there should be a guzzling tax, Do you agree or disagree that a tax on vehicles that use excessive gas should be charged a extra tax. Example mudding trucks they have extra large wheels and big pipes and all to make them sound like massive dinosaurs running down the street. I never would have thought that there would be people who clean there trucks just to put more mud on there vehicle so the mud matches, that's a wastful concept and something needs to be done, these individuals that do this are killing the planet and they have no consideration of enivoronmentlist that try to help the planet. Along with nascar there should be a ban on all these sports that involve excessive gasoline or petroleum usage, this needs to stop no matter on how much they donate it's not enough to equal the benefit to if they stop.

Journalist freed by Iraqi army

Richard Butler, a CBS news journalist was captured two months ago, now finally being rescued by the Iraq army. Butler recalls the army as ''brillant''. Butler was rescued as part of a Iraqi operation to free up towns operated by criminal's. Butler is an example of how the Iraqi army is developing into a dominant force in their country. The United States should be proud of what they are accomplishing, with the army and government of Iraq. Butler hopefully will not be the only one rescued, but the Iraqi people can now feel alittle safer, about their own safety, and hopefully soon the U.S can step aside and let Iraq develop.

Drinking Age

The national drinking age is an issue that is highly debated and especially popular among high school and college age people. Although I do not drink and would not choose to even if I could legally do so, I find this issue quite interesting. I think that lowering the drinking age to 18 may actually help the problem. If teens could drink at 18 it would be a lot less exciting as it seems when you are doing it illegally. Also less teens would be drinking in private places and getting wasted if they could just go out to the club and drink with friends and stuff. I don't think having the drinking age as 21 helps any so I don't see moving it down to 18 hurting anything. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

Katelan Folsom POS1041 MWF 12:20

Personal Attacks

Recently there has been a lot of personal attacks by Clinton on Obama and vice-versa. Personally I wish they would stick to the issues and leave each others personal business out of it if it isn't relevant to the situation at hand. I don't think they should be allowed to attack their candidates personally. Does anybody else think that there should be some kind of restriction on personal attacks against opponents in political races?

Katelan Folsom POS1041 MWF 12:20

Botched Weapons Testing

In North New Jersey there was recently an incident that could have been catastrophic for one family. A large shell fired from the base actually fell through a families house and injured their cat so much it had to be euthanized. Although, I have always supported our military when it comes to war and even weapons testing i feel that there should be a greater effort on their part to make sure accidents like this do not happen because if it possible for this to happen what ensures that a worse accident then this wont occur.

Removing The Military In Iraq

Although, most of the candidates say that if they are President they will pull most of our troops out of Iraq in a short amount of time i feel that this is not possible. The reason why I feel it is impossible for a quick romoval from Iraq is the plain fact that we are so involved over there that if we do pull out quickly the Iraqi government will fall apart and terrorists will take over once again. I feel the candidates say it is possible to get more votes even though they really know it will take some time.

Suffering economy in The United States

In the United States our economy has suffered terribly the last couple years and is evident throughout the country. For example, the building industry has suffered a terrible blow and is almost at a complete hault. Alot of employees are being laid off because there is not enough since the majority of their usual customers just dont have the income right now to by for their services. I feel that this problem will not be solved soon and will have to most likely be solved by the new President. President Bush has tried to push for a 300-600 dollar rebate for those who meet the requirements. However, I feel that this will not be enought to jumpstart the economy and it will take something drastic to solve the problem.

Mass Graves discovered in Iraq

In an article on CNN's webpage I read that there has been mass graves found all over Iraq. Recently there was one found containing 20 dead bodies near a small town. The military stated that," it is probably about eight months old and that these people we most likely killed by Saddam Hussein." Reading this article just proves even more that the United States was right when they decided to take Hussein from power. It is our duty as one of the world's strongest countries to stop other mass murderers no matter how unpopular we become.

Religious Veiws in The Presidential Race

I recently read in an article sunday night that instead of the two democratic presidential candidates talking about issues like economics and politics both of them took the time the share their stance on religion. Both of them said that they are the type of person that beleive that religion is very important in our society and that they are both religious. However, I feel that the speeches made by these two candidates are not entirely true and are only using these religious veiws in order to take away votes that would usually side with a republican candidate.

Don't buy Gas Day

Everyone needs to stop planning these pointless "Don't buy gas days". You still have to buy it the day after and before and no matter what you always will. Even if you don't taxis and buses need to fill up daily as well. At the time there is nothing we can do to change the price of gas, we just need to get more fuel economical modes of transportation.

Julie Rickles POS2001

Free Rice

There is website sponsered by the UN World Food Program called www.freerice.com. When you visit the site you play a vocabulary game; for each word you get right 20 grains of rice are donated by the organization advertisement at the bottom of the page. It is a simple way to help feed the world without even leaving your home and it helps build your language skills. There have been over 26 billion grains of rice donated through this web site. Everyone should try it. Think about it, if just play it for a minute out of your day; it can only do good.

Julie Rickles POS2001

Big Company Aid

I don't know if anyone else has been paying attention to some of the new commercials from big companies; but there are a lot of big companies now participating in world aid that we can too. Granted this is mainly targeted towards woman but if you buy Tampax or Kotex products a portion of your purchase goes to helping send sanitary items to women and girls in Africa who can't afford them. Also when you buy Pampers they will donate diapers to under priveledged countries who can't afford diapers for their children.

Julie Rickles POS2001

Recycling

It's no secret that here in Tallahassee, there is an excessive amount of drinking, by aluminum cans and glass bottles. Everyday prrobably thousands of things that could be recycled are thrown away. I think that there should be recycling bins at every housing complex and even at every pool. We all know that we've thrown away plenty of empty bottles and cans at pools that could have been recycled if we had the opprotunity.

Julie Rickles POS2001

Marine captured

The Marine responsible for killing fellow Marine Maria Lauterbach was apprehended by Mexican authorities, announced last thursday. Cesar Laurean fled from North Carolina to Mexico three months ago. Laurean is still waiting on extradition from Mexico, but he will be charged with murder and among other things. This shows that Mexico is still cooperating nicely with the U.S government. Anyone who flees to another country from their committed crimes should face the harshest penalities there are, and I believe Laurean will get what he should have coming.

Where is the girl?

When the 16 year old girl supposibly pregnant and imprisoned on the polygimist ranch called the authorities they jumped into action just like they were supposed to. But after hundred of women and children (many of whom are pregnant) were released the 16 year old imformant has still not been located. While I believe that yes, going into this "compound" needed to be done, i do not believe that this girl ever existed. I believe that the authorities had already suspected foul play and underage marriges and pregnancies and were just looking for a reason to go in there. So they set up this fake phone call and went in. Now the only question is, will they allow this to keep going on? Does the country want to keep allowing an ex-con to lead women and childern into deception that being 14 and being married to a 50 year old is ok?

Pennsylvanians are bitter?

While in Pennsylvania on the campaign trail Barack Obama said that "some small-town Pennsylvanians are "bitter" people who "cling to guns and religion." This has obviously angered many of his potential voters and giving Clinton a bit of an edge. She has been currently handing out bumper stickers saying " i'm not bitter." Obama is claiming that he "mis-spoke," and did not word his sentance well enough. What he really meant to say is that these small town folks are upset that they've lost their jobs years ago and they are continually slipping through the cracks of each presidential administration, and somthing needs to be done about it.

D. Dunn

Olympics not political?

Cnn quoted President Bush earlier this week as believing that the Olympics are a sporting event and have nothing to do with politics when being asked about attending China's opening ceramony. Many people are calling for Bush to skip the opening ceramony to show China that the U.S. is angry over the violent response to the tibetin monks demonstrations. Bush and his administration believes that skipping the opening ceramony would only be a red herring and that this whole situation needs to be dealt with by quiet diplomacy.

D. Dunn

Bush's new approval rating

George W. Bush was handed a new approval rating, by the Gallup poll on friday. Intresting enough the poll was at a new all-time low. President Bush's rating dropped to 28% from the last poll conducted. I believe that with the Iraq war still going on and other issues that Americans don't agree with him, his rating will keep dropping until the upcoming election. President Bush has had his share of low-opinion polls in his presidential career, but poll after poll you would figure that he would say or do something to level off the continued drop and raise his ratings. President Bush might also just might be coasting to the end of his term and put these heavy subjects on another president, but history will long remember President Bush as one of the least approved President's ever recorded.

John McCain and the Keating Five

In 1989 John McCain and four other senators were accused of corruption. The chairman of the Lincoln Savings and Loan Association was aided illegally by the senators because the company was failing. The Federal home Loan and Bank Board were investigating Cahrles Keating Jr. who was aided by the senators. John McCain's involvement was reportedly minimal, but if McCain were just a regular guy, he probably would have caught a lot more trouble. I think it is important to know a detailed history about each presidential candidate. After all, history does tend to repeat itself.

SETH NEIKIRK

Hilary's Ever Changing Opinion On Iraq

Hilary Clinton has changed her mind on the issue of the war. She was one of many who voted towards giving the Bush administration the power to invade Iraq. Here's my point: If Hilary Clinton and others in the senate can vote one way and then change their minds, how can they expect America to take them seriously as a presidential candidate. If George Bush woke up tomorrow and said he changed his mind about this whole Iraq thing, might Americans respond with forgiveness. Doubtful, but Senators should be held to the same standards. These people have power. With that power comes the responsibility to make important decisions and stand by those decisions.

SETH NEIKIRK

Al Gore Has A Friend In Obama

Obama has stated to MSNBC that Al Gore would play a key role in his administration if interested. What a dream team that would be. It would be interesting and important as far as the environment goes. Although Obama has said nothing about selecting Gore as his running mate, Gore would probably be the first guy to be vice president twice with two seperate presidents.
Man bear pig better watch his back.

SETH NEIKIRK

Where's Osama, Does Anyone Care?

I sometimes wonder how focused the government still is on the capture of Osama Bin Laden. The situation in the middle east is so fragile with Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. I'm beginning to believe that the government is more concerned with stabilizing that area in the world, and righting the mistake of invading Iraq. What makes me sad is the fact that the government will never admit that this was a mistake. All the people who died will never get a public apology.

SETH NEIKIRK

State Attorney and Judge fail to see eye to eye

Recently, the former head of our local county road department was indicted for grand theft for allegedly directing shipment of asphalt milling to a county commissioners home for his personal use without payment. The case went to trial and it ended with a hung jury resulting in a mistrial. A few days later, the judge dismissed the case based on the lack of evidence. The defense attorneys had asked him to do this at the close of the state's case and again at the end of the trial, but he did not. However, a few days later, he entered a dismissal. The State Attorney, according to our local paper, has sent a letter requesting a withdrawal of the dismissal and has expressed outrage at the judge's actions.

This is small town politics at its best. This is the kind of stuff you could write books about. It really pays to read the news and keep up with current affairs at the local, state, and national levels. Our votes are what put elected officials in their places. We need to know who we are putting where.

Charlie Crist - Vice President?

I had heard at one time that Charlie Crist was a possible candidate to be McCain's running mate. I'm not sure that he has the foundation to truly be a leader on the national level. As Vice-President he would legitimately be in the position of running the country at some point and, as stated above, that causes some concern. Has anyone heard these rumors and do you have an opinion on his viability?

Gas Prices

I've often wondered just what establishes the price we pay for gas. Does anyone really know what determines these prices beyond what a barrel of oil is trading at in the market. What determines the price of this barrel of oil? Is that the only thing that establishes the price? Some education about this mystery would be very enlightening.

State Budget Crisis

The Florida Legislature is dealing with a budget crisis that is hitting state agencies hard. My husband works in a state agency for a very conservative elected official. His boss has been very conservative through the years, but it seems now that the surplus he has had over the years doesn't inure to his benefit. It has to be utilized to help those that have spent at will both recklessly and without regard for the future. He seems to indicate that much of the legislative business is done by the staffers that stay in certain positions on committees and that handle the functioning aspects of the legislature, doing things many times that the legislators themselves may not actually know.

I'm not really sure what has caused this shortfall, but it seems to me that there should be people in our government who are smart enough to be top-shelf financial managers. This harm to the state agencies filters down to everyone ultimately and a closer look should be had at just who is running things in Tallahassee.

Salliemae a billion dollar company cuts cost with a corporate wide email

Quote:As you know, we are reviewing all costs for savings opportunities. To that end, we'll be making the following changes:Lights in all areas except the great rooms will be turned off at night and on weekends. They should also be turned off when not occupied. We ask for your assistance in making this happen.After a careful review of potential savings, lights in the great rooms will remain on full time. Maintenance costs outweighed potential utility savings.Thermostats will also be adjusted. Locked cases will be replaced on individual thermostats throughout the building.The plant service will be discontinued as of March 31. Personal plants will still be allowed, however, you will be responsible for maintaining them. Lights may not be left on nights and weekends for personal plants.Effective March 31, towels will no longer be supplied in the gym. Please supply your own towels for workouts.To support the company wide "Go Green" effort, plastic flatware and dishes will no longer be supplied. This will become effective as existing supplies in break rooms are depleted. Please plan accordingly and bring your own eating utensils and dishes.For now, free coffee will continue to be provided. Flavored creamers and "blue" artificial sweeteners will no longer be provided once existing supplies are depleted due to their high cost. Please plan to bring in the most unique coffee mug from your collection as Styrofoam cups will not be provided anymore.All told, these changes will help us save more than $50,000 by the end of the year. Other opportunities are under review. Suggestions are welcome.Thank you for your assistance in helping us reduce costs.
Unquote:They already laid off several hundred plus people in the past 60 days, why isn't the government helping the people out of the student loan monster trap. It reminds me of the first bank of the United States it's a engine for speculation, financial manipulation, and corruption. The government created and back the monster before, then they let the private sector take over, history needs to repeat itself like when former president Andrew Jackson denounced the first monster bank; that was clearly and still is ruining the lives of the American people just under a good disguise as Salliemae.

is america in turmoil

I Think that we have to face the fact that america's economy is in turmoil.do you think we are headed for a resession or are we headed for a depression again and why?I think we are headed for a depression cause the rise inflation is straining the ecomony.

3rd Grader Getting High

A third grader gets suspended after sniffing a marker. Teacher says that these markers are dangerous the student was misusing them. If the are so freaking dangerous take them out of the class. The kid is eight!!! He does not know any better. This is a stupid waste of the parent and students time.

-johnny mcdonald pos1041

worlds strongest breath mint???

It’s called "AntiPoleez," and is advertised as a way to eliminate bad breath caused by alcohol, tobacco and food, My FOX New York reports.
Critics say the name and marketing angle could promote alcohol abuse, leading people to believe they can pass a police breath test, or encourage underage kids to drink alcohol and attempt to cover it up. The company’s president denies that is the intention of his product. People will always try to cover up the smell of alcohol and tobacco on their breath, and there will always be other ways to detect alcohol and tobacco besides breath. I dont think that this new breath mint is all that big of a deal.

-johnny mcdonald pos1041

Boy brings grenade to school

A boy brings a grenade to show and tell, the explosive charge and detonator have been removed years ago. They police and bomb squad are called and the grenade turned over to the bomb squad for disposal. How paranoid can we be? A grenade with out the explosive charge and detonator is nothing more than a steel ball. Where such measures so necessary?

-johnny mcdonald pos1041

Olympic Committee Strips Medals From Marion Jones' Relay Teammates

The International Olympic Committee executive board disqualified and stripped the medals from the athletes who won gold with Jones in the 1,600-meter relay and bronze in the 400-meter relay. I agree with the desicion, because one memeber of the team was cheating, the whole entire team had an unfair advantage over other competeing teams.

-johnny mcdoanld pos1041

American Airlines Cancels Flights

American Airlines canceled more than 900 flights Thursday to fix faulty wiring in hundreds of jets, marking the third straight day of mass groundings. Many customers are very upset and angry with the airline. I think the delay is well worth the assurance of a safe flight. How do you feel?

-johnny mcdonald pos 1041

American

American Airlines canceled more than 900 flights Thursday to fix faulty wiring in hundreds of jets, marking the third straight day of mass groundings

High School Beating

Im sure that by now most of you have all heard of the incident related to Myspace. About how a female student from Polk County posted some negative things about some of her student peers on Myspace. The girl who posted the comments was later tricked into coming to a house where the girls she posted about were waiting in the back rooms. They all came out at her at once and mauled her until she could no longer hear out of one ear and barely see from one of her eyes. Those 6 girls and the 2 guys are being tried as adults and one of the guys are on bail I believe. Do you feel as though their punishments are a little to harsh, or should they be a little more strict?

Rice, McCain's Vice Pres.?

John McCain is still in search for a Vice President running mate, or his he? Condoleezza Rice has been rumored to be joining McCain on his quest to becoming the next president. Rice now the Secretary of State, maybe just looking to prove herself that she would be a liable candidate for President in the next election. McCain may look for diversity for his V.P spot, to sway some votes to him beacuse of his opposition on the other side with Obama? Either way this is a hot topic that is still unfolding.

08-09 Budget Travesty

Wednesday Florida legislature began talks on the new 08-09 budget. Just from reading several blogs and reports I have come to the conlcusion that in my opinion our state legislature is a large group of heartless people. A quote from http://flapolitics.blogspot.com/ lists some of the rediculous this the legislature will be meeting about: "Here's the plan (or some of it) from the "values" crowd: "the House will begin debating Wednesday: eliminate 703 jobs in the Department of Children and Families, including 71 child abuse investigator jobs; end hospice care for 7,700 Medicaid patients; stop hospital care for 19,500 uninsured patients with catastrophic illnesses; close the state's only tuberculosis hospital; and reduce $7-million in funding to help foster children adjust to life on their own." The department of Children and Families is already under budgeted and undermanned, cutting 703 jobs would be atrocious. It would be like cutting of a leg to be extreme...Finally, how can we take more money away the foster children in Florida? The majority people that help take care of those children are good people and the situations those kids are requires assistance. As a state we should be doing everything in our power to help those children and that includes raising taxes our whatever we need to do to help fund the programs that take care of them. How is it that American Idol can raise over $20 million to help children in Africa but we as Americans or more specifically Floridians cannot support our children in Florida...This is pretty sad in my opinion.

Clinton and Green Schools

Hilary Clinton says that she would like to implement "Green Schools". That is wonderful but I don't see anyway that it could be done, not to mention fees able.

"Create "Green Schools" in order to reduce energy costs and eliminate environmental hazards that can hinder children's development." Retrieved on April 09/08 http://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/education/

Can anyone give me any idea as to how this could be accomplished, and also what they think about it.

Going green before and after Earth Day!

Earth day is right around the corner, April 22, for those of you who don't know. I just started recycling, I've been doing it about 3 weeks now, and it made me realize how much reusable materials we use everyday! Just getting rid of a week's worth of plastic, aluminum, paper, and cardboard fills up my car trunk, and I'm only recycling for me! I wish everyone would realize the amount of garbage they throw away, and try to recycle more. It's not that hard, and a lot better for our environment. Our country is going into a recession, so I think every little thing we do could help make better changes for our current economic problems, and for our future economic problems.

The Big Bang

Public school teachers could not be penalized in Florida for including creationism in science class under a bill approved this morning in a state Senate committee. I see this as a big step in promoting students to form their own opinions and beliefs about different theories. If taught correctly and unbiased, I support this law.

Recycling Plastic

The selling of bottled water has increased now overtaking the sales of milk and are almost overselling beer. When people are at home they should cut back on drinking bottled water, but use a purifier. If we could recycle as much as we spent on bottled water we would all be better of.

Robin Register
POS 2001

Green House Gasses

Humans produce 60% of methane that is in the atmosphere. This gas comes from landfills, waste water treatments, and fossil fuel burning. We should try to cut back on the use of our vehicle's and try to walk, ride bikes, and use public transportation. Every little bit helps!

Robin Register
POS 2001

Consume Less and Conserve More

Americans should try to do their part in reducing global warming. We should buy items that are more durable. We should restore items rather than descarding of them. Some things can take up to 1,000 years to decompose.

Robin Register
POS2001

Money in the mail

Many Americans will soon receive three hundred dollars and up this summer in the mail. If you are gonna send me money, send me more. How can I go out and stimulate the economy with three hundred dollars? Thats my car payment, my grociers, gas, and cable bill for the month.


Heather Wells
POS2001

Go Green!

Its wonderful that people are finally relizing there is a problem going on with the enviroment. Everywhere you look people are now becoming eco-friendly. The problem is though, it can take alot of cash to convert to green. We should all try to re-use, rcycle, and re-store.


Heather Wells
POS2001

Sex Ed in school

Why on earth would we take sex education out of our schools? Are all the parents out there really siutable for teaching children abouth the birds and the bees? Or should I say, to think or even care to inform the child. More money needs to go towards sex ed in schools.


Heather Wells
POS2001

Troop Reduction

General Petraeus was being questioned regarding the surge of troops in Iraq. They are trying to have the 20,000 troops sent to Iraq last year returned. At first the increase in military troops in Iraq was helping but, now they are not seeing results.

Robin Register
POS2001

Cutting Funds on Physical Education

Their has been talk about cutting funds for Physical education in the public schools. This would be a big mistake. Kids these days already don't get enough physical activity because kids are to involved with T.V, video games, and the internet.

Robin Register- POS2001

Bernanke Get On Your Job...

Faced with mounting home foreclosures and job losses, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is under immense political and public pressure to provide relief and help turn around a faltering economy. This might sound a little crazy, but I think the federal reserve should give $150,000 to all the working class families that need help, it should pull them out the holes there in. It's just ink and paper print more of it. What actions should be taking to cure this rapid growing problem?

Guns Or No Guns?

Seven former directors of the National Park Service, including the Bush administration's first park chief have signed a letter opposing the Interior Department's plan to reconsider regulations restricting loaded guns in national parks. I think it shouldn't be a problem. What's your take on this?

More oil gets set aside!!!

The Energy Department said Friday it would continue putting oil into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve even as crude oil prices remain above $100 a barrel. What do you think is the reason for the government to be doing so?

Olympic Chaos

The Olympics which are supposed to be held in Beijing, China this summer are under serious fire. The riots in Tibet have other countries feeling nervous about the upcoming games. French president Nicolas Sarkozy raised the issue of boycotting the Olympics which the U.S. and European Union did not agree with. Do you think the Olympics are in danger this year? If so, what needs to be done to protect the games and the athletes?

Will We Ever Come Home?

It feels like our solders have been in Iraq forever. Are we any closer to achieving our goals and coming home for good? I liked this article on Yahoo. We don’t know everything that has been happening for the good or for the bad. But this article gives me an in depth look at what is maybe happening over there and why we can’t pull out just yet.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080406/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_no_closer

A Solution to Economic Stress?

In my last post I asked the question will things get better in our economy? Yahoo! News says, “Democratic lawmakers said Sunday that Congress should pass a second economic aid plan that would focus on helping homeowners avoid foreclosure and increasing spending on bridges, roads and transit systems.” This has called for lenders to offer new, affordable mortgages. Maybe this will help the mortgage struggles we are facing now, and hopefully we will get over this bump and move on.

Kings Anniversary

I think it is wonderful that John McCain and Hillary Clinton got together to remember Martin Luther King Jr., in Memphis where he was killed 40 years ago. Even though Barrack Obama could not be in Memphis he honored King in his speech in Indiana. There has been so much of a racial issue in this year’s presidential election, and I think its great that our candidates can put all of that aside and get together and remember this honorable man.

America on the Wrong Track

Today many things are going the wrong way for Americans, especially the economy. Gas prices and mortgages are outrageous. Yahoo! News said, “Four out of five Americans believe things are "on the wrong track" in the United States, the gloomiest outlook in about 20 years, according to a New York Times/CBS News poll released on Thursday.” I think things are “on the wrong track”. Are things going to get better or worse? What is it going to take for things to get better?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080404/ts_nm/usa_economy_poll_dc

Response to Zeitgeist

Watch it at:
zeitgeistmovie.com

My roommate showed me this. I thought it was a pretty captivating conspiracy video covering everything from from the role of religion to the federal reserve. You may want to skip the first fifteen minutes. It's a total waste of time.
Overall, I thought the movie was pretty interesting. It's basic premise is pretty much that our government is controlled by a small group of people (think elite theory) and that they're planing to create one world government that they can be in control of.
Like any conspiracy video some facts presented are partial or just plain out right manipulated to justify a certain position, or theory. So make sure you think critically about all the arguments presented.
I'm not posting this on here because I'm a conspiracy nut, I just think that maybe some people reading this blog would be interested in checking it out. Anyways, watch it and post your comments.

-Charles Gresko-McTiernan

Florida Public Schools Suck

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "The new commissioner [education] should do away with Florida's dirty little secret. Earning a GED certificate is not the same thing as fulfilling the requirements for a high school diploma. Yet Florida continues to count the state diplomas awarded to those who pass the GED test as regular high school graduates. Florida should own up and tell citizens the truth - our high schools are not as successful as the state has reported. Indeed, Florida's Department of Education routinely reports a graduation rate as much as 10 points higher than what researchers have found. The Manhattan Institute, which doesn't include GEDs, put Florida's graduation rate at 59 percent in its 2005 study. And researchers at Johns Hopkins last year arrived at roughly the same percentage, tagging Florida and South Carolina high schools as the worst 'dropout factories' in the nation. By their accounts, half of Florida's high schools earned that disturbing moniker.

CoRrUpTioN

The Florida department of Law Enforcement is investigating Jacob City Mayor David Pittman. The investigation is being conducted in reference to allegations of fraud and misconduct on the part of the mayor. If there are findings of such allegations, the case will be submitted to the state attorney. Why is it we hear more stories of corrupt politicians rather than stories of goodwill? They have the power and capability of using their status for the good yet we hear nothing but malevolence.

Obama's Plan for Iraq

On his official website, Barack Obama displays his plan to remove the American troops from Iraq in the course of 16 months. This sounds very possible, but is it the right thing to do? How would that look to the rest of the world? America occupies the government of another country, has another provocative, and controversial election and then our troops are withdrawn from a country left in tatters. America, might not have any business in Iraq, but we should have thought about that before we as a nation voted to go to war. If Obama truly believes he can solve this problem in 16 months, I question his decision making.
SETH NEIKIRK

Gas to be $4 a gallon by summer?

Why are major oil companies such as Cheveron, Exxon, and BP profiting $123 billion this last year and the prices of a barrel are increasing dramatically. In 2005 it was $60 a barrel 3 years later it has risen to just over $100 dollars. With all these big wigs and CEOs draining the avereage Americans pocket what are some solutoins for this riot to quit before it gets out of control?

Parents Pick Prayer Over Medical Care

It was an 11 year old girl named Kara Neumann that died because her parents said it was against their religion to take her to the doctor. She had diabetes but the parents did not know because they had not taken the daughter to the doctor's office since she was three years of age. The parents are really religious and did not believe in the doctor's office, they believed in prayer. She was in a coma before she died in the home of the parents. The parents contacted to paramedics when the daughter stopped breathing. The parents tried to do CPR but it was to late. The family says Kara could not even walk or talk the day before she died and the parents still did not take her get checked out or anything. There were syringes and insurance papers found in the house. It is thought that the family did not disagree with the belief of doctors but just did not take the daughter to the hospital. If the parents would have taken the daughter to the hospital or to see a doctor then the daughter would possibly be alive. Should the parents have to face criminal charges or should the parents be excused based on their religious views and values?

De-Evolution

While browsing through some rock bands, I stumbled upon one of my favorite bands, KoRn, and their video called Evolution, (MTV Unplugged, David Silveria's Departure (2006-2008). I found the propaganda used for this video to be very interesting. And in its own subtle way it's very political. I actually cracked a smile to the image they used of Bush in comparison to our cousin species. I saw that they also interpreted that our government can be bought and sold so long as it doesn't stir trouble. Which logical fallacies do you think were used in this video?

Evolution Lyrics
[Warning: Adult Context]

Online Videos by Veoh.com

(Gotta watch the entirety to get it all.)

Lack Sleep Leads To Gunfire

Clinton claims that her misstatement about being under fire on the 1996 trip to Basnio during her campaign speech was because of her lack of sleep. So lack of sleep effects her decisions during a speech.If there is a crisis in the US hopefully she has enough sleep so it doesn't crowd her judgement that effects every American.

POLITICAL PARTIES

I saw E=MC2 in a picture of the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier, written really large on the deck. If the motive was for the satellites to see it from space, I believe spending money to show off is stupid. Albert Einstein is a genious for this E=MC2. The election for president is coming soon and who better to capture the movement other than Mr. Obama. He is able to cater to different interest groups and have the brain power to trust others to combine complex politics to simple answers. A new face, leaving segregation behind, people president, raise young ones, help people who need it, and a great smile for everyone from the world to see, this can be Mr. Obama. Maybe, the Iraq people will like us because it will seem that we droped slavery.

Death toll hits 4000

The overall count for deaths in Iraq has reached 4000 after a roadside bombing in Baghdad, 4 soldiers were killed. This being the 6th year since the troops were deployed out, when is this going to come to an end and a call for a withdrawl of our American forces?

McCain and troops overseas...

Let’s hypothetically say McCain wins the upcoming Presidential election, now with all of his military serves and being a former Prisoner of War, do you believe the troops over seas will continue to stay over there and attempt to fight for freedom or will they be brought back home?

Uh Oh Hilliary's In Trouble!

After much debate Michigan decided not to have another primary election or at least made it nearly impossible to have a do over. The state's legislature adjourned without passing a new bill that would allow it to have another primary election. For the next two week lawmakers in the state will be in recess and by the time they return it will be to late to have another primary in early June, the deadline of the DNC. Michigan originally held its primary in January but all of its delegates were stripped by the DNC for holding their contests to early. Clinton won the state but under shady circumstances, she was only the candidate listed and forty percent of the state's democratic voters listed themselves an uncommitted on ballots. Obama's support would be necessary for Clinton to have her new primary, but he declined and said that he looks forward to working with Michigan's delegates in June at the convention and that they will follow the DNC's rules. To my pleasure this means Clinton will not regain those delegates she won in the state and continue to trail Obama in delegates.

Making The Rounds

Senator McCain is making the usual political publicity rounds. The media has even coined him as the new face of "Republican America", despite the fact that President Bush is still firmly in office. The sixty something hit Iraq, Israel, Jordan, London, and a few other places on his publicity tour. He even did some smooching with England's prime minister, Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street McCain is eager to make friends in high places all over the world, so he refrained from mentioning his earlier comments of criticism about British pullout in the Iraqi city of Basra. Brown and McCain mainly talked about Brown's efforts as an environmentalist while McCain subtly pushed for British forces to remain in Iraq so America's "surge" effort in the country could continue on. So what does all this traveling mean? It means that the Republican party has a candidate that's coming across as an internationalist and statesmen concerned about the world's environment while us democrats are still duking it out for the nomination and wasting valueable time that could be used to gather internation support and influence.

Going Along For the Ride

Everyone is wondering who will be Senator Barack Obama's running mate if he wins the democratic nomination. Well, Tom Daschle, former South Dakota senator said he if Obama offered him the position that he would consider it. Daschle has endorsed Obama for the presidential nomination and is an avid supporter of Obama. But, Daschle said there has been no talk yet of him being Obama's running mate and no democratic nominees have even contacted him about being their running mate. He also said that his endorsement of Obama was not intended to get a seat on the democratic ticket, but don't count him out of politics. So what do you think will happen if Daschle becomes Obama's vice president. Will it hurt Obama or will it help Obama reach even more voters? I think Obama and Clinton would have made a hell of a team and a sure win for the democratic party if it were not for two reasons. One, the two would have to stop fighting and Clinton MUST stop playing underhanded politics and flip flopping on the important issues just so she can straddle the fence and please everyone in Washington. It makes her, Bill, and more importantly democrats look bad.

The New Heavyweight Championship

Mr. Obama is taking a defensive approach for his election to become president. He is asking for donation to fight two other candidates at one time. Senator McCain is on the path of a 100 year war with Iraq and Hillary Clinton is using every tactic to discredit Mr. Obama. When it comes time to vote, who would you vote for the best president? The movie Vantage Point was interesting because the plot was seen from multiple points of view to give you a diversified thought. I recommend the movie to anyone who likes psychology.

Bin Laden Audio Tape

It has been seven years since we have been trying to capture Osama Bin Laden. He's like a bad itch on your back that you just can't reach. On Thursday March 20th Bin Laden has supposedly came out with a audio tape talking about how "Muslim neighboring countries" should do whats best and help liberate Palestine. It wouldn't surprise me if it was Bin laden on that tape. That guy has more videos out than Tupac.

Stingray attack!

In the Florida keys a woman was on a boat with her husband and children when a Eagle Ray jumped out of the water and into the boat pushing her over while she hit her head on the deck instantly dying. How creepy is Florida and all it's animal problems from the ocean? Just a few years ago we had a shark migration where thousands of sharks cluttered the beach shores.

Obama's CNN Speech

The speech that Mr. Obama introduced behind the podium and in front of the many flags of United States of America is a reminder of an honest person. He reminded the viewers about the old constitution and the new constitution. How in the past, the more organized "Madison" constitution seemed to be the breakthrough but with the old debt of slavery attached to it. Basically, "You have to live with it. You look all over and see the hatred but it's still there," (my interpretation of Obama). He wanted a more unified country instead of leading to the past segregation. He is for every citizen who lives in this country for better or worse. The people president or a mass degrading of a country that was built by blood and hard work. What would the Rockefeller's feel if the citizens as a whole will bring down the country to a lower level. As he gave the speech about his pastor, being honest, he said, "I will have my Pastor by myside," (metaphor of a parallel universe with the old and new constitution).

The Pastor Disaster

News of Obama's church pastors beliefs, spread quickly over the air waves. After watching his clips of his pastor speak to his congregation I was perplexed at the fact that he was a "Pastor." The pastor didn't go to the word in any of the clips that was aired, although I'm sure this was only a very small portion of his 30 years of preaching, his sermon still should have come from Scripture and not opinion based. I don't think that Obama's political career should be held captive for his pastor's belief, although I personally would not stay in a church were I don't see the word preached.

William Nelson for Sheriff

I am supporting William Nelson (NP) in the upcoming race for Sheriff in Jackson County. I attended the Political Forum held by Chipola College and I have personally interviewed some of the candidates. From my research, I have found Mr. Nelson to be the candidate with a plan that will work. He has put an excessive amount of thought into the programs he would like to start when elected Sheriff. Not only are his ideas great and achievable, he can explain HOW he will make the changes that are necessary (unlike the other candidates that could only give general answers and "piggy back" of the others answers). I'm not saying that he is the only man with a plan that will work, there are about for of the candidates who had an idea about what they were talking about, I'm saying that I am going to support him. If you would like to view his web page and find out what he is about click here.

No Fighting!

Teacher and student were reenacting something they saw, is it right for the teacher to have to resign. Is it really that serious? The teacher resigned, tell me should the student be punished also. The high school student knew better just as well as the teacher

Florida Oh Florida

Ooops! We did it again! Florida messed up with voting again. Last Presidential Election 2004 Florida couldn't get right either. Should Florida's primary election be mailed in and count? Should they revote or just don't count?

Resign or Get Impeached?

New York's Governor Spitzer refuses to drop out of office. There is money not being accounted for. The IRS is investigating where to money is coming from and going. The Feds wiretaped Spitzer talking to a hooker telling her to meet him at a hotel in Washington D.C. He was suppose to pay her $43,000 in paper filed. Lawmakers say that it's best for Spitzer to resign. On Monday they were ready to go to the article of impeachment if he didn't resign. Spittzer was given 48 hours to resign.

What's Going on With 2008 Elections

Is McMain too old to be running for President? McMain is in his early 60's. This election is a very interesting on. We have a battle between age, gender, and race. There's an African American, a woman, and an older man. Many people that usually vote are saying that they're going out to the polls and vote this November.

Obama Rejects Clinton's Suggestion

Monday Mrs. and Mr. Clinton suggested that Hilary and Obama become running mates. Obama said "How can I be Vice President when I win President?" How can someone in second place offer the person in first place the office to be their Vice President. According to Obama he told a rally that America don't need the same old people, doing the same old stuff, it's time to move forward not backward. Do you really feel that Clinton's assumptions are accurate?

Clinton, What Are You Trying to Say?

On Fox News Sen. Clinton and her husband at a rally offering Sen. Obama the office of Vice President after she becomes President. Do she really feel that she will be elected. Mr. Clinton took stage on Monday. Does Bill suppose to help her win? If she wasn't running against Obama maybe Mr. Clinton would've help his wife win more votes.

Blogging: “The Real Spring Break!”

Some might think I, am crazy but this is my time to unwind and it can easily take all night! All day everyday my life is full of hustle and flow, I mostly run wide open until everyone else in my house is asleep. Daily schedules consist of children, errands, work, cook, wife, check on everyone and blog blogg and bloggg until everyone wakes up 5am. Then it starts over again at some point I might get 30 minutes of sleep up to 3 hours of sleep, I don’t know how my crazy sleep patterns came from but I hope they leave as quick as they came! I, do get tired but I can't sleep but until I can, then I have the blog, until this POS 1041 class with Mr.Q., I didn’t even know what blogging was. If you need a break, during your spring break, you could always blog.

EX-President “Bill Clinton” Endorses Barrack Obama

Is it just me or does it seems like every time Bill, opens his mouth on the campaign trail for his wife, he only turns more people into Obama supporters? On weekly bases you hear how his speeches had a negative affect on the voting public. Obama can thank him for the victory in Mississippi; Bill’s statements offended African Americans in the Southern State! Do you think Hilary should ask Bill to go on permanent vacation until after the primary elections are over?

Out of Control

Oil companies are getting paid and I’m sorry to say we are getting Laid, out to die. These rich tycoons are rolling in the doe, while we Americans are being devastated by their greed. Before when gas was about $2.80, my family spent almost $800.00 a month on gas, in comparison with the present gas prices we spend over $1,034.00 a month for gas in our vehicles. If I were to and in the cost of the fuel for the equipment for my business it would be closer to $1500.00 a month in gas and diesel alone, “Big Daddy can’t live like he use to.” Many college students are working at this point in vain; Tallahassee is a college town with “Mainly, low paying jobs.” 1) How does these “GAS PRICES” factor into your life? 2) What percentage of your paycheck go to gas? 3) How have you had to alter your lifestyle because of the present cost of gas?

ANOTHER DEAR IN THE HEADLIGHTS

Only hour before the story goes public honey you’ll just have to deal with it. One former infamous “Dear in the HeadLight Wife”, stated that she was told be her husband only 60 minutes before his press conference on the issue of his unfaithfulness. Perhaps that is why the wife usually looks so lifeless and numb during the press conferences. Betrayal, health concerns, financial concerns, concerns for the impact children, concerns of her part that led to an affair, concerns of public appearance, and concerns over weather she was unattractive or unfulfilling to her husband, these are probably some of many things, that they are thinking of as their husband try to do damage control. If you have ever encountered a deer when you were driving down a dark country road? You would know that mainly, the deer would freeze in place when the cars headlights shinned on them, as if they are still you couldn’t see them. This often is the same look given by the wives who were caught off guard in these types of situations! How would you react in this case? What would be your thoughts during the press conference?

Sex Scandals & Politics Go Hand –In-Hand

Scandals and corruption are commonplace in Washington’s Political history and Present day politicians. It seems like everyday a politician’s adulteress indiscretions are being put on display for the American public to see. Unfortunately it is usually the male politicians who are the offenders, you almost never hear about the women counterparts doing such things. The levels of infidelity in Washington have reached epidemic proportions. My questions are: How much do you think the “Wives in Washington” play a role in their husband’s extra marital affairs? Are the men just “Hungry for Sex, Fame and Power?” Do you think that it “Is a Problem In All American Families?” Can this “epidemic problem” be fixed, if so how?

Money Well Spent

Governor Eliot Spitzer announced Wednesday that he will step down from the states top office. This announcement came as the New York governor faces allegations, but no charges that he is tied to an international prostitution ring ensnared in a federal probe. Sources said that Spitzer spent more than $15,000 for several encounters with prostitutes and last month alone used the "Emperors Club" on 8 occasions. Talk about money well spent! With Spitzer's step down, former state Senate minority leader, Paterson, will become the first black governor of the state and the fourth in the US.

Geraldine Ferraro's Resignation

Do you think Ferraro's step down had anything to do with her comments about Obama's success in the race is only do to him being African American? In a letter to Clinton, first reported by CNN, Ferraro says: "Dear Hillary, I am stepping down from your finance committee so I can speak for myself and you can continue to speak for yourself about what's at stake in this campaign. The Obama campaign is attacking me to hurt you. I won't let that happen. Sounds like somebody is having a little guilt trip.

Inappropriate Language

It is inappropriate on the class blog (or in class) to refer to entire classes of human beings as animals or refer to people with darker skin as monkeys. This is an academic setting and these types of ad hominem attacks are inappropriate, regardless of what some of the people in question have done. Furthermore, there is no group of people that exists that you can make 100% statements about and be accurate.

I have now deleted two posts for this type of language. This serves as a warning. A third post like this will affect someone's grade.

Sick Clinic

Five clinics in Nevada have been shut down because a Los Vegas clinic has been purposely been reusing needle on patients passing on the viruses HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. There have been 40,000 people at risk and six infected with because of the clinic’s staff reusing syringes and vials after being told to do so. For example, a nurse would use a syringe and needle to inject an infected throw away the needle and reuse the syringe. It's not said that this was done purposely too spead a virus but they should know better. How far should the punishment go for these individuals?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080229/ap_on_he_me/hepatitis_exposure

Dog Overboard

A couple of military men are being threatened to be punished criminally because one tossed a small dog over a cliff and the other taped, watched, and laughed afterwards. I know that it was an animal but is it really that big of a deal. I think they should just slap the one that tossed the dog over on the wrist and call it a day. There are way to many people being murdered and school shootings to be worried about a dog.

Nearly Drowned Toddler

On television I saw a story about a woman whose daughter nearly drowns in a bath tub while the mother was watching American Idol. There were two children in the bath tub, (3 and 1 year old) when the three year old slide under the water and was drowning when a seven year old found the three year old nearly dead. The mother was not watching the two children in the tube because she was in the othere room watching American Idol with her seven and five year old children. The daughter had recently been having seizures so she should have had more attention. There were also blunts with marijuana in it and pieces of blunts previously smoked with marijuana in them so there is a possibility that she could have been high when the incident happened. The daughter is at a hospital in the intensive care unit with pneumonia and on life support fighting for her life in critical condition. The discussion was based on whether or not the mother should lose her daughter forever due to neglect. Should she?

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080304/LOCAL/303040005

Inside North Korea

National Geographic showed a short film called Explorer: Inside North Korea, where a few American cameramen followed an Asian doctor to North Korea where he performed eye surgery to a thousand blind people in a week. Here I have a few of the clips, courtesy of youtube.com.


After viewing these clips, how do you feel? This is my main question. Seeing how prison camps treat human beings, how these people ended up in prison camps, how the 'dear leader' treats his countrymen during famine while he sat on millions of dollars, and which had true faith, and which acted out of fear. If our country were to go to war with these people in order to free them, or do anything that involved helping North Korea, how would you feel? How would you voice your opinion to our government?

If you are to answer these questions or add any statements more, you will need to watch both clips fully.

Another School Shooting

There was a school shooting in Chapel Hill yesterday. I am starting to worry about school safety now. I remember back in the old days people would have a little fight and every thing would be alright the next day. It seems that schools were once the safest places. Now the are beginning to become dangerous. I wish people would stop taking matters into their own hands. I do not agree with taking a life just because. Peope should seek couseling before they result in such drastic violence. What do you think?

McCain looking for a running mate

I was watching CNN earlier. It's looks like McCain may actually consider making Governor Charlie Crist his running mate. I was wondering why did he wait until now to name a running mate. I predict that McCain may actually be our future president, if he has a running mate that thinks like him. Do you think that McCain is in conjunction with the Bush adminstration? Do you think that the Republican party plan all along was to have McCain as its sole running mate?

Clinton Holds Tight

With Obama having about 90 more delegates than Clinton at this time, the end is in sight. There are 7 weeks until Puerto Rico gets to vote. Clinton's plan is to...wait and hope? That just doesn't seem right to me. I think she should be out there doing something if she plans to win.

The Political Forum- A JOKE!

Is it just me or was the political forum held by Chipola a joke? Most of the candidates made complete fools of themselves! I was stunned by the lack of communication skills, public appearance, and by the overall answers to the questions. Out of the candidates that participated in the forum, I believe that only one actually knew what he was talking about. Peter Fortunato was the only candidate to give true (and educated) answers to the questions asked. The other candidates spoke as if they had no clue to what their plans are for upcoming Sheriff. Yes, some were able to say what they wanted to do, but it was clear through their communication skills and answers that little thought has been included in their campaigns, and they have no clue how to put their plans into action. They were all talk and it was embarrassing as a member of this community to know that these men are our potential Sheriff. I am glad that the forum was held. It gave the community a chance to see and hear from the candidates before the August primary. I hope that the community was paying attention and taking notes because it was a truly embarrassing event for most of these men.

Family Values

"Family values" is a term politicains like to bring out a lot these days, especially social conservatives. It's also somewhat vague, and mostly used in reference to "traditional" Christian morals, which are supposed to be in massive decline. Dictionary.com defines family values as "the moral and ethical principles traditionally upheld and transmitted within a family, as honesty, loyalty, industry, and faith. "

Personally, I think this is more or less a con. The central illusion here is the idea that there is a "normal" family which once dominated the country, and that said family was committed to the Judeo-Christian tradition John McCain is so intent on preserving.

However, despite what some people insist on believing, America was never a "Christian nation." It was initially inhabited a multitude of native tribes that had never heard of Jesus Christ. When the U.S.A. was initially founded, its architects were mostly theists and deists, highly influenced by Enlightenment thinking. Thomas Jefferson actually cut up two Bible and stitched together his own version, without the miracles.

The fact is, every family is different. Some parents truly love their children and try to teach them well, and others abuse their children and spouses both physically and psychologically. These things have been happening across the world forever, even in the vaunted golden age of the Fifties.

Furthermore, family values is often a weapon aimed at sexual openess and diversity. It's a disguise for the hate leveled at anyone who has sex oustside of marriage, within their own gender, or in interesting positions, and hate isn't the kind of value I think we need in our families.
There is an astonishing ignorance of why pre-marital and casual sex where ever taboo in the first place - back in the day, there was no way to protect oneself against pregnancy or disease, no condoms or Pill or modern medicine. This wasn't handled by trying to convince teenagers not to get it on though - teenagers simply got married shortly after they reached sexual maturity, especially women. However, we simply live in a different world now.

Family values advocates also see divorce as a manifestation of our moral decline. The fact is, an unhappy marriage is a terrible force in anyone's life. Staying together for the kids doesn't work if the kids have to deal with eighteen years of screaming arguments. The real problem is the obsession with getting married, as though it somehow designates a successful life. I think this is a major factor in people getting married when they simply shouldn't, or to people they shouldn't.

Censorship is also continuously bolstered by the family values argument. Apparently, the best way to raise good kids is to keep the media completely free of violence, sex, or swearing, even though everyone experiences these things simply by going through daily life. How certain words are somehow worse than others, even when they mean the same things, blows my mind. Or how it's worse for a child to witness sexual intercourse - which in reality is necessary to our survival, and fun too - than to see a TV action star shoot someone, which in reality is sad and horrific. One major function of the arts is to help us deal with life, and if art is stripped of its relation to real life, it fails.
All right, I'm losing focus on this rant, and you probably are too. The point is, there are a lot of different people in this country that value different things. I'd like to see some politicians stick up for us existentialists, humanists, bachelors, drug users, fornicators, atheists, and general freaks. We are among you, and our numbers are greater than you think.

Hillary on The Daily Show

I was just watching Hillary Clinton on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. She spoke of both her and Obama's campaigns as being monumental and referred to them in surprisingly equal lights. What she generally said was that regardless of who won the democratic platform, they would fully support each other. When Stewart complimented Clinton, Obama's, and McCain's support of one another, she emphatically agreed and spoke of the idea of a bipartisan cabinet. She overtly made a disparaging comment about Bush (like Mr. Q said candidates would begin doing in class today), saying that the democrats should be able to lead Americans in "repairing" what Bush has done. What do you guys think of shows on Comedy Central that include political commentary, like The Daily Show and The Colbert Report? Do you think Hillary's statements will have any bearing on Texas and Ohio's primaries tomorrow?