Xordelia (dot) COM

I was a bit shocked and surprised when I heard of President Obama being nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and then winning it. As an American I am very wrapped up in our culture and our politics and not as aware of international affairs as I should be.

At first I found it a bit shocking and analogous to spitting in the face of other Noble laureates such as Martin Luther King Jr, Nelson Mandella, Mother Theresa, Kofi Annan, Elie Wiesel, etc. My response was “what has Obama done other than talk?” Obama did not snap his fingers and pull us out of Iraq during his first 6 months in office, he did not magically resolve the problem in Afghanistan and he wasted time in Europe trying to get the Olympic games to be held in Chicago.

What I failed to realize is that these are all American issues and the Noble foundation is not concerned with American politics. They are concerned about issues on a global scale and Obama has certainly climbed a lot of mountains when it comes to international problems.

We as Americans need to unite together, let our political affiliations go and support our leader so we can make the world a better place. Obama is a great leader and a dynamic speaker, but he is still one man. He cannot magically solve problems, it falls us to citizens of this globalized world to make a difference.

My friend sent me this on Facebook, which changed my mind about Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

By the number of adamantly negative responses out there, I was almost convinced that Obama has not done one productive thing since having been inaugurated. Then, I actually checked up on his presidential act…ions since being in office, and was reminded that he indeed has done quite a bit of good since going into office. It’s so bemusing to me that when someone simply lists facts (not vague opinions on issues, but indeed solid facts) in support of the “wrong” cause, one is immediately deemed a hater. So, please spare me the childish sarcasm and cynical-minded comments. The following is simply a list of facts for those who would like to find out more about what Obama has actually done since his inauguration.

Check out: http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing_room/PresidentialActions/
for a more detailed list,
And for my die-hard republican friends, go ahead and check fox news too. Apparently, Fox News also reported that during his first 100 days in office alone, President Obama was responsible for:

Ordering the closing of Guantanamo Bay military detention facility and abolishing “enhanced interrogation techniques.”

Setting a fixed timetable for withdrawing U.S. combat forces from Iraq.

Ordering 21,000 additional troops to Afghanistan and enlisting, with modest new assistance, European allies in a new multi-layered strategy there and in Pakistan.

“Returning science to its rightful place” by lifting the Bush restrictions on federally funded embryonic stem cell research.

Signing laws to expand children’s health insurance.

Signing a law meant to improve the ability of women who allege pay discrimination to sue their employer.

Diminishing the role of lobbyists in the White House.

“Forge a meaningful statement from the United Nations” criticizing North Korea’s launch of a ballistic missile.

Lifting travel and remittance restrictions for Cuban Americans who seek to travel more frequently to the island and send more US currency to their immediate family.

Engaging world leaders in Europe, Turkey, Latin American and the Caribbean with “strength and humility.”

(http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/04/21/adviser-says-obamas-days-productive-fdr/)

Before, I start listing facts, please be reminded that each of the following does not simply require signing a piece of paper. Anyone who has actually been in an administrative leadership position will understand all the difficulties, politics, and follow-through headaches that go with setting agendas and orders on a small scale… now imagine doing it for the nation.

Also, considering the number of the issues that need to be fixed in our system of government, without delegating and establishing committees, how can the best and most thorough resolution be reached? How can we possibly reach congruity in our policies and more comprehensively aware solutions to our societal problems, without the aid of a leader (like Obama), who has made many successful efforts at coordinating communication between various departments in order to make sure that policies do not infringe upon the rights of otherwise neglected members of the population (i.e., The White House Office of Urban Affairs and the White House Council on Women and Girls).

Further, nearly all if not all of Obama’s policies and strategies have come with specific and immediate timetables. Not only has he established this on the domestic level, but also on a global level as he has successfully opened discourse with countries that we previously neglected to engage.

Some people say that all he does is talk, but if to progress on issues of “peace-making, trade, war, economics and culture,” we need diplomacy… and diplomacy is defined as “the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states” and “[finding] mutually acceptable solutions to a common challenge,” then the G-20 Summit, the 60th Anniversary NATO Summit, and the U.S-E.U. Summit (plus all the other talks with various other leaders) are blaring evidence that Obama is doing his job successfully (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplomacy and http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/foreign_policy/).
Is diplomatically and successfully changing the world-perspective of America not in itself a great accomplishment?
How can we expect to have a roof (i.e., the end-all solution to world peace, hunger, and our horrible economic situation) without a proper building foundation (i.e., talking with world leaders, talking through with other policy-makers about the best method to achieve such goals, etc.)? And after several years of detrimental national policies, the cleaning up done so far is laudable in and of itself.

As our President, Obama has also had to spend quite a bit of time appointing the best people to fill numerous offices. Further, setting the foundation for future actions always takes longer than simply issuing laws, because there is also the accompanying pressure of determining the best policy, while taking into consideration its long-term effects.

In response to the outcry over Obama’s winning the Nobel Peace Prize, here is what he has done for foreign policy:

As far as foreign policy is concerned, President Obama:

Appointed Special Envoys for Climate Change, Southwest Asia, the Middle East, Sudan, and a Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Announced a plan to responsibly end the War in Iraq.

Announced a new strategy for Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Announced a strategy to address the international nuclear threat.

Agreed to negotiation of a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia.

Established a new “U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue”.

Announced new policy steps towards Cuba.

(copied directly from http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/foreign_policy/. See this link also for very specific links and more information on each.)

Further, according to the Norwegian Nobel Committee (http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2009/press.html), Obama won the prize for his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” A huge feat that the American people seem eager to disregard.

“The Committee has attached special importance to Obama’s vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.” Apparently, coming to agreement on the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia (18 years after the last one was signed) was a task any one could have accomplished and is not good enough to win a prize either.

“Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts. The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations. Thanks to Obama’s initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened.”

The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognized the tremendous work Obama has already put forth into the realizations of anyone’s dreams for a better society, but apparently, we can’t.

“Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future. His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world’s population.”

The world has his attention, but we can’t give him a moment of ours. We are not eager to work with him or to do our part for a more peaceful world, while the rest of the world is grateful that America is finally getting off its high horse and recognizing it needs the rest of the world to help improve humanity.

“The Committee endorses Obama’s appeal that ‘Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.’

The sad part is that we’d rather tear his appeals apart and remain bitter cynics.

Ok, so the rest of the world appreciates what he’s done for global progress. Here’s what he’s done for America:

As far as energy and the environment is concerned:

$11 billion for a bigger, better, and smarter grid that will move renewable energy from the rural places it is produced to the cities where it is mostly used, as well as for 40 million smart meters to be deployed in American homes.

$5 billion for low-income home weatherization projects.

$4.5 billion to green federal buildings and cut our energy bill, saving taxpayers billions of dollars.

$6.3 billion for state and local renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts.

$600 million in green job training programs – $100 million to expand line worker training programs and $500 million for green workforce training.
$2 billion in competitive grants to develop the next generation of batteries to store energy.

Increasing, for the first time in more than a decade, the fuel economy standards for Model Year 2011 for cars and trucks so they will get better mileage, saving drivers money and spurring companies to develop more innovative products.

The President issued a memorandum to the Department of Energy to implement more aggressive efficiency standards for common household appliances, like dishwashers and refrigerators. Through this step, over the next three decades, we’ll save twice the amount of energy produced by all the coal-fired power plants in America in any given year.
Supporting the first steps of a legally-binding treaty to reduce mercury emissions worldwide.

On Earth Day 2009, the President unveiled a program to develop the renewable energy projects on the waters of our Outer Continental Shelf that produce electricity from wind, wave, and ocean currents. These regulations will enable, for the first time ever, the nation to tap into our ocean’s vast sustainable resources to generate clean energy in an environmentally sound and safe manner.

(copied directly from http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/energy_and_environment/; look here for specific links and more information)

That, was only for energy and the environment, the list goes on if you continue to peruse through the very accessible whitehouse.gov.

If the above wasn’t specific enough for you, I’ve also included a very few of the many specific executive orders and presidential determinations that Obama has passed, also directly from the White House website:
(http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing_room/PresidentialActions/)

September 14: Set a policy regarding human trafficking, by stopping certain funding to several nations for the fiscal year 2010, including but not limited to Zimbabwe and Burma, until their governments decide to comply with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000.
(http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Determiniation-regarding-major-illicit-drug-transit/)

October 5: President Obama signed an Executive Order that set “sustainability goals for Federal agencies and focuses on making improvements in their environmental, energy and economic performance. The Executive Order requires Federal agencies to set a 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target within 90 days; increase energy efficiency; reduce fleet petroleum consumption; conserve water; reduce waste; support sustainable communities; and leverage Federal purchasing power to promote environmentally-responsible products and technologies.”
(http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/President-Obama-signs-an-Executive-Order-Focused-on-Federal-Leadership-in-Environmental-Energy-and-Economic-Performance/)

October 1: President Obama signs an Executive Order for “Federal Government-wide prohibition on the use of text messaging while driving on official business or while using Government-supplied equipment” to “demonstrate Federal leadership in improving safety on our roads and highways and to enhance the efficiency of Federal contracting.”
(http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Executive-Order-Federal-Leadership-on-Reducing-Text-Messaging-while-Driving/)

June 12: Set up a national policy that ensures the protection, maintenance, and restoration of the health of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems and resources, that enhances the sustainability of ocean and coastal economies, preserves our maritime heritage, provides for adaptive management to enhance our understanding of and capacity to respond to climate change, and is coordinated with our national security and foreign policy interests.”
(http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-National-Oceans-Month-and-Memorandum-regarding-national-policy-for-the-oceans/)

May 12: Furthered the efforts of the Clean Water Act of 1972 by issuing a timed strategy for the protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, working towards ending pollution of “the largest estuary in the United States and one of the largest and most biologically productive estuaries in the world.”
(http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Executive-Order-Chesapeake-Bay-Protection-and-Restoration/)

April 8: “Established the White House Office of Health Reform”
(http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Executive-Order-Establishing-The-White-House-Office-Of-Health-Reform/)

March 9: Issued an order to remove limitations to “fund and conduct human embryonic stem cell research, to expand NIH support for the exploration of human stem cell research, and in so doing to enhance the contribution of America’s scientists to important new discoveries and new therapies for the benefit of humankind.”
(http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Removing-Barriers-to-Responsible-Scientific-Research-Involving-Human-Stem-Cells/)

I hope this assists in clearing up some of the confusion out there about Obama’s time in office. And I sincerely hope that, at some point, we too will realize the importance of the values that Obama has held himself and his staff to since being in office.

(http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/ethics/) The world recognizes these values as integral to the causes of human rights, environmental protection and sustainability, and international peace efforts. What we do with regards to our domestic and foreign policies affects not only our future but also our future world standing and the future of other countries. It’s about time that America’s leader embraces the help of fellow peacemakers and leaders worldwide to endorse humanity’s progress and not simply be satisfied with self-centered, sectarian interests.

All of that said, I think he really does deserve the prize and I wholeheartedly regret doubting his ability as my President.

So there is this contest by my favorite band Superchic[k] and I really want to win it!

My favorite song by Superchic[k] is a song called Hero (Red Pill Remix) which is a song about kids in middle school and high school being cruel to other kids, socially isolating them and the consequences of bullying. The song talks about how this treatment can and does lead to school shootings and then calls upon middle schoolers and high schoolers to break the cycle and make a difference.

I can really relate to this song because I was that kid that was picked on in elementary school and middle school, I was the kid sitting alone at lunch or being in the computer lab because I had no friends, I was that kid who felt like I had no way out so many days and this song (along with their entire “Last One Picked” album) really gave me hope and helped me through a really hard time.

Things changed in my life and I was no longer the awkward kid with no friends in high school which is fortunate, but there are a lot of kids who aren’t that lucky, kids who have to endure much worse treatment than I did everyday in high school. Kids really are mean and cruel; it’s sad but it’s a fact of life. Bands like Superchic[k] are a great thing because they reach out to our society and enact positive change.

When I was a freshman in high school I had the honor of meeting the band, interviewing their basist Matt Dally on the phone and writing an article about them in Blurb magazine. As a kid meeting my favorite band and Matt Dally who I greatly look(ed) up to was one of the coolest experiences in my life.

Thank you guys for all you do.

Here is a video that a fan put together on YouTube of Hero (Red Pill Remix):

Here are the full lyrics of the song:

No one sits with him, he doesn’t fit in

But we feel like we do when we make fun of him
Cause you want to belong do you go along
Cause his pain is the price paid for you to belong
It’s not like we hate him or want him to die
But maybe he goes home and thinks suicide
Or he comes back to school with a gun at his side
And kindness from you might have saved his life

Tag:
Heroes are made when you make a choice

Chorus:
You could be a hero
Heroes do what’s right
You could be a hero
You might save a life
You could be a hero, You could join the fight
For what’s right for what’s right for what’s right

Verse:
No one talks to her, she feels so alone
Shes in too much pain to survive on her own
The hurt she can’t handle overflows to a knife
She writes on her arm, wants to give up her life
Each day she goes on is a day that she is brave,
Fighting the lie that giving up is the way,
Each moment of courage her own life she saves
When she throws the pills out a hero is made

Tag
Chorus

Verse:
No one talks to him about how he lives
He thinks that the choices he makes are just his
Doesn’t know he’s a leader with the way he behaves
And others will follow the choices he’s made
He lives on the edge, he’s old enough to decide
His brother who wants to be him is just nine
He can do what he wants because it’s his right
The choices he makes change a nine year old life

Tag
Chorus

Little Mikey D was in the one class
Who everyday got brutally harassed
This went on for years
Until he decided that never again
Would he shed another tear
So he walked through the door
Grabbed the 44 out of his father’s dresser drawer
And said I can’t take life no more
And like that life can be lost
But this ain’t even about that
All of us just sat back
And watch it happen
Thinkin’ it’s not our responsibility
To solve a problem that isn’t even about me
This is our problem
This is just one of the daily scenarios
Which we choose to close our eyes
Instead of doing the right thing
If we make a choice
And be the voice
For those who won’t speak up for themselves
How may lives would be saved, changed, and rearranged
Now it’s our time to pick a side
So don’t keep walking by
Don’t wanna intervene
Cause you just wanna exist and never be seen
So let’s wake up
Change the world
Our time is now

It is weird to use a phrase that Bill O’Reilly coined, but it is very true. Racial Witchhunter (noun) – one who tries to find racism and discrimination in the most petty things.

I saw the following comment on Facebook today and couldn’t help reply. I admit, I did not know how they meant their statement, so I did jump the gun a bit on assumptions, but I still stand to my comments.

Racial Witchhunter: “Cali is most def. not the place for me…it’s more racist folks here than it is in the backwoods of Mississippi! At least down south you already know wat the deal is…people are just so damn IGNORANT”

Me: “I hate to be devil’s advocate here, but everyone is racist in some way. I know a lot more black people who hate white people than the other way around. And yes I know that my ancestors enslaved them, but I didn’t personally so for them to hate me is pretty silly. But overall I think CA is a lot more accepting than anywhere else. Except for the idiots in like Lakeside and Santee I don’t know of too many overly racist people here.”

Racial Witchhunter: “michael first off you really do not know wat the hell you are talking about! i did not say anything about YOU or YOUR ancestors, or anybody hating you or white people for that matter and you have know idea wat i experienced or went thru o make any comment on the matter… I am the last one to blame the entire white race for wat happened in the past. your comments are without merit and furthermore not everyone is racist, period. And you also made an assumption that I was talking about white people, so the next time you decide to coment on an issue you know absoutely little to nothing about, DON’T!”

Me: “I did not accuse you of having any of those sentiments, I was generalizing racism as I see it in California and in the US. IE: my opinion, not a fact. I am sorry you are so angry but people disagree on things it is part of life. It’s pretty childish to explode on them.”

Racial Witchhunter: “Actually its pretty ignorant to go in or comment on any situation in which you have zero to little knowledge. I do not disagree with you because you have no grounds to stand on. I could say that I know plenty of white people who hate black than you know black people who hate white people, but THAT would be childish of me. And f.y.i, just because the observations you partake in within California does not negate the experiences other peole go thru let alone negate the fact that it exists. Obviously your world is much more sheltered than me and for that you must feel O SO LUCKY!“

Me: “It does exist and it sucks. I felt it every day at CPH being the huge ethnic minority. But you’re right, I don’t know the background on your comments and making assumptions is obviously bad, so I apologize if my musings offended you.”

I should have known better than to comment on something about racism coming from 1) an African-American female and 2) someone with the political views “if it ain’t Obama, it ain’t no good” but I couldn’t help myself. I’m used to educated people who can listen to other people’s opinions even if they disagree.

The facts as I see them: everyone is prejudiced in some way be it sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, weight, age etc. Society programs us to favor straight 20-something fair skinned upper-middle-class males.

If not prejudiced or “racist” in some way, this racial witchhunter is at least very hostile with a lot of bitterness toward people who disagree with her. But I would go as far as to say has some kind of hard feelings toward white middle-class males since she reacted in the way she did. Perhaps males in general. She reminds me in so many ways of Chima from Season 11 of Big Brother on CBS.

She accuses me of making assumptions about her but then turns around and makes assumptions about me that I am 1) accusing her individually of being racist and 2) accusing her of thinking all white people are evil for enslaving her ancestors. I said no such thing, I was speaking in a generalization of racism in California and America as I see it.

Next is her comment that I know nothing about “racism”. I went to a predominately hispanic high school where I was discriminated against every single day. Walking down the halls I would be called things like “pinche guero” (fucking whitey) every day. On top of that I am gay, so I know a lot more about being discriminated against than she does. She can at least get married and have children legally.

Next is a personal attack on me. She assumes I am sheltered because I have different opinions than she does. Honestly, I did have a sheltered life, but I’m a pretty cultured person as well. I have traveled a lot, I have friends from all different walks of life, many of them African-American friends. I worked with a friend on an African-American clothing line and I voted for Obama. I was raised to be color blind and I still am. I judge people on ignorance and rudeness, not color or any other factor out of their control.

In the end I was the bigger man and apologized if I offended her. Life is too short to get so upset over something so insignificant. It would have been fruitless to continue the virtual argument because it would have only got me deleted from her Facebook account.

Based on this huge overreaction I would say her “racism” is more due to ignorance than her race. If she blows up on people for disagreeing with her and hates other groups (which she obviously does) then who can blame people for being rude to her?

It is ignorant to call California a racist place; it is more accepting than anywhere else in the United States that I have been. It has more opportunity than anywhere else I have been. But the sad reality is that no matter where you go, not everyone will like you. People will always find something wrong. Such is life, get over it, accept reality, move on and enjoy life for what it is: an awesome adventure.

As an atheist raised in a Judeo-Christian household, I find this topic to be particularly interesting. As someone who watched all of the Dr. Dino videos in church as a kid, I am very familiar with a lot of the far-right “intelligent” design arguments (see http://www.drdino.com/). Without getting too political, I was horrified that so many schools in the bible belt (Southern US) were trying to get “intelligent” design put into schools, presenting religious dogma as science, especially during the presidency of George W. Bush. Creationism is NOT science and has no place in a science classroom; if presented in public schools, it should only be presented in a comparative religions class giving other religions equal emphasis. Creationism and Intelligent Design are not scientific theories because they do not follow the scientific method. They do not analyze data proving or disproving a hypothesis and they are not open to peer review. They must either be accepted or rejected. Intelligent Design is figuratively black or white whereas science has a lot of grey area and is constantly changing and correcting itself. To be objective, Intelligent Design in its most recent manifestation is finally at least making an effort to be loosely scientific. Creationists are now trying to disprove science, citing religious dogma as evidence, instead of using a completely faith-based approach. For instance at http://www.intelligentdesign.org/ they actually say that Intelligent Design has nothing to do with the bible and is common sense regardless of what one’s religious beliefs are. When asked if creationist theory is the same as intelligent design, they reply “No. Intelligent design theory is simply an effort to empirically detect whether the “apparent design” in nature acknowledged by virtually all biologists is genuine design (the product of an intelligent cause) or is simply the product of an undirected process such as natural selection acting on random variations. Creationism is focused on defending a literal reading of the Genesis account, usually including the creation of the earth by the Biblical God a few thousand years ago. Unlike creationism, the scientific theory of intelligent design is agnostic regarding the source of design and has no commitment to defending Genesis, the Bible or any other sacred text. (http://www.intelligentdesign.org/faq.php)” One would have to question the truthfulness of this statement however, noting that “god”, “bible” and various pronouns for “god” are capitalized, implying that his site has a Judeo-Christian affiliation. Regardless, it is downright untrue for this website to call Intelligent Design a scientific theory.

A very interesting article validating my opinions is http://is.gd/2pBMP (link has been shortened), which was written by Glenn Branch, the deputy director of the National Center for Science Education. His ultimate conclusion is “Creationism is not just a legal failure. It is a scientific failure as well. Scan the scientific research literature: There are no signs that anyone is using creationism, whether as creation science or its newfangled form of intelligent design, to explain the natural world. In contrast, not a year passes without the appearance of thousands of scientific publications that apply, refine, and extend evolution (http://is.gd/2pBMP). “ Ultimately, thank your deity of choice that we have a supreme court that enforces the separation of church and state clause in our constitution. Otherwise the American education system would be even more flawed. Hopefully during his presidency, President Obama will make a difference in the science education throughout the US, especially in the Southern states, enforcing our laws requiring educators to acknowledge only evolution in the classroom.

I seem to have greatly underestimated the state of the current job market. I always heard of people being on unemployment but never thought I would be one of them. I’m glad it is a social service that is available, but even though it’s only been two weeks I feel like there is a ticking clock counting down the time until it runs out.

I have been using various job websites, particularly Craigslist and have been applying for jobs like crazy but so far out of 300 to 500 positions that I have e-mailed about, I have only heard back from three places. I’m certainly qualified for my age with more work experience than almost anyone I know but there are still so few bites out there.

I saw one position on Craigslist where a guy wanting a personal assistant in Coronado required someone with a degree to fix his coffee, clean his house and run his errands for him. The position only paid $10 an hour. At first I scoffed at that, but in this market I bet there are a lot of people out-of-work who would work for that.

I’m just thankful that I still live at home with a Mother who still has a very good and stable job working in healthcare.

The cliche is that there are so many part time jobs out there for college students to kick back and have fun while going to school – but the reality in today’s market is that most of these jobs are even being taken up by adults with much more qualifications.

I got comfortable at my last job making $15 an hour with benefits but it is seeming more and more like it may be wishful thinking to expect to find another job like that. Even my last job started cutting benefits and promoting people up who made far less money to do the job I was doing, getting rid of the people who made what I did.

A lot of the “experts” are saying our market has started to improve or has at least stopped declining, but I’m having trouble seeing it. Hopefully it starts improving rather than just stabilizing.

I’m a very resourceful person who would do just about any job if I had to, but I would much rather have a comfortable office job than be working at McDonalds or something.

I wish I could be one of those people in my situation just kicking back on unemployment vacation for the summer and enjoying it, but that’s not realistic. I hate not working, sitting around at home is totally lame despite how cool it looks to a lot of people.

Hopefully I find something soon. Is anyone else in a similar situation? Or has anyone found a new job with relative ease around San Diego? Am I asking for too much money or will some good company discover me soon?

A REDNECK LOVE POEM

SUSIE LEE DONE FELL IN LOVE,
SHE PLANNED TO MARRY JOE.
SHE WAS SO HAPPY ‘BOUT IT ALL,
SHE TOLD HER PAPPY SO.

PAPPY TOLD HER, SUSIE GAL,
YOU’LL HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER.
I’D JUST AS SOON YO’ MA DON’T KNOW,
BUT JOE IS YO’ HALF BROTHER.

SO SUSIE PUT ASIDE HER JOE
AND PLANNED TO MARRY WILL.
BUT AFTER TELLING PAPPY THIS,
HE SAID, ‘THERE’S TROUBLE STILL.’

YOU CAN’T MARRY WILL, MY GAL,
AND PLEASE DON’T TELL YO’ MOTHER.
BUT WILL AND JOE, AND SEVERAL MO’
I KNOW IS YO’ HALF BROTHER.

BUT MAMA KNEW AND SAID, MY CHILD,
JUST DO WHAT MAKES YO’ HAPPY.
MARRY WILL OR MARRY JOE;
YOU AIN’T NO KIN TO PAPPY.

Another interesting economic blog I found looking around. Our economy really is looking dire these days. This one is short and sweet, but what do you think about it?

I agree with the Social Darwinism/Self Regulating economy idea. Let the American auto industry fail. Toyota is better anyway. Perhaps Toyota will buy up the old GM/Chrysler assets and continue doing a better job. Toyota is already better for the American economy than the big 4 have been since the 1950s.

Our government needs to stop bailing everyone out. This is not Sweden – the US is too big to be a “nanny” State. I voted for Obama and I’m generally pleased with what he did, but I agree with the vast majority of economists (including the Nobel Laureates) – more spending is not going to help our budget deficit.

Cafferty File: Tell Jack how you really feel Blog Archive – What if GM or Chrysler go bankrupt? « – Blogs from CNN.com.

Interesting article about politics in the United States (and Internationally) during our current economic crisis.

Obama at G-20 summit: Popular president, unpopular plan – Los Angeles Times.

This made me laugh – I got it in one of those chain e-mails – it goes along with my favorite American saying – “If you want it, buy it; if you can’t afford it, charge it”.

Heidi is the proprietor of a bar in Detroit. In order to increase sales, she
decides to allow her loyal customers – most of whom are unemployed
alcoholics – to drink now but pay later. She keeps track of the drinks
consumed on a ledger (thereby granting the customers loans).

Word gets around about Heidi’s drink now pay later marketing strategy
and as a result, increasing numbers of customers flood into Heidi’s bar
and soon she has the largest sale volume for any bar in Detroit.

By providing her customers’ freedom from immediate payment demands,
Heidi gets no resistance when she substantially increases her prices for
wine and beer, the most consumed beverages. Her sales volume increases
massively.

A young and dynamic vice-president at the local bank recognizes these
customer debts as valuable future assets and increases Heidi’s borrowing
limit.

He sees no reason for undue concern since he has the debts of the
alcoholics as collateral. At the bank’s corporate headquarters, expert
traders transform these customer loans into DRINKBONDS, ALKIBONDS
and PUKEBONDS.

These securities are then traded on security markets
worldwide. Naive investors don’t really understand the securities being sold
to them as AAA secured bonds are really the debts of unemployed alcoholics.

Nevertheless, their prices continuously climb, and the securities become
the top-selling items for some of the nation’s leading brokerage houses.

One day, although the bond prices are still climbing, a risk manager at the
bank (subsequently fired due his negativity), decides that the time has come
to demand payment on the debts incurred by the drinkers at Heidi’s bar.

Heidi demands payment from her alcoholic patrons, but being unemployed
they cannot pay back their drinking debts. Therefore, Heidi cannot
fulfill her loan obligations and claims bankruptcy.

DRINKBOND and ALKIBOND drop in price by 90 %. PUKEBOND performs
better, stabilizing in price after dropping by 80 %. The decreased bond
asset value destroys the banks liquidity and prevents it from issuing new loans.

The suppliers of Heidi’s bar, having granted her generous payment extensions
and having invested in the securities are faced with writing off her debt
and losing over 80% on her bonds. Her wine supplier claims bankruptcy, her beer
supplier is taken over by a competitor, who immediately closes the local
plant and lays off 50 workers.

The bank and brokerage houses are saved by the Government following
dramatic round-the-clock negotiations by leaders from both political
parties.

The funds required for this bailout are obtained by a tax levied on employed
middle-class non-drinkers.