Jul

31

“Meet the Press” - Interesting and Illuminating

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This morning I watched Meet the Press with Tim Russert and it was an interesting show. During the segment about the U.S. Supreme Court nominee John Roberts, Mr. David S. Broder of the Washington Post illuminated the segment with what questions Senators should ask Roberts:

” I’d ask him, for example, what does he think about what’s happening now in some of the states in this country? What does he think is happening in the relationship between the states and the federal government? What does he think about what is happening between the employers and employees of this country? Get some sense about where his sense of social justice may be, what his sense of obligation to the society, and particularly ask him, what does he think the law means to average citizens? What can they expect from the courts? If he wants to talk about predictability, that would be important to know. If he thinks that there are some specific issues where people have a stake in what the courts decide, we’d like to know that about him.”

I rushed to find a pencil and paper to write down what Mr. Broder said because it “clicked” with me. The questions he listed were simple, vague and open-ended so as to encourage Mr. Roberts to speak about what’s on his mind.

Essentially, I learned that asking a specific question and listening for a specific answer limits what can be learned about a person and what they think. Therefore, do the opposite because sometimes it can reveal more about a person than expected.

Visit Meet the Press’ website to download the podcast or read the transcripts of the July 31st show.

Jul

29

Highway Bill Approved

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The Associated Press via Yahoo! News reported that “Congress on Friday passed sweeping highway and mass transit legislation that will send nearly $300 billion to the states to build and fix roads, create thousands of new jobs and — lawmakers hope — save lives and cut hours wasted in traffic jams.”

The H.R. 3, known as the “Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005 (Engrossed Amendment as Agreed to by Senate),” is a massive bill. Scrolling through the table of contents, I discovered some interesting sections, one labeled “Future of Surface Transportation System” and another “Intelligent Transportation System Research.” I am excited about this bill and I look forward to seeing what it will help produce.

Visit http://thomas.loc.gov/, search for “H.R. 3″ and look for “Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005 (Engrossed Amendment as Agreed to by Senate)[H.R.3.EAS]” link and click on the link to browse the entire bill.

Jul

29

“It’s Not My Money”

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Recently, I encountered an ethical dilemma about money. About ten days ago a gentleman deposited a large sum of money (approx. $250) into my bank account.

Suffice to state that the money was not mine. After reviewing the electronic photocopy of the deposit slip, it appeared that the gentleman wrote down the incorrect account number.

I spoke with people regarding the matter and the general sentiment was to spend the money and spend it quick. But, I argued, that it was not my money, so how could I spend it? I should return the money to its rightful owner. The choice was mine to make but I sought advice because a different view on a situation is beneficial.

Therefore, I went to the bank today and returned the money to the gentlemen. Why did I return the money? Simple, the money was not mine. Furthermore, I did it because I believe it’s the right thing to do and if I was in the gentlemen’s shoes, I would want someone to return my money.

This anecdote is representative of my greater belief that you should treat others how you want to be treated.

And to the gentlemen who just got his money back: from now on, write clearer and double check it. ;)

Jul

29

Life is Short So Live It Up

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Today was a somber day because today I had to bury my cousin Breonda. She died in a car accident about twelve days ago.

The theme of the funeral was to be happy rather than depressed, to understand that life is short and to live each moment as if it were your last, and to cherish your family and friends because just like “that,” it’s over.

I’ll be sure to keep in contact with my family and friends. Ask them how they’re doing and let them know what I am up to. Communication is critical and it is even more critical among family members.

Jul

28

CAFTA Approved

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According to the Los Angeles Times, the U.S. House of Representatives approved Central America Free Trade Agreement with a slim 2-vote margin: 217 to 215.

By approving the trade pact, the markets of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic will be more available to U.S. producers and consumers and vice versa.

Imagine, for a moment, a store, but in order to get to the store you need to climb over a wall. Most people don’t want to climb over a wall; therefore they will go to another store. With CAFTA, the wall is removed or at least reduced so it can be walked over. In turn, more economic activity will occur, but at the same time people could be exploited.

Opponents of CAFTA argued that because laws protecting workers are not as strong as in the five Central American countries compared to those of the United States that more should have been done to encourage reform.

Visit the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s page on CAFTA for more information.

Jul

24

Party Down, Ask about Education

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I am not an avid party person, but yesterday I attended my friend’s party.

It was great because of all the people. I love meeting and talking with people about life and in particular, education.

One of the first five questions I ask a person is what school they go to. If they don’t go to school, then I ask them why they are not going to school. The reason I ask is because school (education) is important to me and should be important to them.

I want to know what education endeavors people are pursuing because it is inspiring.

The point of this rather short blog is regardless of the social environment, education is important. Now, a party does not seem like the common place to talk about school, but a party is a social gathering. People come together to talk and have a good time.

Education is just one of the many things to talk about.

Jul

22

CA Redistricting Initiative Removed from Ballot

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The California redistricting initiative, known as Prop 77, was scheduled to appear on November 8th Special Election ballot; however “Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Gail Ohanesian ruled that the [redistricting] initiative [known as Prop 77] should not have been placed on the Nov. 8 ballot because the wording circulated on voter petitions had not been approved according to law.”

Proponents of Prop 77 argued that the ruling “silenced the voices of 950,000 Californians.” But I disagree for two reasons.

First, just because a person signs a petition does not necessarily mean he or she supports what the petition stands for. For example, when I am solicited to sign a petition, I read the entire initiative over and ask the petitioner what the initiative is about and if they are a paid or un-paid volunteer.

However, I view signing a petition more like “If I sign this, I don’t have to vote for it nor do I have to agree with it, I am just giving the entire electorate an opportunity to decide.”

The second reason I disagree is that I believe initiative language must be consistent and any variation between what is filed and what people are asked to sign is unacceptable. “Close enough” is not “good enough.”

Jul

18

A Look at Mass Transit: Part 1

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Browsing through the Los Angeles Times’ website, I read an article titled “New Busway Gears Up for Fall Debut” with the brief description: “MTA officials hope the San Fernando Valley’s Orange Line will lure commuters from their cars and ease congestion on the 101 Freeway.”

I used to ride the bus all around the Bellflower-Norwalk-Lakewood area but then I got a driver’s license. Suffice to state, I now drive to where I need to go, instead of waiting for the bus.

Reading through the article, I found an interesting quotation that hit a cord with me: “”I think if we had a system where people knew that they could walk to the corner and get a bus that takes them to the train and that the bus and train schedules were synchronized, people would use it — but we don’t have it,” said Councilman Ed Reyes, an MTA board member for the last four years.”

Mass transit is a practical solution to a practical problem: traffic. However, using mass transit and understanding it are two different things.

With regards to using mass transit, one must take into account the bus, the bus stop, the cost of riding the bus, where the bus goes (and doesn’t go), whether the bus connects to other forms of transportation (other bus routes, light/sub rail, etc.), how long it will take to get from point A to point B, and ultimately, whether the benefits outweigh the cost. This simple list is a daunting amount of information for people who have never used mass transit in their life.

In understanding mass transit, I am looking to the theoretical or abstract concept of mass transit. In the ideal (future) world, mass transit will consists of an expansive, automated network of vehicles (individualized or not) that will take people from point A to point B. Think of Steven Spielberg’s “Minority Report,” I believe that’s the best visual concept I can offer with regards to the future of mass transit.

Over time, I’ll review the theoretical and practical aspects of mass transit with the goal of obtaining a stronger understanding of it and sharing that understanding with others. But in the mean time, I would encourage people to take some form of mass transit: the bus, light rail, etc. and experience what the hoopla is all about. It’s a great experience!

Jul

12

Governors Encouraged to Think Regionally

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The concept of planning growth and development beyond city, county and state borders is feasible. However, the gap between concept and reality is large. Helping to overcome the gap, the Environmental Protection Agency and Smart Growth for America are encouraging governors to think regionally.

In an article titled “Governors Urged Toward Community Planning,” the Associated Press reports that “The federal Environmental Protection Agency and a nonprofit group called Smart Growth America on Tuesday helped launch a National Endowment for the Arts program that will work with governors to build communities that use natural resources efficiently and encourage healthy habits.”

I believe it is important to think regionally. Just because a government or corporate entity may not jurisdiction over a particular area or be legally responsible, doesn’t mean there is no social obligation. Thinking regionally is essential for the effective and efficient use of finite resources.

Visit Smart Growth for America’s website for more information.

Jul

10

Bakersfield and Back

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Yesterday, July 9th was my UC Merced Orientation in Bakersfield, California and do I have a tale to tell.

Chapter 1: To Bakersfield

Calling Friday night a night, I stayed home and decided to relax. I went to sleep around midnight and woke up at 5:30am.

I was up and out of my house by 6:30am and on the road to Bakersfield. According to Google Maps, the drive was approximately 129.1 miles and would take about 2 hours and 18 minutes. I’ll never forget the Google Maps disclaimer: “These directions are for planning purposes only. You may find that construction projects, traffic, or other events may cause road conditions to differ from the map results.” Oh, and did the results differ.

I zoomed down the 105 W, the 710 N and 5 N, but then it all came to halt. A little past Gorman (a town in the hills between Los Angeles and Bakersfield) a sign on the 5 N said “Prepare to stop.” As I was coming over a small hill, a sea of traffic flooded the highway.

Now, I would have made it to Bakersfield around 8:30-9am, but that wasn’t going to happen now because of the traffic. After struggling to survive with no CD player and no pit stop, I made it out of the hills. The view of the Central Valley was a bit smoggy, but it was still an inspiring view.

What was the cause of traffic? I thought there was a major accident. I saw smoke on the hill side and it appeared to be on fire. But I passed the burned hills and no fire department or law enforcement. A couple of miles further down the road and the cause of the traffic was revealed: the left 2 lanes of the 5 N were closed for re-pavement. I was laughing because I could believe they were re-paving during the morning rush.

So, after making it out of the hills, I stopped at the first exit because nature was calling. I pulled into the Jack in the Box off the Grapevine exit and proceeded to the restaurant. There was a line out the back door of people waiting to use the restroom so I decided to get more acquainted with nature.

I jumped back into my car and turned the ignition: nothing, just a subtle, clicking sound. After several more tries, I resigned to the fact that my car was dead. At first, I thought it was the battery, so I called AAA and requested assistance. The operator told me that help would not come until about 12pm, therefore I decided to wait.

But, after sitting in my car, I told myself, “Whatever it takes. I have to do whatever it takes.” Referring to the fact that if I committed to attending the UC Merced Orientation, and then I need to do whatever I can to get to the orientation. I asked a fellow motorist for a jump start, but the jump start failed.

I called 411 and was connected to Yellow Cab. “How long would it take for a taxi to get here and how much would it cost to go to Bakersfield?” I asked the dispatcher. About 30 minutes (so, the taxi would arrive around 11:15am) and $70 dollars he responded. “Wonderful,” I said. Now, at 10:47am, I called back AAA and cancelled their help.

11:15am rolled around and still no taxi. I waited another 10 minutes until I called and waited another 10 minutes for the taxi to arrive. I took it all in stride.

From 11:25am to about 11:40am, I made several attempts to leave my car, but it was difficult. I locked all the doors, and then reopened them so I could organize the stuff I would leave behind. I moved over to the passenger’s seat because it offered more shade from the blistering sun. After a bit of rationalizing, I decided there was nothing left I could do for my car, so I got up, got my stuff, closed the door, cried an expletive and walked away, believing it would be a long time until I saw my car again.

I walked to the Mobil Gas Station, withdrew some cash and waited. The taxi arrived at 11:40-11:45am and I was on my way. Wes, the driver, was a kind fellow. For the duration of the drive, which was about 30 miles (25 or so minutes), we spoke about life, family, school and Bakersfield.

I got to the UC Merced Orientation around 12:20pm and told Wes, “Better late than never, right?” I walked into the building, spoke with a couple of people, registered and got a boxed lunch. I didn’t miss too much of the orientation program. Following lunch, I attended a lecture delivered by a Literature professor, a student rights and responsibilities presentation, academic advising and then a student networking session.

Overall, the experience was awesome because I got to meet so many people from all walks of life: fellow students, fellow RAs, staff, faculty and administrators!

(Note: I journeyed up to Merced on June 25th and interview for the Resident Assistant (RA) position. I was called on July 5th and notified I got 1 of the 6 available positions!)

So, during the “Student Networking” segment of the orientation, I got to speak with fellow RAs and I am excited about working with them to make life at UC Merced an unforgettable experience!

The orientation concluded around 5pm.

Chapter 2: From Bakersfield

On the way from the UC Merced Orientation and Bakersfield, I hitched a ride with a fellow student. But before we hit the road, we stopped at McDonald’s to get some food. However, my parents, after listening to the voice mail I left them, decided to come pick me up.

I waited at McDonald’s, my parents came, and we drove back to the Grapevine Jack in the Box to see if my car would start. Apparently, driving on the 5 N from Los Angeles to Bakersfield can overheat vehicles, causing the electrical system to fail.

I got into the car, turned the key and the engine roared, well, sort of because a 1988 Toyota Camry can only roar so much. After zooming down the 5 S, 60 E, 710 S, 105 E, I got home and went to the movies with Charlene, Kenny, Cynthia, Joelle and Elaine; they are some great friends. After the movies, we played cards at Kenny’s house.

The night concluded with a good chat with my “incredible” friend Charlene. ;-) She is remarkable because she makes me think more than others do. I like that.

After a bit of reading, I went to sleep at around 4:30am and the day ended.

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