I currently witness a problem with the high unemployment rate in America. Considering we were on the brink of a worldwide depression I believe the government did the right thing with invoking "quantitative easing", QE1 and QE2, as well as saving the banking and automotive industry. As it turns out the government made a profit on their returned investments. That in and of itself saved millions of jobs. With out the recovery initiatives we would be in a much greater hole.
But now the focus needs to be on the government supporting or getting out of the way of businesses so they can generate jobs and grow the economy. Be that with tax breaks, business friendly laws, grants, or other assistance.
Americans need and what to get back to work and the government, "by the people for the people", need to make every reasonable effort possible to promote that effort.
Check out what other students and professors have to say about the subject in this short video clip.
http://economics.about.com/od/howtheuseconomyworks/a/government.htm
Friday, April 29, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Week 13 - Religion and Education
My position supports the teaching of religious principles as a foundation for both formal and informal education. I do not subscribe to the teaching of one religious believe over another in public schools, that would be ethnocentric. However, I do believe in teaching the cultural universal virtues of religion, that being values, ethics, morals, and principles. These virtues can be used to improve both formal and informal education.
I support this thesis by the opinion that religion in and of itself is a curriculum, much like philosophy. It is a social science curriculum and its objective is to teach the theory of how one should conduct themselves in the world or what Socrates called "how we ought to live."
Merge science and religion, fact and faith, and see if you agree with what Einstein concluded. Watch the short video clip.
http://wings.buffalo.edu/hced-center/NewFiles/Glaeser.pdf
I support this thesis by the opinion that religion in and of itself is a curriculum, much like philosophy. It is a social science curriculum and its objective is to teach the theory of how one should conduct themselves in the world or what Socrates called "how we ought to live."
Merge science and religion, fact and faith, and see if you agree with what Einstein concluded. Watch the short video clip.
http://wings.buffalo.edu/hced-center/NewFiles/Glaeser.pdf
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Week 12 - The Family & Intimate Relationships
Since the definition of family may vary depending upon the culture or even the individual and if the definition of family is open to cultural and individual relativism then I would agree with the sociologist, historians, scientist, and scholars. So long as the definition may include immediate blood relatives, married into relatives, community, gangs, best friends, mentors, etc.
I agree because human beings are not only shaped and molded over their lifetime by global socialization but to a greater extent by the micro-level. Intimate, trusting, and binding relationships are more meaningful and influential to individuals. They shape your character, beliefs, morals and even your personality to an extent. This helps to create the person you become and therefore determines what type of contribution you will make to society as a whole, be it beneficial or detrimental.
It the family unit is not already a positive impact on the global community then it would need a significant change in its belief system of morals and ethics. Ethics and morals means to "consider the needs of others and do what there are the best reasons for doing giving equal weight and measure to all parties affected." A family can gain these morals and ethical beliefs for religion, positive social groups, volunteering, education, etc.
We are all family!
http://family.go.com/
I agree because human beings are not only shaped and molded over their lifetime by global socialization but to a greater extent by the micro-level. Intimate, trusting, and binding relationships are more meaningful and influential to individuals. They shape your character, beliefs, morals and even your personality to an extent. This helps to create the person you become and therefore determines what type of contribution you will make to society as a whole, be it beneficial or detrimental.
It the family unit is not already a positive impact on the global community then it would need a significant change in its belief system of morals and ethics. Ethics and morals means to "consider the needs of others and do what there are the best reasons for doing giving equal weight and measure to all parties affected." A family can gain these morals and ethical beliefs for religion, positive social groups, volunteering, education, etc.
We are all family!
http://family.go.com/
Friday, April 8, 2011
Week 11 - Stratification by Gender & Age
"The Experiment"
I chose a comment on ageism. I chose this comment because there was an opportunity that presented itself so I wanted to take advantage of it and be spontaneous at the same time.
I said the comment to two of my friends.
They reacted jokingly in support of my comment and responded with similar comments. I anticipated this kind of reaction because they tend to take things lightly and follow along with the theme of the moment.
I think the reaction I elicited perpetuates the greater societal norms and beliefs because it reenforces and in a light hearted manner legitimizes the stereotype.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Week 10 - Racial and Ethnic Inequality
I can recall an incident.....
It was the summer of 1995. I was driving southbound on the New Jersey Turnpike, heading back to Dallas, TX, what was then my home. I had recently purchased a pre-owned black-on-black convertible Porsche 944 (sweet) and was so enthusiastic about driving it that I took it for two long drives that summer. Once to NYC and the other to Atlanta, GA for "freaknik" (off the hook party). Where was I? Oh yea right, "the incident."
So I'm driving down the NJ Turnpike, 10 mph over the speed limit (the acceptable norm), when this young white State Trooper pulls behind me and lights up his cruiser. First I thought he was in pursuit of someone else so I switched lines, but he switched with me. So my initial thought was "what the fu*k". Naturally, I pulled over to the shoulder of the highway. One of my older brothers, Joel, is Commander of the 7th district in Washington, D.C. 7-D is S.E., so he is running the toughest area of Washington. Joel told me how to handle situations like this so I followed his lead. I turned my vehicle off, placed both of my hands on the steering-wheel so the office could see them and greeting him with respect (Hello officer. How are you doing? How may I help you?).
The young white officer, about 28 years in age, asked for my drivers license and registration. Once he had it and confirmed that I was the owner of the vehicle (because of course a young black brother should not have the means to acquire such an expensive car), he told me that he pulled me over because I changed lanes without signaling. My second thought was the same as my first, "what the fu*k." Who really stops someone for not signaling. This seems rather "selective". But I dismissed it and admitted my offense to the officer in hopes to get off with a warning.
Do you think that is what happened? No! He starts peeping into my Porsche and begins to ask me a series of questions like.... do you have any illegal drugs in your possession? Like if I did I would say "huh yea?" Daaa! So he asked me to step out of the vehicle. Wheew, boy why did he ask me to do that. My temper started to fly in my head and I wanted to begin to verbally lash his azz. But I remembered what my brother Joel said. Stay clam and do not antagonize the situation. So I did. I remained clam and I stepped out of my car. He then walked to the back of my car and said I see you have Texas tags? I said yessss. He said the laws are different in the state of Texas, they allow you to carry concealed weapons. Do you have any guns or other weapons in your possession? I said no I do not. He said well what do you have in the trunk? I told him my luggage. He asked if I would not mind opening the trunk. In the spirit of cooperation and to get on my way I opened the trunk. Why did he do what he did next. He began to search my trunk. I stopped him dead in his tracks, closed the trunk and told him that it was illegal to search my vehicle without probable cause. What the fu*k was he thinking?
Well he got pissed that I knew my rights and starting to try and escalated the already unnecessary situation. The officer said I can keep you here while I call in the dog unit to sniff for drugs or weapons. I said go the fu*k ahead, I know my rights and you ain't check'in shyt.
He returned to his vehicle and I returned to mine. He ran a check on my license, tags, and background. Naturally it came up clean and that probably pissed him off even more (smile). Well, after about 20 minutes he returned to my car, gave me my license and registration back along with a ticket and the standard blurb about the ticket and my rights. I'm thinking, my rights... yea right you racist son-of-a-bit*h. Well we parted ways and I continued on my way down the turnpike.
Would you believe that I got no further than a mile down the road when he turned his lights on me again. I'm about ready to blow. I'm cursing like all outdoors and thinking... this must be an episode of "Punked", but wait I'm not a celebrity. Okay, the same routine.... I stop, turn the car off and place both hands on the steering-wheel. The young white officer comes up to the window and said I am stopping you this time because you made an illegal lane change. I said WHAT. He said it was illegal to change from the left lane to the right lane and back to the left lane. LOL. No literally, I laughed out loud in his face. I told him this is a joke and begin to go off with racial profiling accusations. Remember this was 1995, the beginning of the whole New Jersey State Trooper profiling fiasco. I rolled my window up half way and got on speaker phone with my Prepaid Legal attorney while the officer stood outside my car with his right hand resting on his .40 mm Glock. I used speaker phone to intimidate the officer with the conversation and also because Prepaid Legal records all conversations so if the officer said anything fowl and decided to blow my brains out at least it would be recorded for the trail and my family could reap a large lawsuit :-0
My attorney told me to cooperate with the officer and that he would file a harrasment lawsuit against the officer and police department. I was cool with that so I went head and gave the office my license and registration again.
He later returned to my car with a second ticket and we parted ways. Well, kind of. He followed me the rest of the way down the NJ Turnpike until I crossed the Delaware state line.
Well, I got over the incident and never filed the lawsuit. I believe I handled the situation fairly well. My behavior was a bit emotional but justified so I would not change it if I had to go through it again.
http://sites.google.com/site/greattrustspace/great-strategic-objectives
It was the summer of 1995. I was driving southbound on the New Jersey Turnpike, heading back to Dallas, TX, what was then my home. I had recently purchased a pre-owned black-on-black convertible Porsche 944 (sweet) and was so enthusiastic about driving it that I took it for two long drives that summer. Once to NYC and the other to Atlanta, GA for "freaknik" (off the hook party). Where was I? Oh yea right, "the incident."
So I'm driving down the NJ Turnpike, 10 mph over the speed limit (the acceptable norm), when this young white State Trooper pulls behind me and lights up his cruiser. First I thought he was in pursuit of someone else so I switched lines, but he switched with me. So my initial thought was "what the fu*k". Naturally, I pulled over to the shoulder of the highway. One of my older brothers, Joel, is Commander of the 7th district in Washington, D.C. 7-D is S.E., so he is running the toughest area of Washington. Joel told me how to handle situations like this so I followed his lead. I turned my vehicle off, placed both of my hands on the steering-wheel so the office could see them and greeting him with respect (Hello officer. How are you doing? How may I help you?).
The young white officer, about 28 years in age, asked for my drivers license and registration. Once he had it and confirmed that I was the owner of the vehicle (because of course a young black brother should not have the means to acquire such an expensive car), he told me that he pulled me over because I changed lanes without signaling. My second thought was the same as my first, "what the fu*k." Who really stops someone for not signaling. This seems rather "selective". But I dismissed it and admitted my offense to the officer in hopes to get off with a warning.
Do you think that is what happened? No! He starts peeping into my Porsche and begins to ask me a series of questions like.... do you have any illegal drugs in your possession? Like if I did I would say "huh yea?" Daaa! So he asked me to step out of the vehicle. Wheew, boy why did he ask me to do that. My temper started to fly in my head and I wanted to begin to verbally lash his azz. But I remembered what my brother Joel said. Stay clam and do not antagonize the situation. So I did. I remained clam and I stepped out of my car. He then walked to the back of my car and said I see you have Texas tags? I said yessss. He said the laws are different in the state of Texas, they allow you to carry concealed weapons. Do you have any guns or other weapons in your possession? I said no I do not. He said well what do you have in the trunk? I told him my luggage. He asked if I would not mind opening the trunk. In the spirit of cooperation and to get on my way I opened the trunk. Why did he do what he did next. He began to search my trunk. I stopped him dead in his tracks, closed the trunk and told him that it was illegal to search my vehicle without probable cause. What the fu*k was he thinking?
Well he got pissed that I knew my rights and starting to try and escalated the already unnecessary situation. The officer said I can keep you here while I call in the dog unit to sniff for drugs or weapons. I said go the fu*k ahead, I know my rights and you ain't check'in shyt.
He returned to his vehicle and I returned to mine. He ran a check on my license, tags, and background. Naturally it came up clean and that probably pissed him off even more (smile). Well, after about 20 minutes he returned to my car, gave me my license and registration back along with a ticket and the standard blurb about the ticket and my rights. I'm thinking, my rights... yea right you racist son-of-a-bit*h. Well we parted ways and I continued on my way down the turnpike.
Would you believe that I got no further than a mile down the road when he turned his lights on me again. I'm about ready to blow. I'm cursing like all outdoors and thinking... this must be an episode of "Punked", but wait I'm not a celebrity. Okay, the same routine.... I stop, turn the car off and place both hands on the steering-wheel. The young white officer comes up to the window and said I am stopping you this time because you made an illegal lane change. I said WHAT. He said it was illegal to change from the left lane to the right lane and back to the left lane. LOL. No literally, I laughed out loud in his face. I told him this is a joke and begin to go off with racial profiling accusations. Remember this was 1995, the beginning of the whole New Jersey State Trooper profiling fiasco. I rolled my window up half way and got on speaker phone with my Prepaid Legal attorney while the officer stood outside my car with his right hand resting on his .40 mm Glock. I used speaker phone to intimidate the officer with the conversation and also because Prepaid Legal records all conversations so if the officer said anything fowl and decided to blow my brains out at least it would be recorded for the trail and my family could reap a large lawsuit :-0
My attorney told me to cooperate with the officer and that he would file a harrasment lawsuit against the officer and police department. I was cool with that so I went head and gave the office my license and registration again.
He later returned to my car with a second ticket and we parted ways. Well, kind of. He followed me the rest of the way down the NJ Turnpike until I crossed the Delaware state line.
Well, I got over the incident and never filed the lawsuit. I believe I handled the situation fairly well. My behavior was a bit emotional but justified so I would not change it if I had to go through it again.
http://sites.google.com/site/greattrustspace/great-strategic-objectives
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