Aug

4

California Connected Profiles Speaker Núñez

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On Friday, July 29th at 8:30pm California Connected, a PBS show, aired an extensive interview with/profile of California Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez.

The show did an excellent job of profiling the speaker because it told a story. At the end of the segment, Speaker Núñez remarked: “In the end, our differences are far outweighed by what we have in common: A love for California and a real desire to make things better for the next generation.�

That’s a quotation I’ll remember.

Aug

2

$116 Million Raised for Upcoming California Elections, Is this Good or Bad?

Filed Under Election 2005 | Leave a Comment

Today, the Los Angeles Times reported that over $116 million dollars has been raised for the upcoming 2005 and 2006 elections in California.

An interesting point was brought forward within the article is that elections seem to be occurring with greater frequency in California and voters don’t necessarily appreciate it.

The campaign reports come as opinion polls show that voters are skeptical of the need for a special election and question the wisdom of the measures on the ballot. But donors appear undeterred, giving an average of more than $540,000 a day to various causes.

“All the inside players view this as a life-or-death battle, but the average person is really sick of it,” said Barbara O’Connor, director of the Institute for the Study of Politics at Cal State Sacramento.

“And they’re tired of relegating government to the election box. They don’t want to have to do this.”

California is inching closer and closer towards a real democracy; a democracy where each person has an opportunity to vote on each piece of legislation. But what is the cost? Apparently the cost is reduced voter confidence in state government and its leaders.

But there are benefits as well.

I believe, on balance, it’s more beneficial because the electorate is inevitably becoming more informed about the political process. As the electorate better understands government, it’s institutions, actors and how each interacts, a person is better able to critique it and recognize the deficiencies. In turn, a person is able to propose solutions to increasing the efficiency of government.

So, what can we expect as November 8th approaches? We can expect more political activity, media coverage and participation. Stay tuned! ;)

Aug

2

AP: “Passenger Jet Skids Off Toronto Runway”

Filed Under The World | 1 Comment

The Associated Press just reported the following:

TORONTO – A passenger jetliner caught fire Tuesday after skidding off a runway at Pearson airport in Toronto. Black smoke billowed from the wreckage as the aircraft burned.

Rescue vehicles rushed to the scene, which was in a wooded area near Highway 401, Canada’s busiest highway.

There was no immediate word on casualties.

Police said the plane was an Air France passenger jet that was trying to land when it ran into trouble.

Aug

1

Energy Independence, “Are We Really Suckers?”

Filed Under United States | Leave a Comment

I listened to a NPR report tonight called “The Pursuit of Energy Independence.”

Around the 30-40 minute mark, Thomas Friedman, a guest on the show, columnist with The New York Times and author of the national best selling book “The World Is Flat,” remarked:

“Geopolitical costs” for maintaining the oil lanes around the world are huge.

China, France, India and Japan are “complete free riders” because the United States is paying “all security costsâ€? of oil.

They (referring to China, France, India and Japan), tax gasoline and “use revenue to fund [their] social programs”

Friedman concluded with “We are the suckers in this story.”

His contention has enough merit to make me ask, “Are we really suckers?�

I believe the status quo is not efficient as it could and should be. I wasn’t around for the 1973 oil crisis but I read the social and economic impact it had on the United States and rest of the world.

Let’s not wait for another ’73 to strike. We cannot fail to learn from the past. Therefore, I’ll be sure to reduce my personal energy consumption and promote the use of greener, more efficient energy technologies.

Aug

1

My Objectives for August 2005

Filed Under Links | 2 Comments

With the end of July and the start of August, it is time for me to transition from “summer after graduation from Cerritos College� to “UC Merced and Beyond� mode.

I believe it is imperative for an individual, an organization and ultimately a society to establish goals and objectives.

Answers.com defines goals and objectives as the following:

“In Organizational Development, goals represent desired future states of organizations. Goals and objectives are similar but can be distinguished:

> Since goals represent the end state, they may be 1 to 3 years out
> Objectives represent pieces of the goal (or steps toward a goal) and may be accomplished in less than a year

For goals to be most effective, all members of an organization must understand the goals and be aligned with the goals.”

Moreover, I believe establishing goals and objectives help to clarify what should be expected, demanded and required of and provide direction to an individual, organization or society.

My Goals

  • Eat healthy, exercise daily, get plenty of sleep, relax often and take care of myself
  • Communicate with family, friends and colleagues
  • Stay “well-readâ€? and keep up-to-date on current local, regional, state, national and international news and events
  • Continue to plan and prepare for UC Merced and Beyond

    • My Objectives for August 2005

  • Study for and pass the Series 6 and 63 license examinations
  • Complete development of GoCerritos.com
  • Develop GoMerced.org
  • Read “Student Development in Collegeâ€?
  • Read “Politics and Property Rights”
  • Read various Public Policy Institute of California reports
  • Prepare to be a Student and Resident Assistant at UC Merced

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