Mobile Yuppie

2006-06-19T19:53:00.000-07:00

2006-05-25T07:18:00.000-07:00

2006-03-18T14:16:00.000-08:00

2006-02-28T14:09:00.000-08:00

2006-02-28T12:07:00.000-08:00

2006-02-28T10:59:00.000-08:00

2006-02-28T10:50:00.000-08:00

2006-02-28T08:33:00.000-08:00

No I havenot been....

2006-02-25T09:52:00.000-08:00

to New Orleans, drinking, without vomiting in February. (Ever)

Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men."

2006-02-22T08:41:00.000-08:00

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe - "Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men."

"Campus Progressives" ideas will sadly, remain on-campus

2006-02-21T09:53:00.000-08:00

I got the following email from the Campus Progressive's list-serv:

Hello Cal-State Long Beach student, The Darfur Action League is kicking off the Campus Progressives/Chiles film series with a documentary film and discussion with Gabriel Stauring from "Stop Genocide Now" on the genocide in Sudan. We ask that you join us in the Multicultural Center at 6pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2006-to find out how your tuition is paying firms that profit from this senseless killing and how you can help through divestment. email stopgenocidenow@hotmail.com or visit www.stopgenocidenow.org for further information on divestment and the genocide. for upcomming campus progressives events visit: freewebs.com/campusprogressives we meet every wednesday in USU-303 @ 1-230pm

My issues with this email:

Leads the reader into believing that the CSU is "giving money away" to corporate entities that support the genocide in Darfur. This is not the case, and is a terrible "guilty-by-association" tactic.
Aren't some or part of my student tuition fees going toward the funding of this event WITHOUT my direct consent? I want my $0.043 back.
Why am I getting this?

Granted, its good that these people are concerned. I support their desire to want to become involved in the civic welfare of most Americans. However, as I toil here in Baton Rouge, trying to rebuild the damage that our own government has done to its people, I find it kind of... short-sighted of them to want to take care of Africans in Africa over Americans in America.

I suppose I will write another tightly written article and ship it on over to the Union.

Puppyfind.com = Nevada brothel for exotic dogs

2006-02-15T18:38:00.000-08:00

OMIGOD. When griping about Roomates.com to their customer non-service line, I came across their partner company, Puppyfind.com. Puppyfind is like going to a dog show, with 1000 doggie-pimps pimping them bitches and dogs.

I mean, the "Breed Match" sidebar is interesting, in that it's the upper-middleclass-website-designer-and-dot-com-entrepreneur version of some pimp saying, "Whatchyoooou need, play, playa?"

PLONE and the Nerd

2006-02-10T10:36:00.000-08:00

OMIGOSH. I have discovered www.Plone.org. Plone. I am bug-eyed, and blown away!

Yes, Plone is one of the most impressive OpenSource projects out there today. So stable, so open, so clean!

Yet, again, I have encountered many problems while trying to educate the business world about the benefits of OpenSource! So OPEN. Why won't they convert??? Closed-Source is so.... Windows 2000. ICK

They're afraid of giving up control, of not owning something, or afraid that one day, their closeted computer geeks will abandon them, leaving them unable to use these stable, stable programs. And for what?

FEAR

Yes, they shall FEAR the 2nd coming of the nerd. Unfortunatgely, for them, the new generation of nerds... well... they look a lot like me. Attractive, 21 year old females with lots of knowledge, skill, and talent. Yet, I remain unmined. I'm irritated. Yes, I am.

I need to do something about it.

522,000,000 Hotel Bill.

2006-02-07T18:12:00.001-08:00

So, Cypress did the math. That comes out to just over $6,000 per evacuee room. FEMA/Bush could have sued that money, instead, to build one of the largest housing projects in American history, but this was, instead, funnelled into the hotel industry.

Since the US has created a culture of dependency in the 85,000 evacuees by putting them up for 4 months. Instead of FEMA showing any kind of REAL leadership and helping to fund housing projects (still, not the best idea, but not a terrible plan either) they helped further entrench this culture of entitlement.

OK, I will grant that this was one of the first mass evacuations of this scale that the US has seen in a while, but hey. They could have started building 4 months ago. Katrina evacuees have been complaining about the lack of jobs offered to able-bodied men and women willing to work to rebuild their lives.

And now they're being kicked out.

I say, GO HILLARY! WE LOVE YOU!! RUN FOR PRESIDENT! KICK KING GEORGE WHILE HE'S DOWN.

Thoughts on Bushwelleanism.

2006-01-31T18:27:00.000-08:00

So, I'm done with my first day of VISTA training.

I'm sittin here watching President Bush give his speech. This is after Capitol police removed Cindy Sheehan (as you'll remember, she is a vigilant mother whose son died in Iraq. For months no, she had protested Bush war policy and has been disgusted, as have I, that he has refused to speak with her at length about the war) who unfolded a poster denouncing Bush's war policy. Sheehan was later arrested.

Continued efforts to stifle individual rights to free speech through "free-speech" zones on college campuses, the organized and calculated efforts to use legislative acts to severely limit means by which people express themselves in this digital Bushwellean age disgust me. It is the Bush administration that has actively pursued policies of this nature, and, in the best of cases, have refused to change or alter policies that violate or severely restrict this fundamental right.

After all, wasn't freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and freedom of thought what America was founded on?

I find it ethically reprehensible that Capitol police would entertain such an action, much less take it. Though I do not know Cindy Sheehan, I do feel that her right to express her opinion of Bush's policy through a poster/banner was stifled today. Bush could have made his speech with her and her banner in the room. She need not be accommodated with a microphone, an image on film or broadcast. Cindy Sheehan need not engage the President in conversation during his speech. Her presence was not a danger to Bush's personal safety, decorum during the speech, or the confort of others.

Yet, Sheehans expression reflecting her thoughts was stifled and removed from the view of others. If ideas are dangerous, Bush acolytes seem to imply, then you must prevent dangerous ideas from spreading.

Cindy Sheehan has reached me with her message, in its absence from the scene tonight.

2006-01-23T02:23:00.000-08:00

2006-01-23T02:22:00.000-08:00

2006-01-22T20:06:00.000-08:00

2006-01-22T20:03:00.000-08:00

REACHED Texas!

2006-01-22T13:38:00.000-08:00

Howdy!

Well, 1 GPS system, 1 box of Cheez-Its, 2 bottles of water, and 6 gas station visits later, we've reached Texas. I'm blogging from University of Texas at San Antonio's computer lab.

UT does not offer free wireless to visitors, but their campus is AMAZING. It's big, lots of parking, a very friendly student body, and a very modern networking setup in the library.

I'll audioblog from now until we reach Louisiana, so feel free to check back. Also, I have all kinds of photos to post, but this will have to wait until I can unpack everything in Baton Rouge. I'm off to interview potential roomates now. Future features include an interactive roadmap of our travels from Los Angeles to Baton Rouge (in the other LA).

Volunteering Trip, Day 2

2006-01-20T15:11:00.000-08:00

I've always been a firm believer in the power of technology to make our lives less complex, and more productive. I think technology should be used to make the lives of consumers better, easier, and much more interesting.

This being said, I am now blogging from The University of Phoenix computer lab. We're borrowing their internet. This should be a tip to all other potentially mobile "yuppies" and other college students on long missions, like ours.

My dad, who is an telecommunications engineer, bought Cypress and I a GPS unit for our car. Using a PDA, TomTom Navigation software, and our Bluetooth enabled GPS device, we can track our trip across California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas with ease and great accuracy. There are 8 sattelites locked onto our GPS device. In case we get hurt, you know how to find us, K?

To save cash, Cypress and I are sharing a T-Mobile phone plan. Once the GPRS service is activated on our phone we'll have nationwide internet at our fingertips.

In the meantime, enjoy a photo! (Taken in Arizona off the 10 East)

Volunteering for Katrina Volume 3 - Moving Day!

2006-01-19T15:32:00.000-08:00

YAY!

Cypress and I are on our way outta Los Angeles. Our plan is to ship 5 bloxes of our somewhat prized possessions from CA to Louisiana via UPS. It's pricey, I know, but we'd like to minimize fuel consumption along the way.

So, our conversations today, have mostly revolved around,"Hey, is that going in the car with us? Is it really necessary for our first 2 weeks there? Put it in the UPS box!" Also, a favorite topic of the day is whether our power supply will be good enough for our assorted electronics in the office/Tercel/Motel. I mean, we were planning on youth-hosteling it across the country, or if this fails to provide enough entertainment, stopping at our respective fraternity/sorority houses at colleges along the way.

Next on the list: Roomate selection. I posted a craigslist ad for a roomate to rent our extra room. I have a few responses. A filmmaker, a researcher, a zoologist, and a student answered it. We're weighing the pros and cons of each person. We're all moving in together sight unseen, and the feeling I get from each of these people is that they're pretty much down for whatever the living situation is, andthey're pretty young anyway, so this isn't a problem.

We're only really concerned at this point about the GPS tracker we've got, and whether our office lizard Linus, and betta fish will make it across the country. We're going to be out of LA by sundown, and I already miss the beach, the drag shows in Long Beach (www.clubripples.com, baby!) and WeHo, familiar list of late-night munchie places, and having an ocean nearby.

I spoke with Paul from MTV-U today, who seemed a little flustered when I mentioned that we were moving Cypress' stuff from his dorm to the car. Flustered, but interested! This sounds good. I hope to post some new pictures on the website when I have a chance today. I might need to stop and grab some travel cash too. I also need to call Bernie, ServiceCheck, and my girls in the LBC and let them know I'm off today! Thanks to the marvels of modern technology and our own innate nerdyness, they'll never be too far away.

eBay Auctions...

2006-01-05T14:07:00.000-08:00

I'm cleaning out my room.

I've sold a fax machine, a printer, 1 DVD, 1 Book, and hopefully a box of random stuff from Cypress. I'm very happy about the brisk sales. It leaves me available to focus on more important things such as my volunteering trip.

I'll also be unemployed as of Feb 1st. (When I leave!)

Volunteering options, options, options

2006-01-04T16:18:00.000-08:00

Decision time! After spending much of my winter vacation mulling over the slow response time to get decisions from the New Orleans and Baton Rouge people, I've finally got a set of options!

Volunteer in the Financial industry (non profit)
Pros
+ My volunteer coordinator loves me already!
+862.oo per month stipend (before taxes)
+Apartment available ($650.00 per month, 3 bedroom)
+Denham Springs, LA, just outside of New Orleans
+Might give me perspective on the financial rebuilding process. Victims from Katrina are in a uniquely bad financial position at this time, as are the cities and counties.
+Potential to receive SBA funds to open a business in New Orleans afterward.

Cons
- 3 bedroom apartment is $650.oo per month.
- We have no furniture
- Splitting the rent 3 ways, if we find 2 other volunteers/renters, the cost is just over $250 per month (including utilities)
- In Baton Rouge, LA not New Orleans
- Office volunteer work, not as active as I'd hoped, but definately cool.

Nonprofit homebuilder/store
Pros
+In New Orleans
+862.00 per month
$50.00 per month = rent
+Office + warehousing/building volunteer position
+Dorm-style living assignment includes 7 other AmeriCorps volunteers in the same age group.

Cons
-Must sleep in church shelter for first month, potentially
-Possibly won't get same city assignment as the boy
- Dorm-style living
-Won't know about the certainty of this assignment for another 2 weeks.

What to do, what to do?

In other words, Red Bull has expressed interest in sponsoring our adventure! Yay!

Volunteering for Katrina Volume 2

2006-01-03T06:22:00.000-08:00

Here's the thing that sucks about volunteering. You have to wait.

The boy and I have been hanging out in Long Beach for like, the past semester waiting for updates from the people we are volunteering with. You see, there is a long chain of contacts that are horribly disorganized.

For starters- FEMA. It sends chills down my spine to think of this, but yea, FEMA sucks monkey balls.

There is a financial crisis in Louisiana that, I think, will not be solved any time soon. I'll do my best to explain the problems there, using a bottom-up approach:

Hurricane Katrina devestated many families. Components of running a decent household are: 1. Income 2. Food 3. People.

There are few, if any, operating businesses in the most devestated areas. Those that were there in the neighborhoods are probably going to be razed with the rest of the blocks.

Future businesspeople in the New Orleans area are concerned about the future of their business. In short, they're wondering, "If I opened up shop today, what is the liklihood that my business will survive next hurricane season?" So far, the government there has not year provided a suitable response to this important class of people. No answers for the businesspeople = no jobs for the people in the area.

Next, Cities and counties are made of households that contribute taxes to the local and federal government. Without operating businesses adding jobs to a community, there are no households that are contributing taxes to the local and federal government. As a result, the local government will face numerous resource deficits, without effective leadership and management, the structure of local government operations will collapse.

One option for local government officials at this time is to allow commercial developers to raze their city's/parish's neighborhoods, sell the land to them, and repopulate the area at a later time. This is problematic, as many developers are planning to price the new homes built at $100,000 and up, which is too heavy a financial burden for many of the area's families and residents. Not to mention the public disgust at the plan. In short, evacuees from Katrina are thinking, "So, they're going to tear down my home, sell my land, NOT cut me a share of the profits, then ask me to buy a home three times as expensive as my old one and stay in the area?"

The education system in the area is particularly dismal. Louisiana youths have been part of Louisiana's brain drain and population exodus for years. Many of them think there is no future for them in New Orleans. A lot of them think that the state is backwards in many ways, so they're moving out to other cities with more highly educated populations, tech jobs, and career diversity. Now is the prime time to take advantage of young volunteers, such as myself, and create programs to teach others about disaster preparedness, rescue, search and recovery, and PLANNING. At least, use the disaster to TRAIN the future disaster coordinators and relief workers.

But, if you're in the Bush administration, this is NOT something that interests you.

Federally, Louisiana has never been a huge contributor to the federal bank account. However, the state did provide some revenue to the Fed. However, for at least the next 10 years, Louisiana will be a drain on the federal budget, IF the government doesn't do something to stop it. The government can use Katrina to prevent the widespread devestation we experienced in 2005 by using the disaster to train new disaster coordinators. Though not a direct method of cash, investing in education and information can help prevent the future financial losses we saw with Katrina. Over time, maybe over 20 years, we can then realize the benefits of that investment in lower collateral costs.

Meanwhile, the boy and I get to wait here in moderately-sunny Los Angeles. More info to come soon!

Half.com Listings To free up shelf space!

2006-01-03T04:34:00.000-08:00

I'm working to clear up some shelf space, so I'm liquidating the books on Half.com. Fun stuff, eh? Well, the goal is to sell everything within the week. Wish me luck!

Sponsor Our Roadtrip!

2005-12-30T16:54:00.000-08:00

"It's 2005, and there isnothing new available, just repetitions of old, rehashed images of the late 1960s and 70s. There is no more rebellion, only conformity." - Me.

However, I have cause to take a second and rethink that position. I'm not about to decry rebels or debate the topic. I am going reveal my thoughts at my latest and gratest adventure: volunteeering in Hurricane Katrina country, with a twist.

My generation has grown up on the internet, on computers, utilizing at least 50 computers a day doing everyday tasks. Most nerds, born circa 1984, in college with me now are more interested in what kinds of new programs they can write, new cracks they can devise, and how to make the online experience better with the latest technology. Mobile computing has made us more mobile, increased our ability to be social, and yet, not accomplished these results in the non-virtual world.

Cypress and I are going to LA to volunteer. We're asking for sponsors to assist us, to make our journey slightly more interesting, and take our messege of community service to teens to let them know, "Hey, there's more fun to be had serving your community!" I'm sure we're much more down to earth than Hillary Duff, Paris Hilton, and the Olsen Twins.

Reality TV isn't as fun as Real Reality.

Here's our pitch, it's very direct:

"I'm on my way to Louisiana to volunteer for Hurricane Katrina victims.

We're looking for a Corporate sponsor for our trip. Here's what we've got:

Two - College Students
- 1 Valedictorian and President's scholar, former wrestling captain and surfer.
- 1 yearbook editor, model, actress, writer, web designer, and new business director for a small internet firm.

Two - 1962 Honda Super Cub scooters
Two - Laptops
Two - Wireless Cards
two - digital cameras
One - Toyota Tercel, 1995 model year
One - adventure with two highly entertaining people

Here's what we're offering in exchange for your sponsorship:

+ Daily blog about our travel, hurricane recovery, with photos,
+ Your logo on our bikes.
+ We'll wear you clothes for the duration of our trip plus 1 year after
+ Your company name all over our trip. We're planning to write a book about this when we return to LA.

Thanks for your time."

So if there are any takers, let us know!

A Flicker of a Smile at work

2005-12-28T15:13:00.000-08:00

Here's the link: http://www.theonion.com/content/node/27698

I like that my job has potential to be very mobile. VERY mobile. Which is cool.

But, alas, I'm still disgruntled. I'm at the "leaving-my-job, what-does-it-matter" stage, almost.

Drinking Games to Play with Mr Bush

2005-12-22T13:56:00.000-08:00

While watching CSPAN 3 days ago, my boyfriend and I created a new drinking game, for the politically conscious, collegiate partygoer.

What's it called? "Bombed to Bush"

How do you play it? During any President Bush speech, pick any 7 of Bush's buzz-words and write them down. Everytime Bush says one of those buzzwords, take a shot. References to Dick Cheney, or Karl Rove get 2 shots. Limit 3 drinks per buzzword. Here's our list of words from last night:

Duty 1
Honor
Country
Freedom 3
Democracy 1
Amnesty
Victory 1
Iraq

If Bush says 3 or more of these words in the same sentence, take 4 shots.

Rate My Rep!

2005-12-21T16:41:00.000-08:00

Here's the link to rate your rep! http://www.hypnoscafe.com/TestSurvey/public/survey.php?name=Rate_My_Rep

Kolbe Test Results

2005-12-21T15:00:00.000-08:00

Last Friday, the president of the company I am now working for asked us all to take a Kolbe test.

What exactly IS a Kolbe WAREwithal test? According to the website, "Kolbe team management is effective because it deals with people's unchanging, natural creative strengths. Other "team building" programs, such as feel-good seminars and motivational speakers, may offer an immediate morale boost but often leave nothing of lasting value. Personality tests, interest inventories, and other employee assessment methods are equally unpredictable because they measure volatile factors such as emotions and social styles."

I found the test to be innocuous to take, and the results fairly reliable. Here's a sampling of my results:

Natural advantage: INNOVATOR: Natural Advantage:

Innovator . . .
Your conative creativity is intuitive, visionary, and highly original. You have a knack for finding alternatives and discovering unique ways to get things done.

The term "career path" may be an oxymoron for an "Innovator". You make things up as you go rather than planning a strategy. As serendipity is your style, you often turn unlikely situations into opportunities. No matter the job title, you'll do it in your own unique way. You will succeed at roles that allow you to use your Natural Advantage. The following is a partial list of job titles that people with your Natural Advantage have identified as positive outlets for their talents. Their reasons for success have tied, in part, to these careers giving them the freedom to act according to the advice given in the previous sections of this report. Keep in mind, though, that this isn't a list of jobs we're saying you should do. They may be a good fit for you but other factors like your educational background and your interests should be part of your decision-making when it comes to choosing a career.

Here are my career prospects. I have highlighted those careers I have explored during my professional life.
ADVERTISING
PUBLIC RELATIONS
ON-CAMERA TV
SPECIAL PROMOTIONS
SALES
FUTURIST
COLORIST
NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPER
COMEDIAN
THERAPIST
LOBBYIST
PUBLIC SPEAKER
RADIO INTERVIEWER
BUYER - GIFT WARE
SPECIALTY RETAILER
ACTOR
CRISIS CENTER DIRECTOR - Going to Louisiana to do exactly this!
ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM EDUCATOR - Going to Louisiana to fo exactly this!

Who Hijacked Our Country

2005-12-18T13:37:00.000-08:00

http://whohijackedourcountry.blogspot.com/2005/12/ted-stevens-douchebag.html whew! good blog!

Rep Ron Paul - Speakin the truth!

2005-12-17T18:53:00.000-08:00

I never thought I would hear it from a Republican representative, but now tha ti have, I believe that anything is possible.

Ron Paul (R-Texas) has denounced the war in Iraq, and has publicly acknowledged to the people that Bush's policies have not worked and that his 8 years of arrogance has done nothing to assist the US. Democrats and Republicans are getting together and denoucing the problems that Bush has created.

Wow. Rep Mike Ross from Arkansas is calling attention to the fact that 15-20% of people are on MedicAid. Student aid is shrinking up. Tax cuts are not assisting the situation in any way. 600 Billion dollars are being spent in Iraq, paying for the war and bankrupting the people in doing so.

Westmoreland Amendment

2005-12-16T17:43:00.000-08:00

I support Rep. Howard Berman, and Zoe Lofgren's opposition to the Westmoreland Amendment.

The Westmoreland Amendment creates an exemption to the immigrantion bill currently up for vote in the House for "good faith" infractions of the law (first violation is waived) and caps fines for each violation at $40,000.

Representative Charles Gonzales' amendment increases the base fine per immigration bill violation to $50,000 per occurance, with no upper limit.

Gonzalez' stresses in his speech that it is not just the immigrant's fault that they work illegally. It is also the employer's fault for violating the law.

Rep. Sensenbrenner argues that we should not make the fine so high that it bankrupts employers, because if the business goes bankrupt, then many others will lose their jobs. The impact will be so bad it will harm the community.

Sensenbrenner is absolutely wrong. If illegal immigration is bankrupting our cities and states because of illegal hiring by fugitive employers. "If you cut off demand, you will cut off supply," replied Gonzalez. Right-o.

The Republicans see illegal immigrants as a business commodity. They see the economic value of desperation. They perpetrate it every day. And now that they're a "majority", soon to be diminished, they're feeling like "spending" their political capital earned by their majority.

Identity theft is a major problem. Illegal immigration fuels this problem. When a social security number is required for work, banking, and travel, it becomes a major tool for your civic life. Without one, you are no one.

The California State Senate Citizen Services Project

2005-12-14T14:25:00.000-08:00

Today, in a later blog, I will embark upon a new project. I call it "The California State Senate Citizen Services Project."

What are the goals of this project?

To determine which State Senators are, in fact, guarding the liberty of the commonwealth of California competently, providing services to their constituents within office hours, and to find out what kinds of problems they can help their constitutents solve.

Methodology
1. Each office of the State Senator, district and Sacramento, will be called between 12:00PM, and 5:00PM.
2. The following objective questions will be asked:

What are your office hours? (This will be matched against what their published office hours are.)

What party is the Senator affiliated with?

What kind of services do you offer your constituents?

What committees does the Senator serve on?

Name the last 5 bills that this State Senator has contributed to or proposed?

Do you the name of the last bill the Senator voted on?

If so, what was that vote?

What kinds of problems have constitutents been particularly interested in?

What has the Senator done to help solve the problem?

How much time does the State Senator spend in the office?

Are copies of the California State Constitution available in the office?

Are copies of the Bill of Rights, US Constitution available in the office?

How many interns per year does your office take on?

The following subjective question will be asked of whomever answers the phone:

What is your name and title?

What are your duties?

How do you plan to further your career in legislation, law or politics?

What exactly does a State Senator do, and what are they doing now?

2005-12-14T14:11:00.000-08:00

Good question. I found shockingly few answers.

I did find this great bit of info from the California Capital Museum Site.

"SENATORIS EST CIVITATIS LIBERTATEM TUERI
It is the duty of a Senator to guard the liberty of the Commonwealth.

This motto, in plain view, reminds all California Senators of their duty to protect and uphold the laws of the state.

Similar to Assembly Members, Senators do much of their legislative work in committees. The Senate Rules Committee establishes the Senate committees and makes the membership appointments to these committees. The first order of business on the first day of the session requires the Senators to elect the President pro Tempore. The President pro Tempore, the presiding officer of the Senate, serves as the Chair of the Senate Rules Committee.

Senators can serve a lifetime maximum of two four-year terms. There are a total of 40 Senators, each representing approximately 850,000 Californians."

Volunteering for Katrina: Part I - Consideration

2005-12-14T01:50:00.000-08:00

Why do I want to volunteer for Katrina?

I want to replace Bush, and those like him. This means gaining essential crisis managment skills, acquiring leadership skills and learning how to effectively govern. The easiest, and most practical place to learn these skills is in Louisiana. "Learn by doing," is what some people call it. Chutzpah, even.

I want to lead FEMA on a path that allows the agency to work in an effective way in the future.

I want to help people in a meaningful way. I don't want to learn these essential skills in a classroom, where I will not be able to actively excercise these skills, and use them in real-life scenarios. This is why I am considering volunteering.

Left wing vs. Right wing Blog Names

2005-12-12T21:16:00.000-08:00

Conservative right wing blog names

PATRIOTIC & IDIOTIC
The Wide Awakes
NeoAlertz
Libertywatch
REAL Teen- Right on the Right
Zaphriel
...With Sticks and Stones
Progressive Conservatism
The Venerable Infidel
Fundamentally Right
Republican Buzz
Thinking Right
Ogre's Politics and Views
Inisight on the right

progressive Left wing blog names

Öþêñ ¥ðµr MïñÐ§ È¥ê
BuyBlue.org
Journalists Against Bush's B.S.
Voice Potential
The Left End of the Dial
Is It Just Me? (or do you feel this way too?)
Relevant Posts
Bring it on!
Pursuit of Happiness
Who hijacked our country?
Todays Democracy
The Irate Nation
On the Left Tip

Hmm... I think the progressive/liberal blog names were much more sane.

New Banner!

2005-12-12T17:21:00.000-08:00

American Citzenship for Sale!

2005-12-12T01:06:00.000-08:00

I like to read the news from other countries sometimes. I like learning about other cultures, and sometimes find myself engrossed in a foreign online newspapers daily minutia. It's my way of justifying watching E!; other people around the world do it too! I suppose, in some way, it makes me more "cultured" to others when I mention it. ("Wow! You know so much about foreign news and people! You're so worldly!" My reply is always, "Hey, if a couple of chicks were having our conversation in Bombay, would you still think reading another country's tabloids was sophisticated?" It's a conversation stopper, I know.)

American Citizenship is online for sale. Or rather, the opportunity is on sale. Here's the site I saw. It's more shocking because not only does the site no promise you citisenship, but the site is charging for a chance at citizenship. The fact that the site doesn't seem to be endorsed publicly by the Bureau of Citizenship Immigration and Naturalization Servicers, nor does the site provide for a refund if you're not picked doesn't deter customers of this scam, is more surprising.

I like being a citizen of the US. I mean, I was born here in 1984, and until recently, I haven't had much trouble living as an American. But George W. Bush's stance on a lot of issues has me a little irritated and frustrated at my citizenship. He won't sign the Kyoto Treaty, he's plunged the US into a war in Iraq, which has influenced a new generation of terrorists, damaged the economy, has yet to lift a finger in the Hurrican Katrina, Rita, and WIlma response, and has the nerve to ask for another tax cut, after plunging the US into growing debt.

Meanwhile, people in South Africa are paying lots of money for a sliver of a change of joining our citizen rosters. As bad as the US leadership is, there are always places much more worse off. It makes me want to work harder to be a better citizen, so that one day, these people who immigrated legally can see that their efforts paid off, and that the US provides the ample opportunities they hoped for, and more.

Should all leaders of the KKK be executed?

2005-12-11T02:05:00.000-08:00

An anonymous comment asks, in response to my post on Stanley "Tookie" Williams. Here is my reply:

If the class of people known as "All leaders of the KKK" have, themselves (by their own will and action) perpetrated the crime of murder onto another, otherwise innocent, member of society, then yes, I believe that member of the KKK should be punished accordingly. If the "leaders of the KKK" take it upon themselves to kill, and do so repeatedly without remorse, then yes, they should be executed.

I do not approve of the KKK. Yet, because I believe in a constitutional right to freedome of speech and freedom of expression (so long as that freedom does not including harming others), then I must tolerate the expression that the KKK leaders so choose, if only to show my support of the First Amendment.

Regarding the KKK's use of "hate-speech" and their track record of encouraging violence onto non-whites, and their supremacist agenda, here I must remain consistent in my beliefs. As much as the KKK has encouraged, and endorsed many acts of violence which include murder, I believe that only those persons who committed those crimes should be punished. Though the KKK leadership may endorse murderous and hateful acts and speech, the persons who make up the KKK leadership (to my knowledge) have not repeatedly committed murders, for which they have been tried, jailed, and ultimately sentenced to execution for those crimes.

If an individual in the KKK repeatedly committed acts of murder, due to that individual's acceptance of the KKK's ideological franchise, then I think only that individual should be convicted of murder and sentenced to execution. The individual who committed the crime of his own volition must be disciplined bu society, and also the reasons for his crime examined. If the KKK is found to be at fault, if only to plant the murderous idea in the perpetrators mind, then let the press and society at large condemn the ideas of the KKK, as well as the organization itself. Let the response to the KKK's abominable use of free speech be more speech to set their wrong ideas right.

The moral of the story is this: Individuals are ultimately responsible for their own behavior. To punish a group for the acts of one person in it had the potential to be unjust, and I don't endorse that at all.

This puts me in an interesting place, one that I think the comment-writer intended.

Both Stanley "Tookie" Williams and the leadership of the KKK share one thing in common; they are both the messengers of dangerous ideologies. Both groups affiliated with those persons have, among their membership, individuals invested with an ideological franchise that influenced their behavior that resulted in that particular individual committing murder. Arguably, both "Tookie" and the leaders of the KKK should be incarcerated and executed, if I had it my way, if it were law that those who spread dangerous ideologies were to be sentenced to death. In both cases, those ideologies can be found to be a profound influence in the behavior of the individuals who commit murder as a direct consequence of their beliefs. But to say as much, perhaps, it can be interpreted as going "too far." To this, I concede, my previous statement encouraging the execution of "Tookie" Williams for merely spreading a dangerous ideology went 'too far.'

The point is moot regarding "Tookie," who is already a condemned inmate, scheduled to die on December 12th.

So, what can we do about the spread of dangerous ideologies, and the figureheads and leadership of groups that do just that? The most prudent measure would be to educate as many members of our society about the dangers of violence, gangs, and intolerance. When peaceful, reasoned, and educated people are confronted with such dangerous ideologies, the probability of that person "buying into" that ideology is significantly reduced. For those few who do "buy in," perhaps negative societal pressure can be effective in curbing the effect their beliefs have on their behavior in society.

An arguement can be made, "Is a gangster or Klansman any more dangerous in the privacy of their homes and minds where they do not perpetrate crimes onto other people than the gangster or Klansman who does?" Ideologically, they are one and the same. Unfortunately, we live in a society where actions speak louder than words. An Klansman who commits crimes is a risk to society and must be punished, just as any gangster should. To punish those inactive ones, if only for their murderous thoughts, would be wrong and such action would fly in the face of the First Amendment.

Dangerous ideologues provide society with much needed study material into the workings of their respective organizations and/or followers. For this precious knowledge, and also to preserve the First Amendment, we are required to allow their existence. We, as a society must learn from them, ask questions, and examine the answers. What about their messege is so attractive to those listening? What are they asking of their followers? How do they conduct themselves? How can we prevent crime and catastrophes as a result of their dangerous ideologies?

For dangerous ideologues awaiting execution; I have no pity for them, nor do I support life in prison as an alternative to execution.

Stanley "Tookie" Williams

2005-12-09T15:47:00.000-08:00

Stanley, "Tookie" Williams should die for the murders of the Yang Family and also of a Albert Owens, a store clerk and veteran.

I believe in capital punishment. When the crimes one commits during ones life are truly irrepairable through rehabilitation, jail or redemption, I believe it is right to put those persons to death.

Stanley "Tookie" Williams, if he is what he says he is, one of the founders of the infamous Cryps gang of Los Angeles, Compton, and other urban areas, it is just for Angelenos to call for his removal from the are, and enventual death. Before I address the 4 people "Tookie" has been found guilty of murdering, I will address the larger impact of the Cryps.

The Cryps gang has murdered many other blacks in Los Angles. The Cryps (and later, their rivals, the Bloods, whose organization is modeled after the Cryps) have, since the 1970s, been the perpetrators of multiple, franchised crimes; rape, murder, larceny, theft, looting, assault, and organized crime unto the black/African-American and Latino groups in and around Los Angeles. Cryps have been largely successful in this, because they have been able to give an ideological franchise to people disenfranchised by the larger, majoritarian society. What is the franchise? "If you haven't got a proper family at home, the Cryps will be your family on the street." Just as any family member is expected to contribute time and resources, the Cryps ask of their membership to contribute in the form of "taxes" (payment to the gang for using a specific location in the gang territory to sell/traffic drugs) and manpower (usually, cooperation in gang crimes or to act as an accomplice).

For spreading this dangerous ideology alone, I call for Stanley "Tookie" Williams' death.

For murdering 4 innocent people, The Yang Family and Mr Owens, I call for Stanley "Tookie" WIlliams' death. Not one of the victims ever perpetrated any wrong or ill will unto "Tookie." They were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time when "Tookie" chose to go on his murderous rampage.

For those claiming "Tookie" has redeemed himself before God, and therefore must be spared the death penalty; I say, when God himself has spoken to the minds and hearts of men to confirm this fact, then we may stay the execution. Until such a time, I agree that this execution must push forward to end "Tookie's" life.

Rep. Steve King is a Yellow Preacher

2005-12-07T18:45:00.000-08:00

I'm watching Steve King (R) on C-Span right now and wondering, "Why is he stumping for the Republican Party? Why is his speach so thinly veiling the agenda of the republican party to exploit Iraq for big buisiness?" It's kind of like watching Senator McCarthy during his respective era proclaim someone as a Communist. It's so ghastly, it's like a bad trainwreck; you can't help looking at it even though you'd like to look away.

Bush is over. His politics are over. Americans look to politics much as htey do religion. It's such an "us vs. them" mentality that pervades American politics nowadays. People are beginning to get in touch with political thought and action nowadays. Since the election debacle in 2000, a lot of people are beginning to really understand what politics mean in their daily lives.

The Republicans fear this greatly. Outside of their business interests, the Republican party largely relies on its social-conservative fan base. This base is beginning to realize that they didn't get what they bargained for in representatives of their collective policial team. Quite the contrary. While the Republicans spend the bulk of their time stumping for various anti-gay, ant-family, or anti-business policies, their conservative base isn't in touch with the way that the Republican Party is going about things.

The non-Republican people are fragmented and can't organize many victories. If this trend continues, as much as people dislike the Republican Party agendas being promoted in government, their lack of organization skill will ultimately result in their continued frustration.

It's time to let go of the almost clergy-like stronghold on political religionism th Republican Party has. Remember, it's not church, its your government. As a government, a citizen can shape that governement to work in favor of their interests if there is enough interest among their fellow citizens.

Yikes.

Boiling Nerves on Education, Housing Bubble.

2005-12-05T14:24:00.000-08:00

I have a theory on why California schools are suffering such major budget shortfalls in the present and future academic schoolyears. It has to do with the price of housing in most urban areas of California.

I dispute the holding of many major Californian teacher unions, and political talking heads on the issue of financing education. I think they're considering the wrong things when they think of education, funding, enrollment, and politics.

The price of an average home in California is nearly $500,000. In order to make payments on such a house, a family must have an annual income of at least $60,000 or more to comfortably live, given the price of homes. Yet, today, a very common form of home financing comes in the form of low-intereste ARM loans, which frequently result in long-term negative amortization on the loan and also artificially higher house prices.

On average, a homeowner is being asked to pull in between $3500 and $5000 a month to finance their house. Herein lies the rub. Financing a home that is $400,000, requires a payment of $2000 per month, if the interest rate is about 6%. This leaves between $1500 left over to cover other home, car, and dependent expenses, for an average household with an annual income of $50,000. Weekly, this family has only $348 to spend on typical family expenses such as food, activities, school expenses, and the like. Divided among 4 people, this works out to about $87 per person. (Data estimates are courtesy of Bankrate.com )

Can you live on $87 per weekin California? Probably not, unless you live very frugally. For those families in the $100,000 a year club, this is not a concern. Yet, in many communities families with incomes over $90,000 or $100,000 make up the biggest buyers of real estate. So why is school funding an issue? In California, property taxes frequently fund the school system. Those who do not pay their income taxes take funds away from public schools. Those with higher incomes typically support Republican public policy, which frequently argues for less public funding for public programs, favoring private enterprise and lower taxes.

Another problem of the housing boom is the migratory effect it is having on California's families. Long Beach Unified lost 2500 students this year. California experienced an exodus of 500,000 people, with only 400,000 people moving into the state in 2004. If families can't afford to live here, how can schools expect to maintain their current funding levels? Another problem with school funding is that many schools have attendance-based fund allotment. This means that the more students who attend daily, the more money the schools have available to them. With lower enrollment, these funds become depleted.

Another problem is the amount of money given to schools in order to fund special education programs, learning disabled programs, and after school programs. When districts find areas where these programs have low enrollment, some schools choose to axe the program. Schools justify their actions by noting that its not worthwhile to host such specialty programs for a small amount of children. This way, schools can sacrifice a few programs to save classroom education, which arguably is much more important.

All the while, the standard of education that most parents hope their children will receive is getting higher. In addition to a diploma, California parents also expect their children to be eligible for admission to a 4 year college, have computer skills, and also score well on standardized tests. In order to accomplish this, additional teachers are needed, teacher training is essential, discipline is required, yet the funding pool required for these programs is quickly shrinking.

What to do? I propose auditing each classroom and school district and finding ways to cut waste in the school system. This may require a sell-off of extra district real property, a liquidation of surplus items, cutting administrator salaries, and stepping up efforts to get college students to choose a career in public education over private enterprise. I also propose state programs to offer teachers incentives for purchasing a home in areas closest to their schools. I propose state limits to the amount a house can sell for, and encourage city redevelopment agencies to give incentives to companies building multi-family housing units. The combined force of these efforts, I feel, could lead to overall gains, all positive, in the qualify of life for families living in soon-to-be gentrified California suburbs.

Here's the original story, for your reference:
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Budget Deficit

2005-12-04T01:47:00.000-08:00

The future of California's wallet...

Hurricane Katrina Gripe

2005-12-04T01:28:00.000-08:00

Yikes!

I know that Hurricane Katrina devestated a large area and quite a few offices. My question is, Why am I not there yet as a volunteer?

I applied through AmeriCorps' VISTA program to work with the New Orleans Chapter of the American Red Cross("ARCNO"). In mid November, we were interviewed by Shanna, a current Red Cross volunteer. I was and still am ready to commit 13 months of my life to helping ARCNO rebuild their city. Yet, now, December 3, I wait here in California.

I received an email on December 1st, from ARCNO, informing myself and other volunteers that a second interview will be scheduled for mid-to-late December, with hiring decisions handed down after this time. Setting my departure date to early January.

This is NOT what I expect from volunteer organizers New Orleans. Everywhere, throughout the media, that more help is needed to help rebuild. Yet, there is no effor among organizers to help mobilize willing volunteers.

Across the country, current college students need to be recruited to help with Katrina relief, and this is the reason why: College students are one of the few segments of American demographics that can take a full year or two away from their busy schedules to volunteer. Yes, college students have school to be concerned about. In academic circles, students are encouraged to study abroad, to visit new places during school breaks, and generally open their world view. College students are not expected, unlike other demographics, to work full-time. Rather, the nation at large generally treats the college population favorably, offering interships, new opportunities for learning and community service.

Yet nothing is being done to recruit college students for the Katrina Recovery Effort. How did I learn about the AmeriCorps VISTA opportunity? I Googled the Red Cross, then learned from their website about the programs. I wasn't approached or advertised to. To date, I have not yet turned up any programs directed at recruiting college students for the Katrina relief.

My Districts

2005-12-04T01:19:00.000-08:00

What districts are you in? Find out here: http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/acsframeset11text.asp

Your California
State Representatives are:

Assembly (Dist. 56 - Dem)

Assembly Member Rudy Bermúdez

Capitol Address
State Capitol
Room 5135
Sacramento, CA 94249-0001
(916) 319-2056

District Address
12501 E. Imperial Highway Suite 210
Norwalk, CA 90650
(562) 864-5600

Senate (Dist. 30 - Dem)

Senator Martha M. Escutia

Capitol Address
State Capitol
Room 5080
Sacramento, CA 94249-0001
(916) 651-4030

District Address
12440 E. Imperial Highway Suite 125
Norwalk, CA 90650
(562) 929-6060

First Legislative Deadline for CA Assembly

2005-12-04T01:16:00.000-08:00

Jan. 1 Non-urgency statutes passed by Legislature prior to commencement of Interim Recess take effect (Art. IV, Sec. 8(c)(2)).

Civic Involvement and the Mobile Yuppie

2005-12-04T00:55:00.000-08:00

Method of posting: Laptop

Today is as good as any day to continue my political career. Today I am starting my bid to become a California State Assemblyperson. I am writing this blog as a motivational tool for myself. Though my friends who are PoliSci majors think this is future political suicide, I beg to differ. I am strong in my political convictions. If my opinion is incorrect, due to fautly information, evidence to the contrary, or other reasons, I am open to changing it. Not that I want to "flip-flop" on issues, or anything of the sort. I believe a mark of a strong legislator is not just to make laws and decisions, but to change those laws and decisions if there is fault in them. Changing an opinion is not being a wishy-washy politician with me; it is an investment in the truth, an investment in clean politics, and an investment in my constituency and country.

Why Assembly, Kim? Why not something higher on the totem-pole?
I'd like to get to know the community in which I serve better before moving on to higher political ground. I'm interested in actyually helping people, though sound governance to empower my community to flourish economically, socially, and in a healthy fashion.

With this said, I plan on shaping my future policy decisions while considering the following:
1) What kind of long- and short-term consequences will this decision have on my constituents?
2) Are these gains realistic, sustainable, measurable and enforceable?
3) Are the gains (both positive and negative) worth their cost?

So, one by one I will give my opinion on proposals in the State Assembly, State Senate, The House and the Senate, with the full text of each item, and my opinion.
4) What kind of time/resource limits are there on this particular bill/measure/proposition?

2004-12-10T02:33:00.000-08:00

2004-12-09T08:43:00.000-08:00

2004-12-09T00:24:00.001-08:00

2004-12-09T00:24:00.000-08:00

2004-12-08T21:44:00.000-08:00

2004-12-08T17:27:00.000-08:00

Goals

2004-12-08T05:16:00.000-08:00

Cell-faxed press releases.

Why? You never know how much something will catch on, until you try. Most people don't know what they can do with the technology they have in their pockets.

There is a virtual underclass of people in society today. The digital divide may not be widening as much as it used to, however, it is definately changing drastically. The new problem appears to be massive differences in how people utilize technology.

2004-12-08T04:02:00.000-08:00