The Two Way Mirror - [Please visit my website, www.Soulbeliefs.com]

Yes, I'm alive...

2011-06-24T17:00:00.000-07:00

It's been over 6 months since I was here. When I got back from Asia I was thrust into the middle of school. For photos from the trip, visit my website. I plan to have a few things from China and also the trip I made to California a few weeks ago, on here as soon as possible.
For now, it's most important that I organize my room. Ha.

To the Land of the East

2011-01-04T03:44:00.000-08:00

I depart for China today. I am so excited to visit such a long-existing people. I have many Chinese friends here at WKU, so it's especially exciting for me to see the land where they live. I am going to see a lot of China, and when I come back from my tour, I will post some scenic pictures! I hope to be educated about the people of China and their beautiful, ancient land. Maybe I can educate them some, too, if they need it! :) After all...everything is made in China.
I'm enthralled! I haven't slept any because I want to be able to try to get on the Chinese schedule, which is over half a day ahead of us in Kentucky. Many people have recommended I take melatonin, the sleep hormone we all have in our bodies--at a certain time, so that it will be easier for me to get on schedule. I think I will. And now that I'm done struggling with my mammoth suitcase (I weighed it on the scale, looks like 50 pounds for three weeks. Not bad. I've had that heavy of a suitcase on one and two week trips that weren't nearly as far away) and re-arranging my backpack and purse to adjust for all these Travel Security Agency guidelines. (Apparently they think peanut butter is a threat, so I had to put that in my suitcase. I had to put a lot of silly things in my suitcase that ought to be carry-on items.)

But, I'm old enough to remember Sept. 11, 2001 vividly, so I guess I understand the point of all this. Still, I wonder, if the terrorists want to do us Americans in so bad, will all these checkpoints continue to stop them? Hopefully for a while. Well, let's see. Looking back, we had the first white Christmas in 17 years. It was gorgeous. We had some six to seven inches of snow. (I measured it.)
Right now I'm doing the mundane task of sending stuff from my ipod back to my computer so I can update without losing stuff I've bought. it takes forever. ever.
Well, I head for Nashville at 7:45 a.m. today. Hope there aren't any mishaps. I sure will miss my family, my kitties, my room, my friends and my laptop. But, I'm taking my new T2i with me and will guard it closely.
Whoa...I hear a garbage truck...or is that a school bus?? Either way, that means I've been going wayyy too long. I'll probably crank out when I have to take off my jewelry or open my bags. Eh, we will see how the TSA stuff goes. I'll report back with the good, the bad, and the ugly, in three weeks...on the second day of school. haha. Better late than never.

I got kicked out of Red Zone recently.

2010-11-14T22:24:00.001-08:00

So please, check out my commentary by picking up a Herald, or check out this link!

http://wkuherald.com/opinion/article_4068d086-f065-11df-a442-00127992bc8b.html

Have a great week!

What about the future?

2010-11-09T20:59:00.000-08:00

Why are we worried so much about future? Do you think the future can be controlled? Is the future even guaranteed? These are questions that I have, with no answers. Can you give me the answer?

Matthew 6:27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6.

Is it possible to age a thousand years in one night?

2010-10-14T15:34:00.000-07:00

Photo by Jake Danna Stevens

Is it possible to age a thousand years in one night? I feel as though I have. I've learned so much about love, religion, instinct and life in the past day. All these things are intertwined, whether I like it or not. I feel serious, yet like laughing. I feel angry, yet I feel like crying. I suppose it's all the stress of being a college student. There are some things you just can't talk about--at least not online where the world can see. But let me tell you, I feel wise beyond my years, yet I still know I have so much to learn.

My passport came in the mail last week when I got back from Mammoth Cave and the fall break trip. That's exciting. One step closer to visiting the great country of China.
I'm still car shopping, I've been without a car for a week now. It makes me realize how fortunate I've been to have a car for so long. I really hope I can sell my car and use that money toward a used one. Interestingly enough, craigslist seems to be a good resource except for the fact you REALLY need to be savvy when it comes to people trying to scam you. Two or three people have tried so far.
Ridiculous.

I hope you've been checking out my website! It's still in production, but there's enough up to enjoy! Visit my website right now!

Please visit my website!!!

2010-09-25T02:00:00.001-07:00

My website!!! Soulbeliefs.com

"Confederate flag is a racist symbol"

2010-08-16T12:25:00.001-07:00

Here you can view my response to Mr. James' Letter to the Editor.

http://bgdailynews.com/articles/2010/08/13/opinion/letters/letter2.txt

Time is filled with swift transition.

2010-07-12T10:45:00.000-07:00

Now that it's summer and I'm done with college algebra and anatomy and physiology 1 summer terms, I will have a lot more free time. I still have one class and lab, anatomy and physiology 2, but I can already tell that it's not going to practically kill me like this one did. I'm just trying to get some prereqs for physical therapy school out of the way and move on in the biology major enough so that I'll graduate before or during spring 2012 (instead of spring 2011). It seems doable.

Independence Day was amazing! We took Gabe to kamp and then watched the fireworks in Nashville. I really liked the smiley face ones. While we were there, it was insane. Every restaurant had like an hour wait and we didn't want to eat on the street. We stood in line at McFadden's for an hour--then they had the courtesy to inform us that they were out of all their food just then except for steak and salad.
I turned 21 the next day, 7 days past. I didn't do anything crazy at all. I had made some plans but then I somewhat changed my mind about what I was going to do. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures at my birthday lunch at Panera, but let's just say this. David Yon gave me nunchucks for my birthday. HAHA! He gave me other stuff too, like a Korean phrasebook, a movie and a beautiful Asian journal. Alana Thomas, my dear friend, made me a necklace with an elephant (I love elephants) and she also made me a necklace with a miniature mirror. Sherri Laird and Shayna Peters were there too. Bryant Lipp couldn't come because he had to take his lunch break earlier. I didn't really tell anyone else about it because some of my friends (like Niki Burkeen, who got engaged on vacation, and Katy Cardwell, who can't drive) couldn't make it and other ones have fallen out of touch, and then if I invited everyone then it'd just be a little too much. I wanted something low key, and I got it. My parents also got me a photo album (big and purple) and The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, just like I asked.
That night was especially fun, at Red Lobster. Needless to say I ate and drank to my fill! Haha!
On a side note, I found out what I seem to have is irritable bowel syndrome, from stress. My stomach has been producing too much acid. Now that they told me which over the counter meds to take to prevent it from making me sick randomly, I feel great! My little Nissan Sentra (aka Shadowfax) has also been having trouble but I think I've got everything done I could get done and fixed. (The big break down was when I was on my way with Mama to pick up my Taiwanese friend Crystal Wu from Nashville International Airport. Thankfully Sara Harper saved us at my calling and took us to the airport where we met Crystal, who's flight had been delayed an hour anyway. Dad and Gabe then came and got us, my car got fixed and I got it the next day. More stuff has been fixed on it too, like the stupid windshield wiper transmission today! ha)
Now that things are much more low key for me, I have several plans, which I've put in capital letters.
WORK OUT EVERY DAY. MAYBE EVEN TWICE A DAY? (Hmmm)
LIMIT SWEETS SO I CAN LOSE THE POUNDS I'VE GAINED.
CLEAN MY ROOM.
REARRANGE MY WALLS, ORGANIZE NEW PICTURES AND GET THEM FROM WAL MART.
FINISH T-SHIRT BLANKET.
FINISH READING NEW BOOKS. (a large task)
FINISH MY BOOK.
LOOK FOR NEW STORIES FOR MY STUDENT JOURNALISM FREELANCING.

Meanwhile I'll be studying for class, going to church, trying to live an even better life and keeping an eye out for my true love. Ha.
Whew. It felt to get that all down on...paper?

Tabitha Waggoner: Bahamas review + it's almost May and this is what I have to say

2010-04-21T14:41:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm shipping them in and shipping them out, that's for sure. Valentine's Day was good--that whole weekend was good, and the days after that. But sometimes you find that people are not what they seem. You just have to take the good memories and go.

Last week was Delta Sigma Theta's week, it was pretty fun. I met a lot of people officially and a lot of new people. I also had a couple of issues with once again learning that people are not what they seem, and it's good to go with your gut instinct when it comes to guys. I'm disappointed, but I'll think about what good times I've had--such as the fun I had during Delta week and at the pillow talk and black and white party (even at the Alpha Phi Alpha showbate, despite well...never mind) and the week before at the AKA Phresh Pham 80s party and the Kappa Alpha Psi afterparty. I must think on the good. I'm concentrating on getting school stuff done and this semester rapped up. I took the wrong batch of memorization classes this semester, and Spanish is the class that is suffering. It will be interesting to see how that final grade works out. Here are some photos I took or had taken while I was in the Bahamas for Spring Break toward the beginning of March.

This is the ocean at Grand Bahama Island--Freeport.

This is what our ship looked like before it left Port Canaveral--and actually, it looked like this all of the time.

Far above is a photo of the oil refineries and cycad trees in the Bahamas. The old taxi cab driver told me they get none of that oil money. Then there is me and Sarah enjoying our fresh drinks, which were made by the man chipping away at the coconut. oh, and this is me in the ocean.

Megan Wright, me, Sarah Richardson. And here is Sarah and some things she discovered in the sea.

Further above is me relaxing on the beach in a wrap that I bought from a salesman on the beach. haha. THese are a little out of order just now. Here is Megan and Sarah exploring our funcruise. We went on a Carnival Cruise ship. I will definitely do that again!

We learned they drive on the other side of the road in the Bahamas. They said it was the British influence on their nation, even though they have been free 36 years.

Taxi cab drivers are a necessity for foreigners in the Bahamas. Believe me, you don't want to drive here.
People drive very different in the Bahamas from how they drive in the States. It would be a nerve-wracking experience for a polite American driver to drive in the Bahamas. I don't recommend it at all.

The Bahama Sky.

This is me preparing for the formal dinner!

Chamber of Commerce in Nissau, the capital city of the Bahamas.

These are pictures I took thanks to our new taxi cab driver, Jefferey, who took us to amazing Atlantis.

The rotunda of the resort was beautiful. Here we are with Megan's dad.

These are pictures in the rotunda...obviously, the myth or legend of Atlantis.

Celebration was on the ship nearly every night. We lived a life of gourmet and all you can eat food, along with hot tubs, karaoke, swimming pools and plenty of fresh air and sweets.We made friends with different families at our table, such as the Israels, Juan and his wife, and Phillip and Kelli.

Mr. Wright was always annoying his daughter for fun. :)

I miss being at sea. I miss the sunshine and fun of the Bahamas. But, there's no place like home. I plan to return to the Caribbean within the year. I hope I keep that plan.

We were tired on the way back home. Sarah here gives you a feeling of what we feel like in college sometimes. Or at least what we feel like doing in the mornings. :)

But, before we know it, it will be time to vacation and relax again. In the meantime I must work hard for the Learning Center, for my classes, for myself, my friends, family, God, church (the real church, not hypocrites that I have been running into) and for the Herald. But not necessarily in that order.

Chao.

Bahamas!

2010-03-06T00:08:00.000-08:00

I am leaving for Port Canaveral later today and tomorrow me, Sarah Richardson and Megan Wright (and her pop) will leave on the Carnival Sensation cruise to the BAHAMAS!

Parking and transportation = control freaks.

2010-03-02T15:49:00.000-08:00

I would make a short list, but this is the internet. So, suffice it to say that I told PTS after they sent me a pdf saying they refused to overturn my 50 buck ticket, "I love how you all just do what you want," and I actually got a response.
Maybe this sentence made them think I was rather mean because I am sick of PTS and their Nazi mentality. Closing down parts of the lots without notice and ticketing people supposedly parked in yellow zones when there is 8 inches of snow (ME, thus my 'rudeness') is unacceptable. Was I wrong to simply send back this sentence? Perhaps.
I got a smart response from someone who claimed that the appeals board does not do what PTS wants. They told me they and someone else looked into my matter and decided that indeed the curb was not visible enough. Then they said smartly that niceness pays off, and in this case i wasn't nice. (But they went overturned the citation--so in this case, is my supposed 'meanness' paying off?)
In any case, I've never been able to tolerate being told what to do by those who don't really understand what they're doing, or rip people off frequently. Oh well. Was I mean? Maybe. The sentence, "I love how you all just do what you want," is just the way it is. Sometimes someone has to say something.

Western Kentucky University student missing after Haiti earthquakes, by Tabitha Waggoner

2010-01-14T11:59:00.000-08:00

by Tabitha Waggoner

A Western student and her family are missing after the massive earthquakes that have rocked Haiti and Port-au-Prince.
Please pray for Sophie and her family and check out this link for more information. My friend DeShaye Batts told me about her missing friend.

Missing Western Student

Breaking news story on Martha "Bettina" Richmond's murder by Tabitha Waggoner

2009-12-07T16:40:00.000-08:00

http://www.wkuherald.com/2009/12/07/police-release-more-information-about-murder/

The above was submitted by the Bowling Green Police. Public information officer Barry Pruitt sent it to me in an email.
Despite having a 2 hour biology lab final today, I managed to get a lot done before then. I had to skip the final chorus class though. They didn't do anything but evals apparently, so I guess it's okay. I hate skipping classes for the Herald. I wrote this story in Geog 110. Not that big of a loss there, either, but again I hate to do things like that--but it had to be done otherwise I wouldn't of gotten the print story for tomorrow done early with all the sources I needed (thank you WKU police and Barry Pruitt!) and the crime reports wouldn't of gotten done on time (thank you Cpt. Wallace!) Anddd I wouldn't of been able to get the extra biology studying in with Bryant Lipp at the Newman Center. Plus, if I hadn't skipped worked on the online story in class (plus stepping out twice) and left lunch at Garret Subway early and skipped chorus--I probably would have been late to my final.
That's right.
An ends to justify the means? All in a day's work. Whew.
Get this...regional geography (GEOG 110) has a regular test on Friday, and a cumulative final on Monday. Isn't that nice? Prof. Daniel Reader won't budge, either. Oh well, at least I got to write an op-ed on the back of the teacher evaluation a few weeks ago. (He has long toenails and wears flip flops, is late to class consistently because he smokes outside, doesn't return emails, rarely tests off of lecture, and doesn't make his own quizzes...yup. Need I say more?)
In any case---after all this is over with I'd like to see New Moon again. I also hope the A phi As really give back our money because of the cheese & wine fiasco. (Even though we still had a great time.) I also hope that I get to see Sun-Ok and Kwanghun Jang at the Learning Center tomorrow.:)

I have three more tests (Wed, Thurs, Fri) and a JOUR 302 Intermediate reporting portfolio due on Friday. Sweet mercy. I also must finish my big Samuel Clemens/Mark Twain research paper for JOUR 421 by a week from tomorrow. But first things first--tomorrow night I MUST go to the BIOL 120 study session and work on studying Biol. But right now I must work on my JOUR 302 rewrites for the portfolio.
Ta ta.

It's just what I think. Tabitha Waggoner- Daily News Letters to the Editor

2009-11-11T13:52:00.000-08:00

Kary went overboard in Fox News comments
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 11:18 AM CST
Bowling Green Daily News Opinion--Letter to the Editor

It is hard for me to believe how selfish or arrogant a person must be to complain about what network news channel is playing in the doctor’s office or at a restaurant.

This is the equivalent of me complaining about the optometrist always playing “General Hospital” reruns or “Oprah.”

You see, there are four different solutions to Jody Kary’s problem (“Too many local businesses show Fox News, Oct. 28.) One, bring a pro-Obama book to the doctor’s office and don’t just rely on television as your source of entertainment.

Two, ask if you can change the station - or just change the station without asking. (What a novel idea!) Three, don’t judge your health care provider by the station it plays. Four, take your brains and your business elsewhere, get a new doctor who plays MSNBC 24/7 and quit whining.
Face the facts, Mrs. Kary, Fox News has the highest ratings of any network news provider. “I’m just glad I have a brain and think for myself or I’d be watching Fox News right now, as much as I’ve had it shoved down my throat recently.”
What is it going to be next, Mrs. Kary? If you’re visiting a friend who has the news on, and that friend, God forbid, “forces” you to watch Fox News, I wonder what you’re going to do. I’m glad that I have the brains to watch any network news channel I choose, (I watch CNN, Fox News and MSNBC) and not have my day completely ruined.

When something distasteful comes on in my living room or the doctor’s office, I either change the channel or turn my head.
And the right to read the National Geographic in the waiting room or at Wendy’s is mine.

Tabitha Waggoner

Bowling Green
http://www.bgdailynews.com/articles/2009/11/03/opinion/letters/letter1.txt

Then came my response to Kary's response which can be read at bgdailynews.com.

Letter writer missed point in her reaction

Saturday, November 7, 2009 11:44 PM CST

Jody Kary should realize I respect her opinion that FOX News is right-winged, but I find it arrogant and selfish for her to insinuate all local businesses should quit showing the news channel they choose - FOX News Channel particularly. (“Too Many Local Businesses Show FOX News,” Oct. 28.)

I expressed distaste in the attitude which she exhibited: arrogance in stating that she has brains and those who choose to watch FOX don’t. (“Kary Went Overboard in FOX News Comments,” Nov. 3.)
What about those parents who choose for their kids to watch FOX News only? Or the parents who “freaked” about children singing songs about President Obama? Are they brainless? Are their concerns or opinions any less than hers?

Mrs. Kary seems more concerned with right-wing agendas in her original letter than anything else. I wonder if she’s insinuating that children should be sheltered from the news of the day. If news comes on in a business that parents find distasteful, they can have it turned off. After all, “the customer is always right.”
Parents can’t hide big stories forever. Some didn’t want their kids to see 9/11 footage, yet that was an extremely defining moment for those of us seventh-graders who watched it all unfold. Often kids these days unfortunately aren’t as scandalized by “governors and their hookers” as you might think. Sure, my generation and those after us shouldn’t have to hear about it; the fact remains that anyone who is an American has the right to know what’s going on behind the scenes. This is what’s going on.
I’ve grown up in a generation where President Clinton’s bedroom life was no secret - a world somewhere between Tiananmen Square and Abu Ghraib. Those types of stories helped shape who I am today.

Tabitha Waggoner

Bowling Green

http://bgdailynews.com/articles/2009/11/08/opinion/letters/lett2.txt

Dancing in the Rain

2009-10-01T20:17:00.000-07:00

Life. We barely take it in sometimes. We run around, we count calories, we put up umbrellas instead of enjoying the purity of the rain...maybe it's time to take a step back or a step forward...take a risk or two...say yes one more time.

The Bowling Green International Festival is something that I look forward to each year. This year I was afraid it would be rained out, but thankfully just about the whole time I was there (basically all afternoon) it was humid and sunny. Only when I was ready to leave did it begin to rain. I kind of wish they still did the fair in Fountain Square Park, but I suppose they feel a need to use Circus Square Park--and it's another way to force people to walk further, burn calories, and maybe even slip in the mud a few times. (Well, maybe the latter only applied on Saturday. Thankfully I didn't particpate in any kind of slip n slide.) Here are a FEW pictures.

well...

2009-06-15T12:57:00.000-07:00

I bought some Nike sneakers, Air and Zoom, at the factory store in Lebanon, Tenn. on Memorial Day. Well, Dad bought one pair, technically. Got a job at Forever 21. Ironically, Charlotte Russe offered me a sales associate position two days later. Oh well. Ha. I'm going to have an official schedule beginning next week. I'm thinking I won't normally work less than 15 hours or more than 25 or 30 because of the unpaid internship, yada yada. I got a scholarship again, it should help pay for books. I think I'm going to feel rich this summer and fall. I got my Herald check the other day. Yeha. I don't know what to tell you about the guys (or guy, or lack thereof, or the one who I like...blah). That's all I'm going to say. I'm open to anything for fun over the summer. That's all, I guess. Oh yeah, I saw Star Trek. No movie is perfect, but I was impressed...I'd go see it again, actually.

Well, I'm back.

2009-05-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

I'm staying busy these days at the Bluegrass Institute. Check out http://www.bipps.org . I help them build their wiki pages on http://www.freedomkentucky.org and do research. Looks like I also have an op-ed coming up.

I am on a rice diet now. I start to hit it hard next week, decided it would be good to start out with one meal of rice a day plus one regular meal and a sensible breakfast. Next week I'm going to do two meals of rice a day. I decided it was logical to still eat lowfat ice cream. I exercise 6 days out of the week, either jogging, walking, weights (8 lb dumbells) concentrating on all aspects of my body, and the 'bikini workout' that is on the fitness mag site. Really my goal is to lose the extra gut I've gained through high school. My legs and everything else seem to be ok, haha...ok no comment. I bought some Nike sneakers, Air and Zoom, at the factory store in Lebanon, Tenn. on Memorial Day. Well, Dad bought one pair, technically.

Got a job at Forever 21. Ironically, Charlotte Russe offered me a sales associate position two days later. Oh well. Ha.
I'm going to have an official schedule beginning next week. I'm thinking I won't normally work less than 15 hours or more than 25 or 30 because of the unpaid internship, yada yada.
I got a scholarship again, it should help pay for books. I think I'm going to feel rich this summer and fall. I got my Herald check the other day. Yeha.

I don't know what to tell you about the guys (or guy, or lack thereof, or the one who I like...blah). That's all I'm going to say. I'm open to anything for fun over the summer. That's all, I guess.

Surviving: Our Nation’s first 100 days with President Obama

2009-05-05T22:53:00.000-07:00

DISCLAIMER: This is no way a slam on the President specifically, or his party. I am simply dissecting, if you will, some of his actions over the past 100 days.

I was not completely sure what to expect with President Barack Obama. I knew what he said he was going to do, but I didn’t know if he really would do what he said.
I expected him to try to fix the economy, close down Guantanamo Bay, change abortion regulations to a pro-life standing, and raise taxes on the rich. I did not know just how he would to this or if he would do it all.
I really hoped Obama would leave Guantanamo Bay alone, but on January 22 he ordered the shutdown of the prison within a year.
The very next day he lifted bans on federal funding for international organizations which provide abortions, which disappointed me even more. Although I knew the President would most likely decide that taxpayer money should be used for such a thing, I still had hopes he would leave it alone and remain neutral. But, it was only a wish.
Obama also had difficulty time and time again with who he wanted in his cabinet.
Even now, I can’t help but wonder at his choices (Timothy Geithner). Obama begged Congress to sign his stimulus package. Here he encountered much controversy and difficulty, and succeeded, in one way or another: they passed it.
I realize it was an urgent matter but I am still not sure how I feel about billions of dollars being thrown around and spent on the most random things.
I don’t understand why he just didn’t spend the same amount of money and send it all back to the American people, instead of worrying about bailing everyone out.

$787 billion dollars is a lot of money. However, he has created a few tax cuts that may benefit some of us. Unfortunately, Obama also (unwisely) signed a $3.6 trillion federal budget for 2010 and now the deficit will probably swell to $1.75 trillion. That’s a lot of money. I don’t see how we can cut the deficit at this rate.
Obama lived up to his promise of setting a timetable to get out of Iraq.

I’m afraid the terrorists will just settle down until we leave and then a huge civil war will start. But our President has been successful at keeping his word on a timetable although he is (wisely) not as militant as he once was about getting out of Iraq as soon as possible.
Obama also reversed the stem cell research bill that President Bush put into place. I am not completely sure how I feel about this, either.
It that he is almost hitting conservatives and moderates a little too hard over the head with everything. So much for bipartisanship; he promised that but I haven’t seen significant bipartisanship at all. At the same time I suppose Obama is satisfying the wants of his own party, which may or may not turn out to be a wise political move.
Pork barreling still isn’t over until the end of this year, according to Obama.

The President signed that $410 billion ‘imperfect’ federal spending bill. Couldn’t the President find a different way to spend money? I also have mixed feelings about Obama jumping into the American Investment Group and GM’s business.
Some might say that when it becomes a matter of tax money it is the President’s business, but perhaps it should never have become an issue of taxpayer dollars. One thing will lead to another. Government is putting their nose into every American’s business, literally. This could turn into a disaster for our nation. At the same time, my own father has had more money in his pocket as a mortgage broker and therefore I have had more money in my pocket, thanks to the Obama administration making things easier on homeowners. After a terrible last year, my father comes home a lot happier, things are looking up again in the banking business. But we realize it could be fleeting.

I also wonder at Obama’s choices and wonder if he knows just what he is getting into with the drug war
along the Mexican border and by shaking the evil Hugo Chavez of Venezuela’s hand just a couple of weeks ago. Oddly enough Obama also refused to call the early 20th century killings of 1.5 Armenians in Turkey a genocide, breaking that campaign promise as well.

The President has succeeded in mending relations over in Europe. However, he did so at the cost of lowering his own people’s status by calling them ignorant. I am afraid this is an incorrect approach, but time will tell.
Therefore, with all President Obama has done, I give him a C –, because at least he seems to be trying, although with many wrong methods. The nation has survived and been rejuvenated in part because of Obama, though they are beginning to show some disillusionment. The honeymoon is over. Hopefully the next 100 days will be better.
http://www.stargazette.com/article/20090428/NEWS01/904280402/0/news01&theme=SWINE

The End is Near. (AIG and yOur Money)

2009-03-20T14:59:00.000-07:00

Question: Another bank bailout question? Well, considering that you will be telling your grandkids about how you went to college during the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, why not? In the article on the first page of the Business section "The Case for Bonuses at A.I.G." the author suggests that not only should A.I.G. be able to pay out the bonuses, but that it will be for the good of the taxpayers. However on page A1, in "The White House Seeks to Block Bonuses at A.I.G." the article discusses how the Obama Administration says that the bonuses are an "outrage" and should be stopped. Writing at least 100 words, please discuss your philosophy towards this dichotomy. In essence, should the Obama Administration be able to determine employee compensation of a company that is 80% owned by the taxpayers? Is taxpayer "outrage" enough for the government to interfere with legal employment contracts? Don't forget to consider all the ramifications of this political action.

response:

Well, not really. Let's face it. We've already dug ourselves who knows how many trillions of dollars into a hole. I kind of doubt that the almost $200 million that may or not be lost is going to make that much of a difference in our lives.
Look at it this way. Let's say there's a family of five, and they are about to lose their home because they are behind on their payments by about 3 months. Let's just say a couple of wealthier families (or even not so wealthy) pitch in and give them a total of $4000, enough to pay for the months missed, and even two or three months ahead. What if this family pays themselves ahead only one month, and spends part of the other remaining half of the money on their eldest child's college fund and the other part on actually fixing the house up so they can turn around and resell it in a year or two.
Some of the families are outraged.
How dare this family spend the money in such a fashion! This is not what they were "supposed" to spend the money on. But indeed, once a gift is given it is up to the receiver what to do with it. They should not be expected to give back the remaining portion just because they were not going to use it in its "intended fashion."
In fact, the way that family is spending the money is how they would normally spend their own paychecks. They had promised their eldest they would pay for the first two years of college completely, and college is coming up sooner than expected.
Is it wrong for the family to use the money this way? You decide.
The AIG folks were promised this amount of money. Apparently our government gave AIG our money without strings attached. Now they, the government (and we) are suddenly outraged that AIG is using the money to pay bonuses to the people who supposedly were a leading factor in the demise of our economy. The fact remains is they were promised, within a contract, certain bonuses. If they do not receive those bonuses some of them could indeed leave AIG and go to another company. That leaves the US of A in an interesting predicament.
If you didn't receive your pay raise because the money keeping the company alive was donated with the (unspecified) intentions of saving the company's investments, wouldn't you consider yourself an investment?
We are going to have to grim and bear it. Perhaps these people will use their bonuses in a way that will benefit everyone. And maybe not.
This is just a lesson learned for the government, specifically the Obama administration, not to throw the nation's money around so carelessly, especially with those who have not been careful with it in the very recent days gone by.

Taxes, Obama and the Cabinet.

2009-03-20T14:58:00.000-07:00

Three of President Obama's cabinet nominees have been plagued by tax problems. And by tax problems, I mean not paying them. What do you think of this? Should this disqualify them from serving in a cabinet post?

Perhaps Obama doesn't understand how far gone those in his party and in politics in general have gone. Maybe he doesn't know his own friends as well as he would like. The truth is we all have a skeleton in our closet, but that doesn't mean we should be excused. Just because many politicians before him have cheated US, the PEOPLE, by not paying their taxes doesn't mean we need to expect more of the same.
Obama is supposed to bring 'change' or that is what he said he was going to bring. I don't know about you, but $130,000 is about three years worth of income to my family. People in Washington and any politician needs to get real. Middle class America doesn't want to put up with this crap. I want to support Obama as much as I can, but for the love of God, if he can't pick out people who are honest--ok, so maybe they made a mistake--(sure) careful with their money...why should I feel that the economy is going to be saved?
Why should I even pay my taxes when they don't even amount to anything close to 100 grand? I could argue that certain taxes are used in ways that go against my beliefs. But do I pay taxes? Every day. Does my family pay taxes? With pain.
If the liberal strategy is to tax the people more so they will have more benefits, then the big dogs up in the Cabinet should certainly pay their taxes.
If they can't find someone decent in Washington to do a job and to pay taxes, then maybe there's a deeper problem. Perhaps it's time for some kind of reform.
Three people--all big names--don't pay their taxes or "miss" large sums. Other nations will make a mockery of this. The American people despise this. Whether you are an Obamaite or someone who is just having to go with the flow, don't be blind. The proverb that says 'evil company corrupts good morals' can definitely be applied here.
Sure, they didn't shoot anyone in the face, as one of our classmates has pointed out--but they've shot the working people, the American people in the back. And that is many times a worse thing.
So no, anyone who doesn't pay taxes shouldn't be in a position of power. If you can't rule your own house well, how can you be expected to help run the most powerful government (or what once was) on Earth?
Sweet mercy.

the President

2009-03-20T14:57:00.000-07:00

the President

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 2:10pm

Many people who did not support or vote for Obama in this past election are moaning and groaning and agonizing, 'what is going to happen to us?'
Come on, folks. Let's give him a chance. I for one know that I will disagree with some of his policies, but I am willing to pray for him and keep my fingers crossed for him. We NEED him to do a good job.
Everything happens for a reason. Evangelicals need not worry. President Obama is not going to turn everyone out of their churches or eliminate free speech. The end is probably not as near as certain people are making it out to be.
I'll support President Barack Obama as a leader, and I'll agree with him where I can. I'll disagree with him where I need to. But you're not going to see me rolling around in despair, thinking that the end of America has come.

A friendly reminder

2008-11-30T19:14:00.000-08:00

Laughter keeps us alive. It has been given to us by God. Like many of His gifts, we take it for granted. Try to find something worth smiling over in everything you do, no matter how mundane it may seem.

I've never used blogger before, but I've had an account with which I've commented on other people's blogs for a year. I figured it was time for a new name, eh?