News Corp. cancels O.J. Simpson book and special - MarketWatch
Good.
I've simply seen and heard too much of this guy, and I don't want to see/hear anything more about him again (well, except maybe a confession...?).
Monday, November 20, 2006
Friday, November 10, 2006
Students at Calif college ban Pledge of Allegiance
Students at Calif college ban Pledge of Allegiance - Yahoo! News (Reuters)
I can speak with some authority on this, as this college mentioned - Orange Coast College - is a part of the Coast Community College District, which employed me, and which all my children and myself attended. I've never been a part of Orange Coast College myself, although my son has attended that particular college for some of his courses.
It's just over in Costa Mesa. I've been there.
Since Orange County is, over-all, a rather conservative and Republican place, I would think that this incident is more college kids acting out than it is anything else. My guess is that 95% of the student body would not agree (and, generally, probably weren't even paying attention). It would rile the kids who are active conservatives. I can see some potential for conflict between the "No-Pledge kids" and the flag-waving types.
Welcome to O.C.
Speaking of student clashes, in recent times some Muslim and Jewish students have been clashing over at U.C. Irvine (University of California, Irvine campus). A tiny bit of the Middle East right here in O.C.? (Kinda weird, frankly. And, note, that overwhelmingly, O.C. is neither very Muslim nor very Jewish. Note, also, that The Crystal Cathedral is here, also the "Purpose-Driven Life" author/minister and his church. Go figure.) Again, college kids acting out?
Remember college campuses in the '60s?? (Of course, there was the draft then...)
An aside: Interesting election, eh?
I can speak with some authority on this, as this college mentioned - Orange Coast College - is a part of the Coast Community College District, which employed me, and which all my children and myself attended. I've never been a part of Orange Coast College myself, although my son has attended that particular college for some of his courses.
It's just over in Costa Mesa. I've been there.
Since Orange County is, over-all, a rather conservative and Republican place, I would think that this incident is more college kids acting out than it is anything else. My guess is that 95% of the student body would not agree (and, generally, probably weren't even paying attention). It would rile the kids who are active conservatives. I can see some potential for conflict between the "No-Pledge kids" and the flag-waving types.
Welcome to O.C.
Speaking of student clashes, in recent times some Muslim and Jewish students have been clashing over at U.C. Irvine (University of California, Irvine campus). A tiny bit of the Middle East right here in O.C.? (Kinda weird, frankly. And, note, that overwhelmingly, O.C. is neither very Muslim nor very Jewish. Note, also, that The Crystal Cathedral is here, also the "Purpose-Driven Life" author/minister and his church. Go figure.) Again, college kids acting out?
Remember college campuses in the '60s?? (Of course, there was the draft then...)
An aside: Interesting election, eh?
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
The most, least dangerous U.S. cities
The most, least dangerous U.S. cities - Yahoo! News (AP)
Where is your city on this list?
This list ranks 371 American cities from safest to least safe.
What's surprising is that the cities you'd expect to be more dangerous, aren't; and the cities you'd expect to be safer, aren't. It breaks up a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions, frankly.
For example, New York City at #145 is safer than Salt Lake City, Sioux Falls, Austin, Raleigh, San Diego, and San Francisco. BTW, Los Angeles comes in at #250.
Unfortunately, Chicago seems to not be listed (I was wondering how my old hometown fared), also New Orleans is not listed.
Where is your city on this list?
This list ranks 371 American cities from safest to least safe.
What's surprising is that the cities you'd expect to be more dangerous, aren't; and the cities you'd expect to be safer, aren't. It breaks up a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions, frankly.
For example, New York City at #145 is safer than Salt Lake City, Sioux Falls, Austin, Raleigh, San Diego, and San Francisco. BTW, Los Angeles comes in at #250.
Unfortunately, Chicago seems to not be listed (I was wondering how my old hometown fared), also New Orleans is not listed.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
GAO chief warns economic disaster looms
GAO chief warns economic disaster looms - Yahoo! News (AP)
Really. That's not even an exaggeration.
Not the cheeriest news in the world, for sure.
But sometimes we have face unpleasant facts, then deal with them. It's about what really is, a.k.a our reality, and what we're going to do about it.
This GAO chief talks about reality, the reality all of us Americans are facing if we don't change our present course.
It's not pretty, it's not sexy, it's not cool, it's not fun.
His message is even full of numbers and rather dry reading. About as much fun as algebra was. And, when it sinks in, it's grim - stuff about our probable future you'd rather not hear or believe.
But, it makes perfect sense. I believe this guy. And, why not? He's the freaking accountant - essentially - for the United States! His long-term, appointed job is secure - he's not beholden to voters, bosses, or contributors. Unlike our politicians, he doesn't have to say what we want to hear, he can tell us what is. Truth. Reality. I'll add I've heard this guy present his message - same as in this article - on C-Span. It was some of the scariest TV I have ever watched. Note how C-Span will cover this guy - but will any commercial TV? Network? CNN? Even PBS? Heck no. It's not in their best interest, if you think about it ($$$ and political obligations).
Raise taxes? Nobody wants to hear about that. Not even Democrats.
Cut benefits and entitlements? Nobody wants to hear about that. Not even Republicans. And, especially not anyone in or approaching retirement. And what about the poor? The disabled?
This GAO chief also brings up those words we used to hear so often in the past, but not much any more:
The national debt (it's shocking and disturbing how much we owe China, as well as other countries)
The national deficit (worse than it's ever been)
Balanced budgets? A good thing for individuals, families - and our country.
(BTW, the average savings rate for Americans is a negative number. Common sense dictates that this cannot be a good thing and will eventually catch up with us.)
Basically, we need to get our financial house in order, which includes, ideally, not spending money we don't have. What a concept. And those who do have money, just may have to pay a bit more of it in taxes. Not unreasonable or unfair, really.
Also, winding down our involvement in Iraq would be one step in the right direction, IMHO.
So, we can clean up this mess - and we need to, starting ASAP. And, demand that this be a key issue in the 2008 election.
Really. That's not even an exaggeration.
Not the cheeriest news in the world, for sure.
But sometimes we have face unpleasant facts, then deal with them. It's about what really is, a.k.a our reality, and what we're going to do about it.
This GAO chief talks about reality, the reality all of us Americans are facing if we don't change our present course.
It's not pretty, it's not sexy, it's not cool, it's not fun.
His message is even full of numbers and rather dry reading. About as much fun as algebra was. And, when it sinks in, it's grim - stuff about our probable future you'd rather not hear or believe.
But, it makes perfect sense. I believe this guy. And, why not? He's the freaking accountant - essentially - for the United States! His long-term, appointed job is secure - he's not beholden to voters, bosses, or contributors. Unlike our politicians, he doesn't have to say what we want to hear, he can tell us what is. Truth. Reality. I'll add I've heard this guy present his message - same as in this article - on C-Span. It was some of the scariest TV I have ever watched. Note how C-Span will cover this guy - but will any commercial TV? Network? CNN? Even PBS? Heck no. It's not in their best interest, if you think about it ($$$ and political obligations).
Raise taxes? Nobody wants to hear about that. Not even Democrats.
Cut benefits and entitlements? Nobody wants to hear about that. Not even Republicans. And, especially not anyone in or approaching retirement. And what about the poor? The disabled?
This GAO chief also brings up those words we used to hear so often in the past, but not much any more:
The national debt (it's shocking and disturbing how much we owe China, as well as other countries)
The national deficit (worse than it's ever been)
Balanced budgets? A good thing for individuals, families - and our country.
(BTW, the average savings rate for Americans is a negative number. Common sense dictates that this cannot be a good thing and will eventually catch up with us.)
Basically, we need to get our financial house in order, which includes, ideally, not spending money we don't have. What a concept. And those who do have money, just may have to pay a bit more of it in taxes. Not unreasonable or unfair, really.
Also, winding down our involvement in Iraq would be one step in the right direction, IMHO.
So, we can clean up this mess - and we need to, starting ASAP. And, demand that this be a key issue in the 2008 election.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Latest SoCal Forest Fire
nbc4.tv - News - Fire Officials Say Arsonist Set Deadly Wildfire - from the Los Angeles NBC-TV affiliate late this afternoon.
This is a troubling day, obviously. First off, our weather forecast was for the Santa Anas to come back for the next three days, complete with wind warnings and "red flag" warnings.
Then I woke up this morning with a headache - I could tell the weather had changed.
Now, 10K+ acres burned, property lost - and worst of all, several firefighters killed while trapped in their fire truck, overwhelmed by 100-foot flames. And, this fire may be the result of arson. (Which means that these firefighters were murdered, and suspected arsonist(s) will face murder charges as well as arson.)
Bless these heroic and selfless firefighters. And bless the ones working right now on this fire.
Pray for them, and pray that this fire doesn't spread to the San Bernardino National Forest nearby.
Here in Coastal Orange County - downwind from the fire - I can feel the particles in the air, it's hard to breathe, I'm coughing, and there's a strange, thick, low-lying, dark-gray cloud on my Eastern horizon (that would be toward Riverside County where the fire is located.). It'll be another day when we have a sunset on both the eastern and western horizons.
This is a troubling day, obviously. First off, our weather forecast was for the Santa Anas to come back for the next three days, complete with wind warnings and "red flag" warnings.
Then I woke up this morning with a headache - I could tell the weather had changed.
Now, 10K+ acres burned, property lost - and worst of all, several firefighters killed while trapped in their fire truck, overwhelmed by 100-foot flames. And, this fire may be the result of arson. (Which means that these firefighters were murdered, and suspected arsonist(s) will face murder charges as well as arson.)
Bless these heroic and selfless firefighters. And bless the ones working right now on this fire.
Pray for them, and pray that this fire doesn't spread to the San Bernardino National Forest nearby.
Here in Coastal Orange County - downwind from the fire - I can feel the particles in the air, it's hard to breathe, I'm coughing, and there's a strange, thick, low-lying, dark-gray cloud on my Eastern horizon (that would be toward Riverside County where the fire is located.). It'll be another day when we have a sunset on both the eastern and western horizons.
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