In the recent debate over whether or not public school is best for one's children, this little gem came to my attention. It seems that my state, Maryland, is considering an 'alternate' graduation requirement. Right now all Maryland high school students have to pass four exams in order to graduate from high school, in algebra, biology, government, and English. With the four scores being taken in aggregate: a great grade on one test would pull up a failing mark in another. (Which I ha...
The Border Patrol's job is no longer to stop people from sneaking across the border. Its exclusive role is to fight terrorism rather than stopping illegal immigration and the flow of narcotics. Carlos X. Carillo, Chief Patrol Agent of the Laredo Sector for the US Border Patrol, said this in a Laredo town hall meeting. From the Laredo Morning Times : "The Border Patrol is not equipped to stop illegal immigrants," Carrillo said, noting that illegal narcotics are also not on the agents p...
This morning the New York Times is reporting that Alberto Gonzales has resigned. The protracted Gonzales character assassination has afflicted Washington for a couple of months now. Calls for his resignation have been superceded with accusations of perjury and mismanagement. It has been a long several months of hearings and recrimination. From the New York Times : Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, whose tenure has been marred by controversy and accusations of perjury b...
The great leader Hugo Chavez has decided to redistribute the sun's wealth more fairly within his small oil-rich nation. Is he taking steps towards reality or fantasy? From Reuters : CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has changed his country's name, redesigned its flag and rejigged its coat of arms in his drive for a socialist state. Now the leftist reformer, highly popular for redistributing oil income, is seeking to move the country's time zone to offer a more equit...
The preconception regarding terrorism is that it is a poor man’s last hope – that only the dispossessed and desperate cling to violence. However, the demographics of the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 tell a different story: modern, intelligent, educated, and well-off members of society who were attracted to jihad. These men felt such violence was justified because this was part of a larger campaign against the US and the West in the name of Allah. They had been...
I would like to take up photography. Thus I am in the market for a good, inexpensive camera. But I want a good camera because I plan on making this a serious pursuit -- I have even signed up for a non-credit adult education photography class at the local community college. We already have a small silver box with a hole and a button, a cheap digital camera that takes amazingly clear pictures -- so I'm not a complete novice when it comes to digital photography. I went to various electro...
I know I'm taking on two different topics in the same article, but there is a connection, I promise you. I love movies. Now that I'm done with grad school, I look forward to seeing more films in the theaters. So I am on the lookout for good films to enjoy. Saw two trailers at Apple's Movie Trailer site and boy was I surprised with the comedies I saw... the funniest thing about them is that they are both pure melodrama. And they are not being played for laughs. First, the film R...
The Rolling Stones have announced that this Sunday's concert will be their last. Ever. No more. They'll play Sunday night at London's mega-venue O2 Arena and then be done with the whole thing. From the Post Chronicle : The Rolling Stones will reportedly quit touring for good after playing London's O2 Arena this Sunday (26.08.07). The veteran rockers are believed to have declared that their current 'A Bigger Bang Tour' will be their last because frontman Sir Mick Jagger, 64, and ...
My list of worst films ever made: Drop Dead Fred Double Team Highlander 2: The Quickening The Forgotten See No Evil, Hear No Evil Grease 2 Any additions?
I am the parent of four kids: ages 11, 9, 6, and 2. They are learning and trying to make their way in the world. It's my wife and my job to raise them in a way that makes them the best possible people. We do not live in a bad neighborhood. In fact, we live in a pretty darn good area. There appears to be no gang activity, no drugs, and it's relatively graffiti-free. So why is it that whenever I take my kids to the store there is inevitably some idiot thumpin' his gangsta rap all up and...
Good morning all, The current long-haul presidential campaign has scrutinized every aspect of the candidates' lives. A recent media scan of Facebook found that Rudy Giuliani's own daughter was in a group supporting Barack Obama . This particular father-daughter enmity was a result of Rudy's divorce from this particular daughter's mother, which was played out quite publicly during his tenure as Mayor of New York. The inevitable question was why he should expect loyalty from voters whe...
Things never to say to a pregnant woman: 1. "Hey there, big mama!" 2. "My gosh, you're enormous! Are you sure you're not having twins?" 3. "Well, looks like the boob fairy has visited you!" 4. "Should you really be eating that?" 5. "You shouldn't be feeling so cranky/tired/uncomfortable. You're not THAT pregnant yet." 6. "Are you still with the father?" 7. "Is this your last? Are you getting spayed after this?" 8. "Wow, that really is an outie!" 9. (Males only) "...
Things never to say to a pregnant woman: 1. "Hey there, big mama!" 2. "My gosh, you're enormous! Are you sure you're not having twins?" 3. "Well, looks like the boob fairy has visited you!" 4. "Should you really be eating that?" 5. "You shouldn't be feeling so cranky/tired/uncomfortable. You're not THAT pregnant yet." 6. "Are you still with the father?" 7. "Is this your last? Are you getting spayed after this?" 8. "Wow, that really is an outie!" 9. (Males only) "...
What are the prospects for increasing international cooperation against terrorism? The only way to increase international commitment against terrorism is to understand international needs regarding terror. Since 9/11, America has felt it is sole owner of the moral yardstick for terrorism -- since 9/11 happened to us, we assume (wrongly) that we feel the devastation of terrorism more than anywhere else. That makes our needs seem more important than any other nation's, including those na...
How important is Russia to the global effort to coordinate anti-terror policies and programs? Russia is a key ally in the counter-terror (CT) effort. Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's statements declaring his nation's allegiance with American CT, Russian actions since the events of 11 September have shown that nation's true colors. From the beginning of his presidency in January 2000, Putin pushed the idea of a concerted campaign against terrorism with American and European...