I was fortunate enough to attend Ringling Brother's Greatest Show on Earth last night for the third consecutive year. I must say, the theme was weak, but the music was wonderful. The animal performances were far better than last year.
The ringmaster did a spectacular job of flipping his hat, twirling his cape, and bellowing into the microphone. My only complaint would be that the choreography often had him lost amidst the dancing girls, and tumbling clowns. I don't think adults had a hard time following him, but from my little nieces perspective, I bet looking at the three rings was often like staring at a Where's Waldo picture.
The animals stole the show this year, in my opinion. FIFTEEN tigers, all fat and sassy, took the spotlight right after intermission. When they sat up on their hind legs and showed their bellies, I almost died laughing, picturing my fat cat Kia sitting in a similar "fat old man" position the night before. The fact that the trainer is bilingual, and communicates with the cats in Spanish only adds to the allure of the act.
The elephants were also amazing. Anyone that criticizes Ringling Brothers should have seen the joy in these animals faces as they showed us what they could do. The ponies also did a much better job than in previous years, and the zebras were awesome to watch. I did not miss the puppies, given that last year they were more interested in chasing each other than doing what their trainer bid.
I loved the trapeze artists, as well. We were finally fortunate enough, on our third try, to pick seats on the right side of the stadium so that the trapeze act was literally right over our heads. I loved the enthusiasm of the performers. Even though I had seen all of the tricks before, they felt new to me because of the flair with which the moves were pulled off.
Sadly, the clowns were funny, but couldn't get the crowd into their antics for some reason. The side of the stadium that we were on seemed to have woken up on the wrong side of the bed that day. At least the other side seemed to respond politely. I did miss my favorite clown, Bibi. But every clown needs a break, and I am sure whatever he is learning for next year will be worth the wait.
I also missed the screens and light effects from last year, and thought the glow-in-the-dark costumes were only moderately entertaining, having seen them at multiple other performances over the years. I would also like to see the band wheeled out some how to acknowledge the fact that most of the music is performed live. I know my husband was surprised to learn it was not being fed into the speakers electronically.
Overall, we had a grand time and cannot wait until the train pulls into town again.
Me
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
The Death Penalty
My position on the death penalty is unique. I am not opposed to killing convicted felons who do not deny their guilt. But I am firmly against taking the life of any individual who proclaims innocence. I am sure future stories will provide the opportunity for me to delve further into this viewpoint. But, for now, I would like to change the focus of this post to what prompted me to start this thread.
On every news site I have visited this morning, I have found the same thing: a headline proclaiming Anneliese MacPhail's desire to see the execution of Troy Davis take place because of the peace his death will bring her. I think this logic is twisted, and Ms. MacPhail is going to be sorely disappointed. How can the death of another human being be enough to compensate for her son? Mr. Davis's death isn't going to bring her child back. Instead, his death is only going to inflict more suffering on Mr. Davis's family, also innocent bystanders in this nightmare. Instead of peace, I am afraid Ms. MacPhail will be filled with guilt, remorse, and the same seemingly endless emptiness that only forgiveness can alleviate.
On every news site I have visited this morning, I have found the same thing: a headline proclaiming Anneliese MacPhail's desire to see the execution of Troy Davis take place because of the peace his death will bring her. I think this logic is twisted, and Ms. MacPhail is going to be sorely disappointed. How can the death of another human being be enough to compensate for her son? Mr. Davis's death isn't going to bring her child back. Instead, his death is only going to inflict more suffering on Mr. Davis's family, also innocent bystanders in this nightmare. Instead of peace, I am afraid Ms. MacPhail will be filled with guilt, remorse, and the same seemingly endless emptiness that only forgiveness can alleviate.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Abortion
I am 100% pro-choice. The purpose of this post isn't to identify the already-well-known arguments people of my persuasion put forth to defend a woman's right to choose. It is to catalog interesting articles I find on the subject. Like this one, from Time.com: The U.K.'s Conservative Government Defends Abortion. This quote in particular caught my eye:
"Why isn't abortion more of an issue in a country that is 40% Catholic? Diane Abbott, the Shadow Health Minister explained to cheers: “The absence of a Fox News pumping out social propaganda 24 hours a day and British common sense.”
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Say No to Unions
The United States Postal Service may stop delivering mail by the end of this year. If it cannot find a way to balance its bursting budget, employees will not be paid, and fuel tanks on delivery trucks will not get filled.
The reasons why USPS is in so much trouble are twofold. The first culprit is the ridiculous requirements of the postal workers union's contract, which prevents cutting labor regardless of the financial consequences. To comprehend how devastating to a business this can be, one must only look at the following comparison:
"Labor represents 80 percent of the agency’s expenses, compared with 53 percent at United Parcel Service and 32 percent at FedEx, its two biggest private competitors."
This calculation is startling. Especially given the reality of the internet age. More transactions are occurring online everyday. In fact, postal deliveries are down 22% over the past 5 years, and are projected to continue declining.
Given these statistics, any semi-intelligent business person would recommend cutting labor costs. But, because of the postal workers union's "no lay-offs" clause, it is impossible to rectify the situation. What irritates me the most about this scenario is that the people in these unions would rather see their entire enterprise fail, then any of their coworkers laid off. Do they not get that if the post offices all close, everyone will be jobless?
Archaic laws limiting the ability of the post master general to implement cost controls is also partly to blame. Without the ability to raise stamp prices, alter delivery schedules, or add other services to the failing offices, his or her hands are tied. It would take an act of Congress to change the law, and we all know how likely that is in this divided political climate.
(Source of stats: NYT: Postal Service on Verge of going broke, shutting down, by Steven Greenhouse, 9/5/2011)
___
The situation at USPS reminds me of the drama that unfolded in Wisconsin recently. Teachers went to bat for the benefits promised in their ancient contracts, without taking into account today's dire economic reality. Private sector employers cut the kind of benefits promised to many union members over a decade ago. By refusing to cooperate, and modify clauses that would hurt everyone a little, union members are making choices that have the potential to hurt everyone a lot.
The reasons why USPS is in so much trouble are twofold. The first culprit is the ridiculous requirements of the postal workers union's contract, which prevents cutting labor regardless of the financial consequences. To comprehend how devastating to a business this can be, one must only look at the following comparison:
"Labor represents 80 percent of the agency’s expenses, compared with 53 percent at United Parcel Service and 32 percent at FedEx, its two biggest private competitors."
This calculation is startling. Especially given the reality of the internet age. More transactions are occurring online everyday. In fact, postal deliveries are down 22% over the past 5 years, and are projected to continue declining.
Given these statistics, any semi-intelligent business person would recommend cutting labor costs. But, because of the postal workers union's "no lay-offs" clause, it is impossible to rectify the situation. What irritates me the most about this scenario is that the people in these unions would rather see their entire enterprise fail, then any of their coworkers laid off. Do they not get that if the post offices all close, everyone will be jobless?
Archaic laws limiting the ability of the post master general to implement cost controls is also partly to blame. Without the ability to raise stamp prices, alter delivery schedules, or add other services to the failing offices, his or her hands are tied. It would take an act of Congress to change the law, and we all know how likely that is in this divided political climate.
(Source of stats: NYT: Postal Service on Verge of going broke, shutting down, by Steven Greenhouse, 9/5/2011)
___
The situation at USPS reminds me of the drama that unfolded in Wisconsin recently. Teachers went to bat for the benefits promised in their ancient contracts, without taking into account today's dire economic reality. Private sector employers cut the kind of benefits promised to many union members over a decade ago. By refusing to cooperate, and modify clauses that would hurt everyone a little, union members are making choices that have the potential to hurt everyone a lot.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Watch what you Tweet!
Having just read the story of a man accused of terrorism for tweeting misinformation about a school shootings in Mexico, I must say my mind is reeling. Though I believe the charge is far too trumped up, I also believe he should be held accountable for spreading mass panic. Regardless of whether he initiated the rumors or simply spread them, he did so without any first hand knowledge of the events. Furthermore, he didn't even bother to clarify his suspicions by simply turning on the television or radio.
I do not think jail time is warranted. Calling him a terrorist only serves to nullify the horribleness associated with the term. And I do not think Mr. Vera acted alone. I believe he was simply one of many spreading the lie that resulted in 26 car crashes.
The right punishment should involve a modest fine, and possibly a permanent label on Twitter revealing Mr. Vera's, and his fellow accomplices, willingness to propagate false information. Maybe a "Cry Wolf" or "Sky is Falling" icon.
In the end, as viewers of the internet's vast stores of information, it is up to us as consumers to always remember to take everything we read with a grain of salt.
I do not think jail time is warranted. Calling him a terrorist only serves to nullify the horribleness associated with the term. And I do not think Mr. Vera acted alone. I believe he was simply one of many spreading the lie that resulted in 26 car crashes.
The right punishment should involve a modest fine, and possibly a permanent label on Twitter revealing Mr. Vera's, and his fellow accomplices, willingness to propagate false information. Maybe a "Cry Wolf" or "Sky is Falling" icon.
In the end, as viewers of the internet's vast stores of information, it is up to us as consumers to always remember to take everything we read with a grain of salt.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Sound Off II
6/21
'Money blurts' help drive fundraising (Yahoo News, by Dan Eggen & T.W. Farnam, 6/19/2011)
I have just encountered a new term being tossed around in the media to describe the incendiary, controversial comments politicians spew in the hopes of garnering donations: money blurts. These supposedly impulsive outbursts can range from disrespectful interruptions of Presidential addresses, to memorable one-liners used in speeches and tv appearances.
I have many problems with this tactic. First, the seemingly impromptu statements are all-too-often pre-planned campaign ploys. I have nothing against well choreographed, grass roots fundraising. But call it what it is. Most Americans are not stupid,* and don't appreciate the cheap shots politicians have been taking to gain a monetary advantage over their competitors.
Second, these suggestions can be dangerous. Requesting that constituents ready their weapons for a political battle, for example, could be seen by militant groups as a true call to arms.
Third, these controversial ideas are often against the spirit of our Constitution, or downright untrue. Calling Obama a Muslim was a sound bite I heard all too often during the last Presidential campaign season. There is no way the speakers didn't know Obama was a Christian, but he or she knew spewing this "controversial" lie would sit well with some donors.
In summary, money blurts may seem like a fantastic way for a candidate to get a temporary boost. But intelligent Americans will see through the charades, and never vote for someone willing to lie and cheat to win.*
*Hopefully
___
6/22
Probably the first cool thing to ever come out of Canada is the new polymer money featured in the video at the top of this article. Not only does it look awesome, it also virtually impossible to counterfeit. And, once it is taken out of circulation, it can be recycled into other useful products. Go Canada!
___
6/26
Not everyone is cut out for college. Many youth recognize this at a much earlier age than we may realize. I remember knowing that I loved school the first time I attended. My husband, on the other hand, hated it. For me, going to college was a joyful experience; a transformation of my mind. For my husband, it was a nightmare that took six years, and garnered little more than major headaches. Still, because of the value our society currently places on a four year degree, he could not have the career he had without it.
That is why I found this quote so compelling: "According to Harvard's "Pathways" report, the United States needs a school system that establishes career options for students as early as middle school. The options should specify the coursework and the training students will need. This approach will enable students, along with their parents, to map pathways toward the work they seek." (The high cost of our obsession with four-year colleges)
This should include an expansion of our technical college system, as well as a major re-evaluation of such schools' prestige in the eyes of our nation. There is nothing wrong with taking two years of courses to be a solar panel expert, or a wind farm technician. Our sole focus on the four year bachelors degree is out dated, and holding us back in this highly technical age we find ourselves living in.
Let's go back to the example of my husband for a moment. In high school, his first job was selling newspapers. He fell in love with the sales process, and managing a sales team, by the time he graduated the twelfth grade. Wouldn't two years focused on honing the skills involved in a career as a sales manager have been more beneficial to him than a four year liberal arts degree that didn't include even one class about selling or managing? His current employer would not have even considered his resume without the bachelors degree, however.
___
6/29
My husband and I watched a television show last night about people who are preparing for doomsday by stockpiling food, readying hazard suits, and even building underground bunkers. It was a National Geographic special that absolutely blew my mind. Beyond the fact that these folks are rather pessimistic about our country's, and the worlds, future, they posses brilliant ideas that could help us all live more efficiently, and even avoid the doomsday they anticipate.
The first family featured turned their entire back yard into a giant science fair project on sustainable living. Only, this demonstration is so good that it is actually feeding all four of them, and could continue to do so without outside help for the foreseeable future Granted, they eat a lot of tilapia. And the fact that they live in the middle of the dessert makes their belief that they could somehow continue to thrive indefinitely without their home, even with the best survival skills, seem ridiculous. Overall, I respect their ingenuity so much that I could get over the solar-flares-are-going-scorch-us theory long enough to want to chat with the father for a while.
The other family's were equally interesting. The lady who believes hyper-inflation could be disastrous for the U.S. is not too off base, I fear. Only stock-piling beans and palettes of Hormel chili seems far too extreme to be worth the time or money. I would rather shoot myself than eat an entire palette of canned anything!
To check out two clips from the show, click on this link.
'Money blurts' help drive fundraising (Yahoo News, by Dan Eggen & T.W. Farnam, 6/19/2011)
I have just encountered a new term being tossed around in the media to describe the incendiary, controversial comments politicians spew in the hopes of garnering donations: money blurts. These supposedly impulsive outbursts can range from disrespectful interruptions of Presidential addresses, to memorable one-liners used in speeches and tv appearances.
I have many problems with this tactic. First, the seemingly impromptu statements are all-too-often pre-planned campaign ploys. I have nothing against well choreographed, grass roots fundraising. But call it what it is. Most Americans are not stupid,* and don't appreciate the cheap shots politicians have been taking to gain a monetary advantage over their competitors.
Second, these suggestions can be dangerous. Requesting that constituents ready their weapons for a political battle, for example, could be seen by militant groups as a true call to arms.
Third, these controversial ideas are often against the spirit of our Constitution, or downright untrue. Calling Obama a Muslim was a sound bite I heard all too often during the last Presidential campaign season. There is no way the speakers didn't know Obama was a Christian, but he or she knew spewing this "controversial" lie would sit well with some donors.
In summary, money blurts may seem like a fantastic way for a candidate to get a temporary boost. But intelligent Americans will see through the charades, and never vote for someone willing to lie and cheat to win.*
*Hopefully
___
6/22
Probably the first cool thing to ever come out of Canada is the new polymer money featured in the video at the top of this article. Not only does it look awesome, it also virtually impossible to counterfeit. And, once it is taken out of circulation, it can be recycled into other useful products. Go Canada!
___
6/26
Not everyone is cut out for college. Many youth recognize this at a much earlier age than we may realize. I remember knowing that I loved school the first time I attended. My husband, on the other hand, hated it. For me, going to college was a joyful experience; a transformation of my mind. For my husband, it was a nightmare that took six years, and garnered little more than major headaches. Still, because of the value our society currently places on a four year degree, he could not have the career he had without it.
That is why I found this quote so compelling: "According to Harvard's "Pathways" report, the United States needs a school system that establishes career options for students as early as middle school. The options should specify the coursework and the training students will need. This approach will enable students, along with their parents, to map pathways toward the work they seek." (The high cost of our obsession with four-year colleges)
This should include an expansion of our technical college system, as well as a major re-evaluation of such schools' prestige in the eyes of our nation. There is nothing wrong with taking two years of courses to be a solar panel expert, or a wind farm technician. Our sole focus on the four year bachelors degree is out dated, and holding us back in this highly technical age we find ourselves living in.
Let's go back to the example of my husband for a moment. In high school, his first job was selling newspapers. He fell in love with the sales process, and managing a sales team, by the time he graduated the twelfth grade. Wouldn't two years focused on honing the skills involved in a career as a sales manager have been more beneficial to him than a four year liberal arts degree that didn't include even one class about selling or managing? His current employer would not have even considered his resume without the bachelors degree, however.
___
6/29
My husband and I watched a television show last night about people who are preparing for doomsday by stockpiling food, readying hazard suits, and even building underground bunkers. It was a National Geographic special that absolutely blew my mind. Beyond the fact that these folks are rather pessimistic about our country's, and the worlds, future, they posses brilliant ideas that could help us all live more efficiently, and even avoid the doomsday they anticipate.
The first family featured turned their entire back yard into a giant science fair project on sustainable living. Only, this demonstration is so good that it is actually feeding all four of them, and could continue to do so without outside help for the foreseeable future Granted, they eat a lot of tilapia. And the fact that they live in the middle of the dessert makes their belief that they could somehow continue to thrive indefinitely without their home, even with the best survival skills, seem ridiculous. Overall, I respect their ingenuity so much that I could get over the solar-flares-are-going-scorch-us theory long enough to want to chat with the father for a while.
The other family's were equally interesting. The lady who believes hyper-inflation could be disastrous for the U.S. is not too off base, I fear. Only stock-piling beans and palettes of Hormel chili seems far too extreme to be worth the time or money. I would rather shoot myself than eat an entire palette of canned anything!
To check out two clips from the show, click on this link.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Superstitions
Cursed number "39" haunts Afghan car owners (Yahoo News via Reuters, by Hamid Shalizi, 6/15/2011)
Whenever I hear someone mention the number 13, I can't help but shiver. It has been drilled into my brain from such a young age that the number brings bad luck, that I can't suppress the response, even though I realize I am being superstitious.
In Afghanistan, the number 39 is suddenly gaining steam as the latest symbol to exude negative connotations. Suddenly, if there is a 39 on your license plate, you are considered a pimp. Though some American men may covet the title, the idea of being a "pimp" in Afghanistan's conservative Muslim society has real world, negative repercussions.
Whether the idea originated because of an Iranian pimp who drives around in a luxury car nicknamed "39," or as a result of a police scheme to earn money is interesting to consider. But what really makes my mind stew is how fast the superstition formed, and traveled. It makes me wonder if other cultural idiosyncrasies developed in a similar, exponentially expanding manner.
___
Whenever I hear someone mention the number 13, I can't help but shiver. It has been drilled into my brain from such a young age that the number brings bad luck, that I can't suppress the response, even though I realize I am being superstitious.
In Afghanistan, the number 39 is suddenly gaining steam as the latest symbol to exude negative connotations. Suddenly, if there is a 39 on your license plate, you are considered a pimp. Though some American men may covet the title, the idea of being a "pimp" in Afghanistan's conservative Muslim society has real world, negative repercussions.
Whether the idea originated because of an Iranian pimp who drives around in a luxury car nicknamed "39," or as a result of a police scheme to earn money is interesting to consider. But what really makes my mind stew is how fast the superstition formed, and traveled. It makes me wonder if other cultural idiosyncrasies developed in a similar, exponentially expanding manner.
___
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