Do you have feelings of inadequacy?
Do you suffer from shyness?
Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Margaritas..
Margaritas are the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions. Margaritas can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything. You will notice the benefits of Margaritas almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live. Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had. Stop hiding and start living, with Margaritas.
Margaritas may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Margaritas. However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.
Side effects may include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Incarceration
- Erotic lustfulness
- Loss of motor control
- Loss of clothing
- Loss of money
- Loss of virginity
- Table dancing
- Headache
- Dehydration
- Dry mouth
- And a desire to sing Karaoke
WARNINGS:
The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you are whispering when you are not.
The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.
The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to think you can sing.
The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting.
Please share this with other women who may need Margaritas.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
The State of Education
Disparity in education is one thing that is haunting America. The trillions in government debt we're racking up is not going to help the USA stand strong in the coming years, instead it will put us on a level playing field with Europe, with many countries in economic distress over nationalized health care, businesses, and other forms of life. But this will be another topic.
What can we do, and while we're in the habit of throwing money to places where it will be useless, is there anywhere we can put money to actually help America? I say yes, but it has to be done in the correct manner. Giving money to people who refuse to work will just aggregate the problem. I think that education in America is important. This is a long-term plan, however. Teachers should be paid more and there should be more emphasis in school study programs outside of school. Forcing every student across the board to go at a slow pace to cater toward the lower-achievers in the class is not the answer but maybe there is economic sense in rewarding those who are high achievers (Look at Korea and India).
The US led the world in educational outcomes beginning in the 1960's. However, in 2006, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ranked America as 25 out of 30 industrialized countries in math and 24 in science. Studies between those ages 9-10 and 15 suggest that the closer they get to joining the labor force, the further they lag behind their international counterparts. If the United States had closed this gap and reached the level of Finland and Korea (top performers on this survey) by 1998, the US GDP could have been $1.3-2.3 Trillon higher in 2008. Some believe that this gap imposes a larger cost to the US economically than the current recession.
There is also a gap seen in the United States among students of different ethnic origins. Blacks and Hispanics score, on average, 2 to 3 years behind their white counterparts of the same age on the same tests, which no matter how it is measured is still there. If the gap had been closed by 1998, the US GDP in 2008 would have been $525 billion higher than it was. If this issue is continually ignored, the magnitude of this issue will grow as blacks and Hispanics will begin to account for a larger percentage of the US population. Perhaps this is a result of societal pressures. Asians have also been discriminated against in American culture through the 19th and 20th century, yet they rank high on these tests and are continually left from the "minority" reports on all achievement levels. Perhaps this is because their heritage, culture, and families value high achievers.
Another achievement gap persists between students at different income levels (both between the income gap in the school system and the income gap of the students home). If this achievement gap between the economic level of the students had been bridged by 1998, in 2008 the US GDP may have been as much as $670 billion more than it was. If the gap between low and high achieving states had been closed the US GDP would have been $700 billion greater in 2008.
Students in Texas are on average, 1 to 2 years ahead of Californian students of the same age, even though Texas has a lower per capita income and spends less per pupil than California. The cause of this should be studied more so we can do smart spending instead of throwing money at a problem and hoping it goes away.
*Note: It's not about just "bridging" the gap, it's about bringing the low performers up to the standards of the high performers. If we are all low performers, the disparity in the GDP would be much greater.
Currently, the tax for schools in Texas is not taxed across those who live in apartments. Only those who own houses. This is becoming a large problem for Cy-Fair ISD, now the 3rd largest school district in Texas. Last year the school district had to cut 450 positions and is looking at cutting 75 more. The taxes are rising on those with houses in order to service the number of lower income students now enrolled in the district. The class sizes are increasing in middle school and high school, making the student to teacher ratio greater. In other words, the quality of education is sinking, so perhaps in a decades time we can expect a larger number of people from this district to be adding the US's economic disparity.
Article on Cy-Fair's Woes: Houston Chronicle, "Cy Fair tries to keep best of both worlds"
Article on economic vs. education disparity of America is located in McKinsey Quarterly: Social Sector Office, June 2009 Issue; by Byron G. Auguste, Bryan Hancock, and Martha Laboissière
What can we do, and while we're in the habit of throwing money to places where it will be useless, is there anywhere we can put money to actually help America? I say yes, but it has to be done in the correct manner. Giving money to people who refuse to work will just aggregate the problem. I think that education in America is important. This is a long-term plan, however. Teachers should be paid more and there should be more emphasis in school study programs outside of school. Forcing every student across the board to go at a slow pace to cater toward the lower-achievers in the class is not the answer but maybe there is economic sense in rewarding those who are high achievers (Look at Korea and India).
The US led the world in educational outcomes beginning in the 1960's. However, in 2006, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ranked America as 25 out of 30 industrialized countries in math and 24 in science. Studies between those ages 9-10 and 15 suggest that the closer they get to joining the labor force, the further they lag behind their international counterparts. If the United States had closed this gap and reached the level of Finland and Korea (top performers on this survey) by 1998, the US GDP could have been $1.3-2.3 Trillon higher in 2008. Some believe that this gap imposes a larger cost to the US economically than the current recession.
There is also a gap seen in the United States among students of different ethnic origins. Blacks and Hispanics score, on average, 2 to 3 years behind their white counterparts of the same age on the same tests, which no matter how it is measured is still there. If the gap had been closed by 1998, the US GDP in 2008 would have been $525 billion higher than it was. If this issue is continually ignored, the magnitude of this issue will grow as blacks and Hispanics will begin to account for a larger percentage of the US population. Perhaps this is a result of societal pressures. Asians have also been discriminated against in American culture through the 19th and 20th century, yet they rank high on these tests and are continually left from the "minority" reports on all achievement levels. Perhaps this is because their heritage, culture, and families value high achievers.
Another achievement gap persists between students at different income levels (both between the income gap in the school system and the income gap of the students home). If this achievement gap between the economic level of the students had been bridged by 1998, in 2008 the US GDP may have been as much as $670 billion more than it was. If the gap between low and high achieving states had been closed the US GDP would have been $700 billion greater in 2008.
Students in Texas are on average, 1 to 2 years ahead of Californian students of the same age, even though Texas has a lower per capita income and spends less per pupil than California. The cause of this should be studied more so we can do smart spending instead of throwing money at a problem and hoping it goes away.
*Note: It's not about just "bridging" the gap, it's about bringing the low performers up to the standards of the high performers. If we are all low performers, the disparity in the GDP would be much greater.
Currently, the tax for schools in Texas is not taxed across those who live in apartments. Only those who own houses. This is becoming a large problem for Cy-Fair ISD, now the 3rd largest school district in Texas. Last year the school district had to cut 450 positions and is looking at cutting 75 more. The taxes are rising on those with houses in order to service the number of lower income students now enrolled in the district. The class sizes are increasing in middle school and high school, making the student to teacher ratio greater. In other words, the quality of education is sinking, so perhaps in a decades time we can expect a larger number of people from this district to be adding the US's economic disparity.
Article on Cy-Fair's Woes: Houston Chronicle, "Cy Fair tries to keep best of both worlds"
Article on economic vs. education disparity of America is located in McKinsey Quarterly: Social Sector Office, June 2009 Issue; by Byron G. Auguste, Bryan Hancock, and Martha Laboissière
Saturday, July 4, 2009
"One Nation, Under God..."
"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
-John Adams
"Before any man can be considered as a member of civil society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe."
-James Madison
"And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever."
-Thomas Jefferson
"To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom, and political and social happiness, which mankind now enjoys...Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrow, our present republican form of government-and all blessings which flow from them-must fall with them."
-Jedidiah Morse, "The Father of American Geography"
"At the time of the adoption of the Constitution and the amendments, the universal sentiment was that Christianity should be encouraged...in this age there can be no substitute for Christianity....That was the religion of the founders of the republic and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants."
-House Judiciary Committee Report, March 27, 1854
-John Adams
"Before any man can be considered as a member of civil society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe."
-James Madison
"And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever."
-Thomas Jefferson
"To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom, and political and social happiness, which mankind now enjoys...Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrow, our present republican form of government-and all blessings which flow from them-must fall with them."
-Jedidiah Morse, "The Father of American Geography"
"At the time of the adoption of the Constitution and the amendments, the universal sentiment was that Christianity should be encouraged...in this age there can be no substitute for Christianity....That was the religion of the founders of the republic and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants."
-House Judiciary Committee Report, March 27, 1854
Saturday, June 27, 2009
The State of the Economy
Earlier this week Obama met with the Houston Chronicle and stated that "wind energy has just taken off and been a huge economic boon to the state..." which is far from accurate. The only reason it has "taken off" is because the state mandated a $5 billion inclusion to build transmission lines to the wind farms of East Texas. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas estimates that it will cost the average Texan $27 per month, which is a far cry than "a postage stamp a day" that Obama claims. Obama's wind energy plan is similar to a program in Spain which has brought no jobs to Spain, in fact we would expect to lose nine jobs for every four created.
Yesterday, the House passed the "climate bill", 219-212, so it's only up to the Senate to stop this monstrosity. Although Democrats seem to be behind this bill, 44 deflected to oppose the bill. Rep. John Culberson knows how this will end if it moves forward resulting in "epic job losses" and "the largest tax increase in history." Rep. Ron Paul calls it a "congressional crime we will regret for years to come."
What will happen to Houston? I think you can imagine. Europe has not been helped by their far reaching plans, not just in industry but their socialist hands in the economy as well. Europe is slipping from the ranks of the influential nations, and now we are forced to look at only China and the US. Pretty soon, will the US be a viable source to look toward for guidance?
All we can do now is hope that the members of Senate are not wooed by the judicial lies that plague Washington today and hopefully tomorrow I will still have faith in this country.
Yesterday, the House passed the "climate bill", 219-212, so it's only up to the Senate to stop this monstrosity. Although Democrats seem to be behind this bill, 44 deflected to oppose the bill. Rep. John Culberson knows how this will end if it moves forward resulting in "epic job losses" and "the largest tax increase in history." Rep. Ron Paul calls it a "congressional crime we will regret for years to come."
What will happen to Houston? I think you can imagine. Europe has not been helped by their far reaching plans, not just in industry but their socialist hands in the economy as well. Europe is slipping from the ranks of the influential nations, and now we are forced to look at only China and the US. Pretty soon, will the US be a viable source to look toward for guidance?
All we can do now is hope that the members of Senate are not wooed by the judicial lies that plague Washington today and hopefully tomorrow I will still have faith in this country.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Diaries
I recently had the opportunity this summer to read a light, but enjoyable read, The Nanny Diaries. After I was done, I decided to watch the movie because it is continually playing on one of those many movie channels on digital cable. The title is about where the similarities end.
The book expresses cynicism and disgust toward the Upper New York "mom", who is just as conceited as the Wall Street father and quite a bit more bitchy.
However, the movie portrays a used and abused mother, who just needed to see the light in order to change and become a beacon of love for her children (most often just child-because more would be too much work).
This would never happen in the book. She likes her prada and louis, and she would probably sell her first born to get it.
I have a feeling that the producer read the back cover of the book and missed the entire premise before production.
So thumbs up on the book and thumbs down on the movie for the inaccuracy in the portrayal of not only the characters attitudes, names (which, including the main character) but also the entire message.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Murano Resigns
I haven't had anything interesting to post about in a while, but I think Murano's resignation warrants a post, as far as Aggie news goes.
According to one reliable source, her political science teacher said that other faculty called her "fidel castro behind her back". Harsh words.
Murano had very low marks on both leadership and management on her first yearly review by Texas A&M University System Chancellor Mike McKinney.
Although critics have been hard on her from the beginning, this was probably the pivotal mark leading to her resignation.
Texas A&M has been in the media for having low minority enrollment, which was what Murano's original placement of President was supposed to help. Image. It's all about image.
In case you want to read a bit more about her resignation:
However, I believe she may just have a bad rap, and big shoes to fill. I met her once, and she was very friendly and wanted to talk to all the students. So don't give her too hard of a time.
Another article worth visiting:
According to one reliable source, her political science teacher said that other faculty called her "fidel castro behind her back". Harsh words.
Murano had very low marks on both leadership and management on her first yearly review by Texas A&M University System Chancellor Mike McKinney.
Although critics have been hard on her from the beginning, this was probably the pivotal mark leading to her resignation.
Texas A&M has been in the media for having low minority enrollment, which was what Murano's original placement of President was supposed to help. Image. It's all about image.
In case you want to read a bit more about her resignation:
However, I believe she may just have a bad rap, and big shoes to fill. I met her once, and she was very friendly and wanted to talk to all the students. So don't give her too hard of a time.
Another article worth visiting:
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Isn't it nice when Honest Virtues win?
My mom was actually the one who picked up on this one....
Watch this Subaru Commercial:
Cute, huh?
Notice Anything?
(If you don't know...this is a Girl Scout Brownie vest.)
I bet this child will have some identity issues when he gets older. Good one Subaru.
Next time, pay your marketing directors a little more so maybe they'll go figure out what not to dress their little boys in.
Watch this Subaru Commercial:
Cute, huh?
Notice Anything?
(If you don't know...this is a Girl Scout Brownie vest.)
I bet this child will have some identity issues when he gets older. Good one Subaru.
Next time, pay your marketing directors a little more so maybe they'll go figure out what not to dress their little boys in.
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