June06

everybody needs eCommerce Training **[|Make money from online shops]**Select a link to read the post below:
A Free and Independent Press; or Pravda 2, Electric Boogaloo Congress Puts the Minimum Back in Minimum Wage Happy Graduation? What If The Government Broke The Law But Nobody Could Talk About It? The 100 $ Hamburger? And After Declaring An End To Racism and Discrimination In The US of A... "Just when you thought you had heard everything" WWJD? Probably Not Death Threats I Hear They're Accepting Applications Help Out This Summer I-Pods Revolutionizing Professional Sports? Life or Something Like It? Necrophagist: Epitaph Into Eternity: Buried in Oblivion Smart Pills:Is it really smart? Gamers for Christ?



A Free and Independent Press; or Pravda 2, Electric Boogaloo
6/28/06 dconlay

I don't know, but when the Government begins censoring newspapers for reporting on practices of questionable legal merit, my tummy begins to feel a little bit funny --but not in a good way.

The Hill reports that the GOP is"expected to introduce a resolution today condemning The New York Times for publishing a story last week that exposed government monitoring of banking records." Read about it [|here.]

If you haven't been following, there has been quite a stir over the last week regarding what should have been a pretty controversial program (if we had known aout it). You can check out the original article [|here,] the President's response [|here,] and The Times response to the controversy [|here.] MSNBC has a balanced 5 minute summary [|here.]

Joe Scarborough, of MSNBC, gives what I think is a pretty accurate take on all of this [|here.]

The funny thing is, though, that the President himself had already revealed the use of this "tool" shortly after 9/11.

Update: here's Colbert's take on the controversy, and Olberman has a great segment which focuses on just how much of a secret the program really is when the President mentions it like ten times.



Congress Puts the Minimum Back in Minimum Wage
6/27/06 dconlay

It seems that for the ninth year in a row Congress has voted down a minimum wage increase, keeping the federal minimum wage to just 5.25 an hour. The punch-line though is that during that same period Congress has voted itself a raise totaling more than $31,000. As [|Stephen Colbert points out, "it sucks to be poor."]



Happy Graduation?
6/23/06 dconlay

Today the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation put out a study that shows over [|7,000 school children leave school every day.] That means that over 2.1 million students will not graduate this spring on time. I'm not sure if this is an indication of whether or not **No Child Left Behind** is working, but 7,000 kids a day seem to be voting in the negative.



I don't know for sure what the answer to this problem is, but I'm pretty certain that pouring the money that used to go for music and art education and home ec (I can still taste that awkwardly cooked but oh-so-good 4th period pizza) into testing the heck out of our kids is probably not motivating them to stay in school.

Any solutions?



What If The Government Broke The Law But Nobody Could Talk About It?
6/23/06 dconlay

It's an old issue--where do individual rights end and civic interests begin? How do we reconcile the two? Just how accountable is the government to the people it represents?

The answer to these sorts of questions can only be answered in a country that, according to our [|president] (look under the heading **Absurd**), is "A transparent democracy." where "People know exactly what's on our mind. We debate things in the open. We've got a legislative process that's active."

Unfortunately, transparency lasts only as long as the shades on those governmental windows stay open. Read more [|here.]



The 100 $ Hamburger?
6/21/06 E. Vivar Period 5

We have to admit that in today’s world we do a lot of wild things without thinking. Staying on the same subject, we spend lot money at the snap of a finger. Some of us like to save up money the right way, for example buying food off the dollar menu at Mc Donald’s. Let’s say you had 100 spare bucks and you were really hungry. What would you buy with that money? Would you ever buy a hamburger that costs 100$? Believe it or not, there is such thing as the 100 dollar burger! The Boca Raton Resort and Club in Florida revealed the most expensive hamburger in the world.This giant makes the six dollar burger from Carl's Jr. look really tiny. If I ever bought one for 100 dollars, those 20 ounces better be the best thing I’ve ever tasted.You can read more about this crazy story [|here.]

(The actual 100 $ Hamburger)



And After Declaring An End To Racism and Discrimination In The US of A...
6/21/06 dconlay

"House Republican leaders today abruptly canceled a planned vote to renew the Voting Rights Act"

Fresh on the heels of widespread problems in the [|2000 and 2004 elections], especially in the areas of inadequate polling stations and the widespread disenfranchisement of large numbers of voters in African-American communities, the controlling party of the House decides that more thought is needed before renewing landmark legislation that guarentees African-Americans the same right to vote as their white counterparts?



We're not just killing a mockingbird here, we're digging up its mangled body, dragging it through the streets, and kicking it around some more before it's shot again.

To paraphrase the man with the guitar, "Where have you gone **Tom Robinson**? Our nation turns its fearful eyes to you."

You can read about it [|here.]

 6/20/06 cleon
 * "Just when you thought you had heard everything..."**

A man who was very eager to marry his girlfriend tried to give her a lesson about the benefits of taking risks and ended up in an interesting and awkward situation.

[|MSNBC] has got the story.



WWJD? Probably Not Death Threats
6/19/06 dconlay

It seems a [|little girl] (age 15) went and created a pretty subversive video about the effects of the War for Iraqi Freedom on the Iraqi's that is stirring up quite a bit of resentment. What is the sick, "pro-terrorist" bit of propaganda that is causing her to receive daily death threats? [|This.]

You can watch her talk about it all [|here] in an interview with CNN.

(From C&L)



I Hear They're Accepting Applications
6/19/06 dconlay

The Washington Post recently obtained a memo from the Iraqi embassy to the US State Department that details what life is like for the native embassy workers and their fellow Iraqi citizens. Apparently things aren't quite as rosy as we might have been hearing--in the "stable" parts of Iraq. You read read all about it [|here]

 6/18/06 S.Barloon


 * Help Out This Summer**

Looking for something to do this summer?? How about a little communtity service? We all need our 40 hours to graduate and summer is the perfect time to rack up some hours. Even if you already have completed your hours, volunteering is a great way to make a difference and feel good about yourself, plus the extra hours never look bad on those college apps. So here are some ideas: [|Second Harvest] - America's Second Harvest is the largest food bank in the US. Type in your zipcode to find a volunteer opportunity near home. [|Pets 911] - Click on the "volunteer" link under "Help Your Local Pet Community" to find a place near you. Walk, feed, and play with the animals in the shelters. [|Shea Center] - Groom, tack up, and lead horses at this therapeutic riding center. You will be taught all the equestrian skills you need so its a great learning opporutnity for you as well as helpful for those in therapy. [|Nature.org] - Tons of environmentally related projects, like planting trees, to do across the US. __Plant a Tree (310-510-2595 ext. 110)__ - Get a free boat ride to Catalina Island in exchange for a few hours of easy labor of tansplanting seedlings at the Catalina Island Conservancy's James. H. Ackerman Native Plant Nursery. Opportunity available every Thursday and Saturday. [|Go on a Volunteer Trip] - Check out this website for international volunteer trips. [|Breast Cancer Walk] - Raise money and awarenss for breast cancer by participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in either the summer or fall.
 * Feed the Hungry**
 * Like Animals?**
 * Help the Environment**
 * Go Above and Beyond**



I-Pods Revolutionizing Professional Sports?
6/17/06 E. Vivar Period 5

Doesn’t it seem like in today’s current society the new I-Pod is taking over? All across the globe it’s a “must have” electronic device. Unlike the previous I-Pods, this new one allows you to play video on a 2.5 inch screen. You could be watching the latest music video by Radiohead or listening to your favorite songs at anytime. Not only is the new I-Pod changing the way we listen and watch music, it is also revolutionizing the world of professional sports. Now, if your wondering sports, yes sports. Believe it or not the new I-Pod helped the Colorado Rockies win a Major League Baseball game. Read more about it [|here.]



I personally own an I-Pod Video but have never thought about this device being so helpful in Major League Baseball. The Colorado Rockies assistant video coordinator Brian Jones’s idea of using Apple’s technology was brilliant. He put opponent’s batting styles etc. on the I-Pod’s to analyze and help them as game time approached. It proved to be successful and many teams around the league are beginning to use Jones’s idea. I think this is very beneficial for the players as they have video of their opponent’s style of play in the palm of their hands as a form of preparation. I think that the Apple I-Pod video will be used more by other professional sports around the country in the future.

 06/15/06

Life or Something Like It
Life is whirling into a deep and dark spiral. Take a while to realize the shape size and motion The spin of the earth’s axis is taking life away Faster than taxes and still we are confused in the masses Into believing we can slow down stop Even after we drop that six feet the beat and movement Will never cease not even when people are deceased Keeps on moving, changing always rearranging Seems like I’m sitting still like I might actually have time to sit and chill This desk is moving and even when that sleep seems soothing You’re moving faster than you thought you were Really in the big universal picture you’re just a blur Don’t matter if you were skinnier or fatter Doesn’t make a difference if you even get this inference Because when that almighty pulls his lever And after that famous last endeavor the nine rocks will keep turning And that big star will keep burning Never ending rotation; lasting forever Maybe that’s for the better or the worse In reality who knows what came first The history is a mystery.

L. Thunell

 06/14/06 kzichp5

Necrophagist: Epitaph
http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?albumid=1582

Band Lineup: Christian Meunzner - Guitar Hannes Grossmann - Drums Stefan Fimmers - Bass Muhammed Suicmez- Guitar/Vocals

Necrophagist was founded in early 1992 when they released their album "Requiems of Festered Gore." It was not released, however, because it was sent out solely for promotional reasons in an attempt to help the band secure gigs. The reviewer went track-by-track, pretty much saying each song is great. Although I agree that every song is good, I usually get bored after the fifth or sixth song i listen to because the vocals are so monotonous and the style never changes. They are technical metal, after all. The instruments are played with insane ability. The blastbeats the drummer plays along with the perfect solos and arpeggios shows the talent this band has. The bass player also has his moments such as the intro to the song "Only Ash Remains" My favorite song on the album is "Stabwound" because it is the first song I listen to when I feel like listening to Necrophagist.

1. Stabwound

[Leadfill: Suicmez]

Invisible blades penetrate whereas stabwounds are not detectable.

Stabwound

The blade that stabs a back, unsuspecting, forms the symbolic...

stabwound

[Leadfill: Suicmez] [Solo: Muenzner]

There is no shield to protect from attacks led by the ones one used to trust.

Stabwound

The blade that stabs a back, unsuspecting, forms the symbolic...

stabwound

 06/14/06 kzichp5

Into Eternity: Buried in Oblivion
http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?reviewid=4922&ref=mx

Band Lineup: Chris Krall - Clean/Death Vocals Tim Roth - Guitars/Clean/Death Vocals Rob Doherty - Guitars/Death Vocals Scott Krall - Bass/Backing Vocals Jim Austin - Drums/Backing Vocals

Into Eternity emerged from Canada with the release of their self-titled debut album in 2000. A year later in 2001 they released Dead or Dreaming, and finally in 2004 Into Eternity released their jaw-dropping album, Buried in Oblivion. This band falls under the genre of progressive death metal, consisting of melodic singing along with screaming and growling. The only words to descibe Into Eternity is "pure insanity". As the review states, it takes time for the vocals to grow on the listener for the reason that the vocalists sing melodically at a rather high pitch and out of nowhere it is overlapped but not overwhelmed by a scream. What really turns my head towards this band is the guitar work. The intro to the song titled "Splintered Visions" is proof enough that this band has potential to become big. The reviewer also mentions that the lyrics are rather pessimistic, and it is quite evident if one decides to listen to the lyrics.



1. Splintered Visions

Medicate the mind Recover and Evaluate Pills swallowed Sleep sets in Enter the other side

Splintered visions Brought on by your mind Splintered visions Believing the lies

Recollection thoughts. Trying to understand. One more pill to sedate. Diminishing the pain.

Splintered visions Brought on by your mind. Splintered visions Believing the lies

You're running forever Getting nowhere Changing routes takes you back to the beginning Falling down Hit the wall

Splintered visions

You're running forever Getting nowhere Changing routes takes you back to the beginning Falling down Hit the wall Hit the wall

 06/12/06 kkeenawinna

Smart Pills: Is it really smart?
[|Read about it at MSNBC]

A major test is coming up, and you’re up studying for it. It is way past your bed time and all you can think about was the football game yesterday or your boy/girl friend. You snap yourself out of it and try studying but it’s no use, you’ll never pass this test. Frustrated you think, “Gosh I wish there was something that could make me focus and be smarter.”

Well there is something, it’s called the “Smart” pill. It’s a pill that enhances your memory cells and also gives you the energy to focus on what needs to be done. It increases one’s concentration, wakefulness and short-term memory. It’s the perfect thing to take if you were to take a major exam.

The question is, are these pills safe? Many students, mostly college students, take these pills during finals. They usually always cram everything they know in their head the last couple of days. These pills actually enable them to have better memory to contain that information. Sales for these “Smart” pills go sky high. They are sold from three to five dollars per pill. Most of these students take these pills with or without a prescription.

Almost seven million American students take these pills and it’s no wonder with the pressure they have to get into good schools. The pressure to do well on the SATs whose scores determine which schools can accept us and if we can “survive” in college. They say that these pills are not addictive If you’re to take too much then you would wire up but crash eventually. Yet there is a probability that these students may get addicted to it and what will these pills do to the natural balance of the body? There is a limit in every person and taking pills to force your body into doing something it cannot do will only tire it. It’s like exercising only for your brain. These are brain stimulants that give you a boost in memory for only a little while. Then you’ll need it again and again. It’s not safe. It could be a potential risk to one’s health and it could be a potential drug.

 6/12/06 dconlay

Gamers for Christ?
Okay. I admit it. I'm kind of a wimp when it comes to video games. I love Mario Kart. You drive your kart, you fire your red or green turtle shells, nobody gets hurt. I thought that's what the good guys were supposed to do. Then I read about [|this].

"Left Behind: Eternal Forces" is a new video game where the Christian faithful blow away anyone who refuses to come over to the side of Christ. I could be wrong, but I don't believe WWJD includes blowing your enemies away while shouting out "Praise the Lord!" Who knew that you were supposed to "turn the other cheek" to avoid blowback from your AK-47?



I realize that people sometimes make mistakes, which is why the people who thought this game might be a good idea can take a cue from their own video game: if the characters in the game make a mistake (kill the wrong person) they can simply pray about it and restore their "spirituality points." That should be enough to restore any damage a game like this could cause to both believer and non-believer alike.