Bark, Growl, and Think

Grey's Anatomy season finale

2010-05-25T06:55:00.000-07:00

First, yes, I'm a guy and I watch Grey's. I also watch CSI and Fringe at the same 8 pm (CST) thursday nite time slot. That and another male co-worker of mine (same age) watches it so other guys watch it as well.

Alright, I did catch up with the 2 hour Grey's Anatomy season finale over the weekend. Interesting ending, but certainly not what I was expecting after watching all the ABC previews (commercials) and hearing comments about the Grey's finale.

First of all, there were only 2 possibilities for shooters anyway (other than a terrorist). The first and most likely was the guy who actually did the shooting. The other possibility (although a long shot dark horse) was Dr. Hunt, largely because of his PTSD history, but he was a medic in the military, not a fighter.

In terms of who was actually killed off the show, it appears Grey's wanted to eliminate a couple of the residents they added during the merger because the cast had gotten too large. Shepard was shot (he was the target of the most likely shooter) but he had too survive. Hunt was shot but he also survived. Alex was shot but he also survived. So of the major cast, no one was killed off. To be honest, I actually expected Chief Weber to be the one who was killed off (he's largely outlived his major role on the show. Also, it would have been a fitting way for Chief Weber to go, and would have been a major character death (George was the one from last season; Izzie left mid-season) as opposed to the two minor character's deaths that actually occurred.

In the end, the major loss was Grey's miscarriage, although she made it less than one show pregnant so they didn't really carry out the pregnancy part.

Anyway, those are my quick rumbling thoughts.

Back to the real world.

"24" & my thoughts

2010-05-24T14:51:00.000-07:00

Tonite is the series finale of "24," the hit tv show on Fox. Looking forward to it. Hopefully they have a movie afterwards but who knows and only if it stars Keifer Sutherland (as Jack Bauer of course). Regardless, they better not kill off Jack Bauer. That guy deserves to go live the rest of his life in peace, especially with his granddaughter. They may even bring back his love interest from a couple of seasons ago (since they killed off Renee which makes me think they will kill off Jack as well). Forget her name, but she was the Secretary of Defense's daughter.

Long live Jack!
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Alright, obviously they set up 24 for a movie. Not surprising the way it ended (Jack on the lamb, likely to leave the country, with Russian assassins likely to chase and maybe the American justice system). Something tells me the next President pardons Jack though. Either way, not surprising that 24 ended the way it did since Fox's (& 24's) decision to renew or end 24 did not come until April of this year. However, it has been speculated for a year this season (the 8th season) would be 24's last, but that a "24" movie would be spun off. Now that Jack has been left on the run (not dead or with Renae or some other love interest), I certainly see a movie in the works .... and am very much looking forward to it. Even enough so that this college football crazed person would venture off on a fall saturday nite to the movie theatre to watch it (my luck would be it would premier then) although I'm certainly the "24" movie comes out in the summer.

Dunk time

2010-05-22T19:12:00.000-07:00

Doing something I never thought I would do in the morning. Well, maybe at some point, I thought I might. But things happen. And after three years of debating it, tomorrow morning at around 11:00 I will get dunked under the water. Rather apprehensive about it and unsure of what will follow, but my gut tells me its time and my gut is usually more right than my brain. I just haven't always listened to my gut when making important decisions or most decisions but I'm learning to do so more. Putting my brain at rest a little more often.

In other news, I don't think I use this blog enough. Not that anyone really reads it anymore, but I do like to type out my thoughts on a journal every so often. Helps with the stress I suppose.

Independents vs. Chains Studies

2010-02-02T07:23:00.000-08:00

Independents vs. Chains Studies

copied below

Independents vs. Chains Studies

*United States

Reports and Studies on the Economic Impact of Shopping with Local Businesses versus Chains

Thinking Outside the Box: A Report on Independent Merchants and the Local Economy, by Civic Economics, commissioned by The Urban Conservancy, 2009. This report shows that local businesses generate two to three times more local economic activity than chain businesses. Analysts compared the locally owned businesses on Magazine Street in New Orleans, which recycled 32 percent of their revenue back into the local economy, with an average SuperTarget, which recirculates only about 16 percent of their sales revenue into the local economies where they are located. The report suggests that if just 10 percent of retail purchases in Orleans Parish were to shift from chains to local merchants, the effect could translate to $60 million for the local economy.

Local Works: Examining the Impact of Local Business on the West Michigan Economy, by Civic Economics, commissioned by Local First Grand Rapids, 2008. This study calculated the economic impact of local and chain pharmacies, groceries, restaurants, and banks in Grand Rapids and the surrounding Kent County, Michigan. Local restaurants were shown to circulate 56.1% of their revenue into the local economy in the form of paychecks, products and services purchased locally, profits, and charitable giving. In contrast, chain restaurants only recirculated 36.8%. The study determines that $1 million spent at local restaurants generates $900,000 in local economic activity and support 15 jobs, while chain restaurants only bring $600,000 to the local economy and 10 jobs. Similar findings were true for the other categories (with the exception of banks, which researchers were unable to analyze necessary data sets). The study suggests that if consumers were to shift 10% of their spending from chains to locally owned businesses in the Grand Rapids area, it could generate $140 million in new economic activity, and add 1,600 new jobs and $53 million in payroll.

The San Francisco Retail Diversity Study, by Civic Economics, commissioned by the San Francisco Locally Owned Merchants Alliance, 2007. This study calculated the market share in San Francisco and adjacent communities for independent and chain bookstores, sporting goods stores, toy stores, and casual dining restaurants. In each category, independent businesses capture more than half of the sales within the city. The data demonstrates that independent businesses have a greater economic impact than chains across each category. For example, every $1 million spent at a local bookshop, creates $321,000 in additional economic activity in the city, including $119,000 in wages paid to local workers. A chain bookstore, on the other hand, generates only $188,000 in economic activity and $71,000 in local wages. Another example: For every $1 million in sales, independent toy stores create 2.22 local jobs, while chains create just 1.31. The study concludes that if consumers shifted 10% of their spending from chains to independents that it could generate more than $191 million in economic activity for San Francisco, provide $71.8 million in new income for workers, and create 1,295 jobs. http://www.civiceconomics.com/SF/

The Andersonville Study of Retail Economics by Civic Economics, commissioned by the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce and the Andersonville Development Corp., 2004. The study examined the economic impact of 10 local businesses in the Andersonville commercial district in Chicago against that of chain businesses. The study concluded that for every $100 spent with local businesses, $68 remains in the Chicago economy; $100 spent with a chain, $43 remains in the Chicago economy; for every square foot occupied by a local firm, local economic impact is $179; for every square foot occupied by a chain firm, local economic impact is $105; 70% of consumers surveyed prefer shopping with locally owned businesses; and over 80% of consumers surveyed prefer shopping in traditional urban business districts.

The Economic Impact of Locally Owned Businesses vs. Chains: A Case Study in Midcoast Maine, by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance with the Friends of Midcoast Maine, 2003. Eight local businesses in Rockland, Camden, and Belfast shared their revenue and sales data to prove that three times as much money circulates into the local economy of Midcoast Maine when spent on products and services from locally owned businesses. The combined total sales in 2002 for the eight businesses was $5.7 million, of which 44.6% was spending in the surrounding two counties and 8.7% was spent elsewhere in Maine. The businesses, which employed 62 people all together, funneled their local dollars toward paying employees' wages and benefits; on products and services from other local businesses; and on taxes. In contrast, a big-box retailer in the region circulates only 14.1% of its revenue into the local economy, mostly in the form of wages, while the bulk of revenue earnings returns to the corporation's headquarters or suppliers outside of Maine. This shows that when Midcoast Maine shoppers spend $100 at a local business, it generates $45 in local spending, while $100 spent with a big-box store only generates $14 in local spending by the retailer.

Economic Impact Analysis: A Case Study: Local Merchants vs. Chain Retailers, by Civic Economics, commissioned by Livable City, 2002. The study compared revenue and expenditures of two local businesses against Borders, which was slated to occupy an adjacent storefront and was publicly subsidized. Researchers determined that for every $100 in consumer spending at Borders, the total local economic impact is only $13. The same amount spent with a local merchant yields more than three times the local economic impact. They suggested that if each household in Travis County redirected $100 of planned holiday spending from chain stores to locally owned merchants, the local economic impact would reach approximately $10 million.

This study concludes that if residents of Grand Rapids and surrounding Kent County, Michigan, were to redirect 10 percent of their total spending from chains to locally owned businesses, the result would be $140 million in new economic activity for the region, including 1,600 new jobs and $53 million in additional payroll. The study calculates the market share of independent businesses in four categories: pharmacy (41%), grocery (52%), restaurants (50%), and banks (6%). It analyzes how much of the money spent at these businesses stays in the area compared to national chains. Local restaurants, for example, return more than 56% of their revenue to the local economy in the form of wages, goods and services purchased locally, profits, and donations. Chain restaurants return only 37%. Measuring the total economic impact of this difference, including indirect and induced activity, the study estimates that $1 million spent at chain restaurants produces about $600,000 in additional local economic activity and supports 10 jobs. Spending $1 million at local restaurants, meanwhile, generates over $900,000 in added local economic activity and supports 15 jobs.

Happiest Times in My Life to Date

2009-04-16T14:30:00.000-07:00

Being thankful, see previous post, I figure I better be thankful for some of the happiest times in my life to date and hope there are more to come.

The following are some of the happiest times of my life:

Playing checkers with my grandfather (he passed away when I was in the 5th grade)
Playing Rummy with Thad
Kindergarten thru 3rd grade = Tifton
Playing with Mickey and Benjamin (and the other Thomases)
Playing with Mickey and Chris and Jeff
Playing with Kevin and William
4th – 6th grade = Starkville
Playing with Mickey and Kyle
Playing with Mickey and Nick
Playing soccer for Coach Crowell in 4th & 5th grade
6th – 8th grade = Jackson, TN and North Parkway = awesome years
Playing with Mickey, Paul, and Rebecca (the 4 Aces)
Helping Coach Scott coach North Parkway Girls Soccer in the 7th and 8th grade
Playing for North Parkway Boys Soccer in the 6th-8th grades for Coach Scott
Lunch table discussions 10th -12th grade with Mickey, Landon, Robert, and Rusty (those were crazy discussions) --- outside of Refreshments, this was the only thing I liked about my years in Corinth
Working with all the great people at Refreshments and having fun
College = MSU Football Games with Mickey and Robert even though we had 5 losing seasons
College = Going to MSU baseball games with Mickey, Uncle Alva, and others
Soccer fields with Mickey and Robert in college
Game nites with Mickey and Robert in college
Golf outings with Mickey and Robert
College Democrats (most of the time)
College Republicans (most of the time)
SA Election Campaigns in Spring 2004 and Spring 2005
SA Senate with Mike and Nish (and Bramuchi) MBA year
Humane Society Events with Suzanne, Chris, and Rheda among others
Last weekend in October, 2005 (even with the Thursday nite speeding ticket) (MSU Kids Halloween Carnival, Becca in town, Humane Society fun day, Kristen, Tom, Suzanne, Chris) --- That Sunday afternoon was sad though

If it is not here, it doesn't mean it wasn't a happy time. These are just the times I remember really well and would go back to in a heart beat.

Am I Thankful?

2009-04-16T14:12:00.000-07:00

Per Static (Tuesday, April 14, 2009)

I heard recently there are two kinds of people: those who fill entitled and those who fill thankful. Immediately I started thinking about what I am thankful for. I came up with the following list:

Hershey, Muffin, Beau, and Sly (the dogs in my life)
My parents
Having a twin brother (Mickey) (I always had a best friend, no matter what town I lived in)
Moving around a lot because I gained a lot of great friends, had a lot of new experiences, and met a lot of great people
All the friends I have made through the years (if only I kept in better touch with them)
The five years I spent in Starkville going to MSU
My great friend Papa Nick
Living in this great country (USA)
Coach Scott (my favorite teacher and my favorite soccer coach = 6th-8th grade)
Coach Crowell (my other favorite soccer coach = 4th-5th grade) (baseball coach one year as well)
Hare and Mrs. Hare of Tallahassee (my second set of grandparents since my mom’s parents died before I was born)
My high school history teachers
My college English teachers, especially KC (I hated Lit and English in High School)
college professors Dr. Britton (political science), Dr. Goodman (political science), Kwame (political science), Dr. Long (business)
Those who volunteer with the humane society
US Military
police, firemen, and other first responders
Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights
Freedom & Liberty
The people I worked with at Refreshments
Mr. Ted and Mr. David along with the MSU Bulldog Club at my current job
Static = the only church I have ever really liked other than First Methodist in Tifton, GA
The ability to think and learn

There are others but these are definitely 23 I can believe in

Me and Religion (The Great Inner Debate) (for me anyway)

2008-09-16T17:12:00.000-07:00

Me and Religion (The Great Debate) (for me anyway)

Sort of different and a little freeing writing this. I proceed none the less.

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In November 2006, I started going to church again for the first time since high school other than a few visits to Catholic Mass (never have been Catholic although I like the play calling hand gestures and the reflecting pool) with a friend of mine. When I was little, I always complained about having to go to church. Something about church never really set well with me. Yeah, I didn't like that extra day of getting up early (kids already have school 5 days a week) but there was more than that. I never really understood church or why people were so obsessed with it (obessed not being a bad thing in this case, just the word I have to describe it off the top of my head). I don't think my twin was ever a big fan either but he has always been less spoken in complaint than I have. I mean, I still was drawing on the program during the sermon when I went to church my freshman and sophomore years of high school. That, and for some reason, I just never could connect with the message of church or God at that age. There was always some reason I didn't like church and in return, God. Partly, I'm sure because my parents insisted upon me going and so I never really could envision why church and God was such a big deal. That, and as I told other people, I was really interested in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War and past history of kings and oppressors and dictators. So, as I grew up and even still today, I would always equate God to King James of England or someone of similar stature. (See senior high school research paper -- well, if you could access it anyway) I always heard from Church or talking to other people about church that God was king, set the rules / mandates, and such. Even today with the songs people sing at church, I still have trouble singing the words or saying the words when we sing "praise to the King" or "glory to God" or similar type passages.

Anyway, back to the present. The church I went / go to (haven't been in a month = vacation, olympics, political conventions, thought process) is a nice place to go. The church I went to I almost never went back to after the first Sunday school class unless it was for meeting some people after sunday school class (instead of the Link) and talking around in the hall with them. I liked those people. They were nice and I could relate to them in some way. And I had been going to that church since for the last 18 months (up until about 6 weeks ago). Also, for several months in the Spring of 2008, some Mormon missionaries also came and though I normally would have said no, I was interested to see what they said. They too were great people, I could relate to them, and there religion made as much sense to me as any of the others. Of course, all religions require a great leap of faith and that is partly what makes them great.

(There's a more in depth version of the last two paragraphs but that is the short version).

I decided I needed a break from church (and work) so vacation, 2 weeks of the olympics, two weeks of the political conventions (sort of a perfect storm of weeks for a guy like me who likes sports, the olympics, and politics). During that break, I have been considering my future with religion and what I think about religion and Heaven and Hell and God and all that sort of stuff. Here's what I came up with for religion and how it relates to me:

1) I don't think I will ever get baptized. I'm pretty sure of that. I just don't think I could commit to one religion or even Christianity as a whole. I believe that all faiths are great from Christianity to Islam to Judaism to Buddhism to Hinduism to native spirits to mother nature. That being said, I don't think any one faith is for me. I have always had as one of my core values that no one is better or in higher regard than anyone else. As a result, I could never see myself worshiping God or taking Jesus as my Savior or the corresponding options for the other religions. To be honest, I don't know about the Buddhist and the Hindus but I have always thought Christians (including Mormons), Muslim, and Jews all worshiped the same God. They just get there different ways. And of course Christians have Jesus, Muslims have Mohammed, and the Jewish savior is yet to come. In the end though, they all seem to me to have the same common faith and ideas from the big picture. Buddhism and Hinduism are I believe different but I do not know enough about those religions to say. Either way, I think most all religions and faiths are pretty great in binding their believers together for a greater cause above oneself.

2) Do I believe in God? I've never seen him nor do I know without a doubt that God exists. I do know that millions and millions (more like a couple of billion) believe their God (same one or not) exists and that beliefs are sometimes more powerful than the real thing. Whether God is out there or not, there is at least a God-like power that binds each of these faiths together in their respective faith. That drives them toward good. That provides comfort and strength for them when they are in need. That builds a greater family among a bunch of individuals that stretches across national borders, oceans, race, socioeconomic status, political preferences, etc. And hey, the world had to be created somehow and since none of us were around then, I don't think we will ever know for sure.

3) As far as Heaven and Hell, I don't know. All I do know is we get buried or cremated, at least I hope so. But I definitely hope Heaven and Hell do exist. I hope Heaven exist for all the people who suffer courageously with disease and traumatic injury, who die protecting others, the children and women who leave this life the way no one ever should, for families torn apart to be brought back together, for the dreams of those shattered in this life to have a chance to strive again, for the people who wake up and try to make others lives around them better. I'd hate to know there wasn't a heaven for these people and only pray that their is one. And I hope there is a Hell out there as well for all the people who harm innocent women and children, for the dictators / tyrants / cruelists that rape and plunder communities, for the people who value riches over life and will do anything to get them. For those people who do the unthinkable to hurt or harm others, I pray their is a Hell and would not want to know their isn't one.

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That is where I am at so far. Good or bad, I do not know. But it is me.

MBJ: "MSU Enrollment Hits All-time High" = Go Bulldogs

2007-09-15T07:06:00.000-07:00

"MSU Enrollment Hits All-time High"
Mississippi Business Journal
September 13, 2007

STARKVILLE — For the first time in its 129-year-history, Mississippi State University (MSU) is surpassing the 17,000-mark in enrollment.

The university reports a record enrollment of 17,039, including the largest-ever freshman class of 2,281 entering students, as fall 2007 classes get underway. The total includes an all-time high at the MSU-Meridian campus and a record number of graduate students, says president Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong.

Fall 2007 enrollment exceeds the previous year by more than 800 students, with more than 16,200 on the Starkville campus.

Current enrollment includes: a record number of African-Americans at 3,351; 76.8% of the student body from Mississippi; MSU-Meridian enrolling a record 821 students; and, graduate and professional enrollment at an all-time high, increasing by 255 last year to 3,831 this fall.
International students number 717 this fall, an increase of 133 from last year. More than 70 countries are represented in this group.

Foglesong says MSU also is increasing the number of students it retains from the freshman to sophomore years. Through the Pathfinders program, a mentoring and intervention effort, the retention rate for freshmen is 83.4%, another record.

"Mississippi Teams Win Dell, Inc. Solar Car Contest"

2007-07-27T08:58:00.000-07:00

The Clarion-Ledger
July 27, 2007

MISSISSIPPI TEAMS

Choctaw Central High School

Team members: Tia Anderson (captain), Caleb Willis, Rusty Chapman, Appallonia Clemons, Amber Sampson, Liberty McMillan, Trisilla Willis, Norma-Chae' Isaac, Lynjorae Williams, De'jorae Williams, Tarica Thomas, Colton Wilson, Dakota Farve, Joshua Denson and Rick Wilson

Team advisors: Joey Long, Jason Roberson and Liddia Hughes

Houston Vocational Center

Team members: Leigh Anna Springer (captain), Paige Lancaster, Alisha Holder, Jodie Watkins, Brooke Shankie, Ericka Medders, Paige Smith, Hilary Hancock, Jeri-Laken Alexander, Tyler Davis, Patrick Pearson, Lance Whitworth, Caleb Alford
Clay Fisackerly, Austin Marshall
Blake McCoy, Josh Griffin and Jayla Alexander

Team advisors: Keith Reese & Beverly James

Newton County Career & Technical Center

Team members: Jonathan Federick (captain), Mickey Skinner, Brandon Hughes, Casey Shoemaker, Tyler Peebles, Craig Kelly, Billy Yelverton, Ellen McCaskill, Tyler Davis and Tyler Laird

Team advisors: Stacy Addy, Ricky Wyatt and Aaron Cooley

Keys Technology Center

Team members: Caydee Riser (captain), Brandon Rice, Matthew Johnson, Robert Schuman, Isaac Baylis, Jacob Yeagar, Alexander Jewess, Austin Handler, Jordan Lewis, Trey Tinsley and Daniel Watts

Team advisors: Jason Smith & Scotty Nichols

Four groups of Mississippi high school students competed in the Dell-Winston School Solar Car Challenge that ended Tuesday, including two teams that brought home first-place honors in their respective divisions.

The Newton County Solar Car Team from the Newton County Career & Technical Center in Decatur took first in the Classic Division, followed by the Ocean Springs Solar Team from the Keys Technology Center in Ocean Springs.

The Houston Solar Race Team from the Houston Vocational Center in Houston tied for first place in the Open Division with a team from Newburgh, N.Y. The CCHS Solar Car Project from Choctaw Central High School in Choctaw was awarded third place.

Jason Smith and Scotty Nichols of the Ocean Springs Solar Team also received the Randall Murphy Award, presented to teachers who best demonstrate the spirit of solar racing.

The Houston Solar Car Team was the winner of the Texas State Conservation Energy Office Award, the prize for sportsmanship.

The challenge, a part of the Winston School in Dallas, was created 10 years ago to help motivate students in science and engineering and to teach high school students how to build practical solar cars. On odd-numbered years, competing teams drive cross-country to share their projects.

The 2007 challenge took teams across the eastern United States, starting from Dell Headquarters in Round Rock, Texas, on July 16 and finishing in New York.

For details, go to www.winstonsolar.org/challenge.

History of Humans: Conservatives vs. Liberals from a beer beginning

2007-07-12T09:51:00.000-07:00

Hope ya'll enjoy.  This was a rather funny e-mail I received.

Humans originally existed as members of small bands of nomadic hunters/gatherers. They lived on deer in the mountains during the summer and would go to the coast and live on fish and lobster in the winter.

The two most important events in all of history were the invention of beer and the invention of the wheel. The wheel was invented to get man to the beer. These were the foundation of modern civilization and together were the catalyst for the splitting of humanity into two distinct subgroups:

1. Liberals

2. Conservatives.

Once beer was discovered, it required grain and that was the beginning of agriculture. Neither the glass bottle nor aluminum can was invented yet, so while our early humans were sitting around waiting for them to be invented stayed close to the brewery. That's how villages were formed.

Some men spent their days tracking and killing animals to B-B-Q at night while they were drinking beer. This was the beginning of what is known asthe Conservative movement.

Other men who were weaker and less skilled at uniting learned to live off the conservatives by showing up for the nightly B-B-Q's and doing the sewing, fetching, and hair dressing. This was the beginning of the Liberal movement.

Some of these liberal men eventually evolved into women. The rest became known as girlie men.

Some noteworthy liberal achievements include the domestication of cats, the invention of group therapy, group hugs, and the concept of Democratic voting to decide how to divide the meat and beer that conservatives provided. Over the years conservatives came to be symbolized by the largest, most powerful land animal on earth, the elephant. Liberals are symbolized by the jackass.

Modern liberals like imported beer (with lime added), but most prefer white wine or imported bottled water. They eat raw fish but like their beef well done. Sushi, tofu, and French food is standard liberal fare.

Another interesting evolutionary side note: most of their women have higher testosterone levels than their men. Most social workers, personal injury attorneys, journalists, dreamers in Hollywood and group therapists are liberals. Liberals invented the designated hitter rule because it wasn't fair to make the pitcher also bat.

Conservatives drink domestic beer. They eat red meat and still provide for their women. Conservatives are engineers, IT persons, big-game hunters, rodeo cowboys, lumberjacks, construction workers, firemen, medical doctors, police officers, corporate executives, athletes, Marines and generally anyone who works productively. Conservatives who own companies hire other conservatives who want to work for a living.

Liberals produce little or nothing. They like to govern the producers and decide what to do with the production. Liberals believe Europeans are more enlightened than Americans. That is why most of the liberals remained in Europe when conservatives were coming to America. They crept in after the Wild West was tamed and created a business of trying to get more for nothing.

Here ends today's lesson in world history. It should be noted that a Liberal may have a momentary urge to angrily respond to the above before forwarding it. A Conservative will simply laugh and be so convinced of the absolute truth of this history that it will be forwarded immediately to other true believers and to more liberals just to tick them off.

Navy returns Singing River Island back to Mississippi

2007-07-10T13:17:00.000-07:00

July 10, 2007

"State regains control of Singing River Island"

The Associated Press

PASCAGOULA — The state of Mississippi has formally taken control of Singing River Island, a prime piece of industrial property on a deep-water port on the Gulf Coast.

Economic development officials have been shopping around for businesses to locate on the island for months and those efforts are expected to continue. Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, the state’s largest private employer, has expressed an interest in using some areas of the island for its operations.

Secretary of State Eric Clark represented the state Monday during a ceremony in which ownership of the 437-acre island was transferred from the Navy. Jimmy Anderson, director of the federal Base Realignment and Closure Committee’s program management office, presented Clark with the Naval papers signifying the transfer.

The island was home to Naval Station Pascagoula for 14 years. It housed 900 sailors and provided a total annual economic impact of $100 million before being closed Nov. 15 by the BRAC commission.

The Navy was expected to vacate the property last November, but Hurricane Katrina left the government with damaged buildings and a major mess to clean up.

The state gave the property to the Navy in the late 1980s with the understanding that it would automatically revert back to state control if the Navy stopped using it.

The Coast Guard already has a permanent presence on the island and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has a base there temporarily until hurricane repairs are completed at its facility on the coast.

The island consists of approximately 437 acres, with about 187 acres comprising the developed area of the island, Clark said. There are some additional 150 acres of developable property.

Northrop Grumman Ship Systems officials have said they’re interested in using the naval station’s buildings and other facilities to help the shipyard facilitate operations that were damaged by Katrina.

Mississippi up 16 spots in latest business climate poll

2007-07-10T13:11:00.000-07:00

July 10, 2007

"State’s Business Climate Moves up Magazine’s List"
By Laura Hipp
lhipp@clarionledger.com
Clarion Ledger

A national magazine for corporate directors ranks Mississippi’s legal climate a little better than they once did.

A Harris poll in Directorship Magazine bumped Mississippi to 33rd from 49th place in the publication’s annual composite standings, according to Gov. Haley Barbour’s office.

“I am very pleased that we’re making strides to change our once tarnished image as a state with an unfair legal system,” Barbour said in a statement.

Barbour and several Republicans are highlighting tort reform efforts in their campaigns this year. Reform efforts included caps on non-economic damages and a revised punitive damage cap.

The magazine praised Barbour’s efforts stating the 2004 tort reform battle makes the “state attractive for growth and job creation.”

Directorship Magazine used three indicators for its annual review of state litigation climates – Hantler-Weighted Variable Index, Pacific Research Institute, and the Harris Poll. The magazine’s 15,000 readers are comprised of boards, chief executives and general counsels who consider state liability climates when making decisions about expansion and investment.

State's soldiers should have their day

2006-06-13T07:14:00.000-07:00

Blogger's note: The following is an opinion article I found on the Starkville Daily News website that was written by Dirk Waldrop, a columnist for The Bolivar Commercial in Cleveland.

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The Mississippi House has passed a resolution designating April 29 each year as Dale Earnhardt Day in the state.

The NASCAR star, also known as The Intimidator was killed in a crash at the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18, 2001. The resolution states that Earnhardt “... created a legacy in Mississippi by amassing so many wins.” It further decrees that Earnhardt changed the sport of racing, bridging the past, present, and future generations of fans by upholding the finest NASCAR traditions while remaining a cutting-edge competitor throughout the entirety of his career.

In Mississippi, the unemployment rate is 8.4 percent. The median income is $33,659. Eighteen point nine percent of the population lives below the poverty threshold of $19,484 per year.

Dale Earnhardt earned $42 million over his 27 year career. In 1975, his first year of racing he earned $2,425. In 2001, he earned $296,833. The only reason for his paltry earnings that year was because he was killed 49 days into the year. In 2000, he made $4.9 million. So over the course of 27 years of driving a car in circles, he averaged $1.5 million per year just for driving a car really fast and only turning the car to the left.

The average Mississippian would have to work for 46 years to make what Dale Earnhardt made in just one year.

Did Mr. Earnhardt ever spend any of his money in Mississippi? Maybe so. Did he ever do anything to improve the lot of Mississippians with his money? Nope. Did he ever race in Mississippi? Nope.

So why is it that my (our) representatives are spending my (our) time (and money) coming up with a resolution honoring a guy that drives a car for a living?

Why not honor the hard working professional truck drivers of this state with a paid day off? Some of these men and women are away from home for weeks at a time and get no recognition other than the satisfaction of a job well done and the knowledge that without them, the American economy would be crippled. Dale Earnhardt got a million dollars for driving 500 miles, or $2,000 per mile. Truckers get 35 cents per mile, or $175, if they drive the same distance.

It makes me ill that my state government would spend the time and taxpayer money on such frivolous matters. While your hard working government is busy passing useless resolutions, voting raises for themselves, and then giving each other high fives and eating hot meals on your dime, American soldiers are dying in a faraway land. More specifically, Mississippi's sons have died in a faraway land.

Can any member of the House or Senate even name any of Mississippi's soldiers who died in Iraq? One Mississippi soldier, Sergeant Robert S. Pugh, was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic deeds in Iraq. Sgt. Pugh was a combat medic with the 1-155th Infantry Battalion of the 155th Brigade Combat Team. When a roadside bomb detonated near his dismounted patrol, Pugh was severely wounded. Instead of looking out for himself, he directed his fellow soldiers to tend to another soldier who had a piece of shrapnel sticking out of his guts. Pugh's heroic actions saved his comrade but cost him his life. His posthumous Silver Star is this country's third highest honor for military heroism.

When is Robert Shane Pugh Day in Mississippi?

Earnhardt had been driving for 27 years. In NASCAR, the track curves to the left. So all he had to do when he went to work was press down firmly on the gas pedal, hold the steering wheel to the left a bit, and cruise on to victory and a million dollar paycheck.

Pugh, on the other hand, had to keep his head on a swivel each day when he went to work. He donned thousands of dollars worth of the most advanced protective equipment his government could offer, he endured years of harsh training and drilling, and honed and developed his skills to give himself the best chance of survival in a brutally harsh environment. In a year, Pugh would earn somewhere in the neighborhood of $35,000. On a cold, cloudy day in March, Pugh's name was added to the long, unbroken line of patriots who have dared to serve and die.

Robert Shane Pugh was a soldier.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My Opinion:

While Earnhardt was certainly a tremendous racer and a great asset to the sport of NASCAR, and while NASCAR is considered to be a beloved sport to many Mississippians, It is not the job of our Mississippi State Legislature to be handing out awards for NASCAR. While no price tag accompanied the resolution, the members of the State Legislature wasted valuable time in which to deal with the state's numerous problems and challenges in relation to Katrina, education, job growth, job development, infrastructure, agriculture, etc. Time that the Legislature must desperately need since they continually end up in special session year after year, driving up the cost of the Legislature to the Mississippi taxpayer in terms of extra pay and operating costs.

Focus on REAL issues.

World Cup 2006: Play has begun

2006-06-12T19:19:00.000-07:00

The world's largest sporting event began last Friday in Germany. No, it's not football or basketball or baseball. It's ... SOCCER .... , the world's most popular sport. It's the World Cup --- the world equivalent of a month long Super Bowl week where work grinds to a hault around the world as citizens take a couple of hours to cheer and yell for their team, then dance in the streets in celebration. Once every fours years.

32 countries ----- 8 groups of 4 ------ 3 round robin games per team ------ top 2 teams in each group advance ---- then 16 countries cheer their hearts out around the world as their teams battle in a 16 team, single elimination tournament to see who is the best in the world ----- of course, this doesn't include all the countries that were eliminated in the qualifying stages among the 5 regions around the world.

When Germany and Costa Rica kicked off to start the World Cup Friday, estimates said 1.5 billion people around the world watched the game. Even American Idol only had 60 million votes. and that ain't even anywhere close to the sheer population encompassed by the World Cup.

Group A: Germany, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Poland

Group B: England, Sweden, Trinidad & Tobago, and Paraguay

Group C: Argentina, Netherlans, Ivory Coast, and Serbia & Montenegro

Group D: Mexico, Portugal, Angola, and Iran

Group E: Chzech Republic, Italy, United States, and Ghana

Group F: Australia, Japan, Brazil, and Croatia

Group G: France, Switzerland, South Korea, and Togo

Group H: Spain, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine

My picks to win each region: Germany, England, Argentina, Mexico, Czech Republic, Brazil, Switzerland, and Spain

******* updates to come later this week *******

New MSU College Democrats officers

2006-05-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

On May 3rd, the MSU College Democrats elected their new officers for the upcoming 2006-2007 school year. They are young but talented and formidable, and I expect great things out of them. With that said, the new MSU College Democrats officers are:

President = W.C. McClendon= wcm48@msstate.edu
Vice-President = Harry Nelson = jhn31@msstate.edu
Treasurer = open so someone join up and run
Secretary = Alderman Richard Corey = rjc6@ra.msstate.edu
Activities Coordinator = Mason Hester = mch98@msstate.edu
Inter-Organizational Liaison = Patrick Young = pay9@msstate.edu
President Emeritus = Matthew Holmes (me) = holmes.matthew.r@gmail.com

Feel free to contact our officers for more information on how to get involved with the MSU College Democrats. Look for booths during summer orientation and for more information about upcoming summer planning meetings.

Also, the Democratic Primary for the mid-term election will be June 6th. The U.S. Senate candidates are State Rep. Erik Fleming, Mr. James O'Keefe, and Mr. Bill Bowlin. The U.S. House candidates for District 1 in Mississippi are Robert Shapiro and J. Ken Hurt. The U.S. House Candidates for District 2 in Mississippi are Congressman Bennie Thompson and Mr. Mike Espy. Congressman Gene Taylor is running for re-election in the 4th Congressional District. Sadly, there is no Democratic candidate to face 3rd District republican Congressman Chip Pickering.

As always, Vote Donkey and get involved.

Matthew Holmes, President Emeritus, MSU College Democrats

Why I'm Pro-Choice

2006-02-16T22:14:00.000-08:00

After reading the article "Abortion" on Joe's blog, http://magnoliapolitics.blogspot.com/2006/02/abortion.html, a post that outwardly opposes the practice of abortion, I felt I should respond. In doing so, this is what I said:

I'm pro-choice and don't mind saying so. It is a tough enough decision for a woman to make without some fool like me who is not in their situation leveling them with my own self-righteous moral judgements.

As far as God would be concerned, he ain't the mother and he ain't the would be child so he wouldn't be living the would be life or the life that is the mothers. Creator or not, casting judgement on one from a pulpit of "purity" is rather hypocritical and tyrannical.

For a child in a pro-choice view is born out of love, not sex. The world is growing overcrowded in population while 30 million Americans live in poverty (about 10%). When we can't take care of the ones we have, why sentence more to a life of squalor, single parent homes, and a trap "down in the ghetto" as elvis once sang.

When a child is ready to be born, it shall come of a union of love between two people (married or not) who care deeply and fully about having a child. Having a child is not something to be taken lightly or played by the sex lottery. It should and must be a decision that comes with thought and time and love, not a one night stand.

Not Just A Dog

2006-02-16T21:42:00.000-08:00

Musings by Richard Biby
Contributing Editor
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." Just smile, because they "just don't understand."

To Beau, Hershey, and Lacelei: you'll always be more than "just dogs" to me.

SA Senate, the Reflector Editorial Board, and the SA President

2006-02-15T12:24:00.000-08:00

The SA Senate does its work. The Reflector Editorial Board did not in its Editorial in Friday, February 11th's edition of the Reflector or in the front page article. In accordance with such, below is my response as a Graduate Student Senator.

Dear Reflector Editorial Board:

FYI, the SA Senate had quorum the whole night. Not that the Reflector or the SA President would check the Constitution as the SA Attorney General Seth Robbins did or the Senate records for the night. Or that any of you were in attendance yourself, just one Reflector writer who did not bother presenting the full story.

The Senate, which passed badly need SA Executive and Homecoming election reform last fall, had one of its best debates of the year concerning Senate size.

A little credible reporting would have discovered that the 2005-2006 SA Senate has has had one of the best attendance records of the last several years. And that, of those Senators absent, all but a couple had class at the time or were sick which would have been discovered had adequate reporting been done.

And as for as the SA President goes, Cabinet had the same percentage of members at the State of the Student Association as Senate did. Cabinet and the office of SA President Jon David Cole were also in charge of advertising and promoting the event to the student body. And the Reflector by virtue of being the "student" newspaper. Yet zero to maybe three students outside of Cabinet, Exec, or Senate attended. That was not reported either if you are taking score.

And lastly, the only real reason the SA President was upset was because he didn't get to speak until after 8 because the Senate, as is their job, was debating a bill. Simply put, the SA President was upset b/c he did not get the moment in the sun he had hoped for.

And for the record, the SA President never asked once to speak earlier in the event (for instance, after Dr. Lee spoke) or asked to have the State of the SA moved to another time.

You, the Reflector Editorial Board, say the SA Senate needs to step up, yet your actions in reporting on the SA Senate have not even come close to comparing to your half information, high horse attack on the Senate. In fact, Vice-President Cory Carter's response was buried in the middle of the second page of the opinion section and a combined response from 12 members of the Senate including myself was not even printed. Apparently, the importance you placed on the SA Senate disappeared by the next edition.

Lastly, you, the Reflector Editorial Board, say cutting the number of Senators is a good thing. Yet you really do not explain why. In fact, there will be less Senators representing the students in 2006-2007 than before the bill passed. And in all likelihood, the more popular people, not necessarily the best Senators, are going to be elected. So Senators who have not missed a meeting this year might not have been elected under the new legislation which must be approved by Constitutional amendment on election day February 21st by the student body.

Things People Should Know About Me

2006-02-02T07:58:00.000-08:00

After reading the great blog of laura rayburn (laurayburn.blogspot.com), i figure i should of course copy and come up with lists of my own. So here is the first of a "I dunno number of " series.

Things People Should Know About Me

I talk to myself. I rather enjoy it in fact. There's not much better than a good conversation and I'm usually right.
I think way too damn much, especially on certain things.
I love a good thought out plan. Strategy is always the best option.
My friend, at his astonishment, said "You're more calculating than I ever would have thought." My response: "Duh." followed by "Vote Donkey" of course.
I'm basically a 5 year old or a 40 year old in a 23 year old's body.

Hmmm, that seems like too much. I'll stop there.

Protect Our College Loans

2006-01-30T15:48:00.000-08:00

http://www.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Katrina//petition.jsp?petition_KEY=192

"Congress is expected to vote on Wednesday to cut College Loans by $12.7 billion. Students from the Katrina disaster zone will feel these cuts harder than others. The financial burdens post-Katrina are monumental and these cuts only make recovery more difficult. The MS and LA Congressional Delegation has the swing votes to turn these cuts around. The same legislators that took so long to deliver basic services post-Katrina have an opportunity to demonstrate basic leadership on behalf of their already hurting constituents."

Please sign the petition located at the link above.

My Thoughts: The Alito Supreme Court Confirmation

2006-01-21T12:03:00.000-08:00

1. Would the appointment of alito push forward an already Republican controlled government? Why? The appointment of Alito will make a reasonably balanced court more conservative, but not excessively so due to the recent appointment of a more moderate Cheif Justice Roberts to replace the very conservatice former Chief Justice William Rehnquist.

2. What do you think a confirmation of Alito will mean for the U.S. Supreme court and even the justice system in general? My opinion is that Chief Justice Roberts will now replace Justice O’Connor as the pivotal swing vote. Slightly more conservative but younger and with youth comes new experiences. That youth has improved our Constitution progressively over the last 200 years and my hope is that improvements will continue.

3. What sorts of concerns does Alito's nomination raise for you, as a Democrat? That he would vote to ban abortion, that he would continue to uphold the ban on gay marriage, that he would rubber stamp the President’s spying on innocent Americans without warrant, and most of all, we never really know how a Justice will vote until they lay their gavel down for the first time under a lifetime appointment.

4. Do you think there are any better candidates? If so, who and why. Do you think that Bush should've nominated a less conservative, more middle ground judge? Why? Alito’s qualified as a judge based on work experience but I’m sure the Justices that upheld slavery and segregation were too. The important thing is Ideology, and well, that Depends on what one believes is right and wrong and where those beliefs enter their legal perspective. As I stated in the previous question, you never know for sure until the Justice takes off their robe and lays their gavel down a couple of times.

5. How do you think this probable appointment will affect students today, if at all? The Supreme Court interprets the Supreme Law of the Land. What we as Americans can and cannot do. They have only been amended 27 times in over 200 years. They have the power to govern the governing from the President down to the City Council. And they can only be removed by death or criminal impeachment. That’s true power.

6. Do you think this nomination and confirmation process has been fair? No, it has not. It has been governed by partisanship on both sides and that is unfair to the American people. When the Senate investigates, they better do their job to the fullest extent possible because over 280 million lives now and more in the future depend on it.

7. Do you think Alito will be confirmed? Why? Yes, for three reasons. One, the numbers in the Republican led Judiciary Committee and Senate seem to point in his favor. Two, Alito appears committed to continue through with no major political bombshell having appeared to derail him. And third and probably most important, Alito is more conservative than O’Connor but Chief Justice Roberts appears to be more moderate than Rehnquist and Alito making the now younger court only slightly more conservative.

8. What are your hopes for our future if Alito is confirmed? My hope is the same for any Supreme Court Judge. That our Constitution continue to grow as it has in the last 200 years to better respect our independence as individuals, our privacy to lead our own lives and businesses, and equality for all. We, as Americans, still have a ways to go, especially on the issues of equality (i.e. gay marriage).

Starkville Smoke Free Air Act

2006-01-20T09:46:00.000-08:00

There will be an update on the proposed Starkville Smoke Free Air Act that would ban smoking in places of employement, bars, restaurants, public venues, museums, shopping malls, sports arenas, hotel and motel lobbies, service lines, private clubs hosting functions to which the general public is invited, professional offices, common areas in apartment buildings, condominiums, trailer parks, etc. , laundromats (makes sense), taxis, buses, and banks. The act would also ban smoking outside within 20 feet of the enclosed area.

The update will include:

Advantages and Disadvantages stated by the public at the townhall meeting last night at the Greensboro Center.

A reasonable estimation on how the Board of Alderman will vote on the act, once reasonable amendments are made.

My Stance on the Act:

Up until last night, I had no leaning one way or the other on the issue. I could see the advantages and disadvantages on each side and could see supporting either side. That said, after listening to the advantages and disadvantages named by those in attendance and culminating my thoughts on the issue, I stood up and went to the front:

To speak out AGAINST the ban. Despite reasonable and understandable health concerns, it is the right of private businesses to decide whether they want to allow smoking or not in the free enterprise system that we have in the United States. Yes, some will say we already regulate these businesses in the terms of building codes, OSHA, and food safety standards so why not in terms of smoking. Simply put, the business does not sell smoking to its consumers. They do sell food, beverages, alcohol, and a place to eat, drink, and be entertained in a building that is supposed to not collapse on consumers while there. Also, someone can see smoking and choose not to visit that establishment. Customers do not see salmonella or other microscopic bacteria in there food, they do not see rat feces in the kitchen, they do not see busted pipes, and they do not see there food prepared with utensils that haven't been cleaned in a week. The average customer is not trained to detect faulty electrical wiring, assess reasonable fire safety measures upon entry, or check the stability of a ceiling in a building with rotten wood or leaky ceiling. Most customers however can see and/or smell whether people are smoking tobacco products or not at an estbalishment.

Also, some restaurants in Starkville are already smoke free but they do so by choice in our free market, not because it should be required of them. For example, Bulldog Deli, Peppers, the Union, the Perry Cafeteria, and City Bagel are all smoke free. Nonsmokers can choose to eat there if they prefer a smoke free environment. Now, some say that there is not a Veranda or Applebee's or Chili for them to visit that is smoke free. There is not a Dark Horse or Remington's or Rick's for them to visit that is smoke free. The simple answer to that is: Tough. There job is to cater to there market, not individuals. The simple solution to that is eat elsewhere like the City Bagel or the Bulldog Deli or stay at home and cook out there or get to together with friends and family for a pot luck for the social atmosphere.

Finally, these business owners put there money and livelihoods and families into their businesses. Its there choice as private businesses to choose whether they want to be smoke free or not. If they say and believe there businesses will struggle from a smoke free ban, then thats there right. Just as it is Mr. Fant's right to own a smoke free Bulldog Deli and Peppers. It is his money. It is his family he supports. To those who want a smoke free Veranda or Applebee's or a smoke free bar and dance club, build it. Invest in it. If you claim people want a smoke free restuarant or bar or hotel lobby or theatre, build it and they will come. If you all smoke free people truly believe Starkville's economy will be better off with smoke free restaurants and hotels and bars and theatres, then find your smoke free niche in the market, put your money where your rhetoric is, and build it. On this issue, let our city's businesses make there own decisions. There the ones that truly have to live with what some "haphazard alderperson" decides what is "right" and is "politically popular."

Worldwide, motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death among those ages 5 to 29 and the third leading cause of death among those ages 30 to 44 (UN Tackles Roadway Safety). The burden hits financially also as the U. S. lost over $240 Billion worth of economic productivity in 2002 (UN Tackles Roadway Safety). I still drive my car. It's my choice. You still drive or ride in cars. It's your choice.

Let people's lungs, pocketbooks, and brains make there own decision about where to frequent as customers.

Starkville Municipal Court Report at Recent Board Meeting

2006-01-20T09:11:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday night, Judge Eshee (leader of the Municipal Court in Starkville, MS) presented the Board of Alderman with annual munipal court report. Below are notable statistics, information, and Judge Eshee's recommendations to the Board for the upcoming year.

Notable Statistics from 2004 to 2005

The number of DUI's increased from 206 to 292 (Judge Eshee contributes the increase largely due to an increase in action shown by the state's ABC officers)
The number of misdemeanors increased by 50% from 1,028 in 2004 to 1,572 in 2005
The number of felonies, on the other hand, decreased by 12 from 248 to 236.
The number of new court cases increased dramatically from 8,072 in '04 to the record breaking 11,531 recorded last year.
The court expects the number of court cases to remain in the 11,000 or 12,000 range (the increase was not a spike they say)
The court contributes part of the increase in misdemeanors and the decrease in felonies to the increased presence and work of the Starkville Police Department led by Chief Lindley and the Oktibbeha County Sherriff's Department led by Dolph Bryant.

Conditions of the Court (located in City Hall, not the county court house)

The court room and halls of the mucipal court are routinely overcrowded.
There is no prosecuter's office at the court house.
There is no witness room at the court house to hold witnesses in.
There is no defense room at the court house so there is no privacy for defense counsel to discuss issues with their clients on sight.
The Municipal Court Judge and the Court Administrator must share an office which makes for cramped working conditions.

News

Municipal Prosecuter Roy Carpenter will be returning from Iraq (or has) and will resume his role as city prosecuter.
Current City Attorney Rodney Favor was commended on his performance for filling in as prosecuter in Capenter's absence.

Court Recommendations to the Board (these were taken under advisement by the Board)

Add one additional court term per week, preferably Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 (the court already meets on Monday and Thursday) due to the increased case load and a larger group of people having to attend court.
Employ a delinquent fines collection clerk to enable the court to better collect fines that have not been paid. The clerk would issue a contempt warrant for the person who has not paid their fine with the judge who could then fine the person up to $1,000 and/or 6 months in jail for refusal to pay their fine.

Side Note:

The Sierra Club, led by Juliet Tang (i believe thats correct), returned to speak to the Board during Citizen Comments, about the spraying of pesticides in Starkville, MS, and encouraged members of the Board to attend there next meeting.

The Board finally approved interest bearing accounts for city funds, not including Starkville Electric Department funds, in a 5 to 2 vote choosing to use Bank First for the next 2 years. Davis and Self both opposed citing lack of clarity in how the use of the interest would be appropriated and measured.

Memphis

2006-01-11T04:37:00.000-08:00

Went to Memphis last night after work.
Saw the Memphis Grizzlies come from down double digits in the first half to win by double digits versus the Sacramento Kings.
Lawrence Roberts, former MSU standout, played briefly at the end. Like less than a minute but I still got to see him play.
The Rendezvous had amazing dry ribs and excellent service. The best ribs in the world. The Veranda is second in ribs b/c they make theirs differently (more like a marinated steak rib than barbecued smoked ribs.
Pat O'Briens had 2 for 1 Hurricanes so I had 2. Of course, my two came with twice as much rum as Mickey's two so they was strong (not by my design).
I got blackberry hot tea at the basketball game. The cute lady said it would be hot. I drink coffee habitually so I was like, yeah, I'm used to hot tea...............
What she should have said was that it was boiling b/c my mouth is still burning from that BOILING tea. So hot I had to spit it out. Ouch. She still was cute though.
Then we came home and went to sleep.
Thats all folks.

The Mississippi Grocery Tax

2006-01-11T04:25:00.000-08:00

Released by Sam Hall, Communications Director, Mississippi Democratic Party

Republicans today led an effort to prevent Democrats in the House frommaking it easier on families to purchase groceries.

The House Ways and Means Committee passed a Senate bill that would repealthe grocery tax over two years. The bill was left just as it was passed inthe Senate, setting up a vote on the House floor. Democrats in the Housevoted to suspend the rules and allow an immediate vote on this importantpiece of legislation.

However, nearly every Republican voted against suspending the rules.Democrats needed 66 votes to suspend the rules and vote on the bill. Thefinal vote was 64 to 54.

This selfish and short-sighted political move by the Republicans will notkill the bill. It will most likely come up for a regular vote tomorrow.

Mississippi is one of only 17 states that taxes groceries. Of those 17states, Mississippi has the highest grocery tax. It is unconscionable that Republicans would vote to continue taxingMississippi families on groceries.

It is time to call your representativeand tell them you want the costly grocery tax repealed!

Call (601) 359-3770 and leave a message for your representative to vote todo away with the grocery tax!

This tax cut would cut the 7% tax on groceries by 2.5% starting this July, another 1% next july down to 3.5% and eliminating the grocery tax by 2014 by cutting .5% each year after that. This is a tax cut we can all support. Feeding Mississippi families from low income to high income.

To compensate for the tax cut on groceries, the tax on cigarettes would be raised from 18 cents per pack to $1 per pack. Now, while some say this will prevent smoking (I have my doubts), it will at least go to cover the cost of cutting the grocery tax in a state that is already strapped financially.

On another note, I would vote to raise taxes in Mississippi to build up our state's infrastructure while cutting costs in areas where the state has an overdone administrative system (number of counties, number of separate school districts, number of universities) and move the Transportation commissioner to an appointed position under MDOT.

Top 5 in the U.S. Senate

2006-01-08T08:24:00.000-08:00

Rankings of my favorite and least favorite US Senators from each political party

My 5 Most Hated Republican Senators

Rick Santorum (Pennsylvania)
Saxby Chamliss (Georgia)
Kay Bailey Hutchinson (Texas)
Bill Frist (Tennessee)
Elizabeth Dole (North Carolina)

My 5 Favorite Republican Senators

Arlen Specter (Pennsylvania)
Chuck Hagel (Nebraska)
John McCain (Arizona)
Trent Lott (Mississippi)
Sam Brownback (Kansas)

My 5 Favorite Democrat Senators

John Rockefeller (West Virginia)
Bill Nelson (Florida)
Barbara Boxer (California)
Evan Byah (Indiana)
Ted Kennedy (Massachusetts) (sticks to his principles)

My 5 Least Favorite Democratic Senators

Joseph Lieberman (Connecticut)
John Kerry (Massachusetts)
Hillary Clinton (New York)
Diane Feinstein (California)
Joseph Lieberman (he's just that bad)

# 1 favorite overall = James Jeffords of Vermont (he's an independent)

Finally, I Stay in Just One Town

2005-12-19T04:58:00.000-08:00

Finally, today, monday, I stayed in just one town the whole day. For the first time in a week (since last Sunday), I got to stay in just one town for the whole day. Thank you. Mostly b/c I'm at work and their is not catering today. Lets see.

The Past:

Monday = Starkville to Tupelo to Corinth. Tuesday = Corinth to Ecru to Corinth to Lexington (TN) to Corinth. Wednesday = Corinth to Alamo (TN) to Corinth. Thursday = Corinth to Jackson (TN) to Corinth. Friday = Corinth to Henderson (TN) to Corinth. Saturday = Corinth to Tupelo to Starkville to Kosciusko. and Sunday = Kosciusko to Starkville to Tupelo to Corinth. Today = Just Corinth. Why, if i'm stuck in one town, does it have to be this one. See story below (Corinth Sucks).

The Future:

The road trip resumes tomorrow with two trips to Tupelo, 2 wednesday to Jackson (TN), Thursday to somewhere, and Friday to Tupelo again. Next week includes Ecru and Ripley.

With all the catering and good eating, needless to say I gained about 8 pounds in the last week. Lots of Cake, Greenbeans, and Dressing. How can a guy refuse.

Corinth Sucks Again

2005-12-14T04:59:00.000-08:00

Alcorn County, home of Corinth (MS) proved yesterday it is still stuck in the 1850's. The liquor referendum to bring liquor sales back to Alcorn County failed 55 to 45%. Talk about stuck in a black hole. Yikes. Thats why I like living in Starkville so much and call Starkville home. It is in reality ville.

But hey, what can you expect from a bunch of redneck, self righteous, heavily conservative, hypocritical, bratty 1850 wanna be's. Corinth is and always will be the Salem of the South. Warning to witches. Stay away.

UPDATE:

The day after the liquor referendum failed, two national chain restaurants pulled out of contracts that would have brought them to Corinth. Those two are Chili's and Applebees. That would have really helped a restaurant market that currently lists only McAllisters, Ryan's & Ruby Tuesday's as chain restuarants outside of fast food.

UPDATE # 2 (January 17, 2005):

On a side note, the Pickwick, TN area just got resort status from the TN state legislature and can now sell liquor at restaurants (they already had package liquor). For those not from the area, Pickwick is a popular day trip destination for those in the area due to the state park, the river and lake, the Waterfalls, and golfing along with boating, fishing, and camping. The Rib Cage their has great BBQ along with quail.

Refreshments

2005-12-14T04:53:00.000-08:00

Yesterday (Tuesday), I returned back to work at Refreshments, a place I love to go to work at. Its lots of fun. And not just because I get Turkey and Dressing and Ham and Green beans or steak and baked potatoes. Refreshments is a vending and catering company for those that don't know. I got there before 6:30 am and 16 hours later, after 11:00 pm, i was done. Ecru, MS and Lexington, TN. Palmetto (i think that was it) and Johnson Control. The people I work with are awesome and funny and a little crazy. I think we're goin to Alamo, TN today up near Dyersburg. Fun.

One Track Mind

2005-12-11T10:52:00.000-08:00

For those not knowing me all that well, I'm like the worst person to have free time on their hands with no schedule of what to do. Sadly, I think I inherited it from my grandmother who will worry the hell out of a pig for no good reason. And since we had exams last week (both of mine being at the end of the week), I had way too much free time on my hands. And I have it today. Although I really should be packing to go to Corinth (Vote Yes for Liquor Tuesday December 13th) since I'm stopping in Tupelo to shop on the way. But with all the free time on my hands, I studied pretty much zilch which puts me at the mercy of my finance teacher who gave us a final for all the marbles with no other grades for the class. FYI, if you have a final thats your only grade in a graduate class, you might want to study for more than 45 minutes. Not that I ever take my own advice.

But anyway, I've been one tracking it for about 5 or 6 days now. Except for Friday night when me and my new mentor went to about 6 different parties and I drank the most I have had since back in June. The tavern was the best. Rich and Ray's was the best home bar ever and party # 1 had the best food and good people. I say, tequila and gin and beer and cognac and bacardi 151 and bailey's and grand marniet make the worries go away. That and believe it or not, I actually felt at peace for 3 hours during my finance final. I was actually happy to be there as we all talked about future failings.

But the mind returned to reality Saturday morning (and no, not just the hangover) and is back on its one way track to nowhere at this rate. Again, if u ever see me with too much free time, bury me in work. Please, its for my own good. And I work much better that way and think a hell of a lot less. And that can only serve to be a good thing. Up and out to find work to do. -matt-

What Animal Are You

2005-12-07T16:17:00.000-08:00

My Test Says:

"You are a PUPPY! Beloved by all, puppies are energetic, playful, and loving. Your friendly nature is part of what makes you a puppy. Known for their loyalty, puppies make great pets for young and old alike. And an innocent puppy face can melt anyone's heart! You were almost a: Monkey or a Frog. You are least like a: Bunny or a Groundhog."

I was next closest to being a monkey. Monkeys are intelligent and agile, well-adapted for jungle life as they swing happily from tree to tree. As a monkey, you are a social animal who eats a wide range of food, is quick to learn new things and loves to climb. A monkey's tiny primate features are irresistable, as is his gregarious personality!

http://www.cuteducky.com/cute_animal_quiz.html

Dancing With Fear

2005-12-04T21:03:00.000-08:00

The greatest fear in life is missing life because you fear, not the fear itself.

You know, i think everyone has their own particular fears. I think it is a natural part of life. Although FDR might disagree. I mean, the only thing we have to Fear is Fear itself. And thats probably true in a basic sense. If you didn't fear "fear," you wouldn't have anything to Fear b/c you've conquered fear itself. But in reality, I don't really think that is possible. We may learn to cope with and manage our fears but eliminating them is far from happening. And thats not to say that some fear is not a good thing because a little bit of fear is what makes the world go around. Its literally and/or figuratively safer to have fear than to not in that u can protect yourself from getting burned by your fears. Its really easy to do actually. You just avoid them at all costs. However, some fears are just unavoidable. In that case, you just have to learn to deal with them. Yeah, i know, easier said than done. I mean a lot easier.

But the thing is, that fear leads to missing something. And the fear of what you are missing and will miss is worse than what you fear. Because you want to get where your fear prevents you from getting. Now where that is depends on what you fear. And you'll likely keep missing things you want to see or do b/c your fear keeps u from reaching it. Until one day, you miss it and/or want it more than you fear your fear. That is the day you challenge your fear. Eye to eye, mind to mind. Fear has a mind of its own you know, a very stubborn one in fact. So you may fail and never try again. Or you may fail and keep trying, in vain or in success. Or you may pass on your first attempt only to be scared to never try again. Or you may take your fear and walk hand in hand with it. One shaking limb, one racing nerve at a time. Until you are in unison with your fear. And in that case, you have passed and will continuing passing through the wicked willows and changing land. And as long as you are in unison, your fear will be with you and not against you. To all a good nite.

John McCain, Ed Sanders, and Bipartisanship

2005-11-19T14:28:00.000-08:00

On Friday, I got to go see one of my favorite political leaders from all time, and maybe my favorite of this new century. Thats right, the truly awesome US Senator John McCain. And other than the fact that it was in Oxford at Ole Miss & the fact I had to listen to that fool Robert Kyahatt, it was a truly great experience.

Especially since me and my friend little Ed went up together. Which I might add, we had one of the most confusing 2 car motorcade u can have. Me with all my Democrat stickers followin Ed with his republican stickers includin the likes of Senator George Allan. Which i was sort of hopin we got lost. B/c then i could blame ed for poor leadership (as dems blame bush) but not offer a plan for how to get back on track as Democrats are known to do. B/c the blame game is so much more fun. But hey, me and ed know this bipartisanship thing. And its the way to go.

But some of McCain's speech and most of the Q&A dealt with the war in iraq which is an important issue but there are so many more important issues affecting Mississippi that should have been talked about. like education and medicare and transportation and spending policy and the budget. but most of the talk centered on the war. and mccain defended bush's position on the war and having no timeline. which i happen to agree with. i supported the war in iraq from the beginning, not b/c of WMD as the president claimed, but b/c of human rights violations and our participation in the UN Declaration of Human Rights, established shortly after WWII. and to give the President credit, he did say when we went to war in Iraq, that it would likely last 5 years and we've only been there 3 i believe so he still got time, just most people forget the 5 year thing b/c we militarily took over the country so quick which was gonna be easy. Organizing the country into a safe, self-supporting democracy was always gonna be what was the difficult task. Now, the problem with the war and reestablishing of Iraq is that mistakes were made. Most namely in establishing a more global coalition of allies. That's where the President made his biggest mistake. Pushing the war on the basis of WMD's and a Preventive attack against Iraq on the basis they would attack us. Most of the world's nations did not buy it (namely France, Russia, China, & Germany) and hence our predicament. If he had pushed for the war on the basis of human rights (which would be less popular here but more popular on the world scale), we would have had more help. Instead, Bush went with popularity here in the US (namely WMD's) and has left us labeled as hegemonic occupiers, not compassionate americans. Hence, the higher cost and the more prominent backlash.

But still, bipartisanship is where the future of America lies. A democratic slandering of the war does the country, the soldiers, and the iraqi people nothing. At the same time, the failure of the Republicans to not admit mistakes and the President to stick to his "i'm always right" highground is also doing us no good.

Both parties lack real leadership. At some point, it might occur. But until then, a bipartisan led 3rd party may be where the future is at.

Supreme Court Nominations

2005-11-11T06:44:00.000-08:00

Below are my opinions about the recent Supreme Court nomination of Alito and the life of the court.

The guidelines in Bush's message when nominating a justice for the Supreme Court are foolish at best and simply at the life of politics. Not Equal Opportunity and Justice for All. Bush appointed Miers who had little or no experience at so she would be fresh. Then she gets yanked in favor of Alito who has loads of experience but a much more questionable record on the bench. Bush tried to pass Miers but the extreme right wing of the Republican Party derailed that nomination because Miers was not detrimental enough to the decisions of Justice O’Connor. In other words, she did not pass the Republican Litmus test. By withdrawing her nomination because she was not right wing enough, Bush let down the American people more so than when he appointed her, even though she lacked the qualifications. And while Republicans are complaining that every Justice deserves the right to vote, Miers was dismissed by her own before the Senate got to vote.

What we need on the bench is a nominee who is ready to protect all Americans rights. We went to war in Iraq, although a small part, to defend the human rights of Iraqi citizens. We honor and pay tribute to the life of Rosa Parks and Dr. King for moving America forward in the eyes of the Constitution. And while our Constitution is one of the greatest documents in history, it is only so because the men and women who interpret it have grown. It used to support “Separate but Equal” and “the three-fifths clause” but it does no more. Yet, by selling the Constitution to the right wing of America for political capital in the body of Alito, we will have disgraced the past and endangered the future. What America needs is a Justice like O’Connor who stood so firmly and courageously on the perch of justice. Alito is not that person. Give America better Mr. President. For once, give us better than we gave you.

The Release of It All

2005-11-03T16:02:00.000-08:00

I have had a rather pleasant day today. In fact, I have enjoyed it. Here is the list.

7:20 am = Starkville High School Young Democrats with special guest speaker Alderman Sumner Davis of my ward (ward 1). And he gave a good, interactive speech that allowed the students to feel involved. Very educational also. And the interest of the High School Democrats is great to see. 16 of them there at 7:20 in the mornin. Meanwhile, college students complain about class at 8 when they are out by 11.
then i had breakfast afterwords at City Bagel for the first time. That suasage, egg, and cheese bagel was great. and talked politics among other things with someone more laid back so that was cool too.
class = got out of stats (10:00) early (thank goodness, i was about to cry with boredom) and finance (1:00) was cancelled (thank you, thank you).
12:00 = mba association met so pizza, pizza. and we are havin an mba end of semester, honor the grads party on the cliff and an ole miss - msu tailgate.
took a nap
i finally straightened my backyard so that was cool. now just the garage left and my room of course.
And county humane society is at 7 tonight. yep yep.
And I been talkin with my really awesome friend all day in and out.

So yes, today has been good. And on another note, I feel freer today. I don't know why. I just do. Well actually I do know why but that might not be proper to put on a blog.

To all a good night (maybe). And of course Vote Donkey, Vote Donkey, Vote Donkey.

The Donkey

2005-10-31T06:50:00.000-08:00

This post is some what the conclusion of the last post about the weekend but separate indeed.

--------------------------------------------------

One notable and great part of my weekend. I really did forget about all the political stuff other than the occasional reminder. The week is coming so that may change. But oh well, who needs politics. Me probably but i can live without.

On that note, the donkey is coming back and is back to stay. People can make fun of the donkey and even call it immature and clownish but the donkey is always there and always ready to go. In fact, other people think of Clinton and Roosevelt and JFK and others as their favorite democrats. All of which I so truly believe in.

But my favorite Democrat of all is "the Donkey." The Donkey is me. Its laid back. Its fun. Its simple and energetic. Leavin the donkey side of me was stupid. Leavin the donkey side of me, as crazy as it may sound, changed me. It took all the fun out. I'm not that strict of a person. I can show a facade of such but its not me. I love the clownin around. I feel most comfortable when doing so. And I'm a better person b/c I am me when doing so.

It may not be as politically savvy but I don't really care. I'm not out to be a savvy, intelligent politician. As soon as I become such, I would have lost my way. And I wouldn't won't to be in it anymore. Sure, I do things pretty straight forward but thats just me. Hopefully, it always will be.

May the donkey side of me always remain and shall I never stray again.

Best Weekend So Far

2005-10-31T06:22:00.000-08:00

It is 8:22 Monday Morning and I am sittin at my computer typing before showerin and studying for my accounting test at 1 this afternoon. And since I have been looking back (I have a tendency to do that), I see that this past weekend was my favorite of the semester although Suzanne's birthday weekend with casinos, lsu football, and such was a very good second and the last ydms saturday was pretty good on its own with ydms, ms democratic club, the carnival, the friends, and the party.

But this weekend was the best:

Partaking in the Halloween Carnival playin "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" was so awesome. Having every little kid spell out and then yell donkey was so cool. Some people may not like the donkey thing but kids love it and so do I so who really cares what them other people think.
Then Japanese with me friends Thursday night was pretty cool too. The ticket on the way there not so.
And my really good friend Rebecca getting in town and hanging out all Thursday night walkin and talkin was so cool. That beats a bar or a club anyday. Call me simple but thats me.
Then Friday touring all over campus with becca and some of town was so fun. I got to clown around even.
Mi Hacienda was cool too b/c some people like to make fun of the way i eat me chips and salsa (i'm like a sloppy pig) and fightin with becca over the camera.
Then the play was so enlightening and funny and serious and everything. I loved it. Marcus and Houston and Grace were awesome in it.
Plus the late night gathering at my house with sepcial guests was cool too. And I can see clearer now that the fog is gone. smile, smile.
Saturday was Fun Day and although it may just be silly dogs and the Humane Society, Its one of my favorite things to be a part of. The members of it enjoy going out and workin and playin. No hopin and hopin. So the dogs played the games with their owners, i grilled food, and we all laughed.
Plus playin on the playground and the doggie obstacle course was so great (and such an amazing stress reliever).
Then lazyin around all afternoon was great indeed.
Haunted Farm with the gang was so awesome even though my mooin and barking and oinking and other animal noises on the hay ride might have annoyed a couple but i love it. so enlivening.
Plus the gathering that night.

But the sad part came. My friend Rebecca had to leave sunday and go back to arkansas. Sad sad sad.

But then Mickey got back in town and brought Hershey to stay for a couple of days so I was happy again. And me and my little humane society friend took our dogs on a walk sunday night which was great too.

This weekend so much fun.

Oh to the Stresses of Life

2005-10-27T09:37:00.000-07:00

Hello, Life is more stressful than i thought. Rising blood pressure, pulse flying, ain't it nice.

School work = so not nice.
Land of the Donkey = a bit of a rocky ride to state it mildly.
Work, lots and lots of work.
A messy, messy somewhat wrecked house.
Friendships = yeah, nice stress topper.

All of those, so much fun. Yeah, I can really be excited about that.

But wait, there is good news coming tonight. Yes, Yes. From Arkansas and the Mississippi coast it comes.

Tom is on his way for the weekend. Always a good thing. So many laughs and good times.
MUW Dems are up and running. So cool. and So great to go down and hang out with em. They are definitely democrat so thats a plus and there pretty cute too so thats even better.
Marcus's play friday with the demordog (plus a denny) gang and partyin afterwards.
Humane Society Fun Day is Saturday with all the little dogs playin games. So much fun. Suzanne and Brooke and Rheda and Casey and Chris and me, etc.

Last but best of all, my friend Rebecca from when I lived in jackson, tn is coming from little rock tonight to visit and hangout all weekend. Yippee, Yippee, Yippee.

Just goes to show, with all the stress and bad things a brewin or flyin, there is always something good around the corner. Keep your head up and always look to the bright side.

Staring at Failure and Liking It

2005-10-20T06:29:00.000-07:00

Today, I have a grad finance final which is gonna be tough b/c it's comprehensive and it deals with finance. For difficulty level, in a class of 16 to 18 mba grad student, the class average on the mid-term was a 53 and the class median was a 51. yeah, not good. one person did manage an A and there were 3 B's but considering anything lower than a B is bad, C is a risky letter, and a D or below is complete failure, the class stares at trouble.

Meanwhile, I have been thinkin I should study since last Thursday yet have only read the Chapter summary for 1, yes 1, of the 12 chapters on the test. Needless to say, I'm hoping for a 40 but 30 wouldn't be all bad. I mean there was a 8 & a 15 on the last test.

Yet the more I think I should study, the less inclined I am to do so. And amazingly, I actually like this. You know, knowing I'm gonna completely fail my finance final. I'm calm in this thought. Yet doing so might delay my graduation from may til the end of june or even july. Which would suck. I just hope finance is over soon. And considering the thoughts of a number of the others in the class, I am certainly not alone.

You see, I take solace in the fact that I won't be alone. A number of others will fail with me which can only be a good thing. Singin "Take us all down to the land down under so we can rise together. F's become B's in a land of failure. And the lightning strikes and the Thunder rolls. Another GPA falls on a sleepless night. But I won't be alone, not so lonely, so not lonely." Yes, I feel better now.

Million Man March

2005-10-15T06:04:00.000-07:00

The 10th anniversary of the famous Million Man March is today. And today they title it the "Millions More Movement." So I happenned to catch it on C-Span at 7:00 this Saturday morning. And when I get back from volunteering for the Humane Society at the Horse Park, I will watch more of it as I watch the college football that takes place around the nation.

What I've seen so far this morning that I liked:

Tavis Smiley, a talk show host for NPR and PBS talked on Poverty in America. He says it well when he says poverty is not a "black or white" issue but a "wrong or right" issue. And the answer is simple. Utter poverty is wrong, wrong, wrong.

Many, many prayers from many denominations (catholic, jewish, baptist, muslim, african traditional, latino traditional) in speaking form and even opera form. There playing the African National Anthem so I pause & stand til completion. ----- Now more preachers and prayers.

Yet the best prayer that I've heard so far was by a Dakota Chief who says prayer is not in his language. That he will not pray til things start to change. Change. There's still injustice, still inequality, discrimination. And sadly, a lot of it is led by our elected leaders. Even sadder, on both sides of the aisle. Injustice, discrimination, inequality is not a party thing, its a people thing. Even friends of mine (and worse family) don't have a problem discriminating against someone or some group for some absurd reason. People who have been victims of injustice and discrimination in the past even resort to the same practices.

5 years into the 21st century, we shouldn't have to have this speech. 60 years after WWII, we shouldn't have to have this march. 140 years after the end of the civil war, we shouldn't have to have this movement. Nearly 230 years after our Declaration of Independence, of freedom and equality for all, for the living right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, not everyone is free, not everyone is equal.

So as the honorable Chief from the Dakota's says, I will not pray b/c prayers are words. Prayers are thoughts. Prayers are written. They are dead as soon as they are spoken. They return to a book on a shelf or in the middle of a pew or in a bible (yes, i didn't capitalize it) or other "holy" book. If you find solace in praying, so be it. But while you are bowing down on your knees by your bed or praying in a church or wherever, people are bowing under discrimination and inequality and more people are succumbing to the easiness to practice the cruel and sad act.

Hence, get up off your knees, put your bible down, and start walking, start moving without fear or hesitation til all life is equal for all, not just some.

Last Weekend

2005-10-04T15:13:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was the most fun this year. Yes i'm a dork and i acknowledge that so my fun might be different from yours. but i like it so thats the point.

Wednesday = College dems booth, college dems meeting, then karaoke at the hat with the good people
Thursday = Uno and Poker and Texas Hold Em with mickey and robert while watching college football, then Dave's dark horse tavern with the good people. FYI = apparently people don't understand the importance of finishing pizza regardless of whether it hit the floor for a second
Friday = RWS show (very funny), pizza stop, and drinkin and gamblin at the casino with the good people til after 3
Saturday = MSU football vs. LSU in beautiful weather with the good people (not so on the score), hangin w/ pappa nick, the 3 hours at ruby tuesdays with the good people, guys dressed up as women at some party, and then going to the forever unnamed club with the good people
Sunday = talkin dem stuff and other stuff with another good dem for 8 hours.

Yep, i enjoyed it.

Laggin Behind ... Again

2005-10-04T14:38:00.000-07:00

Anyone remember how i said i wouldn't get behind this fall. how i was gonna return to my old get everything in early self. good. neither do i. well i do but if ya'll don't, thats better. so this week ends the first term of fall for grad students. not normally bad except i was already behind goin into this week. missed class, inefficiencies, lack of productivity. so alots behind. and what do i do when behind? i blog about it.

ain't it nice. gotta love it. finance take home (its to make up a test). mmpc tests wednesday and thursday plus the presentation i gave today. ls journals due and test. 2 sa money forms due. other stuff. yeah. fun times. but who cares. rather hang around with others. school is overrated.

Wrist Prep

2005-09-14T10:42:00.000-07:00

Good news!!! I get to have my cast taken off of my arm monday. Bad news. It comes back on after the surgery. Ain't that grand. In the mean time, i spent my free wednesday morning, normally spent hanging out in front of the union at a college dems booth with my fellow donkeys, getting prep tests done in columbus. you know, a guy and a cup & a little blood drawn. all fun stuff.

Even better is that I got to go to Office Depot in Columbus and find a printer which I successfully did. Apparentl, all printers come in combo packages these days unless they are laser printers so i settled for the 6 in 1 scanner, copier, fax, photo doc, printer, and PC only fax. As long as it prints, i'm happy. Now all i have to do is get my grumpy little brother to set it up (install software, hook the cables, read the directions, etc.). This he should do nicely so i don't have to barge into his room anytime of the day or night to use his printer. Something about using his printer at 3 in the morning ticks him off.

I also was proud that i dropped by the different clothing stores and didn't buy anything despite stuff being on sale. maybe i'm getting back to my old, less woman like (ya know, browse for hours, then buy everything they see) shopping habits. True test = speed grocery shopping. We'll see.

RWS and Exorcism's

2005-09-12T15:43:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

For those of you who missed Running With Scissors last friday night, you missed a great show for a great cause. RWS managed to raise over $1200 for the Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort while giving the crowd tons of laughs and plenty of great skits and improv. Congrats to the cast led by host Houston Longino including actors Mark Harris, Kristen James, Dustin LeFors, James Comans, Laura Rayburn, Brandon Morris, and the "Trojan Man" Matt Albert along with many great performers including the little white guy. Great show guys.

After RWS, we went to Applebee's for food and drinks then a quick stop at my house. Probably so we could all ride in the back of a truck. Soon, however, the laughs and jokes from RWS and such were turned into sights almost as scary as the Bush Administration. Even the devil begged to go back to hell claiming the conditions were better there than under a Bush-Republican Whitehouse.

Hence, I'm not ashamed to admit it. The movie about Emily Jones's exorcism scared the hell out of me. People and goblins and zombies and whatever attacking are fine, but a devil you can't see wreaking havoc on someone is pretty damn unusual and pretty much freaks me out. As a result, I have increased my campaigning to get a good seat in Hell (since I'm a Democrat and thus obviously going there) so that the Devil works with me, not inside me. I'm not that touchy feely. On the safe side, we did all stay up at my place til after 3:30 so that we could make sure that all clocks safely made it to 3:01. All checks a go. Nites.

COPE Course at Camp Seminole

2005-09-12T15:28:00.000-07:00

Hey ya'll,

This is my first post in a while since I have been a little busy and a little lazy as of late. Oh well.

Last Friday, September 9th, my Leadership Skills class took part in taking on the COPE Course at Camp Seminole. Normally, I would be upset about class on Fridays considering I don't have class on Fridays now just as many of you would be. However, considering we were out in the woods at the course, I was sort of happy to be there and rather enjoyed getting to partake in the team challenges and hang with my classmates.

The activities included:

Falling backwards from a podium 6 feet off the ground and being caught by our teammates or hitting the ground. We were all caught
Trying to fit 10 people on a square platform 12 inches wide.
Moving all members through a tire 4 feet off the ground without touching the tire with members unable to return to the otherside after they go through. We only lost one arm.
Moving our team across the 7 swinging tires each three feet off the ground and 5 or 6 feet apart without touching the ground.
Climbing the 15 foot wall with no ropes or pegs (we all got boosts off of Brad's back).
Climbing a rock wall (never done before) .
Propelling 40 feet and 60 feet off a tower (never done before).
Bunches of games and other team tasks.

Lots of fun, cast included.

Meetings and Events Upcoming

2005-08-28T19:32:00.000-07:00

Here are a list of the upcoming meetings and events that i have particular interest in. Now, this is barring they aren't cancelled by the hurricane.

Humane Society monday night at 7:00 in the Union 3rd floor faculty lounge. hurricane party possible.

Stennis Montgomery Association at 7:00 tuesday night at the Stennis Institute (www.stennismontgomery.blogspot.com)

College Democrats meeting at 5:30 wednesday night in union 3rd floor faculty lounge.

Steve Spurrier returns at South Carolina vs. Central Florida at 6:30 Thursday on ESPN. Vandy also takes on Wake Forest on ESPNU.

MSU vs. Murray State from Scott Field at 6:00 saturday night which means college football all day saturday. My early pick is MSU 47 to 13 over Murray State.

A Knock at My Door

2005-08-24T05:14:00.000-07:00

Last night, after i got home, me and mickey were eating dinner while watching "According to Jim" and "Rodney" on ABC, both of which I think are really funny by the way.

Anyway, while eating, I heard this knock at my door. Well, not really a knock, it was more of a meow. And it was coming from the courtyard door. Being the animal person that I am, I went and opened the door and saw a little cat that was black with white paws but unfortunately no collar so if it has an owner, I can't find them to take it home. Of course, I got it a bowl of milk and later invited it in to hang out which of course destroyed my chances of doing homework which i should be doing now since i'm a pretty good ways behind already. damn teachers. anyway, apparently the cat thinks it now lives at my place since it was still hear this morning at 3:45 in the morning until i had to make it stay outside so i could actually study. For those of you who don't know, I am very easily distracted so I need quiet and alone time to study and for it to also be cool temps where i study (invigoration i guess). anyway, apparently it might just need a home so if anybody wants a cute friendly cuddly cat, let me know. until then, i'll be trying to find its actual home if it has one. until then, it comes inside to play and during non study time, and sleeps in the dog house outside since i have no dog here at state (hershey and lacelei stay in corinth with me parents). which basically means i do a lot less running b/c lacelei ain't trying to eat me (not really, she just likes to chase and bark at my heels in a snarling playful way).

however, i have said and promised i would get a dog (not a cat) from the shelter sometime within the next month, time permitting. apparently, it is tough to get and take care of a donkey. anyway, off to study, then college dems booth 9:30 to 12:30 this wednesday (8/24) morning.

ps: help out the humane society with supplies, community service hours, or monetary donations. they are located in their new building on industrial road (the one at the 3 way with the national guard armory) on the right about a quarter to a half a mile past the BP station (corner of lynn lane and industrial road). less than 2 minute drive from highway 12.

College Democrats Meeting Time

2005-08-24T05:05:00.000-07:00

Since I haven't posted in a while (time management inefficiencies, school work, humane society, democrat stuff), i thought i'd post our meeting time since bogard (blog.bogard.org) mentioned for me to do so on his blog.

Hence,

The MSU College Democrats will meet each Wednesday from 5:30 until 6:30 or 7 in the union faculty lounge on the third floor of the union. that is the first door if u u-turn right as you top the stairs coming from the post office. If need be, we can schedule a second meeting time to better meet the schedules of our members or interestees (tew republicans or any other style rat republican not included).

Federation of College Democrat meets in Jackson Saturday.

Also, the great MSU Humane Society chapter meets this Monday at 7:00 in the Union 3rd floor lobby. Come out and support our furry pals. The leaders are Rheda and Suzanne and me of course (i got the money bags).

Home in Corinth Again

2005-08-13T14:35:00.000-07:00

For the first time since june 30th, i am back in corinth as of last wendesday after arriving back in starkville from san fran around 2 or 3 tuesday mornin. and i must say, after a long week and a half, it was nice to take a break for a couple of days and sit around and be lazy and watch the pga championship starting thursday and finishin tomorrow even if tiger made the cut (he just better not win). however, i did get bored lazyin around thursday and friday so i actually cut the grass even though mickey and dad were supposed to do it. today was good since we were at the golf course by 8 (yes, on a saturday mornin) to play golf with mickey, my dad, and robert. our scores need not be mentioned nor put on record. (put it this way, me and robert ripped up our score card after scramblin as a team the second 9.) i also got to go by refreshments and talk with all the great people there. them people are so much fun.

As for upcoming blog posts:

The Travelin saga to yda in san fran (it was unique none the less).

The Trip to YDA in San Fran (oh so nice). elections, speakers, jokes, sightseeing, sky high views, things in hotels, singin yahtzee randomly with issac (michigan), barkin with seals, and of course, scrappy (the donkey).

The leadership of jennifer daniels, now retired president of the msu humane society.

The leadership of robert hooks, president of the young democrats of mississippi and the national YDA event that may just land in MS (could it be, real liberals on the coast, not just pretenders).

Learnin how i'm more impatient annoyed than i thought.

Anyway, vote donkey, and take care. I gotta go watch the last of the 3rd round of the pga championship.

ps: school starts thursday with the drill and student involvement fair. yippee, plus other stuff.

Bad Luck Struck it Rich

2005-08-03T03:34:00.000-07:00

I've started wondering this fateful question: "Could my luck get anyworse?" I could go into detail about recent cruelty of bad luck (something new everyday it seems) but I have my final econ exam at 6 this mornin so i can be in jackson, ms by 11 to go to san fran. Put it this way, if its any type of transit, its gone wrong within the last week. Plus psycho AC's, class upheavels, and other mean little stuff.

Hence, hoepfully, on my way to san fran, i'm goin to have my blankie, me pillow, and me stuffed donkeys Scrappy and Patriot. Of course, when we get to New Mexico, the RV will break down and be stranded i'm sure oh well. Anyway, all i can say is "oh brother" and "be careful" and "of course, why not"

Yard Sale, YDA, Great Leaders, and Future Posts

2005-08-01T21:01:00.000-07:00

below is the beginnings of my next two or 3 posts coming later (tomorrow i hope).

a) one from last weekend on the humane society yard sale

b) one from this week on my trip with members of ydms to san fran wednesday thru monday

c) one on jennifer daniels, the best and most dedicated student organization leader at State for the 2004-2005 school year leadin the humane society. jennifer and daniel melder are me community service and leadership heroes.
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The Yard Sale

the yard sale was extremely tiring but lots of fun. i was up 40 plus hours straight and jennifer outdid me by at least 4 hours. i dunno how she made it. the u-haul broke down so we had to carry everything by a line of cars, trailers, and trucks. people started stalkin the prey at freakin 2 in the mornin, then at 4:30, some just parked there cars and waited swarmin us at like a little after 5 when we weren't scheduled to start at 6. and some of them were freakin crazy. it was a long friday night, all 24 hours saturday and then sunday mornin and early afternoon. and jennifer is like awesome. i was about to pass out and she was still tickin. poor jason, she ran him ragged too. the hell with u-hauls out of columbus. its like u haul the truck around, not the truck haulin the goods.

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The Beginning of the YDA Trip: Plannin and travel arrangements

speakin of transportation issues, our private plane to san fran for young democrats of america is stuck in venezuela with mechanical problems. ain't that nice. here's the kicker. we are now leavin wednesday at 11 and drivin 30 plus hours one way to san fran and then 30 plus hours back. at least it is on a really nice campaign style RV bus bein that it is the one john edwards travelled in when campaignin for vice-president in the southwest U.S. Still, it will be long and someone is likely to be tarred and tossed out of the bus b/c they'll tick everyone off. Hopefully not me.

Anyways, i now have to crash study for me 2 final exams which i have to take tomorrow (tuesday) since we are leaving wednesday, the day they were scheduled. yikes. i don't normally pray but i might should start.
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See ya soon. Off to study again. Lucky i got bloggin and some other stuff to keep the stress down and relax. Take care ya'll.

Why I Love College Football in the South

2005-08-01T19:37:00.000-07:00

I've been arguing with my friend robert about why college football is so great, especially here in the South. While runnin through arron dees blog ( http://adees14.blogspot.com/ ) who i just happenned to link from RJ's , i noticed this ( http://captainm.blogspot.com/ ). And yes, i immediately fell in love with it.

All i can say is "Yeah, what he said."

By B.J. Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com
Senior Editor

Simply put, it's different down here - just ask former Heisman trophy winner Frank Sinwich.

"I'm from Ohio," the University of Georgia legend once said, "but if I'd known what it was like down south, I would have crawled down here on my hands and knees."

Football in the south is an interesting beast. It's not a game, it's not a pastime...it's a way of life. It's a mixed drink of family, religion, politics and pageantry, spiked with shots of antagonism, arrogance and pride.

Critics label our view of college football as naive and tendentious. Our response? We couldn't agree more. Southerners revel in regional bias, and why shouldn't we? In the south, we transform a vast picnic area into The Grove. We see a stadium on the river and bring a Navy. We take a plain desert stone and make it magic. We have The Chop, The Chomp and The Ramblin' Wreck. We root for the same team as our dad, the same team as his dad and say "to heck" with the team of your dad's dad. We call players by their first names, anyone on the athletic staff "coach", and to the chagrin of media pundits and those who just don't understand, we say "we".

Southern football is why my grandmother spent fall Saturday's in orange capris, blue reebok classics and alligator jewelry and had a football card of Danny Wuerffel taped to her dresser. It's the same reason why my mom can't watch the fourth quarter, my dad won't watch the first quarter and my uncle and his two sons have walked around Valdosta, Georgia with a little more pep in their step since December 7th, 2002.

Southern football isn't tailgating, it's all-nighting. It's not about painting your face, it's about painting your chest. It's not about grills, it's about cookers. Inside the stadium, you don't talk to your neighbors, you yell at them. Those around you aren't strangers, they're 80,000 of your closest friends. You don't go on the road when you travel to see your team play...you go home.

Down here, you're not born a boy or a girl, you're born a Gamecock or Tiger. Down here, football is just as entrenched in our culture as Jesus, sweet tea and barbeque sandwiches. We say "Yes Ma'm" and "No Sir", but we also say "Roll Tide", "War Eagle" and "Pig Sooey". Down here two plus two equals third down and six.

Southern football is why you drive through Wrightsville, Georgia and see "The Home of Herschel Walker" on Highway 15. It's why hundreds of adults in the state of Alabama are named "Bear". Southern football is Billy Cannon, Bo Jackson and Archie, Eli and Peyton Manning. It's Bobby Bowden, Vince Dooley and the Ole' Ball Coach. It's detergent boxes under toilet paper, frat boys in team-colored pants - it's Lynyrd Skynyrd and Molly Hatchet in button-down shirts, Southern Living with a cowboy hat; it's a clash of styles that produces a scene often imitated but never duplicated. Ever.

The setting? So picturesque you don't want to touch it, yet so enthralling you just can't let it go. It's a similar one in Knoxville, Tennessee, Starkville, Mississippi and Blacksburg, Virginia, and it has been for years.

Southern football is Erk Russell joking, "we don't cheat at Georgia Southern, that costs money and we don't have any." It's John Heisman saying, "it's better to have died as a young boy than to fumble the football." It's Bobby Dodd saying he'd rather face the lions in the colesium than the Tigers in Baton Rouge. It's Clemson fans stating they would rather be on probation than lose to Furman.

The players, the coaches and the rivalries are captivating here in the south. Florida-Georgia weekend causes more people to call in sick on Monday morning than the stomach flu and strept throat, Alabama-Auburn divides households, neighborhoods and the entire state, and The Egg Bowl is a true late November fixture. The storylines are just as alluring. Think "The Choke at Doak", "Lindsay Scott!!" or the 1961 Clemson-South Carolina game where a group of USC students inpersonated the Tiger football team in pre-game warm-ups, catering to the crowd and the band before flopping all over the field and mocking Clemson's agricultural background with milking hand-motions.

Though the press tries to hype the last week in the regular season as rivalry week, every week is rivalry week in the south.

Something down here makes this game different. College football has a legitimate influence on state governments, a major affect on commerce and local economies and is the lifeblood and pulse of God's country.

Perhaps former Tennessee Volunteer radio personality George Mooney put it best. "Southerners are proud of their football heritage, their schools, and their teams. And they share a deep pride that goes with being from the South," he said.

It's a match made, and currently outplayed, in heaven.

Ain't this article great. Its so awesome and so true.

Police = Safety on the Roads

2005-08-01T16:45:00.000-07:00

I've been thinkin about the work of police on the roads in relation to drinking and driving and who gets stopped and why and what for for some unknown reason that i can't seem to think of right now. But anyway, here it goes:

1) I'm glad to see our police department out working pulling suspicious people over for drinking and driving. Drinking (alcohol) and Driving is deadly and very much against the law. Hence, if they find someone who is drinkin and drivin, punish them to the fullest extent of the law.

2) I'd rather a cop pull someone over with only the slightest hint that they may be drivin under the influence than not and risk not pulling someone who is intoxicated over. Even if the person is innocent and sober, 5 minutes of inconvenience is not gonna hurt them. the ensuring of there's and the public's safety is worth the time.

3) I myself have had to do the stupid human tricks that is part of the drunk driving test b/c i was stopped at a road block in ackerman going back to kosciusko from a baseball game and since i had a cold, i was takin throat lozenges and chloraseptic spray so my breath smelled like alcohol from the medicine. it took less than 5 minutes, i thanked the cop for doing his job, and finished drivin back to kosciusko. no biggie.

4) I've been in a drunk-driving accident montgomery, AL in which a woman was killed so i might be a bit biased.

So basically, i'd rather someone sober who might have crossed the yellow or white lines out of distraction or somethin be inconvenienced and have to play the stupid human tricks game than a cop worry about harassing people and not pull over someone they think might have been drinkin. Thats about it.

Casinos Are Fun

2005-07-28T23:30:00.000-07:00

I would like to say casinos are fun after goin to Philadelphia tonight and talkin me buddie R into goin to one for the first time (i'm proud of him; still working on the beer though; damn stubborn fool). That and after arguin with me Pappa from Jackson, I feel it must be stated that casinos are a great form of entertainment with beautiful hotels (the Golden Moon), some with pretty nice golf courses (the dancing rabitt), and some with plentiful buffets. Geesh, i love buffets. Lots less decision making troubles on what to order b/c you can just eat some of everything, although my buffet performance ability has dropped lately. I think my twin could beat me now.

But anyway, back to topic. Casinos are good entertainment. And a style of entertainment that u can pay for as u go and set your own variable price, which is rather nice i have to say. Now, Do you always win at casinos? Of course not? Do you breakeven cash wise? If you get lucky. Do you plan to make a lot of money there? Only if you are a fool. It may be wishful thinkin but its nice to wish. And its even better to enjoy the atmosphere and entertainment and friends while doin so. I mean, contrary to popular belief, casinos are more than just gamblin. And when people say its bad that casinos make money and the HOUSE usually wins, so what. Most businesses make profit. That or shrivel up and pass on by in the long run. And the casino does have to pay the dealer/staff who work the casinos to u know. Couldn't do that if they breakeven on just the gamblin part.

I like casinos, they are good for the economy, there the home of a wide variety of entertainment and benefits, and there fun. Hence, so what if i "lose" money. I think its called the price of admission at Six Flags or a concert or the Cover Charge at a bar.

Tomorrow, I Return to the Links

2005-07-28T09:55:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, Friday morning at 8:30 am, I will make my return to the links here at MSU. Highland Plantations front 9 is rather cruel (too much out of bounds and water and beaches). Links are the golf courses for those who need the translation. Which, by the way, I am very much lookin forward too. U see, my golf buddie went home last weekend so it'll be two weeks since i've been golfin which is normally not that bad but i have grown more attached to the game of golf with the majors bloomin this time of year and the enthusiasm around the sport. Also, with no class on fridays, it is easier to go.

Anyway, I'm just so thrilled about this. I might play the best i've played in a while tomorrow. I'm startin to drive the ball a bit better and my puttin has to be better than it was last time since i couldn't put at all or hit a sandwedge through 9 iron shot. I even missed a putt from 12 lousy inches. Tomorrow, i have confidence. And a love of the game. That, and i can always throw my putter across the green if i need too.

Well, that, and i have been worshippin the golf gods daily so i'm hopin to get some luck back. Yes, I worship my "false" idols but these are much more important. These are the Golf Gods. They giveth and they taketh.

Nsehoba Cty. Fair (Go or No Go)

2005-07-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I was debating whether or not i should go to the Neshoba County fair today (http://www.neshobacountyfair.org/). U see, today(thursday) was the big day for political speakers so there were like 4 former governors, the current governor who sucks by the way, the attorney general, the speaker of the house (get 'em billy), the state treasurer, and or 1 or two others from like 9:30 til 11:30. At 1:30, there was gonna be mule races which i really thought would be cool to see since i had never seen any mule racin before and afterwards some horse racin. At 5, ESPN's world famous Sportscenter was gonna broadcast live from the fair as part of the 50 states in 50 days tour (we are day 12 = july 28th). And at 8, the country music group Trick Pony was scheduled to play live, a group i like.

Of course, I had econ class at 8 which i didn't wanna skip and mkt. mgt. class at 1 which i would skip (we just goin over a case analysis with the sub teacher, no biggie). Of course, robert wouldn't leave til after class ended at 3.

So, should i go see the speakers, come back, get robert, and go back for sportscenter and the concert. Or just go to class and go down at 3 with robert? Oh, the questions, the questions.

So what do i do? well, i'm one to debate things like this and stiff over and over. unless i'm spontaneous, i can be rather indecisive b/c i like to overthink things. by the way, not a good thing.

Of course, this decision got solved for me. U see, the genius that i am, I fell asleep before i was plannin too and so hadn't set my two alarms. Hence, I overslept til 9:30 (which is not 6:00) missin both class and the political speakers. So i just might be on my way out at 3. Thats assumin i can re-convince robert and get over the fact that i would miss the county humane society board meeting which is at 5:30 tonight. Believe it or not, thats a toughie.

Studyin Amazingly So (BAD, Studyin BAD)

2005-07-25T10:05:00.000-07:00

Amazingly enough, I'm actually studying for my managerial econ test tomorrow. I'm so proud. I studied about 45 minutes already but to be honest, 15 minutes of that was lookin up the equi-marginal principle in my book and notes which for some foolish reason, i can't find. I'm even taking part in a study group at 3 or 4 after my marketing management class. I know, this is big news. And it at least saves me time from lookin up and/or figurin out all the answers to the questions. Of course, Yes, i could be studyin now but i figure while i eat lunch, i could badger my blog instead of study. After all, I did answer 3 of the 11 not so short questions while i studied for very long 30 minutes. I think this is a fair reward.

For those of you who don't know, if it takes me over 2 hours to study it, then my philosophy is it is obviously not important or they would have made a more condense version for people like me. In fact, i prefer executive summaries, not detailed papers unless i'm writing them myself and and care to write such such as about ruf (www.ruf.dk), history (wars mainly), and sports. Thats about it.

UPDATE: I met Jeremy (a guy in my class) at the Library at 4 to study for a nightmarish 4 hours plus. Of course, it seemed like less than 2 but thats not the point. We were trapped in this awful room on the basement floor. And I missed the CBS sitcoms which literally brought tears. Studyin bad. Bad I tell you. And since cell phones are dead down there, I missed the conference call b/c i didn't get the message about it until 8:20 with the call at 8:00. Luckily, Nick was nice enough to let me know about it in only the way Pappa Nick can.

Here Come the Doggies (Hershey and Lacilei)

2005-07-24T21:41:00.000-07:00

I think today was my favorite day in like the last two weeks. Not that anything special happenned. It was just sort of a normal lazy Sunday. I woke up (from the couch; yes i got my bed cleared off thursday only to pile more stuff on it friday so i spent friday and saturday night on the couch) at 8:30 like I always like to do on Sundays. This way I can watch Sports Reporters on ESPN at 9 with john saunders, mike lupica, and the gang to talk/debate about the sports stories of the week. And at 9:30, I flip the channel to ABC and CBS to watch the mornin news shows with FOX joinin george and ABC at 10. Fox only to get some good laughs and it is nice listenin to bias, even if it is not accurate.

Also on this mornin was a movie about golf with Will Smith caddyin for this small town star (Juneph i think his name was) in a 3 man tourney vs. two golf legends bobby jones and walter hagan. Needless to say, it was a great movie about the feel of the swing (golfers understand this one), the struggle with inner deamons, and triumph and understanding. When the tourney was over, it was only fitting that it ended up in a tie as Juneph sank a long putt on the 72nd hole on sunday to tie it under the car headlights as a little boy tended the flag.

Now, the best part of the day was my family comin whom I hadn't seen since the 4th of July weekend so that was great. Mickey actually came down friday night so i got to annoy him for 48 hours so that was great. I had missed bein annoying. Also, my mom and dad were here so that was good too.

Most importantly, Hershey (our little cocker spaniel who we have had since she was a baby in the 5th grade) came so that was the best thing in 3 weeks. I miss the Little One the most when i'm down at school. She's like the baby of the family.

Also, Lacilei (note: spelling of Lacilei's name changes by which day i type it) the new little bulldog who loves to bark back and forth with me (i never turn down a good barkin match) came down too. Of course, we've only had Lacilei since the beginning of June and i've been g0ne a lot of it so we are in our bonding phase. Already though, we have figured out that we both like to stick out our tongue and that we are both rather stubborn when we wanna be.

Of course, they had to leave to go back home, my grandmother called, and i had economics and marketing reading and homework so yippee. And family, thats great stuff.

Look at Congress Go

2005-07-22T15:55:00.000-07:00

Lawmakers move to extend daylight-saving time measure as part of the energy bill according to a report from CNN's Inside Politics. Wow, aren't you proud of our Congress. The report is in Orange.

An agreement was reached Thursday to extend daylight-saving time in an effort to conserve energy, but not to the extent the House approved in April. House and Senate negotiators on an energy bill agreed to begin daylight-saving time three weeks earlier, on the second Sunday in March, and extend it by one week to the first Sunday in November. The House bill would have added a month in the spring and another in the fall. According to some senators, farmers complained that a two-month extension could adversely affect livestock, and airline officials said it would have complicated scheduling of international flights. "We ought to take a hard look at this before we jump into it," said Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, who questioned how much oil savings the extension would produce. I dunno Larry, why don't you study it and let us know.

Reps. Edward Markey, D-Massachusetts, and Fred Upton, R-Michigan, agreed to scale back their original proposal, and Senate negotiators accepted the new version, along with a call for a study on how much daylight-saving time actually affects oil consumption. "The beauty of daylight-saving time is that it just makes everyone feel sunnier," said Markey(D) . Awe, ain't that cute. Markey(D) wants us to have a sunnier day. Upton (R) noted that the extension means daylight-saving time will continue through Halloween, adding to safety. "Kids across the nation will soon rejoice," said Upton, because they'll have another hour of daylight trick-or-treating. Darn, so that's why Upton (R) ran for Congress. To improve Halloween. And to think, I thought Trick-or-Treating was more of a night time activity. Way to go Upton.

Lawmakers said they hoped to complete the energy legislation next week. Hey, we always said we wanted bipartisanship and gee willackers, looky there, things feel so much "sunnier" and "festive." Congrats Congress.

Personally though, it would be nice to have more daylight in the afternoon for a longer time. Easier to go play golf after work or school or go to the soccer fields. And grandma and grandpa can stay out a little bit later.

The YDMS Collegiate Donkey Dawgs

2005-07-22T10:11:00.000-07:00

During last nights College Democrats meeting at 5:30 in the Union Faculty Lounge (yes, we do actually have meetings over the summer contrary to popular belief) , we decided to make a few changes concerning the MSU College Democrats with really only one major change. As the title says, we have changed our name. We are no longer the MSU College Democrats.

In honor of Robert Hooks's leadership over YDMS and our great ties with our home Mississippi State, we have decided to rename the MSU College Democrats the:

YDMS Collegiate Donkey Dawgs

We believe this name better represents the direction of our group and who we are. We are proud Young DEMOCRATS in this great state of MISSISSIPPI. And yes, you can definitely believe there are Democrats in Mississippi. We are also proud of our collegiate heritage here at Mississippi State University, home of the rough and tough Bulldogs. Hence, our official colors will now be maroon and blue.

Thank you and have a good day.

U-Turn Day

2005-07-22T09:52:00.000-07:00

In the continuing tradition of me forgetting things, I was forced to make several U-Turns yesterday upon departing from my Econ for Managers class at about 10. First I was walkin to my car and preceded to walk to where i normally park my car which is the road/parking lot between the football stadium and the Sanderson Center cutting through by Gardner Hall. Of course, as i made my way down the hill to the parkin lot, I remembered that I parked across from Suttle Hall behind the post office so I enjoyed the scenic walk back.

I then start to drive home and as I start to get on the bypass, I remember that I was supposed to go by the post office and check the CD mail box so I u-turn on the entrance ramp and go back which in my experience is perfectly legal. I go to the post office and then back to my car when i remember, "oh yeah, I have to go to bowen hall" so i run over there to check on something. Of course, while over there, I remember i forgot to get the thing i was supposed to turn into RHA which i didn't want to have to run across the drill field again so i said i'd do it later. So i decide to get back on the bypass to go home which i do when i remember, "oh yeah, i need fuel and was supposed to go by the car shop" so i go get fuel. Leaving the gas station, i start to drive home and then U-turned on hwy 12 which is again obviously legal b/c i was supposed to go to the car shop (my appt. for frame work is 7:30 tuesday mornin with pick up wednesday afternoon after 3.

And yes, I managed to forget all that in less than an hour which is pretty good timin considerin. I then went home, had lunch and coffee and juice and gatorade and kool-aid and then went to donate blood which more people should do more often.

Give blood (if you pass the 300 questions). Save a life.

May Your Religion Strike Me Down

2005-07-20T09:55:00.000-07:00

"Democrats like yourself are trying to force religion out of the public spectrum entirely and outlaw Christianity."

This comment was made by Edward Sanders in the post directly below this one referring to me and my fellow Democrats.

Now, I may not be the most religious person in the world, but I certainly have no problem with a person practicing their religion out in public. In fact, I think a popular political statement from people of both parties is "God Bless America." In fact, W uses it to conclude almost every address he gives. I have no problem with people openly worshipping their Spirits, God or Gods, Allah, cows, chickens, transparencies, Jesus, goats, Satan, withcraft, swimming pools, statues, whatever. In fact, I pay tribute to my TV on a daily basis.

Now, what I do have a problem with is someone tryin to force their religion on someone else. Yes, people think God says abortion and homosexuality is wrong and they should do what God says. Thats perfectly fine with me (except the discrimination against homosexuals which is disgraceful) . If you believe this, don't have an abortion and don't go have consenting sex or any other kind with a guy if you are a guy or a woman if you are a woman. For those who prefer to make up their own mind, they should have the right to do so just as you did when you chose christianity or islam or hindu or whatever.

Also, Democrats have nothing against you praying in schools or public places. In fact, most kids have many of an opportunity to take time to pray during there time at school from 8 to 3:15 or whatever time they go. They can even gather themselves in a group together to do so at several points throughout the day. I mean, come on, do you really need a teacher or a judge or a principal to stand up there and lead you in prayer? Nope. Is the only time you can pray when all your classmates or coworkers or peers are praying with you? Nope.

Now, if people would like to start a daily cultural learning class where we did a prayer or dance or whatever from every religion including a none religious day for atheists, then I have no problem with that. The problem is they usually insist upon a monotheistic religion, usually Christianity. That just happens to seem a little unfair to the rest of the religions out there.

Lastly, could you please tell me when it was put into the Bible or the other documents that your government must enact laws in order for you to practice your religion? Cause, honestly, I just haven't seen it.

If you want to practice your religion, you are perfectly free to do so. Just don't insist upon passing laws forcing others to follow your religion. They have the freedom to worship what they choose too worship if they even choose to worship and not worship yours.

Ed's Blog Strikes Again

2005-07-19T10:19:00.000-07:00

Ed's blog has struck again touching off a long 60 plus comment debate on morals although the original post had to do with the movie "wedding crashers" the admirable senator john mccain's brief role in the movie.

The Vitart character, grabbing his moral highhorse sounded somethin like this:

"Republicans are much more moral than Democrats who are the spawn of Satan and liberatarians are archangels workin there way toward being Satan."

Of course, this does coincide with the news that Republicans plan to adopt a quote from a Florida State quarterback. Wyatt Sexton, who at the time was expected to start as QB at FSU this year under famed coach Bobby Bowden, stated after getting drugged up one night and bein found on the streets by police, replied when asked his name:

"I am God."

Now, contrary to popular belief among republicans, God hasn't anointed them moral rulers of the world. It just ain't so. Although, God probably does have a good chuckle at such claims. In fact, I heard God was quoted as saying:

"Everyone wanna be like Mike? Forget that! Everybody wanna be like me! Sorry, unlike the NBA, I just don't accept imitations. And MLB steroids ain't gonna make u me either."

Golfin with Robert

2005-07-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

Since i have no classes on Friday, me and robert have made friday our official day to go golfin. Why, b/c we both like to golf. Now, does that mean we are any good? Hell no. Robert's ok and well, some people just wonder how i actually manage to hit the ball. My defense for this is Robert plays alot more than me and tries to work on his swing while i'm noted to have one of the ugliest swings in golf and am proud of it.

Well, Friday, robert was already up after the first hole which neither one of us played well at all. After hole number 2 though, we were tied so i was happy although i should have been up. That right there made me think this day is gonna be different. So when i hit my tee shot on 3 pretty well, i was thinkin i might play well today. That ball actually went straight which for me doesn't happen much. Of course, i did about drop my driver after i swung but thats ok. The next hole i actually did manage to lose my driver off of the tee box as i finshed my swing. For those of you who don't know, your supposed to hold onto the club. Well, anyway, i manged to get up by 2 shots on robert after 4 since i was hittin the ball well, for me anyway.

Now, when i got within 80 to 120 yards from the hole, i couldn't hit a shot worth a flip. But i managed to chip pretty well since i kept missin the greens on my approach. Of course, my happiness with my chipping was trounced on by my worst putting in 4 years. I only made 1 putt longer than 5 feet all day which sucks. Needless to say, i lost my lead to robert on number 7 and lost by 2. we only played 9 b/c robert don't like all that walkin.

Afterwards we had a putting contest, which is normal for us, and since i still couldn't make putts, robert won that too. The sad part is he only won by 1 shot and that is because i managed to miss a putt from less than 8 inches away on hole 6 of the 18 hole contest, not that i'm still bitter about it or anything.

All in all, i would say we had a good time. I only intentionally threw my cruel putter once and my 9 iron once which is good. Now, me and robert are just lookin forward to havin mickey rejoin us later. Its always funny when the 3 of us play. May the game continue to be green, the courses challenging, the trees a swaying, and the golf gods a watchin.

I'll do it eventually

2005-07-19T09:33:00.000-07:00

Procrastinatin over swings and paper organization

A couple of weeks ago, like the tuesday before school started, i bought me a swing that i liked and have been plannin on puttin it together to put out back. Of course, last friday, i thought i might try to put it together between the british open and goin golfin. So, of course, i opened the box it came in and took it all out of the box and laid it in me courtyard. I then separated it by parts and then layed it all over me livin room and kitchen and courtyard by order i thought it might go in. then i looked at the directions and the stuff and thought too many parts. i then was worried it might rain before i got i put together. and then of course it came to me. mickey will be coming next week (this weekend) with hershey (the spoiled cocker spaniel) and lacysly (the new bulldog). So of course, i decided i didn't want to yet, and put it all back in the garage except for a few scraps on me kitchen table that are still sitting there.

Also, a couple of weeks ago (july 4th actually) i decided i would organize my old class papers and my college dems and humane society and sma junk so i took it all out and proceded to throw it on the floor in me room and on my bed. i then started to arrange everything by piles to what associated with what and then break it down into smaller piles. i then got distracted by somethin and went to do somethin else. so that night i just slept on the couch figurin i would do it tuesday right. and ever since then, i have slept everywhere in my house but my bed which still claim my papers and some other things i neglect to mention for fear of getting in trouble like, well nevermind.

Anyway, i'm hopin to get my bed back by saturday mornin or my boss and twin will kill me come this weekend.

Avoidin Studyin at All Costs

2005-07-18T09:45:00.000-07:00

Econ fo Mgr. 8103 Test # 1

Well, since i noticed the number of people (laura, houston, and caitlin --her presentation--) bloggin about their tests, i figure i'd copycat and do the same.

http://caitlink.blogspot.com/ = “i'm having trouble breathing”

http://seehoustonblog.blogspot.com/ = “Windowned”

http://laurayburn.blogspot.com/ = “Survey Says...”, “From Bad to Worse”, & “Countdown to Catastrophe (a.k.a. O. Chem II Exam I)”

now, i don't really believe in tests. hence, i don't like to study for them. so when i had thursday afternoon, all day friday, and all day sunday to study for my test at 8:00 this mornin, i simply avoided it like the plague. and to be honest, i think i had good excuses. thursday, well, there was somethin thursday but i forget what it was. probably learnin from me wise Pappy Traicovn (http://www.traicovn.com/). on friday, i was up by 7 even without class to watch the british open which i did so adamently until about 12 or 1. then i annoyed bogard and went to check the CD post office box for the first time. i was proud and even managed to do so without my buddy scrappy. after ponderin over puttin together this swing that i bought which of course i didn't. and at 4, i went to play golf with me buddy robert so obvious not study time. and friday night, i went with marcus and some others to the hunt club, my second time ever, and then some people's house.

saturday of course was the ydms mtg. which was fun and our normal stop at que sera sera and my favorite, the war memorial next to nick's office which i now insist i must go see every time i'm in jackson. upon reentry, me and me buddy robert played computer games (poker mostly) while i watched the disney movie on abc which robert laughed at me far. yes, we are proud nerds/dorks and i don't mind admittin it. drinkin and clubs are so overrated.

and sunday, me and robert were sittin watchin the british open before 8 only to be really disappointed as usual when tiger got up 4 strokes with 4 to play and then became discontent around 12. now, at that point, i could have theoretically studied but of course, no. i mean, it wasn't even 1 yet so i had plenty of time. so i looked up yda and and bunch of other junk like college football previews and college basketball talk. it really is fun stuff. i then cooked dinner and then i made a trip to wal-mart to find donkey hats at Pappy's demand but all they had were elepphant hats so i just bought other junk instead. i then came home and decided to send out e-mails to good college democrats.

and at about 10:30 or so at night, i exhausted my options and sat down in me recliner to study which i did so until i fell asleep some time after 11:00 and wakin up at 2. so i went to bed and said i'll get up at 3:00 am b/c 2 was a little early. of course, i forgot to turn on one alarm clock and i had my cell phone alarm on silent which amazingly enough, doesn't make much noise. luckily, i just happenned to wake up at 4 where i proceded to put on some coffee, turn the AC up to make it cold in the house, and started studyin the possible list of 12 questions or at least wrote down some junk and some page numbers.

at 7:20, after i spent 10 minutes brushin my teeth to avoid studyin, i left for class which started at 8 with sweet tea and coffee and water and gatorade in hand. and see, the teacher passes out the test of 12 questions, the exact same sheet i had reviewed. 2 we had to answer and then pick 3 others. # 5 i was guessin would be required but 11 , not at all, but it was on an article so i creatively answered it as i answer all my written test answers.

and, so i finshed me test at 9:30 amazingly before two others b/c i usually finish last when takin tests. anyway, i enjoyed my test even though i hate tests just b/c i made it fun. the grade, well thats another story. who knows, who cares, its just a piece of ink. and so, now i got to me mkt. mgt. class with the corniest teacher ever b/c he makes a bad joke about anything and does so all class.

Honoring the Golf Gods

2005-07-15T07:37:00.000-07:00

Today, Friday July 15th, is the day I have pledged to honor and devote myself to the golf gods that preside over the past, present, and future of golf. I choose this day because I have no class or other activities and am free to partake in as much golf activity as I like. Also, today is the second round of the British Open which happens to be taking place at St. Andrews, the home and birthplace of the game of golf. It is also Jack Nicklaus's last professional PGA tournament as he will choose, at this time anyway, not to compete competitively anymore as he is now 65.

For those of you who do not know, Jack Nicklaus is the father and lifeblood of modern golf and is recognized as the greatest player ever, having one the most majors of anyone with 19. He is the player most respected by fellow competitors but not only because they pretty much all consider him to be the greatest player ever. It is because he has been the greatest ambassador of golf. It is because he is a great father and husband. It is because he commands and has the respect of any who has ever followed the sport both on and off the course. In fact, they moved St. Andrews up in the rotation by a year to host the British Open because this is currently the last year the Golden Bear is qualified to compete and because Nicklaus is the greatest in golf and St. Andrews (regardless of what people currently think of the strength of the course) is the most beloved course for golf.

Now, currently Tiger Woods, the greatest player of this time (those players age 22 to 45) is leading the British Open by 4 over Levet, Singh, Immelman, Lonard, and Faxon at 10 under par through 10 of 18 holes in the 2nd round. Updates can be achieved from visiting ESPN's leaderboard at http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard with live coverage of the tournament on both TNT and ABC as the tournament continues til its conclusion Sunday. Of course, Woods's group of him Olazabul and Allenby has just been put on the clock for playin a wee bit slower than they should. But since he is runnin away with the tourney early, slow play won't be too much of a factor. On a side, my favorite players are the Big Easy Ernie Els of South Africa at 3 under and Greg Norman who is 1 under after both completing their 2nd round.

Of course, this afternoon I will continue my tribute to the golf gods by playing golf with Robert at MSU, home of one of the greatest collegiate golf courses in the country thanks to State's amazing and highly respected turf management and PGM progam. Now, my golf game is obviously not that good highlighted by nearly decapitating a duck as i lined my 4 skip shot in the water last time i played. Of course, I like mini golf b/c the best part of my golf game is notably my putting. (who am i kidding, i love mini golf at least 6 to 12 rounds when i'm on vacation).

Of course, now that I found out this week that I fractured my wrist, i have a good excuse for not bein good at golf the last 4 years. Nanh, I think it might have actually helped my wicked u-turn slice. Well, anyway, hopefully the rain and thunderstorms stay clear until tonight so the lightnin don't delay my gold game.

Anyway, back to the golf and me followin of Nicklaus, the Golden Bear, who is 3 over through 14.

Legalization of Marijuana

2005-07-12T21:18:00.000-07:00

Should marijuana be legalized? Being that i don't like to get into debates (well, sort of), i'll just keep this short and simple.

My stance is NO. Marijuana and any of the other names it goes by should continue to be illegal.

Thats about it. Thanks.

------- UPDATE ----------------------

After my thorough and long debate with the madame queen, I feel I must do the honorable thing and concede the debate on the legalization of marijuana to my trouncing competitor. I therefore state that "After a long hard debate and a serious attempt at understanding the matter at which the banning of marijuana is based on, I have found that the banning of marijuana is not feasible nor is it overall justifying. I have found that basing the banning of marijuana solely on the basis of the 'high' that usually accompanies smoking such a vile roll is simply legislating a moral agenda and not protecting the public."

Hence, I now state that I am not against the legalisation of marijuana anymore. I may not be an outspoken spokesman for such legalisation but i have had the ground i stand on in which to debate the suject burned under me.

Simply, to Madame Debater, i concede defeat.

Wal-Mart: Love em, Hate em, Deal with em

2005-07-11T13:41:00.000-07:00

Having just dropped by Wal-Mart to pick up some milk, my potassium banannas, and coffee (coffee bein the reason i went since i exhausted my supplies of it this mornin), i began to hear this ringin in my ears. Now, of course that was rather annoyin b/c well, isn't shoppin bad enough. Of course, what they were ringin about is the recent complainin i've heard against Wal-Mart circulating from the blog circuit, people i know, and people i just happen to run into.

Now, first, what do they usually have to say when complainin about Wal-Mart. Well, obviously, some people just hate havin to wait in line to checkout and obviously Wal-mart decided they didn't really like that 3 people or less rule or they open another checkout line. Also, i've noticed when i want the express checkout, they usually don't have a line open or they are lined up 5 or 6 people deep as they were today so i just checked out in a regular line which i'm pretty sure took less than 5 minutes. Hey, a 10 or 15 minute wait in line for one stop shoppin for grocery, wal-mart, garden, electronics, etc. is perfectly fine with me even if others complain about it.

Complaint # 2: Wal-mart has extremely poor customer service and in this case, people are usually correct unless you luck up and run into a great worker with one of them smiley faces and happy attitudes like you see on the commercials. FYI: Commercials are made to fantasize so if thats what u are lookin for, try Tinker Bell or Cinderella at Disney World and even then you will find yourself waitin. Of course, there is another fact to mention: most of the stuff you shop at Wal-mart for you should be able to pretty easily find and learn about on your own, especially the grocery section in the Supercenters. Read the signs, use a little common sense, and you should be able to find the kind of product u are lookin for. Now, admittedly, some things like hardwares, electronics, maybe lawn mowers and certainly paints might require a little bit of customer service and it would be nice if a clerk there knew a little about each of the more complicated items and could offer you a suggestion. But then again, this is Wal-Mart, home of low prices. Hence, you don't get low prices by havin to have extra sales clerks teach ya about the benefits of lawn mowers and such. Sorry, since you chose to shop at Wal-Mart over radio shack or even Lowe's or Home Depot or Hibbetts or Sports Specialty, you might have to take the time to do your own research through readin the packagin, askin a friend, or checkin the web. If you want a bit more knowledge on paints and drills, swing on over to Sherwin Williams or the Home Depot. Now, I would like to say the stockers/clerks could be a bit easier to flag down in case you are having trouble findin a rarely shopped for item in a store of 125,000 different items.

Complaint # 3: Wal-Mart pays horrible wages. Well, they aren't the best in the world but minimum wage was sat at $5.15 per hour and labor does happen to be a very high cost of doin business. Now, come to think of it, Walgreen's doesn't offer much more above minimum wage to their sales clerks, photo techs, and cosmeticians but they do offer a mini bonus section for sales of special items of the week or month or index prints or picture cd's with your photos. In fact, most of your mom and pop stores are likely to stay at or below $7 an hour. Now, some say Wal-Mart runs their employees 40 hours 5 weeks and then the 6th week cuts them to 28 hours to keep them from becoming full time and havin to pay medical benefits. Now, that of course is pretty slimy, but still well within the parameters of the law (ya know, a style of corporate welfare Republicans practice strongly in). Urge for the changing of the law and Wal-mart i'm sure will change there policy when and if such law passes. Now, also, i might add that just b/c Wal-mart cuts each worker every 6 weeks down to 28 hours, they still likely have to have people part-time to fill those shifts. Hence, that would be a benefit for students although Wal-mart's flexibility with students' schedules might be pretty lacking compared to that of a mom and pop store or even Walgreen's. Now part of that has to do with the size of the stores. Walgreens stores employ anywhere from 15 for smaller 8 to 10 stores to say 50 for larger, never close, 24hours stores while many mom and pop stores are likely to employ anywhere from say 4 to 15 at most. Also, back to the part-time workers at Wal-mart to make up the need of the 28 hour cut weeks. Again, you have to have people to take their place to continue runnin at the same size and with unemployment hibernating around 5% on average, this does open up jobs to those who would be happy to have any kind.

Complaint # 4: Wal-mart builds on the edge of cities and hence creates urban sprawl destroyin the downtown atmosphere and "life" of the small town. Well, considerin Wal-mart is considered one of the world leaders in logistics, they probably know what they are doin. Its easier to get people and 18 wheelers in and out which is key to a successful Wal-mart. Also, the cost of land is cheaper on the edge of town than in the prime downtown area and walmart uses a good segment of land. By the way, be honest. Do you really want Wal-Mart sprawled across 2 or 3 blocks downtown diminishing the appeal of the court house, city hall, and main street or court square. Not me, I prefer my 18 wheelers on the edge of town as industrial complexes are also built on the edge of town.

Complaint # 5: Wal-Mart has so many lawsuits against it for unethical conduct, discrimination against women, hiring illegal aliens to work, etc. Now, those, if proven and some have been at differing scales, are obviously good reasons not to support Wal-mart and thus partake in a boycott of the world's leading retail giant.

Now, i could go on with this for a while, but I have other stuff callin me. So i leave you with this:

Do I shop at Wal-mart? Yes.
Do I agree with all their practices? No.
Is Wal-Mart convenient? Yes.
Does Wal-Mart destroy downtown? No. Free Market society forces downtown to improve or learn to deal with the Wal-Mart shift.
Is Wal-Mart relatively efficient? Yes.
Would I implement Wal-Mart's HR policies when i manage? Hell no.
Do i admire Wal-Mart? Yes, on the business and definitely logistics side, not HR.
Would I work at Wal-Mart? No. I'd go nuts workin there.

Thats about it. I stop now.

Thinkin: Damn thats Bad

2005-07-10T18:29:00.000-07:00

Since i was bored and hurricane dennis sort of lost my attention and i really, really hate to read and MLB has sort of gone out of style with me (it ain't got nothin on the college game), i thought i'd just start typin to motor a few old minutes by. So this is what i came up with in a doo whoppy, countrified, i was out of things to do, sort of way.

Singin in lullaby’s
Pickin up the moon
Hoppin in the air
& Skippin on the rocks

Thinkin about her,
Shes got me doin things
I never thought I’d consider
Even doin before I met her.
Oh no.

Forgettin my head
Runnin out of style
Losin my mind
& Goin out of ight.

Thinkin about her,
Shes got me doin things
I never thought I’d consider
Even doin before I met her.
Oh brother.

Washin my clothes,
Pressin my shirts,
Cleanin out the jon,
Dustin inch by inch

Cuttin my nails,
Wonderin what to wear
Ironin my shirts
& Shinin my shoes.

Thinkin about her,
Shes got me doin things
I never thought I’d consider
Even doin before I met her.

Work that used to bring tears
And a whole lot of whine
Now has got me a smiling

And a askin for more.

Well, darn, that was shorter than i was hopin. Now that readin is really gonna make me cry. Darn twin. He should take summer class too. I'm gonna have to go back to I dunno stuff.

Things I dunno

2005-07-06T16:11:00.000-07:00

You know, i just was lookin for a topic to blog about and since i really couldn't think of an inspiring one off the bat, i thought i'd do the "I dunno's" an honor and blog about what i dunno. Let's see.

1) I dunno what to blog about.

2) I dunno where i'll be in the next 5, 10, 20 years, etc. or what i'll be doin. ya know, the normal college student saying.

3) I dunno how the world got started and that one I probably never will know. And no, i'm not gonna take the Bible's word for it or the Big Band or whatever. I'd like to know for sure, but i'll always find myself askin, what started it. Its all one big, dark, deep, infinite black hole to me.

4) I dunno or even pretend to know what women think. It can be entertainin to guess or to guess what ya know isn't right. There just too complicated what i guess makes it more intriguing. Sure, one can guess the minor things with reasonable reliableness and if wrong, so what, no biggie. But the big stuff, yeah right. Just sit back, duck, hope, send it on a wing, and rely on whatever u rely on to bell (knock or help) you out when needed.

5) I dunno really where i'll get after college job or what it'll be in. I know i have minimums and wants and reasonable base on what to start but what, i dunno. And at that time, what time of job will timing call for.

6) I dunno much about rules and regulations. I never really been much for them, at least the really technical ones. Like who in the hell need's Robert's rules of order. An order for what? confusion? limited debate? come on. Order requires respect and honorable strength, ideals and needs. Who needs or wants rules to get in the way of that.

7) I dunno about some political issues. Maybe i could use some help on them.

8) I dunno why a number of animals are treated as bad as they are.

9) I dunno why we have inherent, learned, or created savages.

10) I dunno the definitions of a lot of the big words my friends or acquaintances like to use. I guess i just sort of enjoyed the simplistic "get 'er done" and "my give a damn busted" way of talk with my great non traditional friends at work.

11) I dunno why people seem to worry more about allegiances than about the cause. I just look at the political spectrum sometimes and wonder, i guess that's why they had all them bad things we learn about in history class and why some still come about.

12) I dunno what one gains from discriminatin against another or pokin fun at the opposing side. Maybe i'm not big on conflict. But then again, on the extremely rare occasion that i start yellin, i don't stop til i start hurtin from what i say. I guess thats why yellin and fightin and insults have never been my thing, even if i occasionally, some of which i can be pretty damn rude too.

13) I dunno why i can talk to a computer or a stranger about things i can't or have trouble talking to people i know about. I see my friends or routine acquaintances go into debate on such and i might have lots to say, but studying of others i have always done lots of and so i usually just listen. Maybe thats why my friends from arsalyn and me are such a tight bunch. them i can talk too.

14) I dunno why overthinkin things has always been my thing. Probably b/c i think too much and tend to have a vivid imagination and debate process that stretches though all spectrums.

15) I duno why around some people i act strict and serious and not so laid back while around others, i clown like a fool, make up and sing goofy rambling songs off the top of my head, do goofy things like play in ashes or dirt or garbage, but then around other people i'm like why the hell are you bein so goofy with my polite grin and encouragin nod thinkin. Yes, some people who it may seem i think are funny and cool actually annoy the hell out of me. Again, i just not big on conflict b/c i don't like to yell.

16) Ya know, I could go on past 100 on this i'm sure and i might continue later, i just dunno. i guess i'll have to see.

Ya know, sometimes I guess i just like being a kid and wish i could be one again. Some people call the "donkey" idea i love foolish or clown like. Ya know what, they just hadn't met the old puppypower era and with the humane society i enjoy so much, puppypower just might be comin back to me.

Se ya, vote donkey, and remember the doggie.

Grad School? Yippee

2005-07-06T15:42:00.000-07:00

Today, I officially started grad school and sort of enjoyed it actually. Now, i have taken two grad classes already but that was while still technically being an undergrad. And, no, i'm not usually happy about class resuming.

In fact, the last time i was truly happy about class resuming was starting the eighth grade which either it or the seventh grade are probably my favorite years of school (and soccer too). Coach Scott was the best soccer coach (along with Coach Crowell) I ever had (and my favorite teacher of all time). No one could teach a math or history class better. And of course, the people were a lot of fun. And I played soccer year around from coaching the girls team to playin on the guys team. North Parkway (Jackson, TN) was a damn awesome school. (Them damn ------------------------------- from Tigrett ------- suck).

Now, back to you know, now. My Econ for Managers class is tought by Dr. Campbell who says it like it is, is well laid back, and has no problem mentionin his thoughts politically or his service in the Navy which i thoroughly enjoy listenin too. The 2 hour class flew by so quick, I thought it had only been an hour when it ended. And hey, I'll be there early (like 7:45 or 7:50) tomorrow which is pretty damn good considerin the class starts at 8 in the mornin. Most of the faces are new, but hey, thats college. Grad class usually lends itself to good classmates, teammates, and partners.

My other class, Marketing Management is well all about marketing from a management perspective. The teacher mr. taylor i have never had before but he seems like a pretty good guy and he was smart enough to hire dr. moore who has to be the perkiest, happiest go lucky teacher ever with her i think 4 kids. Also, seeing that we had to go 2 and so more days during the summer term than a normal 2 hours course should be, he cut today to like 35 minutes from 2 hours and cancelled class for 2 other thursdays in the year. and of course, grad students just don't have class on friday which is pretty damn nice. also, to note, 2 people in my class i already knew. Noah who was my partner in law class and damn good partner at that is in there. the only bad news is we were assigned partners so i didn't get noah as a teammate. Luckily, i got the other person i knew (First Lady Laura Bush wannabe) as my teammate so i still got a good teammate and lots of political banter on the side.

Now, if we can just get rid of all this damn homework and all this freakin readin. Apparently, there is like a very high minimum on the number of pages that must be assigned to read each day and, well of course, they love the idea of a good paper and a case analysis. so ya know, damn. i guess it can't all be good, but me takes what me can get.

hey, i actually finally posted again. yippee.

see ya, and by the way, let the donkey fly again, fly all the way to bulldog land, home of the rough and tumble, high and mighty, msu "the best damn university ever" bulldogs.

no word on a real donkey yet but i'm still gettin at gettin me one.

Michael Campbell wins the US Open

2005-06-20T15:44:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, the golf championships of championships took place. The 105th US Open, my favorite Father's Day Tradition in which 150 plus of the world's greatest golfers are tested both mentally and physically at one of the most difficult courses in the world. This year, the victory goes to Michael Campbell, a native of New Zealand, who won his first major after coming oh so close 10 years ago in the British Open.

Not only did Campbell win, he did so in such admirable fashion at the historic Pinehurst No. 2 as we all remembered the late and great Payne Stewart, winner of the last US Open at Pinehurst back in 1999 who tragically died 4 weeks later in a plane crash. Now, pausing from the golf for a minute, I have to say this about Mr. Stewart. He is one of the most admirable sports figures I have seen. He lived for tradition right down to his traditional knickers pants, knee high socks, and old style golf cap. He played with grit and determination, battling back after losing a heartbreaker the year before to Lee Janzen. And more importantly, he is known most for being a great father. After edging Phil Mickelson by 1 shot to win in 1999, he told Mickelson who was wearing a beeper awaiting the call from his 9 month pregnant wife who could have gone into labor any minute that he (Payne) may have won the Open but Phil is getting something much greater, fatherhood.

And so when Michael Campbell gritted away to shoot 1 under par to finish Even for the championship and beat perrennial champion Tiger Woods by 2 while others around him faded, we could all see what it takes to win the US Open.

But, more importantly, we could remember how much more a great father (and mother) can be than any sports star will ever be. Payne Stewart just happenned to nail both.

To all a good night.

Back Home in Omaha: The College World Series

2005-06-15T15:40:00.000-07:00

The College World Series, set to get things underway Friday, will of course be as great as usual.

Who will make it to the title game and who will win it all?

Bracket 1 (Saturday and Monday)

Game 1: Oregon State (8) vs. Tulane (# 1 in the nation). Oregon State has a great game 1 pitcher but Tulane is the complete team in pitching, hitting, and defense after getting by the dangerous Rice Owls. With Oregon State, there is serious doubts concerning defending the field and pitching depth at the Championship level after the error proned and high scoringUSC series. I take Tulane 5 to 2 to advance to the Winners Bracket.

Game 2: Baylor (4) vs. Texas (unseeded). This will be a big 12 showdown and could be a dandy. Texas has one of the best pitching staffs in the country and Baylor isn't shabby either. Texas is also ranked in the Top 8 in both major polls so they are a force to be wreckon with. I take Texas 4 to 3 to advance to the Winners Bracket.

Game 3: Loser Eliminated. Oregon State vs. Baylor. Baylor has the pitching depth and more reliable defense. Baylor 9 to 3. Baylor stays alive. Oregon state goes home.

Game 4: The Driver Seat Game. Texas vs. Tulane. The winner has to be beat twice. the loser has to come back and win the next 3 games to survive to the title series. Both teams have pitching depth so coming back isn't out of the question. Texas did it against Arkansas already in the regionals and came back on Ole Miss. What will happen here. I say Tulane in a great one 3 to 2. Tulane takes the wheel.

Game 5: Texas vs. Baylor. Revenge for one, the drive for a rematch for the other. Another dandy Big 12 matchup that could go either way. Baylor's had it all season but Texas has the legendary Augie Garrido. Texas gets help from their coach to win 7 to 4. Baylor Elininated.

Game 6: Texas vs. Tulane. Tulane wins and they advance to the championship series. Lose and Texas survives to play again. I have Texas and their pitching depth and timely hitting taking them past Tulane 6 to 5.

Game 7: Tulane vs. Texas. Winner plays for the Title. Tulane strikes back winning 11 to 5. Tulane advances to face bracket 2 winner in a best of three.

Bracket 2 (Friday and Sunday)

Game 1: Florida (7) vs. Tennessee (unseeded). Florida equals SEC regular season champs. UT just a game back and ranked around 10 to 12 in the country. UT also boasts one of the best pitchers in the country, if not the best. Florida boasts explosive hitting and good pitching. UT wins on the heels of their star pitcher and some late inning heroics 3 to 2.

Game 2: Nebraska (3) vs. Arizona State (unseeded). Arizona State was the only regional 2 seed to make it out of the Super Regionals surpassing national 6 seed Cal-St-Fullerton in 3 games on the road. This could be a dandy or a dud. I'm guessing Dandy as Arizona State is playing as the notable underdog in a friendly Nebraska environment. If Nebraska gets rolling though, they could be deadly. I say Nebraska in a close one 4 to 3 but it could be 11 to 2.

Game 3: Loser Eliminated. Arizona State vs. Florida. Another dandy with two pretty good coaches that could get even better, especially at Arizona State. However, Florida has the power and the strength to get by Arizona State who is a year or two away from being a major force. Florida 6 to 3.

Game 4: UT vs. Nebraska. I'll be pulling for UT but the Big Red will be rolling and the SEC has trouble with Nebraska in Big Games. I take Nebraska in front of a partisan Omaha crowd with lots of Orange to 3 to 2.

Game 5: Florida vs. UT. Pitching depth and Florida has more. Florida 8 to 6. UT Eliminated

Game 6: Florida vs. Nebraska. I 'm thinkin Nebraska in one but its baseball. Who knows. Nebraska 7 to 6. Nebraska advances to face Tulane (Bracket 1 winner) in a best of 3 for all the marbles.

Tulane vs. Nebraska. I'll reserve picking til later. I coul be wrong you know. These two teams may never meet.

Let the games begin back HOOOOOMMmEE in OOOOMAAAAHAAAAA.

PS: Harold Reynolds is a great commentator for the college world series on ESPN.

College Baseball Update: On their way to Omaha

2005-06-13T13:14:00.000-07:00

Who is on their way back home to Omaha? The seeding is below:

Bracket 1 (double elimination)

1) Tulane (beats Rice 9 to 6 in game 3 to advance)
8) Oregon State (beat USC in a 4 hour ballgame monday to win in 3)

4) Baylor (beat Clemson in Game 3 to advance)
5) Texas (bear 5th seed Ole Miss 6 to 4 monday to win in 3)

Bracket 2 (double elimination)

2) Tennessee (swept 2nd seed Georgia Tech)
7) Florida (swept Florida)

3) Nebraska (swept Miami who happen to eliminate State in the regionals)
6) Arizona State (beat 6th seed Cal-State-Fullerton in Game 3)

Bracket 1 Winner vs. Bracket 2 Winner in a Best of 3 Series

As great as the Super Regionals have been, I can't wait for Omaha and the Final 8 in the College World Series.

PS: Pro Baseball sucks. College Baseball is where it is at all year round. Who needs steroids and championships for hire when you can have tradition, tailgating, rivalry, ravenous fans, and young men who play b/c they love the game.

College Baseball Update: Arizona State gets the Shaft

2005-06-10T22:20:00.000-07:00

While finishing the second part of "The Trial of Choice" (posted below), I was watching the end of the Arizona State vs. Cal-State Fullerton baseball game at Goodwin Field, home of the CSFU Titans.

With Arizona State leading 2 to 1 going into bottom of the ninth, the Titans of Cal-State showed why collegiate baseball is so great. After doubling to start the inning, the next batter walked leaving runners on first and second with nobody out down 2 to 1. Well, for some reason, the picture threw over to first to hold the runner back (not smart considering he couldn't really advance since a runner was already on second). Well, the pitcher misfires and throws the ball just behind the runner where the first baseman couldn't reach it. The ball escapes into right field scoring the runner on second to tie the ball game at two and send the guy on first around to third with still nobody out.

Well, Arizona State is left with little option but to intentionally walk the next two batters and load the bases with it 2 to 2 in the bottom of the ninth to have a force at every base with no one out. Well, on the fourth ball to the second batter, I saw something I have never seen before. Thats right. The pitcher balked on ball 4 for no apparent reason scoring the winning run when he was just tryin to load the bases.

Well, I say he balked b/c that is what the third base umpire called. Of course, the call was probably the worst call made all season b/c I nor any of the announcers believed that was anywhere near a balk. That, and there was no reason to call a balk in that situation anyway. A perfectly great baseball game and a great attempt at a come from behind win by the CSFU Titans in the bottom of the ninth was ruined by a phantom balk call.

In other news, Florida trounced FSU 8 to 1 and Nebraska beat Miami (who elim. the Dawgs) 3 to 1.

Also, Tennessee hit a 2 run home run in the top of the ninth to come from behind to beat GA Tech 3 to 2.

Ain't College Baseball Great.

PS., the other 4 best of 3 series start tomorrow including Ole Miss hosting Texas at 6.

Games start at 12, 3 , 6, and 9 on ESPN or ESPN 2. Florida is at 6 and UT at 12.

The Trial of Choice: Loyalty or Democracy Part 2

2005-06-10T22:17:00.000-07:00

God versus Satan. Loyalty versus Democracy.

Opening Statements follow in the Trial of Choice where Satan (Lucifer) is on trial for the crime of Treason against the Creator, Humanity, and the world in they live.

The Prosecution (God’s defense).

Who is Satan? The defense will claim he is a Proud defender of liberty and democracy, the leader of the common man? I say to you “NO!” He is A savage, vengeful and deceitful leach who rebelled against the Creator in an effort to destroy the Paradise in which God created while murdering morality in Cold Blood.

Now, lets look at the fall of Adam and Eve from the Paradise sat down for man by the Creator in the Garden of Eden, a fall that was manipulated into happenning by the ill conceived deceit of Satan in an attempt to extract revenge against God after being banished to Hell in a failed revolt against his and our Creator. You see, after Satan was rightfully defeated for leading a savage and deadly revolt against the Creator, a revolt based on greed, power, and jealousy, Satan and the other fallen angels who followed him in the revolt decided to fight on. As a a major foundation for their planned assualt against God, they planned to attack the basis of right and wrong, of sacred morality itself. From their new kingdom in Hell, led from the palace Pandemonium, Satan and his following archangels began to devise a plan to spread a plague of sin across God’s dearest creation Human Life and Adam and Eve. Satan, using his vile offspring Sin and Death, thieves a ride out of Hell and up to the new world. Using deception and treachery, Satan manipulates Uriel, the guardian of the new world, to show him to the Garden of Eden, the beautiful home of the newly created Adam and Eve. Satan then, as a slithering snake does, preyed on the innocence of Eve and persuades her to eat the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Satan does this because he knows Eve will then go to Adam to tell him she ate from the forbidden tree. Preying on the fears that Adam will then be alone, Adam succumbs to the treachery and eats the fruit so that he will stay with Eden when they are both cast out of the Gates of Eden. Satan has corrupted and destroyed God’s creation with lies and deceit. He has violated the law of order. Would a honorable leader, a leader with the cause of liberty on his shoulders stoop to such acts as Satan has? No. They would fight with their heart, not the envy of their eyes, the greed of a million men.

The Defense of Liberty [Satan’s (Lucifer) Defense]

The Prosecution would leave you to believe Lucifer is cold and selfish and driven only by greed. And they are right! But it is not the greed for power, the greed for his betterment over another. What Lucifer is driven by is the “greed” to live and breathe where all angels and men and spirits are equal. Where they have a right to be who they want to be. You see, God is rightfully the creator and that we do not dispute. However, no one has the right to create slaves of war and oppression, submissive to the mind of one. God had become abusive and a tyrant to those in which he created. Left with the life of crushed hearts and broken backs, Lucifer and the other third of the angels had no choice but to revolt in the name of Liberty and Democracy, of Equality.

Just look at what happen when Satan/Lucifer revolted. God shows him no respect, instead only toying with his opposition in a time of war. God does not even send in the necessary amount of forces to stop Lucifer’s needed rebellion, much less finish it. God played with the emotions of Satan, the other rebel angels, and even the subjects of his with whom he had no qualms with. It was said that Satan tricked Adam and Eve, but it is also said in Book III of Paradise Lost that God saw Satan flying toward the Garden of Eden to corrupt Adam and Eve. God knew of Satan’s plan and did nothing to stop it when he could have easily done so. Is that not Surprising? God, who is far stronger than Satan and certainly capable of stopping him, lets Satan tarnish the minds of Adam and Eve, causing their downfall and the end of paradise on Earth.

That is the end of Opening Statements.

Stay tuned as those involved take the stand to testify.

The Trial of Choice: Loyalty or Democracy Part 1

2005-06-02T05:43:00.000-07:00

God versus Satan. Loyalty versus Democracy. The two major concepts in this multipart series I have written. Some may like it. Some may find it offensive. So what. I like it and that it what counts. So here we begin.

This is sort of a spin off of John Milton's Paradise Lost.

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What do people think of Democracy? What do people think of Religion? How important is Loyalty? John Milton seemingly asked these questions in Paradise Lost when he tried to explain to readers his thoughts on the book of Genesis. When asking these questions, though, Milton went against preconceived notions and seemingly turned Satan, an entity who strikes fear into any Christian's soul, into a character similar to George Washington. On the other hand, God, the honorable pure creator, was turned into the perfect example of cruelty and never before equalled tyranny. Some say Milton created this image of God to benefit himself politically (I disagree) while others dismiss the notion that Satan is like George Washington, thinking it is absurd. However, to some, the image is shocking, yet highly possible when evaluated. This theological disagreement leads to the etremely tense, mind-boggling trial of the spirit: God versus Satan.

Stay tuned as opening arguments are stated in the next post.

Mass Transportation: The Need to Increase and Improve Individualized Mass Transit (Part 2)

2005-05-24T21:07:00.000-07:00

Mass Transportation: The Need to Increase and Improve Individualized Mass Transit

Part 2

How Do We Improve Mass Transit

To improve our infrastructure in the United States, we must consider alternative forms of mass transportation while better utilizing the alternatives we have. We should focus on three areas: ports and waterways, high-speed rail systems, and Rapid Urban Flexible. To improve or establish these areas, we must devise ways to increase funding and, more importantly, invest both private and public funds in our transportation system, something we currently are not doing.

For moving large amounts of goods, we need to move toward ports, waterway, and high speed railways. Ships are slower than current modes of transit but are able to contain much more and cost considerably less. By upgrading our port system, we will be better able to utilize our nation’s vast waterways and more quickly move large amounts of goods from ships and barges to high speed rails cars. To connect the ports and waterways with factories and the third phase of the transit plan RUF, we need to replace our railroads and freight trucks with high speed railways bent on transporting goods and people from place to place. High speed railways are faster than freight trucks and more energy efficient. Under this system, they can also be easily connected to join RUF when nearing major cities.

Rapid Urban Flexible (www.ruf.dk) inclusion focus’s on the individual commuter and would replace the current interstate highway system we have now that is slow moving, congested, too bulky, environmentally unfriendly, energy inefficient, and aesthetically disheartening. RUF was developed by Denmark scientist Palle R. Jensen in an effort to combine the best of both the railway and the automobile. Under RUF, only local roads remain in tact. The highways are replaced with automated high-speed rails that allow for coupling of automobiles, nonstop traffic flow ranging from 20 to 30 mph at intersection to 70 to 90 mph in the city to 120 to 150 mph between cities. The cars, rufs as they are known, are dual mode, able to operate on both roads and on high-speed rails. When on the rails, they are fully automated allowing the driver to type in where he or she wants to go and then being able to sit back and relax, take a nap, or use the high-speed internet to do research for an assignment therefore providing better customer service. With the system being fully automated, consumer productivity will increase as they are able to focus on other things while traveling and not waste time driving or standing in line at a subway station. Also, unlike other mass transit systems, RUF runs on the individual’s schedule, not some train or subway schedule, departing whenever the consumer is ready.

To improve our transportation system, we must be willing to invest in our future, not continually patch up the present as we have been. The estimated cost of RUF to fully implement nationally is somewhere around $1.2 Trillion. This may seem expensive but the U.S. currently spends around $50 Billion a year federally plus what the states pay to improve and expand our interstate highway system meaning in 25 years, we can pay to fully implement RUF if we put the money in the right place. Also, moving goods off highways and onto waterways and railways while also replacing the highway system with RUF will greatly reduce automobile accidents which cost the U.S. economy more than $240 Billion annually. Short-term methods of paying for high-speed railways and port improvement could be to charge a user fee based on distance traveled value of merchandise, and size, a fee companies should be willing to pay in exchange for cheaper and faster transport of their goods in the long term and short term.

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Transportation and Logisticsare the arteries and veins of America. We don't need blood clots. Kick the butter.

Mass Transportation: The Need to Increase and Improve Individualized Mass Transit (Part 1)

2005-05-24T21:05:00.000-07:00

Mass Transportation: The Need to Increase and Improve Individualized Mass Transit

Part 1

Currently, in the United States, we need not only to improve mass transit but to create new forms. The focus should be on efficiency, time, convenience, and safety in the eyes of the consumer. Time is very valuable whether it is the time to go from place to place, the time with our families, or the time to do our jobs and partake in hobbies. Unfortunately, time seems to be disappearing from our individual’s schedule. How do we give people back more of their time as it relates to their commute and travel time while making sure they are also safe?

Why We Need to Improve Mass Transit

Today, we face many problems in meeting our current and future transportation needs. First, the price of fueling our transportation system continues to rise with the cost of oil. Just last week, for the first time ever, the cost of oil rose above $50 per barrel increasing the cost of the commute for every consumer and the cost of transporting goods. “Optimist” experts predict oil production to peak by 2035, then drop as demand continues to increase, causing oil prices to shoot from the $40 to $50 a barrel consumers have become used to to $80 or $90 a barrel (Roberts).

Second, traffic congestion plagues our cities as numerous cities from New York to Detroit to Denver to the state of Mississippi are looking for cheaper ways to improve transit in their cities. Expanding highways seems to be too cumbersome, too expensive, and too inefficient. “In many metropolitan areas, the congestion index has grown by one-third over the last decade” while the rail system, carriers of 30% of the volume of goods (same as trucks), has also experienced major bottlenecks (Tuttle 47). By 2040, congestion is predicted to increase as the number of private autos/light trucks rises by 40%, from 200 million to over 280 million vehicles. At the same time, the need for large freight trucks is expected to triple, going from 7 million to 21 million (Tuttle 49). “If the nation does not triple transportation capacity in the next 40 years, [it is predicted] that the economy will not grow 2 to 4% annually and incomes will not grow as expected” (Tuttle 51). Productivity growth resulting from the boom in information technology “will be blocked by a crippled and congested infrastructure” (Tuttle 51). The benefits of Just In Time production will be lessened as it will take longer to move goods from point-to-point and the increased cost of logistics will result in an increase in prices for consumers.

Third, the human element of the highway system fosters an unsafe environment despite improvements in the last 30 years. In the United States, over 40,000 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2002 and over 2.3 million were injured (UN Tackles Roadway Safety). Worldwide, motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death among those ages 5 to 29 and the third leading cause of death among those ages 30 to 44 (UN Tackles Roadway Safety). The burden hits financially also as the U. S. lost over $240 Billion worth of economic productivity in 2002 (UN Tackles Roadway Safety). In comparison, the U.S. government has only spent $218 billion over the last six years on highway construction and improvements with future plans calling for somewhere around $300 billion (Abrams). However, even the $300 billion plan is not nearly enough to meet the transportation demands of the future, at least under the current system.

Finally, Americans are busier than ever. Both parents are working more, leaving less time to cook a healthy meal, watch a child’s soccer game, help with homework, or prepare themselves for a more technologically sound society. Therefore, we must invent a way to better serve consumers, whether it is industry or the average commuter. This means we must develop a safe, efficient, stable, and predictable means of transit for the long term, not just tomorrow or next year or the next 20 years, but beyond.

Part 2 to follow = How to Improve Mass Transit

“A Future Unattainable”

2005-05-24T20:39:00.000-07:00

Below is a brief look at education, politics, and leadership based on observations I have made through school and my involvement in the political process. If something is unclear in the writing, ask.

Education is in our imaginations,
Not in numbers and letters.
Education is wanting to learn and expand,
Not be trapped under the rules of grammar
And the restraint of expression.

We complain about our politicians,
They’re only able to criticize others plans we say
But never offer us there own.

We wonder why all they offer us
Are patchwork and the staunchest of criticism,
Yet we continue to teach our future
The rules of grammar and restraint,
Not the gift of self imagination.

We breed in our leaders and our people
The ability to correct and to modify,
Not to redefine life and hope,
Not to amaze us with creation.

Hence, we are left without a dream, a new vision.
I mean, why offer us a new direction
When all we ever ask of them
Is to poke at the technique
And patch up mere drawbacks?

If we want a new vision,
Then demand it from them,
But don’t forget to show them how to make one
And where a new path of liberty and distinction comes from.

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Now go vote and fight for what you believe. And when you learn and write, remember why and what, not how. Let your mind speak.

To Mom's

2005-05-09T13:03:00.000-07:00

To the art of Motherhood and Mom's everywhere, especially My momma,

Being that it is the day after Mother's Day, I thought I would talk about the importance of mom's.

Well, of course, the give birth to most all of us but, come on, they do do more than that. They work and take care of the kids. Never tell a mom she doesn't have a job b/c being the mom is a full time one. Mom's cook your dinner and wash your clothes and take you to the park and drive you to school and push you around in a stroller and worry about you whenever you go off somewhere. Mom's help you with your homework and insist you do it and do it on time or even early (if my mom was at MSU with me, I would have all my work done early and never late b/c i would have to do it before i could get on the computer or watch tv or go play or politic. That was always my mom's rule. Of course, she would see when we were just tired and needed a break on those occasions and let us run off to play with benjamin, kevin, & cynthia (GA); kyle & gang (starkville); and Paul, Rebecca, & Chastity (TN). My momma is the reason I make good grades when I do and the reason I am usually pretty well behaved.

I'm not really sure what all to say. It basically comes down to this:

"My mom is my mom and nobody could ever be as good a mom to me as she was."

No matter what I say when she is complaining about my apartment not being clean or my table manners. Of course I think that is just a momma thing. My dad is messier than I am, although he wouldn't admit it.

Anyway, mom's are the best. Vote Donkey.

P.S. = Is it bad to wait til almost 7 to call (thats when i left to go to Corinth) and tell your mom happy birthday. Maybe, but that was 3.5 hours before my brother who finally called about 10:30 to keep me from calling for the 3rd time to get him too.

P.S. # 2 = Work and my traditional summer exercise officially began today, the first official day of summer break) when I was up at 5 am with work kicking off at 7 (light work day today). Off to do the afternoon/night exercising that will go til around 9 tonight, with dinner in the middle.

Mississippi Needs Money and Leaders

2005-05-05T12:04:00.000-07:00

We, Mississippi, lack money. We need money. Our senators and representatives are scared to death to vote on a tax increase. Our governor makes the idea of a tax increase sound like torture. Of course, squeezing the life out of education and medicare might be a wee bit more torturous. Especially for that child or grandmother who lost their healthcare plans or have had them cut tremendously over the last 2 years. Pretty sad not to be able to go see the doctor when they are sick or in pain. Then, if contagious, it just spreads. Of course, we meanwhile provide millions and millions of dollars in tax incentives and infrastructure to businesses so they come (as most other states do also; pick a cutoff point states; offer the same vale plan, even if in different aspects instead of undercuttin each other).

Think about that kid who wants to go to college but makes just enough he doesn't get federal grants or little financial aid but not nearly enough to pay for the rising tuition. Shouldn't he or she have the opportunity to be all that they can be too.

Come on State Leaders. For once, look out for the future of the State of Mississippi and for its people instead of your reelection hopes. You keep diggin us a hole, republicans and democrats combined. Sadly, thats about the only thing our state leaders and reps manage to do together as of late. Sacrifice Mississippi for personal gain.

The Vote Donkey Era Begins

2005-04-28T16:49:00.000-07:00

Dear fellow donkeys and the not so intelligent others,

As of last night, shortly before 7 o'clock, I, Matthew Holmes, was elected the next President of the MSU College Democrats. With such events transpiring, the VOTE DONKEY era has officially begun at Mississippi State University. The rains of March and April has and will be sweeping and cleansing away the dung that the Republicans have left behind under their heard of misguided and Benedict Arnold like elephants (more on benedict republicans later). In a few days, the sun will rise over May and the summer of rejuvenation and invigoration that will bring us great blue democratic skies, the skies that show GOD really is a Democrat and a fellow donkey (if God was a republican, the skies would be red, but that color was reserved for the Devil himself).

With the rise of blue skies and the pretty summer days that come with school letting out, we as Democrat Donkeys must remember and pledge that the summer is not a time of vacation. Instead, this summer brings with it a time better fight for the Democratic Party, the United States of America, the state of Mississippi, and the Bulldogs of Mississippi State. It is a time to increase the fight for and with our fellow brethren who put life and liberty on their backs and carry it through the sweat of their brow. The heat is strong in the summer and so shall be the Democratic Party. We are the workhorse of political parties and for fair and equal rights. It is time we live up to our duties as Americans and Mississippi citizens and push for a greater future and do it now. We must also fight without reservation and without hesitation. We are Democrats, We passionately Believe fully in what we strive for, and We will not rest until our work is done.

From now until the end of my term in April of next year, I pledge that the fight will be taken to the halls of government and to the people for the people. We will sweat under the beating sun, we will strive through the fall but not waiver with the changing of the season, we will bundle up and go door to door in the winter, and we will slosh around in the rain and snow and ice and sleet.

The Era of the Donkey has begun and you will know that it is hear. We will earn the Vote for the Donkey. As JFK said, “Ask what you can do for your country, not what your country can do for you.” We will stand proud and work for the future of our country. To all a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow, the work begins, the blue wave rises.

Matthew Holmes
MSU College Democrats President

I should be doin my Homework...

2005-04-26T11:32:00.000-07:00

Procrastination and Insight and Jibber Jabber upon conclusion.

Sitting here, I am thinkin "I should be doin my Homework ............ but I am not." Yippee, i have learned the art of procrastination and other more likable things that distract me from my work. You know, like chit chat and politics and sports. Of course, the tv distracts me pretty well too. And of course Instant Messenger has tagged up with bloggin to pretty much interupt my academic life. But hey, I'd rather be bloggin or chattin on IM than typing my MIS graduate term paper due tomorrow or my econ paper due thursday or my presentations each day. in fact, i've managed to put off takin the GMAT until the last day possible (this friday) in order to have my application turned in on time. Thats right, congrats are in order. I have become a lazy procrastinator, just one step on the way to becoming a notable politician. Of course, I look forward to more such things.

Now, I did decide my MIS paper will be on e-politics and e-campaigning so if ya'll have ideas on sources, send a shout out (662-312-6036) . Seriously or mrh63@msstate.edu . The others are already set.

Actually, come to think of it, I am going to blame today's procrastination on my twin brother Mickey. I was moving along nicely and doing my work. He then interrupts me short of 12 and wants to do weather class stuff on my computer instead of his. Well, this 30 minute hiatus from my driven work sent me into a tail spin of website visiting (espn & msu insider sports), bloggin, and of course, me IM.

Then it hit me: I am procratsinating. What better way to waste time and procrastinate than to blog about procrastination. Well, this hard thought, awful brotherly interruption, and lack of sleep sent me towards nap time coming up after this blog post. Of course, I hate naps and they only make me even more tired. So i have been home since 12 and it is 2 now which probably means i'll be heading to the baseball game with maybe at best 3 pages of my 10 page paper typed and if lucky, my baby econ case thats due thursday (not to be confused with the big econ case).

Of course, procrastination can only be added to, and Now i forgot what i was gonna say. oh yeah, i get to thinkin and then i like to argue with myself over what i'm thinkin or debatin. (Note: Those of you who ever see me talkin to myself, this be why. or very interested in nothing or it looks like i'm movin my arms for no reason, again this be why). And well now i'm talkin to a computer i guess (bloggin u know). Which is pretty odd and intriguing in itself. And of course, still no work done. I sleepy. but anyway, i like to argue and arguing with myself is much better. Probably b/c I'm always right and the audience is always so intelligent. For those of you who wonder why i don't study, this is why. I'll argue with the book or the concept of tests or theory or just get off on a random tangent (case in point, this post you are reading).

Now, other things distract me too. Maybe its because i think too much and i admit i have a tendency to over think certain things, the future being one. people being another. or sports of course or even politics. nanh, can't overthink politics and government. they so important and enjoyable (unless you lose of course, and then not quite as fun). and well, there is one thing i over think more than anything else (mr. wilson should know the answer to that one & maybe others). my shyness coming into play on the latter.

Wonder if i got anything else to say. Hmmm, not sure. Coke's good. The computer is lookin back at me. My room is a month plus behind on cleanin from where i sit. But hey, i am a guy; it is not in my male job description to clean. Just kidding. Although? nevermind, bad idea.

Oh, in economics, my teacher dr. campbell said what we all know as guys is true:

The woman is never wrong. If she isn't totally right either, accept she fully is right and support her decision whole heartedly. Now, if the decision comes down to your mother and your gal/wife, go with the wife. and also with your mother, but stand fully with your wife. The wife will be around longer and your mother will always love you. Its law. Now, if you do find yourself as a guy to be right, take note and remember it on the inside. Never gloat aloud that you were right and she was not fully right. If you are deemed worthy to be acknowledged that you were correct by the lady, then accept it but don't emphasize you were right b/c you'd become wrong again. In conclusion, she right, you wrong unless you agree with her. and stand by her even if she is not 100% right which she is of course 100% right.

So that is what I learned and procrastinated. Off to my nap and then my paper and yes dear @ 3:00 on tbs.

I'm bloggin behind

2005-04-25T21:28:00.000-07:00

Heya,

Apparently, I am behind on my dawgpound bloggin or so I have been told. So since i was told i should post by said person and i pretty much always listen to said person, I am now posting. My reasoning left to speculation of course.

Now, the question is, what should I post on? Maybe the Mayoral debate tonight would be a good thing. Frank Davis and Rob Roberson remain my top two favorites in their respected primaries, with Frank Davis and the Donkey Banner obviously being my number 1 overall choice. Of course, I did find myself surprised to agree with at least 2 points that Dan Camp made tonight, which I think is pretty odd considering i thought he was the second coming of the mob boss on several of occasions. Mainly it was the way he approached the managerial style with realistic short-term goal setting and such, which being a management major myself, i can most certainly agree with. The ducking of the new Confederate Monument question at the courthouse by all mayoral candidates but Issac was pretty cowardly and disrespectful however. Other than miss Issac, Roberson gave the second best response, although a distant second, by wondering where the Vietnam, Korean, WW1, & WW2 memorials were also. Of course, if you hadn't had your feel of the Justice Complex, well they rattled off more about that but not much new there. That is, until I spoke to Bob Ford, an architect afterwards who ran against state rep. gary chism in the last election and is pretty active (taste for mayor in zitta and camp i question though) who added a good deal to add on said justice complex and downtown revitalization. Also mentioned several times was the need for improvement of roads, sewage, & drainage to improve infrastructure which almost made me shed a tear. You see, Corinth city elections (where i went to high school and have ties for the last 8 years to) are always led by the debate on roads, some of the worst in the state up until about 5 years ago (however, corinth driving remains the wreck capital of the state with more accidents per capita than any other town in MS; 14 in one day actually in a town of about 13,000). The roads and infrastructure came in mainly with the bringing up of property tax raising and tax revenue, something that was not on topic at the previous debate. And of course, we were told about shopping with the usual suspects of Old Navy and Target plus restaurants coming to a town near you.

Now, if you are Pete Melby (spelling = ?), I would start charging royalties for the mentioning of the Melby name b/c believe me, the Melby name is drilled into the election process this year. Maybe they get an extra vote for every time they mention the Melby Plan. For those of you who don't know, Melby and his class at MSU are the designers of a well liked downtown revitalization plan with new city hall, more greenery, and even a man-made pond and stream which i love. I'd love to see a downtown park with benches and walking trails and maybe a carousel and swings and fountains and such. Plus the revitalization of highway 182 will be big and leave room for a larger downtown and maybe a new nightlife strip just off of the cotton district and downtown. Leave the Hwy 25 bypass (west side) to hotels, shopping centers, and retail. But such I shall leave for later.

Darfur is on my mind and I would like to give props to Stetson University, who led by their local College Dems Chapter (good job miss sandy) sponsored an awareness concert and picnic last thursday night. This was in an effort to bring to people the horrors and tragedy of the genocide in Sudan that has been all but ignored by the world population. This included us in the United States, who led by President Bush, but democrats included, have ignored the political and civil murder of Sudan while claiming the importance of the war in Iraq and the freedom of the people. Maybe, it is just limited to certain people who can bring us more in the way of goods and resources as Iraq can over Sudan or Yugoslavia/Kosovo over the Hutus & the Tutsis years before. But not to detract, I give my proud donkey award to Sandy, President of the Stetson College Democrats, for her hard work to promote awareness on such troubling issues as genocide and her continued love and faith in her party. And she's pretty damn liberal too.

I dunno, I'm sure I could post more but maybe this will suffice temporarily for said person. True, Its not my most vocal or controversial argument, or even an attempt at poetry, or such but it is here for the reading.

As always, Vote Donkey and work like a mule. tis all a good mornin, we are past midnight.

My thoughts: Reflector Parking Article & Faculty Response

2005-04-20T13:22:00.000-07:00

What are My thoughts on the Reflector's Parking Article & Faculty Response led by faculty senate member D'Abramo? Please read all to fully understand.

Via the Reflector:

"The resolution is a louder symbolic resolution to the administration that our salaries are flat and sliding downward," said Berk. "The administration has been nickel-and-diming [the faculty] for a number of years. "D'Abramo said this issue goes beyond just the faculty. "This is something that also hurts the students. They are experiencing tuition increases and parking fee increases also. I think we need to make a statement. Enough is enough," said D'Abramo.

Well, here's my response, first on parking and second on the Faculty standing up for students.

Part 1: Parking

First, Faculty/staff shouldn't have to pay to park. The idea is absurd. Parking should be provided for those you hire and they should have assigned numbered parking spaces (not just a "faculty/staff" lot). Its common sense. Also, those is residence halls (i live off campus) should get enough parking plus a few extra family visitor spaces next to where they live so they don't have park 3 or 4 blocks away and lug their luggage & shopping bags. Greeks (not greek either) should get to park near their greek houses also. Simple as that. The rest of the students (day students) should be filtered in elsewhere on campus.

Now, students having to pay to park is another story. I agree with the added cost to park in the extra spaces close to your main building, mainly b/c of the limited parking spaces and not wanting to have a concrete drill field. Its simply a matter of demand & supply. Pay on a first come, first serve semester decal basis. For me, mine would be an undedicated space by McCool. Of course, I park not far from the Sanderson Center anyway since i come in off 82. I'm happy and just assume park there than pay extra. Others would prefer near McCool. If so, pay for it. No reason for a parking lot guessing game.

As far as raising the price of the parking decal, they either raise them or tuition. They needed money and that just happens to be the way they chose to do it.

And with costs going up and a refusal at the state level to raise income taxes, the increased tuition burden is going to be shifted to students and their parents/families.

Wanna fix that. Go to the capitol building and governor's mansion in Jackson with others and let 'em know about it. Duh.

Don't just whine and complain as we all like to do. Go Do Something About It.

Part 2: Faculty/University helping students?

Oh yeah, and this D'Abramo fool talking about faculty standing up and helping students. Yeah, sure, thats real believable.

I personally don't recall too many times that faculty has stood up to help students or make things easier. Hell, I gotta get 4 different signatures in the exact order just to have a booth for a student organization for such terrible things as voter registration, humane society, student political involvement, etc.

Free speech was limited to a small corner until just recently. And signs promoting fundraisers even for things like dissabilities and sorority St. Judes fundraising efforts on brick walls are taken down b/c some fool in an office didn't sign it & its not on a special bulletin board. I mean, come on university and faculty, get real. You making it easier for students. Since when.

I can't even drop a class without an act of Congress. Do it late enough and you have to pay a $50 class withdrawal fee. Excuse me, but didn't I already pay for the class in tuition. Duh. Now we have to pay not to get credit. Ever try to register for a class (me political science) in a department you are not majoring in (i'm business)? Not easy. Again, more signatures, chit chat, and Congressional Approval.

Now, when someone finds a way that the University/Faculty makes something easier, let me know please. I don't think there is that many. Comment, call (662-312-6036), anything.

Whats Motivation?

2005-04-17T14:12:00.000-07:00

While sitting here at my computer, I am thinking and knowing I should be doing my Entrepreneurship paper that is due tomorrow at 2 PM. Yet I haven't really done the financial statements and analysis for it yet. Plus some other parts needed to add or be amended to our business plan that will be 60 plus pages upon completion sometime in the early (pre 7) Monday morning hours.

Now, this among other things leads me to wonder a) whats motivation and b) where is mine at as of late. School since the beginning of february and politically since spring break.

You see, normally I have this zest for doing business plans and case analysis that spurs me on. This invigorating will to master the art of the business plan. The thrill of establishment, the skill of the challenge, the newness of it all. This time though, I'm coming up with a dud. That thrill, that gusto, that drive, that feelin', is gone or at least temporarily inexistant. Hopefully the latter.

My political involvement has even slacked somewhat. I've done stuff, but not enough. The CD's haven't had a booth since Spring Break (we damn well are having two this tuesday and wednesday) and the stuffed donkey's riding around in my car are ticked off about it. They want sun and fresh air, the feel of Democratic Pride. I haven't done much canvassing for Richard 4 Alderman when I should be paintin Ward 4 Dawgpound Green & Black. I haven't canvassed much for Frank Davis either, although I want to hit the neighborhoods and do so.

I also missed paintin the shelter Friday and Saturday when dogs and cats need it to be ready soon. Jason and Jennifer were out there, workin hard & dedicated (allison too i think), but i wasn't and should have been if i was properly motivated. Not gettin motivated for the dogs and cats is bad and sad.

Now, the good news is there is only 2 more weeks of school plus that week of exams. and then summer is here and we can rejuvenate. Even those taking summer school will have i think a week off. I think my summer school starts in july actually, assuming i get my grad application in.

Now, that wasn't fully what my post was intended to be about so there will be a somewhat related sequel comin later. Stay tuned and comment as ya like.

As always, vote donkey and work like a mule.

A Clown's Life

2005-04-16T10:23:00.000-07:00

Hey ya'll,

I've been told I look like a clown sometimes so I thought I would write about a clown's life. Now, some people may be reading this with me with them. To them, I say "Smile. Its fun to be a clown."

Now, Some people seem to think my buttons that i wear make me look like a clown. To them I say, "Read and listen to what my buttons have to say. I don't care about fashion. If I look like a dork, so be it. It is a close spell to donkey you know. " Lets take a look at some of these buttons:

1) Proud to be a (picture of a donkey) democrat. If it is a democrat who thinks wearing this button makes someone look like a clown, then maybe they should rethink there affiliation with the democratic party. It helps to show it, not just talk it.

2) College Democrats button. Refer to number 1.

3) Support the Troops button. Learn to be an American and get one. That or a yellow ribbon and wear it all the time.

4) "We Believe." Because I damn well believe in the buttons and pins i'm wearing. Simple as that.

5) "I love the Lady." If you got a problem with the Statue of Liberty, we gonna have to talk. It can't help its parents are French.

6)Candidates buttons. I support those candidates. If i have opposing candidates buttons, it because i don't particularly support one fully and therefore, just want to encourage people to vote.

7)Ask about other buttons or pins.

To my stuffed animals. I like my stuffed donkeys and they are staying. They have as much booth time as me or they are working on it anyway.

To my cat-in-the-hat hat. I love my hat. Maroon & white like the bulldogs or red, white, & blue like the great US of A. Its fun, the kids love it, and it speaks of me. Can't always be strict and worry what people think of ya. Gotta be me and my hat is me.

As for whatever else makes me look like a clown, think about what it is, not what it looks like. There is more to things that meet the eye. As always and forever, vote donkey. And don't be afraid to have a little moment of clowny fashion. It hadn't killed me yet. Nite nite.

any questions or comments, post a comment or e-mail me at mrh63@msstate.edu or give me a call at 662-312-6036. thanks.

Rain and Politics Just Makes Me Happy

2005-04-11T18:02:00.000-07:00

Hey ya’ll,

The ward 4 forum presented by Starkville Daily News from the Greensborough Center downtown is over and Richard did well. Plus it was raining and I got to talk to people outside while standing in the rain which makes me happy. I love the rain. So since I'm in a happy mood, it is time to post a happy post. True, this is not my normal kind of post or my normal style of writing in the poem thingy below, but hey, I like the rain. No, the poem is not about rain. So without further ado, here is the poem:

“A Lady so Special”

When it comes to liking someone,
Something always stands out.
Yet you’re never able
To quite put your finger on it.

What makes her so cute?
Is it the sparkle in her eyes
Or the flow of her hair
Or the cute little way she smiles?

What is it that shines so bright?
Is it the approach in which she sees
Or the way she believes
Or just how she thinks?

What is it that has me hooked?
Could it be the passion
In which she so amazingly displays,
The beat of every hope?

What does she have
That I can’t help but like?
She is her.
The passion of fire,
The spirit in the breeze,
The beauty of a sunset.

Unknowingly,
With every turn and every glimpse,
She reveals what only she can,
The beat of life.
That is what I like.
That is what I can’t help but like.

Happy, happy, happy. Now I’m off to continue watching some of my favorite sit-coms on CBS (“two and a half men” on now, but they are all awesome). Cheers to the monkeys in the deep blue see and the donkeys flying in the air. Nite Nite folks.

Lessons Learned Over Super Bulldog Week

2005-04-10T19:55:00.000-07:00

heya folks,

I grew to realize something more this week:

"Learning outside of school stuff is much better than school stuff. And never underestimate the powers of real life, most notably the ever changing human factor."

Now the order of these things sort of rises in importance as i go, but some stuff may be out of order. And yes, this might be close to like 4 posts in one, but they all relate to the big topic

Now the order of these things sort of rises in importance as i go, but some stuff may be out of order.

1) I learned that i hate the Masters golf tournament. Probably b/c the person i cheer for on sunday never seems to win. Its really annoying to spend 4 days watching and following a tournament (this year i didn't get to watch much at all but i did see the back nine of the final round) and then to see the person you are pulling hard for lose to somebody you'd rather not see win. Like, again, Tiger wins and beats Dimarco in a playoff. Poor Dimarco. And last year, my favorite player Ernie Els lost on the back 9 to Phil Mickelson (who I also like but Ernie more). And then favorites like the Shark (greg Norman) never win but singh and olazabal do a couple of times. And Tiger now 4 times. But hey, relief in sight with my favorite golf tournament The U.S. Open being the next major coming in june on fathers day weekend.

2) I'll do almost anything to keep from doing homework. Of course, I know ya’ll all have that feeling. Its annoying and can feel meaningless and usless. Plus there is always something better to do. You know, like running into a brick wall or doing back flops on the sidewalk.

3) Bogard + Bacardi 151 + Cig Lighter + a glass of dr. pepper = your fingers on fire. Thanks Bogard. Lit Rum looks awesome, even if your holding some by your fingers.

4) Saturday night, I smoked for the first time. Yeah, yeah, yeah, make fun but I always thought it smelled horrible and was unhealthy. Hey, I’m right. Now, after smoking, I still think it smells horrible (flavored ones smell ok) and is unhealthy but now you can add the fact that it takes too much work. Who wants to sit there smoking holding what amounts to a stick while it burns all the way. It sucks.

5) Super Bulldog Weekend was awesome. State won 2 of 3 in baseball over auburn (should have been all 3 but bad top of first) and the spring game was televised by the deuce and the U of ESPN. Free BBQ and damn good BBQ was even better. And the inaugural Furry K did awesome with over 125 people plus bunches of dogs. However, if running in the race, don’t drink alcohol earlier that night. And this Super Bulldog Weekend came with 3 hours sleep Friday night and 3 hours Sunday morning (I should get more sleep).

7) I also learned that things change but seem to stay the same and that some things I’d like to change and not stay the same. To have a boost or flood of ideas or energy. Hence it led me to feel the need to blog or go to the soccer fields, maybe even both (or better as in true case). Never can tell. All I know is vote life, country, freedom, and equality above all else; maybe things should change. More on this one later.

8) Republicans and Democrats can hang out together and it be peaceful and safe. Eat a little BBQ, watch a little football, and cap it off with MSU baseball. Awesome.

My apologies to those who waited on me to type this out (they know who they is). I was thinking about # 7 since they were curious, but that stuff disappears and life be peaceful so I wasn’t spurred as much.

Well, I’d go on, but I tired so I finish later. To all a good night. May we have more donkeys when we wake up.

I’m a damn donkey. Figure it out.

2005-04-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

Heya folks,

As i said, I'm a damn donkey. Figure it out. I act and live Donkey, i don't just run my mouth at it. I can guarantee that. Hear it, read it, see it. I'm a proud donkey. I'm a happy donkey. I'm a patriotic donkey. I'm an American first, Mississippi second, political party third, nap later, do it now donkey, but no matter how you put it, I'm a donkey. That’s D-O-N-K-E-Y Donkey.

Now, i had a much better and much more inflammatory post written last night but upon submitting, it managed to vanish into thin air. Maybe that’s a good thing, maybe not. On the good side, I got to vent what i was thinking without ticking off people. On the bad side, I didn't really care if i ticked people off. If they were ticked off and upset about it, it would have been b/c they fit in what i said. And if that, they should be ticked off.

And yes, I supported TJ for SA president and would do it again and again. He is my friend and I am loyal to beliefs over friends and to friends over political party. I don't care if he is a Republican, he would have been one of the best SA Presidents in university history.

And yes, the staunch Republican and social conservative Ed is my good friend. We may not agree on many issues politically, mainly b/c my liberal donkey views are right and his elephant views are wrong. Either way, he is still my friend and I would support him, R beside his name or not. And FYI, many of my democratic friends could learn a thing or two from Ed. He puts a hell of a lot of work and time behind his political views and beliefs than ya'll do. He's not a mouth runner (take it as you will), he is a get things done person. He doesn't just come up with ideas, he follows through on them, implements them, and backs them up. Try it, it could help.

And yes, if Frank Davis (by far the better candidate for mayor) loses in the Democratic primary to Camp, then you damn right I will vote for Roberson over Camp b/c Roberson to me is closer to democratic ideas than Camp will ever be on the local level. On national politics, Camp i'm sure is more liberal, but on the local level, where they will be working, Roberson is closer to being a democrat than Camp, despite the meaningless letter by their names. (ideas and doing define political letters, not flimsy picking of them). Camp is selfish and looks only at the Cotton District and nothing else (ward 4 only of 7 wards) and could care less about the rest of Starkville. Individualism over community. That’s Republican actions. Meanwhile, Roberson represents and thinks of all of Starkville from public schools to the by-pass to rock hill, to district 6 & 7 to park renovation to downtown to city development to business development to MSU-Starkville relations, etc. Roberson represents community first, individualism second. That’s democratic ideas. That’s city wide ideas. But then again, many of ya'll wouldn't know that b/c you see a letter and you are done. You don't look at the person to see who really fits what letter. Try it sometime. Again, I’m voting for Davis; if unable to in the general, I’m voting for Roberson.

Now, i firmly a donkey and proudly a donkey. Again, my post was more inflammatory and the parts in blue well defined, but it vanished. Oh well. I still stand by it and maybe it will make it back to my blog. Nite Nite and Sweet Dreams. Enjoy your day and take care and be good.

P.S. = This is my third attempt at posting on this.

what about the donkeys and monkeys and dogs and deer and lions and etc.

2005-04-05T08:36:00.000-07:00

heya ya'll,

i have been wondering as you may notice by the title "what about the donkeys and monkeys and dogs and deer and lions and etc." you see, some things i just find stupid, especially in relation to the animal kingdom.

first, some people say that animals just aren't as smart as humans. robert especially likes to make that saying in relation to dogs. of course, i always respond that dogs and tigers and monkeys and bears are smarter than he is. which of course, with us, sparks a debate that never ends and becomes pretty funny. of course, i'm right and thats the important part. dogs are smarter than people and so are turtles and ducks and kangaroos and koalas too. since i'm obviously right, there is no reason to go any further. for you humans out there who aren't sure why you are dumber than dogs and cats and snails and other members of the animal kingdom, well thats why they are smarter than you. they understand. they know why.

now, my second point which i even have a little written story to help illustrate. in fact, we'll start with the poem. as you are reading this, imagine the part in red to be a mother, about 31 with say an 8 year old child. imagine the part in blue to be an 11 year old child, young and vibrant, without a care in the world, just happy to be playing and living life. and now for the story.

I wonder where my son is,
Where is my son?
He has been gone for the day
With no word about being late.
I hope he has not had any trouble
Getting dinner at the Hall.
My, where is he.
Oh, brother Ed, have you seen my son?
He has been gone for the day. No word.
Oh me, Oh me. Oh there you are!
Where have you been?
Oh, what happened my little one?
Are you alright?
Huh, tell mommy what’s wrong baby.
“Momma, I was just having dinner.
And this thing came and attacked me from behind.
He grabbed and pulled at me,
And I asked him to let me go mommy
but he just kept pulling and tearing and ripping at me.
He ripped me apart and I was only able to flee
When he tore my arm off.
It hurts, mommy, it hurts.”
Oh son, don’t die, DON’T DIE baby!
Aaahhh! My baby is gone.
Oh me, oh me. I’ll get them back.
Just for fame, just to boost their ego. Just for fun.
Now my son is gone.
I’ll press charges but that won’t do.
No one will ever see my heart and mind.
Only what they see and they don't see us.
My baby is gone, lost to other's fun.

The only thing is with my story the child was attacked from behind. In real life, he's taken out form long away. The mother, the family, however, is still left without. Poor doggy, poor tiger, poor deer, poor eagle, poor elephant, poor bear. A friend or a child or a parent stolen in the need for fun and glory. Sad part is, they don't even see it. And if they do, they don't feel it or hear it.

My Rant before Georgia

2005-04-04T15:33:00.000-07:00

To the donkeys and monkeys and puppies and even elephants :

I have decided I don't like class anymore so i say no more classes for me after this semester. School isn't work and I don't believe all that much in it anymore. Too many books and not enough doing.

I think i might go to Demark and explore ( that is where RUF International is based you know). Or maybe off to Japan. I hear the Orient is nice. Or how about Alaska, land of snow most of the year and friendly eskimos and polar bears.

Nanh, not going anywhere exotic like that. I sort of like my US of A anyway. So i am off to somewhere fun but somewhere old and homie. Thats right, south Georgia. Tifton to be exact. Who needs grad school when life in south GA awaits.

I miss our sewage pipes and all the made up games. The mustard eating contest and the salt tricks. Bike Wrecking contests, something that can't be beat. And who can forget Trampoline Pop, a broken and bloody game. And my little brothers Benjamin, Jared, Kevin and William, Chris and Jeff. And my little sisters Cynthia and Heather and Tori and Melody and Caroline and big sis Kathryn and Shannon. In spirit anyway and thats all that matters. And class trips to the agirama (i love their corn meal) and day trips to the beach and tallahassee. and i even miss lady danielle.

You know, i have always wondered about change and what things might be like without change. But then change comes back around and sends you back to where change began. Is that a good thing or is it a bad thing and is change inevitable or made or altered in between? I don't really know. Maybe Muffin has ideas. She always did look after us when we were little.

I do actually love it here in Starkville. Its the one town i have lived in that i have gotten to come back to and live in. From 4th to 6th and then college. Wasn't exactly the same though. Sort of a different beginning, but one i still care deeply about. I love our bulldogs and college dems and college republicans and humane society and even them people known as SAAB. Some things or such i care more about than others but it is all those things that i see and care for.

Well anyway, graduation comes soon and Georgia (Tifton) shortly thereafter. I guess the new game is close to starting. In Georgia I be by june. Nite all.

To those MSU Students who did Not Vote in SA elections

2005-03-30T21:19:00.000-08:00

Dear non-voting students (all 14,000 plus):

Don't take this personally but ya'll freakin suck:

1) It takes less than 5 minutes to go vote and it ain't complicated.

2) If you care about the university, you vote. if you don't, then you don't.

3) SA campaigning does not and never will constitute harassment. Sorry, but some of us care. This the fools in the SA senate who voted for the limited campaign season should especially listen too. If you think being asked to vote and being told why is annoying and harassment, then you should resign your spot in SA senate b/c you don't deserve to be there.

4) To those who come up with the dumbest, stupidest campaign limitations, get a life. School spirit through cowbells and bullhorns and such, especially on election day, is not a bad thing. and you aren't going to be permanently scarred to see or hear it.

5) To the SA whose get out the vote effort did not exist. Yes, it is your job to encourage students to vote. You are the ones who know first hand what all SA does and the importance of SA. Well some of you know what all the SA does. Others of you have been and are still asleep at the wheel. And the incoming, uncontested VP and Secretary should have been on the drill field telling students why they should vote and the importance of the SA. Sadly, they were inexistant. Hopefully they will not be as officers.

6) If students don't vote in SA elections, why should the city or university take student issues seriously. Especially when 90% of students don't even bother to get off their apathy and vote. You don't care, why should they?

If ya'll do not like my comments, oh well. It probably means you didn't vote (you suck if you didn't) or fit somewhere above. I ain't writing to be nice. If I was, i'd be baking cookies and cupcakes instead.

Besides, even if you don't like my comments, it ain't like ya'll could put any bite back. You lack it.

PS: Hey Charlie, hows that for returning to posting.

To the Students of MSU concerning SA elections

2005-03-30T19:22:00.000-08:00

Dear fellow students of MSU,

For those of you (only 1520) who voted in SA elections yesterday, thank you for having the spirit of getting up and going and voting. To the campaigners, awesome job. Special awards of school, democratic, and patriotic spirit go to:

TJ's Campaign for the most vocal and hardest working campaign:
1) Libbi "Rock My Wolrd" Burns
2) Phillips "Boss Man" Strickland
3) Jeniffer "J-Val" Valentine
4) Joanna "awe" Frederick
5) TJ "the man" Harvey
6) Joshua "goofy" Blevins
7) Clare "happy" Bass
8) JR "double team" Love
9) Lacie "Wilkerson
10) Robert "stickerman" Miles
11) Edward "senator" Sanders
12) my apologies to those i left out

Matt Vitart's Campaign for creativity and loyalty:
1) Morgan "laura bush" McPhail
2) Michael "Judge" Martin
3) JR "double team" Love
4) Matt "DC" Vitart (longest travel time)
5) Emily Smith
6) Mary "with red hair" i forget her last name
5) my apologies to the rest for not remembering all the names

Jon David "Florida Gators" Cole's campaign (ya'll knew i had to say it):
1) Miss "i keep forgetting her first name" Martin (maybe brittany)
2) Elisha Blades

To Seth Robbins for most creative campaign handout

To Claire Cothren for actually showing up on drill field and campaigning as opposite of her 2 opponents

To Lamonte Stamps and Mary Brown for being the hated "no fun" election commissioners

The others (non-voters, & pathetic campaigners) i will get to later.

From the fool in the maroon and white "cat-in-the-hat" hat and walking billboard, we and ya'll still got "shat" to do. This is not nap time. and damn well Vote DONKEY and WORK like a MULE.

It's Easter Time.

2005-03-26T08:46:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to wish all my blog readers a joyful and happy Easter. I also thought I should take some time to point out what is important about Easter. Most important is, you guessed it:

THE EASTER BUNNY.

Thats right. What could be more important and so great about Easter than the Easter Bunny. It brings a smile to everyone's face, whether it comes in chocolate (yum yum; reason for easter in itself) or in a furry bunny stuffed animal (thats right, i like stuffed animals, wimpy or not) or in a bunny costume (so cute) or in a bunny itself. Kids light up at the sight of the Easter Bunny and will mug you to get to the chocolate easter bunny.

Then there is the Easter egg hunt. If you are like me, mickey (my twin), and my cousin Chaz, you are great at hiding easter eggs. So great that you can't even find them yourself. Me, i prefer the plastic easter eggs b/c they don't break and come with candy inside. That is unless we have easter egg fights. Then I prefer the real eggs. Oh so fun. And even better, they are really, really messy and some people hate it which means of course, you have to peg them with break away, uncooked eggs. More messy. Of course, rotten eggs work too.

And, of course, the great spring day when little kids and big kids (i have 3 year old to 11 year old tendencies) alike join in. Family and friends and people with split personalities (like me) all around.

Easter is great and i can't but love what the Easter Bunny brings us once a year. So when you go to bed tonight, send a message from your heart to the Easter Bunny and remember "you can always be a kid again."

Life is all about believing and dreaming. Hop, Hop, and enjoy.

Matt's SA Dream Team Picks for 2005-2006

2005-03-24T21:30:00.000-08:00

I will provide my current SA Dream Team if i got to choose all the SA Exec officers next year (not including myself; that might be unfair). Of course, i do not know everyone so some qualified people i might leave out.

SA President is obvious = Edward Sanders. He is clearly the best choice for SA President. No one else is really in his league as far as connections, work ethic, knowledge of the student body & government. Sanders could be the best SA president of all time.

Vice-President = Adam Telle. You may not agree with everything he does and some of it may be excessive, but he has shown more so far than any SA President I have seen. He is visible, he is vocal, he works incredibly hard, he is conniving (good & bad), he is intelligent, he is cunning. (by the way, i voted for juan and disagree with adam on several issues). could his SA do more? Yes. But his VP and AG seem to suck as they are MIA. Luckily he has Lamonte.

Attorney General = Daniel Melder. Like him or hate him, no one is a better attack dog than Melder and he has tons of political savvy. He knows constitutions, state law, and cares for the people.

Treasurer = Emily Jones. She easily the most qualified student accountant on campus. And I know alot of accountants. She can manage and detail.

Secretary = From what i have seen, Lindsey Tew is the most organized person holding an office. She handles CR stuff well and would work hard. She just has to keep her emotions in check (can be firey). She would be the secretary you know.

Top of the SA Cabinet # 1 = Lamonte. He's there now and does an amazing job. He works hard, is extremely social, represents students well, and would be a great asset to accompany Sanders.

Top of the SA Cabinet # 2 = Matt Bramuchi. He has worked and done alot for all students, especially graduate students, international students, distance students, etc. and would be a very valuable asset to any SA exec

Top SA Political Advocate(R)= TJ Harvey. He is very well connected as head of the State of MS CR's both locally, on the state level, and nationally. He is also big on youth vote and involvement. He also has plenty of SA experience.

Top SA Political Advocate(D)= Nick Wilson. He also knows tons of local, state, and national politics and he too is well connected. He also has plenty of SA experience.

On campus student Rep. = Tim Jackson. He does a great job organizing socials, educational events, fundraisers, etc. and leading RHA. Who could be a better representative of resident hall students on campus.

Independent Student Rep. = Phillips Strickland. Phillips works extremely hard, communicates with everyone, can be forceful if called upon, and knows how to relate and relax.

Military Affairs Rep = John Yelverton. He lives the ROTC and the U.S. military. No one would represent the ROTC's and military active and reserve students as well as Yelverton would.

Any other postions I could list, let me know. Also, if you have your own dream team, feel free to give it. But be a little more original than having just who you are voting for for SA this year. Also, say why you choose them for that position.

Take care and enjoy.

SA Elections Are Under Way ... I Think

2005-03-21T21:54:00.000-08:00

Hey ya'll,

From what I hear, SA elections are officially under way and ready to roar up with Spring Break over and only 6 school days to campaign. Of course, today (Monday), they were at a roaring peak, buzzing all around. Thats right, you could hear the grass grow.

The people out campaigning were sparse and very few in between. In fact, no one got there til 11:00 approx. Being the campaign person that I am, I almost cried. You can imagine the tears. To recover, I walk almost to the Sanderson center, get the TJ Harvey for SA flag out of my car, and return to the Drill Field fresh with my Cat-In-the-Hat hat (maroon and white of course) to campaign for good 'ol TJ. By virtue of the flag and more visible shirts, they were easily the most visible. Sadly, that might not have made Top TEN last year. I also noticed in my 3 hot spot hours (11 til 2 o'clock) a mere two John David supporters, one of which was freshman Miss Martin who led JD's crew with stickers for about an hour or more. I have seen a sign for Clare Cothren for senior class president and a girl supporting Katie Leech for the same spot on the Drill Field with a sticker (maybe more).

To the rest of the teams, ya'll suck. Currently, Corey Carter is running in the Top 3 and he has no opponent. Where the rest of you people at. If you can't work at election time, the chances of seeing you do something in office is zilch. Who wants another figure head AG or VP or Senior class president.

To those who are running; check and look in the mirror to make sure you know you will work for MSU, not be another fool with a title. We already got them.

Get your tail on the Drill Field and campaign. I know i'll be there.

Matt's Political Platform as of March 16, 2005

2005-03-16T11:24:00.000-08:00

Below is my personal political platform. Read, enjoy, and respond.

1) …One nation, “defined by the enduring and evolving passions of its people,” indivisible…
2) In “America” we trust.
3) I am pro support, pro choice, and in support of the morning after pill.
4) I am pro Equality in all aspects, not just a few.
5) I am against tort reform because I believe and trust in my fellow citizens and my nation’s judicial system. To say America’s judicial system is flawed in the civil justice ring, in my opinion, leaves questions about the quality of justice in our criminal courts. I have a firm belief in the utilization of common sense however.
6) I am for and urge vivid support of our nation’s police, firefighters, first responders, veterans, volunteers, and military.
7) I am pro volunteerism.
8) I am pro independent mind and thoughts.
9) I believe in strength in beliefs and ideas. In no manner shall someone waver from their ideas, unless they themselves see a need to do so in benefit of life, not politics.
10) I am for American independence in our actions.
11) I am for American leadership abroad
12) I am for a strong military led by our nation’s “military familiar.”
13) I am pro defense.
14) I am for defending human rights as outlined in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.
15) I support and was for the war in Iraq and continue to be. Refer to # 14, not WMD.
16) I am pro environment.
17) I am pro wildlife and animals including greatly strengthening animal rights.
18) I believe we should not only increase funding for, but also increase the size of our national park system.
19) I believe it is vital that we implement the Rapid Urban Flexible Transit System.
20) I believe in alternative fuel research.
21) I am pro stem cell research, genetic research, and genetic engineering.
a. I am also pro cloning in certain types of cases.
i. Cloning of cells in an effort to save lives.
ii. Cloning in an effort to have a child of your own you would not otherwise be able to have.
22) I support a pro aggressive tax.
23) I believe in looking to the future, not only at the present.
24) I am for “fully funding the future,” even if that means tax increases in the present.
25) I am against standardized test scores as a measurement of a student’s or school’s success. Limiting life and knowledge to multiple choice and paper is absurd. Hence, the foundation behind Bush’s No Child Left Behind sucks.
26) I am against the idea of Affirmative Action, especially in public sector of education because I believe every child should be able to achieve their dreams and be able to attend any public school in their state through the masters level. Hence, there should be no need for affirmative action, especially in dealing with public education.
27) I am against faith-based initiatives. God does not rule life, people do. Charities, not churches, should be in charge of helping people.
28) I am against school vouchers to attend private school on government funding.
29) I believe that college costs for a student should be the same as those for K-12 with no cap on enrollment.
30) I believe there should be no caps on enrollment in public graduate schools.
31) I am for casinos in the United States.
a. I believe everyone should have to pass a sobriety test in order to be able to gamble.
b. I believe a person’s gambling in a month should be limited to a certain percentage of their income for the month.
32) I support taxes based on the amount of pollution produced by companies so that they pay their fair share for the costs.
33) I am for limiting nicotine and other harmful and addictive substances with an end in mind in a doctor recommended period of time.
34) I support all those who want to get married, including those of the same sex. Marriage is about the love and passion that two people share for each other. Limiting marriage to that of a man and woman is not defending the sanctity of marriage, but discrediting marriage as only a series of committed sexual acts between a man & a woman til death do them part. I think of marriage to be a little bit more than that.
35) I support all those who want to have kids, including those of the same sex. Just because a person is not heterosexual does not mean they can not take care of a child.
36) I believe in raising the minimum wage.
37) I am for gun license checks and firearms limitations.
38) I am in full support of the death penalty in the United States.

Any questions or comments or ideas or clarifications, feel free to free to ask or express. Also, if you have any descriptions of what I am politically, feel free to describe in as many words as you like. I'm curious b/c some people think i am confused about whether i am a democrat or republican or whatever.

As always, take care, be vocal, vote donkey, and work like a mule.